Hongkong
China
Company in China from $990.
Work with China Directly!
The key to solving your business challenges:
Direct contracts with Chinese suppliers – no agent markups
Legal sales within China online and offline – develop your own distribution
Setting up manufacturing, warehousing, or an office – expand into China and the global market
Registering a company in China is not “just another office”
It is an operational base that gives you:
Control over your supply chain
Access to markets and capital
Protection of assets and contracts
An advantage over competitors who work through intermediaries
What stages does company
registration in China go through?
Step-by-step path from idea to legally established business
Step 1. Do you need a company in China – or is an intermediary enough?
Not every business requires a physical presence.
An intermediary is enough if you:
- Make one-off purchases
- Sell through marketplaces without a local warehouse
- Do not plan to work with Chinese clients directly
You need your own company if you:
- Plan to sign direct contracts with suppliers that do not have an export license
- Plan regular sales within China
- Want to manufacture, store or import goods
- Intend to hire local employees or obtain investment
Not sure?
We invite you to a free consultation
Step 2. Choose your form of presence
| Presence Type | Suitable for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| WFOE (100% foreign-owned company) | Most entrepreneurs: trading, manufacturing, IT, consulting | Full control, IP protection, right to profits and hiring | Registration from 10 days, registered capital required |
| Joint Venture | Business in restricted industries (medicine, education, media) | Access to licenses and channels through partner | Risk of conflicts, technology leakage, complex management |
| RO (Representative Office) | Marketing, research, PR | Fast registration (2–4 weeks) | Cannot conduct commercial activities, issue invoices, or generate revenue |
Step 3. Choose your city – not all regions are the same
Your business determines the location:
- Shenzhen – technology, startups, electronics
- Shanghai – finance, international business, R&D
- Guangzhou – export/import, logistics, wholesale trade
- Beijing – government contracts, education, corporate HQs
- Hainan – tourism, medicine, preferential tax regime
- Special Economic Zones (SEZ) – simplified registration, tax preferences
We can choose a city where your business will receive maximum support and minimal bureaucracy.
Step 4. Rent an office – commercial only
- Mandatory condition for WFOE
- Commercial building only – residential and virtual addresses are not accepted
- Only one company per premises
- When moving – all licenses must be updated
We work with verified agents – we will find an office in the right district within your budget.
Step 5. Approve the company name
- Must be unique in the chosen city
- Must indicate the type of activity
- Must pass verification by SAIC (State Administration for Market Regulation)
We will submit 3 options – and reserve approval within 3 days.
Step 6. Document preparation – your personal package
The list of required documents is not universal – it is formed individually based on three key factors:
- Type of shareholders – individuals and legal entities
- Country of residence – whether it is a participant of the Hague Convention (apostille) or requires consular legalization
- Location of the founder – you are submitting documents from abroad or already in China
Basic package for company registration:
For legal entity shareholders:
- Articles of Incorporation
- Certificate of Good Standing / Company Extract
- Board Resolution appointing director and founder
For individuals (beneficiaries)
- Copy of valid foreign passport
- Color photograph (35×45 mm, blue background)
For all:
- Articles of Incorporation
- Certificate of Good Standing / Company Extract
- Board Resolution appointing director and founder
If you are submitting from abroad – legalization is required:
Apostille countries (Russia, Kazakhstan, UAE, etc.)
- Documents are apostilled in the country of issuance
- Then translated into Chinese
Non-apostille countries
- Documents undergo triple legalization:
- Notary
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country
- PRC Embassy/Consulate
We coordinate the entire process – from notary to embassy – so you don’t waste time on bureaucracy.
In addition to the registration package, for a visa you will need:
- Certificate of No Criminal Record (with apostille or legalization)
- Higher education diploma (required in most cities for founders)
- Medical certificate (obtained in China)
- Employment contract between you and your Chinese company
Without a diploma and a police clearance certificate, they will not issue a visa – even if the company is already registered.
Step 7. Obtain licenses and permits
- Main business license (for export/import activities)
- Tax registration
- Social insurance fund registration (if hiring employees)
- Industry-specific permits (RERA for real estate, NMPA for medical products, etc.)
We submit everything in one package – through a single window.
Step 8. Open a bank account and complete onboarding
- Submit application
- Complete KYC and bank interview
- Obtain main RMB account and multi-currency account
- Register in the SAFE system (for foreign exchange transactions)
Types of Companies for Foreign Nationals
For foreign investors in China, the following forms of business operation are available:
A Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE) is a limited liability company entirely owned by a foreign investor. In China, WFOEs were originally designed to encourage manufacturing activities that were either export-oriented or introduced advanced technologies. However, after China’s accession to the WTO, these conditions were gradually lifted, and the WFOE is increasingly used for service providers, such as various consulting and management services, as well as software development and trading.
It should be noted that a WFOE is entitled to engage in certain types of activities within China (although the scope is quite broad – including trading, consulting, IT business, and manufacturing).
What forms of business are available for foreign nationals to work with China?
As of 2025, you have four strategic options – from full presence in mainland China to a flexible hub in Hong Kong. The choice depends on your goals, budget, and level of engagement with the Chinese market.
Brief Overview of Taxation in China (updated for 2025)
VAT (Value Added Tax)
Companies with a monthly turnover of less than RMB 100,000 (or RMB 300,000 per quarter) are exempt from VAT.
For small-scale taxpayers, the VAT rate has been reduced to 1% – this measure has been extended until December 31, 2027
| General VAT Payer | VAT for Small-Scale Taxpayers | |
|---|---|---|
| Taxable income | > RMB 5 million | ≤ RMB 5 million |
| Rate | 13% – standard, 6% reduced for certain goods | 1% |
| VAT payable | The difference between output tax and input tax for the reporting period is transferred to the budget | Sales amount × VAT % |
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Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
For small and micro enterprises with net profit up to RMB 3 million
the rate is only 5%
Profit exceeding RMB 3 million is taxed at 25%.
Dividends
When dividends are paid to non-residents (foreign shareholders, parent companies, etc.), a withholding tax of 10% applies.
However, this rate may be reduced or completely exempted if a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) exists between China and the country of residence. Currently, China has over 110 such agreements, including with Russia, the UAE, Kazakhstan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and many other jurisdictions.
Royalties and Interest
Payments to non-residents in the form of royalties (for the use of patents, software, trademarks) and interest on loans are also taxed at a rate of 10%.
In addition, such payments are generally subject to VAT at 6%, unless exceptions apply (e.g., for exported services).
Important: VAT is paid by the Chinese company – the payer – even if the recipient is a non-resident.
Consumption Tax
China has a special consumption tax applied to specific categories of goods, primarily luxury items and harmful products:
Tobacco products – up to 56%
Jewelry and precious stones – 5%
Alcohol – from 10% to 20%
Motorcycles, yachts, premium cosmetics – from 3% to 15%
