You’re not alone if you’ve ever stared at a blank screen during your first export tax refund submission—especially when deadlines are tight and compliance risks loom. In fact, 72% of new exporters miss critical steps in their initial filings, leading to delays or even audits. This guide walks you through the entire process—from registration to refund approval—with actionable tips based on real-world data from over 500 SMEs.
The core process has five stages:
Stage | Key Action | Avg. Time Taken |
---|---|---|
1. Registration | Complete business info + tax code | 1–3 days |
2. Customs Declaration | Submit electronic customs data | 2–5 days |
3. Document Collection | Gather invoices, packing lists, bills of lading | 3–7 days |
4. Submission | Upload via National Tax Service portal | 1 day (with templates) |
5. Review & Refund | Tax authority checks → funds released in 7–21 days | 10–14 days avg. |
“Since adopting digital documentation and automated validation tools, our average refund cycle dropped from 3 weeks to just 8 days.” — Lin Mei, Export Manager at Shenzhen Tech Solutions
Pro tip: Use the built-in “一键生成申报模板” (One-click template generator) feature—it reduces manual input errors by 90% and saves 2–3 hours per application.
For factory owners transitioning into international trade, setting up internal controls is crucial. Create a checklist for each shipment that includes: product classification, document tracking, and internal review before submission.