I. A production company applies for independent import and export rights
Application qualifications: Approval procedures can be handled for a state-owned large-scale (super large, frist large, or second large) production company as long as the company files an application. The exported goods supply volume of a technical intensive-type electromechanical production company must reach USD 500,000; of other types of production company must reach USD1 million.
Examination and approval procedures: The production company shall file an application to the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Economic and Trade Commission and Shanghai Municipal Economic Commission. Upon the examination by the “two Commissions”, the application will be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of PRC and the State Economic and Trade Commission. The State Economic and Trade Commission will submit the case to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of PRC, which will approve the case.

II. A scientific research institute or high-tech enterprise applies for independent import and export rights
Application qualifications: Approval procedures can be handled for the scientific research institute directly affiliated to each ministry and department under the State Council or that above the department (bureau) level affiliated to a local region, as long as the institute files an application. The annual sales volume of other types of scientific research institute shall exceed RMB 3 million; of high-tech company recognized by state-level high-tech development zone shall exceed RMB 30 million; of a development type high-tech company recognized by provincial-level commission shall exceed RMB 10 million.
Examination and approval procedures: The scientific research institute or high-tech company shall file an application to the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Economic and Trade Commission and Shanghai Municipal Science Commission. Upon verification of the “two Commissions”, the case will be referred to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of PRC and the Ministry of Science and Technology of PRC. The Ministry of Science and Technology will recommend the case and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation will examine and approve the case.

III. A commercial, materials, or chain company applies for independent import and export rights
Application qualifications: The annual sales volume and registered capital of a materials company or commercial wholesale company in the Chinese mainland should exceed RMB 200 million and RMB 10 million respectively; the annual sales volume and value of fixed assets of a commercial retail company should exceed RMB 300 million and RMB 10 million respectively; the annual sales volume of a chain company should exceed RMB 100 million.
Examination and approval procedures: The company should file an application to the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Economic and Trade Commission, Shanghai Municipal Economic Commission, and Shanghai Commerce Commission. Upon verification by the “three Commissions”, the case will be referred to the State Bureau of Internal Trade, State Economic and Trade Commission, and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation. After preliminary examination, the State Bureau of Internal Trade will notify the State Economic and Trade Commission, and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation. After examination and approval, the State Economic and Trade Commission will recommend the case to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, who will approve the case.

IV. Application materials
1. Application Report
2. Overview of the company applying for the import and export rights
3. List of Imported and Exported Commodities applied by the company
4. Legal Entity Business License
5. Feasibility Study Report of a commercial materials company applying for import and export operational rights
6. Balance Sheet and Profit-and-Loss Statement for the previous two years of a commercial or materials company (original table from the Statistics Department).