Export License

An Export License is an official authorization document issued by a national government to regulate the export of specific goods, falling under quantity control measures within non-tariff barriers. Its applicable scenarios include: exporting strategic materials, dual-use items, endangered flora and fauna products, cultural relics, high-tech products, and other controlled goods, or when implementing export restrictions against specific countries/regions. Points to note: Enterprises must apply to the commerce department or designated authorities before shipment; unauthorized export without obtaining the license will result in fines, cargo seizure, or even criminal liability. Licenses typically have validity periods, quantity or value limits, and are not freely transferable. Unlike the "export declaration form," which is a general document submitted to customs, an export license is a pre-approval document. Compared with "automatic export licensing," the latter is used only for statistical monitoring and is usually granted automatically. Additionally, an export license differs from a "Certificate of Origin," which is used to certify the source of goods to enjoy tariff preferences. Foreign trade practitioners should confirm in advance whether the product's HS code is on the controlled list and allow sufficient time for approval.