Company & business registration in China.

Our company registration services make it easy for foreign entrepreneurs, funded startups and established businesses to start and manage their business in China and other offshore jurisdictions.

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Company & business registration in China

Confidently start your dream business in China.

Expert guidance

During the entire company registration process, we will be by your side to give advice and help go through any questions you have.

Fast processing

Get your business running in 3-4 weeks or less with the help of our time-saving services.

Transparent pricing

Know what you will be paying for with our transparent pricing – no need to worry about any hidden or extra charges.

Company registration options

Select the best structure for your business.

We can reliably help you navigate the process of registering a new company in China, whether you are expanding from overseas or are already in China. You can choose from several structures. The most popular are:

Joint venture
company.

Ideal for foreign companies seeking to enter China and begin operating immediately with a local partner.

  • Can hire local staff directly
  • Some industries still require a minimum 51% domestic ownership

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Wholly foreign-owned enterprise.

Ideal for foreign companies seeking to enter China for R&D, QC, trade, services and production purposes.

  • Can hire local & foreign staff directly
  • Allowed to import/export

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Representative
office.

Ideal for foreign companies wishing to conduct initial market research and/or support local customers.

  • Must use employment agency for local staff
  • Must have a registered office
  • Limited to four foreign employees

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* There are exceptions based on industry type

International structuring.

Beyond setting up an entity in China, we can also assist with incorporation in other markets in Asia.

Unsure about which structure is right for you?

Start your China business on the right foot by scheduling a free 30-minute consultation about registering your company in China. We can advise you on the optimal business structure, capital investment, full foreign ownership options, shareholder requirements, and more.

Schedule a free consulation
Foreign business ownership

Own and control 100% of your company as a foreign entity.

A Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE) is a company in China that is exclusively owned by a foreign investor. You can be the legal representative of your WFOE and appoint a supervisor. Moreover, foreign investors can operate their China offshore limited company from overseas.

Four things to consider
before registering a WFOE.

Investment structure

When considering which entity shall be the direct investor of the WFOE, companies often take into account tax efficiency, lead-time, complexity, internal (division) interests, (future)co-investors, flexibility, and future exit. From an incorporation perspective, the immediate parent company’s jurisdiction is only relevant with respect to the lead-time and complexity, as legalized documents must be obtained from relevant Chinese Embassies or Consulates, with some jurisdictions being faster and more straightforward than others. We can assist you in choosing the optimal investment structure for your specific business.

Registered capital

It determines the amount of foreign or local currency an investor is allowed to contribute as capital, free of any taxes, to finance the operations of the WFOE. Choosing the appropriate registered capital amount can be a complex exercise and is often the result of a combination of factors, such as: envisaged operational costs or CAPEX until break even, the feasibility of financing China import from offshore entities, industry standards, and/or potential minimum capital requirements set by tenders the WFOE plans to participate in. We are here to assist you in making meaningful estimations.

Location

As China’s tax is collected at a district level, not only the city but also the district of incorporation is relevant. Considerations to determine the optimal district for your investment include envisaged or existing physical office location, flexible local policies, distance to downtown, (tax) benefits, access to talent, vicinity to key staff’s residences, and proximity to suppliers or customers. We are here to assist you in making sounds decisions.

Licenses

Certain activities in certain industries require extra special licenses, for instance, import/export, special foods, alcoholic beverages, restaurants, fresh foods, certain software, APP or platforms, construction, HR, and so on. Acquiring these licenses requires a detailed submission for approval and registration, which will extend the registration procedure’s timeline, usually with approx. 1-3 months.
Company registration process

Simple steps to start your new business.

1. Negotiation of lease contract

All companies in China require a legal address for registration. We will advise and assist on documentary due diligence, negotiations with the landlord and the authorities, and drafting or reviewing the lease contract. If you do not have a legal address, we can also assist with securing a virtual office.

2. Preparation of information and documents

We will advise on choosing your business’s name in Chinese and English, business scope, name on stamps, and other matters related to incorporation. We will also prepare the articles of association which will be based on the basic information that you have provided.

3. Online application at the AMR

We will submit the online application and get pre-approval from the Administration for Market Regulation (AMR).

4. Preparation of documents for the AMR

We will assist with the preparation of company documents to be submitted physically at the AMR. These include the articles of association, appointment letters for required positions, AMR application form, and more.

5. Company registration at the AMR

We will physically submit the documents at the AMR and collect the business licenses.

6. Post-registration procedures

These include arrangement for the stamp carving, tax registration, and application of other special licenses. We will also assist with any import or export-related procedures if needed.

7. Opening of bank accounts and capital contribution

We will assist on opening of basic and capital bank accounts, guide you on capital contribution, retaining a CPA, and amending the business license to reflect the first capital instalment.
Complete corporate services

Everything you need to start and manage your company in China.

