Business Registration in Hong Kong: Your Complete Guide

For any business registered in Hong Kong - or foreign companies looking to set up a branch office or start trading in Hong Kong - a Business Registration Certificate is essential. Pretty much all for profit businesses, whether on- or offline need to register officially, within a month of starting to trade. Displaying your valid Business Registration Certificate is a legal requirement when doing business in Hong Kong - and this guide covers all you need to know to get started.

We’ll walk through the Business Registration Certificate requirements, process and fees - and also cover how you may save money with Wise business payments if you need to send money internationally to cover your costs.

What is a Business Registration Certificate in Hong Kong?

You’ll usually need a Business Registration Certificate if you have a Hong Kong registered business, or are doing business in Hong Kong - this includes¹:

• Sole proprietorships
• Partnerships
• Incorporated companies
• Companies not registered in Hong Kong doing business here
• Branch business trading in Hong Kong

It’s worth noting that there’s a difference between getting a Business Registration Certificate and registering your company². Registering your company usually refers to registering under the Companies Ordinance, if you have a company limited by shares or by guarantee. You can learn more about how to register your company on the Companies Registry website, including a step by step guide to register your company this way³.

The Business Registration Certificate must be displayed in the place of business of any person or company trading in Hong Kong.⁴ Your certificate can last for either 1 or 3 years, and will require renewal upon expiry.⁵ More on that later.

How to apply for business registration in Hong Kong?

To apply for business registration in Hong Kong you’ll need to take the following steps:

• Complete the Business Registration Certificate application form
• Pay the required fee and levy
• Provide identification - the paperwork needed will vary according to business type, and includes the applicant’s HKID card and business documents

Once you have completed your application form you can submit it in a few different ways:

• In person at the Business Registration Office - 4/F Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
• By post to P.O. Box 29015, Gloucester Road Post Office, Hong Kong
• For sole-proprietorships, some partnerships and branch registration, applications can be submitted online via eTAX

How to renew your business registration in Hong Kong?

You should receive a renewal demand notice shortly before your Business Registration Certificate is due to expire. All you need to do to renew your certificate is pay the indicated fee.⁶

If you do not receive a demand note - or your note is lost - you’ll need to either send or take your expiring Business Registration Certificate to the Business Registration Office, to make payment and renew your certificate.

How to change your business name or business address?

If you make changes to your business, including the name or address you operate from, you’ll need to inform the Business Registration Office within a month of the changes taking effect.⁷

Notifications can be made in writing to the Business Registration Office address given above, or by completing Form IRC 3110A. You may need to provide evidence of the changes you are requesting, such as a utility bill registered to your new premises in the case of an address alteration.

Business Registration Fee

The cost of your Business Registration Certificate will depend on whether you opt for a 1 year registration or a 3 year certificate. The cost is made up of a fee and a levy, and is reviewed from time to time. At the point of writing, you’ll pay the following:⁸

• 250 HKD for a 1 year Business Registration Certificate
• 3,950 HKD for a 3 year Business Registration Certificate

Branch registration fees vary slightly. Other costs which may apply include:⁹

• 27 HKD for a certified copy of your Business Registration Certificate
• 20 HKD for a duplicate copy of your Business Registration Certificate

You can choose between a broad range of ways to pay your Business Registration Certificate fees:¹⁰

• Pay online or by phone
• Pay in person or by post
• Pay using FPS or PPS
• Pay by eCheque or using an ATM

If you’re an overseas taxpayer, you can send a payment online, or ask a friend in Hong Kong to make the transfer for you. You can also pay using a crossed cheque or bank draft.¹¹ If you’re sending a payment from overseas, be sure to check out Wise as a simple, fast and safe way to send low cost international transfers for personal or business customers.

Wise business payments use the mid-market exchange rate with no markups, and can work out up to 19x cheaper than using a competitor like PayPal. 50% of transfers are instant or arrive within the hour - so you can sort out the fees for your Business Registration Certificate online and have the money transferred in no time.

Getting your Business Registration Certificate is an essential first step for anyone looking to trade in Hong Kong. Use this guide as a starting point to get registered, renew your Business Registration Certificate, or make any changes or updates that are needed to stay legal. And don’t forget - whether your business is brand new - or expanding into Hong Kong - you could save on international transfers with Wise business payments.

Start saving today with Wise

Sources last checked on 5-Oct-2021