Decide the name, premises, business scope and capital before registering; complete applications can receive a license immediately
Five categories of material are required: the application, identity or qualification documents, premises documents, articles of association or partnership agreement (not for individually owned businesses), and any additional items expressly required by law. Complete applications can be registered on the spot, otherwise within 3 working days. Charges are often an intermediary's service fee.
What it takes
Registration itself is free in China; enterprise and individually owned business registration fees stopped on January 1, 2015. Self-service online or at a government hall takes a few hours. Seal production, accounting and registered-address services are commercial purchases, not government fees.
What you may gain
The registration regulation lists five categories: application; applicant qualification documents or natural-person identification; residence or principal-business-premises documents; articles for companies, noncompany legal-person enterprises or farmer cooperatives, or a partnership agreement; and other documents specified by law, administrative regulations or the State Council's market regulator. In ordinary terms, show who you are, your right to use the premises, the governing agreement and any specifically required extras. Companies also provide appointment documents and identification for legal representatives, directors, supervisors and senior managers. Individually owned businesses do not need articles. Applicants lawfully choose and declare their own names. Subscribed-capital registration records a commitment without requiring immediate payment. Business scope is chosen from the registrar's published categories. Complete, properly formatted applications are confirmed and registered immediately; otherwise within 3 working days, with another 3 for complex cases. The license-issuance date is the establishment date. These rules apply nationwide in China from March 2022.
Context & considerations
Registration is free; payments are usually for an agent's work. Seal prices are market-set, and the State Council General Office prohibits requiring a designated seal maker. Registered capital sets exposure and must be paid within 5 years; see entry 3. If the scope includes licensed activities, wait for permission before opening; see entry 7.
Research & references
State Council of China (2021). Regulations on the Administration of Market Entity Registration, Order No. 746, Articles 10, 13, 14, 16, 19 and 21. https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2021/content_5636139.htm; State Administration for Market Regulation (2022). Implementing Rules, Order No. 52, Articles 12, 25 and 26. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2022-03/02/content_5676403.htm; Ministry of Finance and National Development and Reform Commission (2014). Notice on Canceling, Suspending and Exempting Administrative Fees, [2014] No. 101, Annex 1. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2014-12/23/content_5023513.htm