Acclime provides a full suite of flexible company services, including company incorporation, virtual office facilities, statutory compliance, and document filing with the appropriate authorities. We also provide resident directors and supervisors if needed. They will be backed by legal documents to guarantee you retain full ownership and control of your business.

Essential company services.

  • Company incorporation

    We will register your selected business structure with the Administration for Market Regulation.

  • Corporate compliance & custodial services

    We handle all your routine and day-to-day company matters, including custodial services, maintaining statutory books, safeguarding of company stamps, filing of documents, and more.

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  • Bank account opening

    We can assist you with opening of a corporate bank account with one of the Chinese banks.

  • Legal representative*

    All foreign-invested companies in China must have at least one legal representative and supervisor. We can act as your resident director if you are unable to appoint one.

  • Registered office*

    A company in China is required to register a legal address. If you do not have a physical office, we can also assist in securing a virtual office for free or for a limited charge.

*Government requirements

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Additional compliance services.

We provide both one-off consultations and ongoing services to keep your business compliant with all the current government requirements.

  • Business licenses

    We assist you in obtaining and updating special types of permits and licenses that might be necessary depending on your planned scope of business in China.

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  • Bookkeeping & accounting compliance

    We assist with all of your bookkeeping and prepare monthly or annual accounting reports in English following China’s GAAP requirements.

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  • Tax registration & compliance

    We offer monthly, quarterly, and annual tax filing to help you stay compliant with the local tax laws.

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  • HR & payroll services

    Our comprehensive HR and payroll services include payroll, payslips, IIT calculations, and HR admin services.

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  • Work permit and visas

    We advise and assist expatriate employees on visa, work permit, and residence permit applications and extensions.

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FAQ

Common questions.

Can a foreigner or foreign investor in China own 100% shares in a company?
Yes. A foreigner (foreign investor) can register a Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise (WFOE) in China. It is the only structure in which a foreigner has full ownership and control.
What is an Equity Joint Venture?

An Equity Joint Venture is the older and less flexible type of JV. Equity Joint Ventures must operate in the form of a Limited Liability Company, which means that the personal wealth and property of the actual individuals who are responsible for the company are shielded from corporate loss.

The most significant difference between Equity Joint Ventures and Cooperative Joint Ventures is the allocation of profits. In Equity Joint Ventures, profits must be allocated according to the ratio of the capital contributions made by the partners. In other words, if one party puts in 40% of the capital investment, they will reap 40% of the total profits.

Equity Joint Ventures are the preferred investment vehicle for most manufacturing Joint Ventures. However, potential investors must be clear about their purpose before deciding which form of Joint Venture they will use.

What is a Cooperative Joint Venture?

Cooperative joint ventures allow for more flexible agreements between the joint venture parties. In cooperative joint ventures companies have the choice to organise themselves as a limited liability company or as a non-legal person in which the partners are subject to unlimited liability. This means that the partners are entirely liable for losses the joint venture may incur. In practice, the majority of cooperative joint ventures are set up as limited liability companies.

The other major difference between a cooperative joint venture and an equity joint venture is that, in a cooperative joint venture, profits can be allocated according to the partners’ discretion and do not have to be proportional to the investments made by the partners. The parties may also agree that one party recovers its investment through an accelerated repayment structure, whereas the other party will become the owner of the joint venture’s assets after termination of the joint venture.

How much does it to cost to set up a business in China?
The cost differs strongly per investor and highly depends on the type of business you look to set up, the location, the number of employees needed, etc.
Can foreigners open a bank account in China?
Yes. The foreign-invested companies need to establish at least two bank accounts in China: a foreign currency capital contribution account and RMB basic account. The foreign currency capital contribution account is needed to receive the registered capital injection from foreigner investors and the RMB basic account is used for daily business operations in China.
Are there specific industries in China that are restricted to foreign investors?
China updates and announces their Negative List each year that outlines categories where foreign investment and business is prohibited or restricted. For instance, some categories such as education, finance, information technology, scientific research are restricted to foreign investors and are often limited to Sino-foreign cooperation.
What is a China special economic zone (SEZ)?
Free Trade Zones (FTZs) are a specific type of special economic zone (SEZ) where goods can be imported, handled, manufactured, and exported without direct intervention from Customs. Currently, there are 11 FTZs across China that provide their own special benefits and have different industry focus areas.
How do I verify a business license in China?

All legally registered businesses can be found and verified on National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System.

Ready to get started?

Join the hundreds of foreign entrepreneurs and businesses who have already set up their companies in China.

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Not sure where to begin?

Schedule a free 30-minute consultation
on starting & managing your company
in China.

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+86 21 6173 8270 (SH)

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9:30 am – 7 pm (UTC+8)

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