With the deepening of international trade, more and more enterprises expand their supply chains or explore markets through import business. However, imported goods involve complex qualification requirements and regulatory processes. If enterprises do not plan in advance, they may face problems such as goods detention, fines, and even legal risks. The following will sort out the core points of the import business for enterprises from two dimensions: qualification preparation and process optimization.

I. Essential Qualifications for Imported Goods

Enterprises need to complete the following qualification filings and applications before the goods arrive at the port to ensure compliant access:

1. Import and export operation rights

• Need to handle with the commercial department Record-filing Form for Foreign Trade Operatorsand simultaneously completeRegistration of customs importers and exportersto obtain a 10 - digit customs registration code.
• If an enterprise does not have import and export rights, it can entrust a qualified agency company to operate, but it needs to declare at the customs in the form of double - headings.

2. Commodity access permission

• Import of special commodities such as food, medical devices, and cosmetics requires Import Licenseor Quarantine Approval Form. For example: For food imports, it is necessary to apply in advance for the Filing of Imported Food Consignors. For used equipment, it is necessary to provide the Application for Filing of Imported Used Mechanical and Electrical Products.

3. Tax and foreign exchange qualifications

• Enterprises need to holdQualification of general taxpayerfor tax deduction in the import link, and completeRegistration in the list of trade foreign exchange receipts and paymentsat the State Administration of Foreign Exchange to open the function of receiving and paying foreign currency.

4. Inspection and quarantine filing

• All imported goods need to be filed throughthe Entry - Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureauto obtain a quarantine code. Animal and plant - derived products also need to provide an additional Animal and Plant Quarantine License.

5. Intellectual property compliance certificate

• For brand - related goods, it is necessary to providetrademark authorization letter, patent certificates and other documents to avoid goods detention due to infringement.

6. Electronic port and single window

• HandledChina Electronic port IC cardto realize data networking among departments such as customs, tax, and foreign exchange, which is used for customs declaration, foreign exchange payment, and tax refund.

II. 4 Stages of an Efficient Import Process

Through phased and refined operations, the customs clearance time can be shortened by more than 30%:

1. Preparatory stage (before the goods arrive at the port)

• Commodity classification and tax rate confirmation: Determine the HS code through the customs tariff, and pre - review the customs duty, value - added tax, and consumption tax.
• Label and document pre - review: For food and cosmetics, Chinese labels need to be prepared in advance and sent for inspection. The documents include contracts, invoices, certificates of origin, health certificates, etc.
• Logistics plan optimization: Select ports with bonded warehousing capabilities and use the two - step declaration mode to pick up goods in advance.

2. Customs declaration and clearance (after the goods arrive at the port)

• Intelligent declaration: Submit electronic data through the international trade single window to complete customs declaration and inspection declaration simultaneously.
• Tax payment: UseSummary TaxationorTariff Guarantee InsuranceAlleviate financial pressure.
• Inspection Response: For goods with a high inspection rate (such as food and luxury goods), prepare inspection reports, ingredient descriptions, etc. in advance.

3. Warehousing and distribution

• 15. UtilizeBonded areaCarry out repackaging and labeling to reduce inventory costs.
• throughWMS systemTrack inventory in real - time and connect with the domestic logistics system.

4. Follow - up compliance management

• Write off foreign exchange quotas regularly to avoid the risk of over - payment of foreign exchange.
• Retain customs declarations, tax payment receipts and other vouchers for more than 5 years to cope with subsequent inspections.

III. 3 Efficiency - enhancing Strategies

• Specialized division of labor: Entrust an AEO - certified customs broker to handle documents to reduce the error rate;
• Digital tools: Use software such as Leisure Packing to optimize the container loading rate and save 5% - 10% of logistics costs;
• Policy Benefit Utilization: Through the advance declaration in the free trade zone and the RCEP agreement tax rate, reduce customs clearance time and taxes.

Conclusion

When conducting import business, enterprises need to build a full - chain management system of qualification compliance + process optimization + risk control. By planning in advance and making good use of policies and technical support, not only can legal risks be avoided, but also the efficiency of the supply chain can be significantly improved, gaining an edge in global competition.

In addition, if you need further support when conducting import trade, you are welcome to contact us at any time. Zongdaifu Import and Export Co., Ltd., as a company specializing in international trade agency services, is committed to providing customers with full - process agency services for imported goods, including goods declaration, inspection application, commodity inspection, customs clearance, etc., to ensure the smooth import of goods and escort your import business!