Company Registration in China - Access to a Global-Scale Economy.

In most cases, name clearance, SAMR registration, corporate chops, and tax registration can be completed using notarised and legalised documents under a power of attorney. Banking is the exception - banks almost always require the legal representative to be present in person once. We arrange the trip as a prepared two-day visit.

Turnkey registration starts from $3,900, including SAMR registration, corporate chops, and the registered address for the first year. With banking and SAFE registration, the cost starts from $6,500. Setting up a Hong Kong holding company starts from $1,800. Renewal and accounting services start from $2,800 per year.

Yes. The Negative List covers a limited number of restricted sectors, including media and certain areas of telecommunications. Manufacturing and most services are open to 100% foreign ownership without a JV. The Foreign Investment Law abolished the separate WFOE legal regime, although the term WFOE remains in use. Before registration, we check your business activities against the current list.

The standard corporate income tax rate is 25%. Companies with small profits may qualify for an effective rate of around 5% through 2027, while certified high-tech enterprises and qualifying companies in the Hainan Free Trade Port may qualify for a 15% rate. VAT is 13/9/6%, depending on the category, with VAT refunds available on exports. Dividends are subject to 10% withholding tax, or 5% where the Hong Kong tax treaty applies.

The legal representative is an individual who acts on behalf of the company, is listed on its business licence, and bears responsibility for its activities, including the consequences of serious corporate violations. This is not a nominal formality but a key part of corporate governance. We help you choose the representative, put appropriate safeguards in place, and handle their replacement when required.

In China, the company chop, finance chop, and legal representative chop are used where signatures would typically be expected in Western practice. Whoever controls a chop can, in practice, act on behalf of the company. That makes proper custody and use essential: we define authorised holders in advance, keep usage records, and separate access.

Yes, annually, provided the required documents are in place: audited financial statements, tax clearance, a board resolution, and SAFE processing. Dividends are subject to 10% withholding tax, or 5% where the Hong Kong tax treaty applies. Proper accounting from day one makes subsequent profit repatriation easier.

It is a special regime in Hainan with a separate customs system. Subject to the applicable conditions, companies can benefit from a 15% corporate income tax rate, while certain imported goods are eligible for zero tariffs. The regime also provides more flexible rules for cross-border transactions and covers projects in tourism, trade, services, and technology that meet the relevant requirements.

This is a common structure: subject to the applicable treaty conditions, dividends from China may be subject to a 5% withholding tax rate instead of 10%. A Hong Kong company can also serve as a holding structure and facilitate international operations. Establishing this structure at the outset can avoid the need for subsequent restructuring.

The process typically takes 4-8 weeks: documents and the company name are prepared first, followed by SAMR registration and corporate chop production within 1-2 weeks. Tax registration and fapiao setup follow. The banking stage depends on the legal representative’s in-person visit. Sector-specific licences and import/export rights are handled in parallel.