Incorporation • China
Flag_of_Peoples_Republic_of_China_Flat_Round_Corner-512x512

CHINA INCORPORATION DONE RIGHT — FROM DAY ONE.

China company registration has become easier. Operating compliantly has not.

We help foreign investors get the structure, scope, and  statutory roles right from the start — so the entity you register is one you can actually operate.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION
GET A QUOTE

China-ready setup

Scope control • capital plan • licensing path

inspector
Business scope precision
Wording aligned to licensing, tax, and operational reality.
capital (1)
Capital plan strategy
The right declared amount builds credibility with banks, partners, and regulators from day one.
coordination
Coordinated execution
Authorities, attestation, banks, and sequencing managed end-to-end.

Why incorporate in China

China remains one of the world’s largest market for manufacturing, technology, consumer, and industrial businesses, with continued policy support for foreign investment across finance, services, and trade sectors.

MARKET ACCESS + OPERATIONAL NECESSITY

China has expanded foreign investment access across sectors including manufacturing, wholesale and retail, commercial services, scientific research, agriculture, and public utilities — with targeted government policies supporting entry in priority industries..

For many companies, a local legal presence is essential to invoice in RMB, hire employees, participate in social insurance, and contract directly with customers and suppliers.

REINVESTMENT TAX CREDITS FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS

China's tax credit regime — available through 2028 — rewards foreign investors who reinvest distributed profits into encouraged industries. Combined with withholding tax deferral rules, it can meaningfully improve after-tax returns for companies repatriating profits from Chinese subsidiaries.

Accessing it requires the right entity structure and business scope from the start.

How we work

China incorporation requires coordinated decisions, not isolated filings.

Book A Consultation
Get A Quote

Regulated implementation

We begin with a structural assessment of your intended business activities, commercial model, staffing plans, and regulatory exposure. Based on this, we advise on the appropriate entity type, business scope wording, registered capital strategy, and licensing pathway before incorporation is initiated.

Coordinated execution

We coordinate directly with local authorities, banks, China Attesting Officers, and service counterparts to manage filings, approvals, and sequencing. This reduces execution risk and helps ensure the entity can operate as intended once registered.

Designed for founders, CFOs, and entrepreneurs who prioritise regulatory certainty, scope control, and predictable execution over speed-driven or template-based setups.
CHINA

Our Incorporation Process

Sequenced to reduce execution risk and ensure lawful operations after registration.

Structure and scope assessment

01
Business activities, entity eligibility, and proposed business scope are reviewed to ensure regulatory alignment before filing.

Entity establishment

02
Incorporation documents are prepared, translated into Chinese, attestation where required, and submitted through the relevant authorities.

Licensing and registration

03
Industry permits, environmental or fire safety assessments, and sector-specific registrations are coordinated where applicable.

Operational readiness

04
Tax registration, invoicing capability, statutory chops, bank account coordination, and employment setup are managed to support lawful operations.

Compliance handover

05
Ongoing reporting obligations, including annual reports and foreign investment information filings, are clearly outlined following setup.

Entity options for foreign investors

Choose based on restrictions, commercial objectives, and operational plans – not habit.

INVESTMENT OPTION REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE (RO) WHOLLY FOREIGN-OWNED ENTERPRISE (WFOE) JOINT VENTURE (JV)
COMMON PURPOSE
  • Market research
  • Liaison with overseas headquarters
  • Manufacturing
  • Trading
  • Service provision
  • Entry into sectors requiring a local partner
  • Leveraging partner facilities or distribution channels
KEY ADVANTAGES
  • Simplest foreign investment structure to establish
  • Useful for early-stage market entry
  • 100% foreign ownership and management control
  • Ability to receive and make payments locally
  • Ability to issue VAT invoices
  • Full operational capability
  • Easier access to restricted sectors
  • Ability to leverage local market knowledge and networks
KEY LIMITATIONS
  • Cannot invoice locally in RMB
  • Cannot conduct revenue-generating activities
  • Staff must be hired through local agencies
  • Can be tax-inefficient if operating expenses are high
  • Registered capital expectations apply for certain industries
  • Longer incorporation timelines compared to RO
  • Subject to business scope and licensing approval
  • Shared control and profit distribution
  • Potential technology transfer and IP risks
  • Inherited partner liabilities

The appropriate structure depends on sector restrictions, commercial objectives, and operational plans.

Key requirements for incorporation

To incorporate a foreign-invested company in China, the following requirements must be addressed.

Legal permission boundary

The approved scope defines what the company is legally permitted to do and determines licensing, tax treatment, and operational capability.

High-impact risk area

Scope wording errors are a common cause of downstream compliance and operational issues.

Contribution timing

Registered capital typically does not need to be paid upfront and can often be contributed within five years (subject to applicable rules).

Signal to banks & partners

The declared amount impacts tax exposure, borrowing capacity, and credibility in onboarding assessments.

Registered office

A registered office address with a valid lease is required.

Statutory roles

Legal Representative, Director/Board, General Manager, and Supervisor must be appointed; these roles carry specific legal authority and liability.

Individuals & corporates

Identification required for shareholders, directors, supervisors, and senior management. Corporate shareholders must provide incorporation and ownership records.

Chinese translation & notarisation

All documents must be translated into Chinese and may require notarisation and apostille in the home jurisdiction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners own 100% of a company in China?

Yes. In many sectors this is permitted through a WFOE, subject to the Negative List and sector-specific regulations.

How long does incorporation take?

Timelines vary by city, sector, and licensing scope. Incorporation and initial registrations typically take several weeks, with exact timelines confirmed after assessing business scope and regulatory requirements.

Do I need to be in China to incorporate a company?

Physical presence is generally not required. Certain steps may require notarised and apostille documents, which can usually be handled remotely.

Does incorporation guarantee a China bank account?

No. Bank account opening is a separate process subject to bank due diligence and regulatory review. Proper structuring, approved business scope, and realistic capital planning significantly improve outcomes, but approval is not guaranteed.

Ready to establish your China presence with control and clarity?

Work with a partner that manages China incorporation, scope definition, and regulatory execution with clear accountability and realistic timelines.

SCHEDULE A CALL