The Interim Methods for Establishment of Chinese-Foreign Joint-Ventured Foreign Trade Companies provides that Chinese investors that apply for establishment of joint-ventured foreign trade companies shall submit the following documents, which shall be submitted by the local competent authority for foreign trade and economic cooperation to MOFTEC: project recommendation, feasibility study report signed by Chinese and foreign investors, contract, article of association; registration and supporting documents, supporting documents of credit status and supporting documents of legal representatives of Chinese and foreign investors (copies); catalogue of import and export commodities of joint-ventured foreign trade companies to be set up; annual accounting statements of Chinese and foreign investors in recent 3 years that have been audited by public accounting firms; other documents required by MOFTEC.

Some documents required by the Interim Methods for Trial Establishment of Chinese-Foreign Joint-Ventured Foreign Trade Companies promulgated in 1996 are now not required, including "certificates of approval of the enterprises in China invested by foreign companies (copies) or certificates of approval of the representative offices in China (copies), business licenses (copies) and investment verification reports issued by Chinese certified public accounting firms (copies); certificates of registration of Chinese investors'  branches, subsidiaries and joint ventures set up outside the Chinese territory (copies)." These documents are not required because relevant provisions on qualifications have been abolished.