According to the relevant provisions of my country’s foreign exchange management, import units can only make foreign exchange payments through relevant banks after they are included in the list of import units that make foreign exchange payments. Import units that are not included in the list are not allowed to directly go to relevant banks to handle import payments. Therefore, before handling import payment business, importers need to go to the local branch of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange to apply for registration in the list.
(I) Procedures for registration in the list of import units that make foreign exchange payments
1. Importers who apply for registration in the list of import units that make foreign exchange payments need to submit the following application materials:
(1) Application for registration in the list of import units that make foreign exchange payments (with official seal);
(2) Business license of corporate legal person (original and copy);
(3) Copy of ID card of legal representative;
(4) Copy of ID card of person handling the matter;
(5) Letter of authorization.
The copies of the above materials need to be stamped with official seal (it is best for enterprises to bring their official seal when handling this procedure).
After receiving the application materials, the relevant branches of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange will review and include qualified importers in the list of import units that pay foreign exchange.
2. Relevant basis for handling
(1) “Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issuing Regulations on Foreign Exchange Administration of Goods Trade” (Huifa [2012] No. 38);
(2) Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issuing the “Guidelines on Current Account Foreign Exchange Business (2020 Edition)” (Huifa [2020] No. 14).
(II) Administration by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
1. Administration of enterprises in the coaching period
Starting date: the date of registration in the list.
Ending date: the 90th day from the date on which the newly listed enterprise has its first trade foreign exchange income or foreign exchange expenditure business (regardless of the date on which the import and export business occurs).
The enterprise shall register within 10 days after the end of the coaching period. On working days, report in writing to the local foreign exchange bureau on the correspondence between the import and export of goods and the foreign exchange receipts and payments of trade during the coaching period.
When reporting, you need to bring a situation statement, the contract, invoice, customs declaration form, bank receipt and payment voucher and other materials corresponding to each receipt and payment of foreign exchange, and you also need to fill out the import and export payment information report form; the situation statement and report form need to be stamped with the official seal, and the relevant materials must be provided in original form, and the photocopy with the official seal must be retained.
2. Login to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange Digital Foreign Exchange Management Platform (ASOne)
After logging in with the administrator user, set up the operator user and assign the authority of the goods trade foreign exchange detection system to the operator. For specific operations, see the “Common Downloads” access setting manual and user manual in the service platform.