On 30 December 2022, the 38th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress of the PRC passed the decision on revising the Foreign Trade Law of the PRC, i.e., deleting the provisions on the registration of foreign trade operators in Article 9 of the Foreign Trade Law of the PRC. According to the decision, the competent commercial authorities in China have stopped the filing and registration of foreign trade operators from 30 December 2022.

Before the revision, market entities engaged in import and export business in China are required to go through and complete the following import and export registration procedures before they are allowed to conduct import and export business in their own names:

1. foreign trade operator registration
2. customs registration
3. inspection and quarantine registration
4. e-port registration
5. foreign exchange registration for trading enterprises

After the cancellation of the foreign trade operator registration, the relevant government authorities shall not require the market entities engaged in import and export business to provide the certification of foreign trade operator registration. This will help further optimize China's business environment, release the growth potential of foreign trade, and promote high-quality trade development and high-level opening up.

KAIZEN Group is equipped with experienced and highly qualified professional consultants and is therefore well positioned to provide professional advices and services in respect of the formation and registration of company, application for various business licences and permits, company compliance, tax planning, audit and accounting in China. Please call and talk to our professional consultants for details.