Mr. Chen, a Shenzhen-based cross-border business owner, registered a company in Hong Kong last June. When he opened a Hong Kong bank account this year, the teller asked him to provide his BRN instead of his CR number.

He paused for a moment: ”What’s BRN? I’ve been using this CR number for two years now.”

The teller politely handed the documents back: ”Sir, we’ve fully transitioned to BRN starting in 2025, so your information needs to be updated.”

On July 18, 2025, the Hong Kong Companies Registry released a set of data on newly registered local companies in the first half of the year84,293 units, bringing the total number of registered local companies to1,494,806 rooms...both hitting all-time highs.

At the same time, 761 non-Hong Kong companies were registered in Hong Kong, bringing the total number of registered non-Hong Kong companies to15,509 rooms...which is also a new record. On average, more than 460 companies are registered in Hong Kong each day.

What does this figure tell us? Even in 2025, amid growing global economic uncertainty, a large number of entrepreneurs and cross-border sellers have still cast their vote of confidence in Hong Kong with their hard-earned money.

By 2026, this trend was still continuing. The driving force behind it was the wave of initiatives that were rolled out in 2025Three Institutional Reforms——The effects of the registration transfer system, registration fee waivers, and the new BRN identifier are continuing to unfold in 2026.

On May 23, 2025, the Companies (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 2025 officially took effect, and Hong Kong introducedCompany relocation system(Company Redomiciliation Regime).

The key point is: Overseas companies can directly apply to relocate their registered office to Hong Kong while retaining their original corporate status, ensuring a seamless transition of business contracts, intellectual property, and banking relationships. There is no need to dissolve the original company and re-register; the ”relocation” can be completed through a single process.

2025 will be the year policies are implemented, and 2026 will be the year the benefits are realized. After a year of fine-tuning, the approval process for the business relocation system has become more refined, and the first batch of relocation cases has been successfully completed, providing a clear roadmap for companies that follow.

Which companies should pay the most attention to the business registration transfer system?

First, cross-border e-commerce sellers.Previously, I used a BVI company to hold my retail properties and funds, but now I want to return to Hong Kong to take advantage of its more comprehensive banking services and network of tax treaties. The re-registration system offers the most direct path to do so.

Second, companies with red chip or VIE structures.Before going public, companies need to restructure, and the registration transfer system offers more flexible options, eliminating the need to go through the complicated process of deregistering and re-establishing the company.

Third, family offices.Relocate from an offshore jurisdiction to Hong Kong to take advantage of Hong Kong’s tax relief policies for family offices and complete asset restructuring through a one-stop service.

The advantages of applying for a change of registration in 2026 include: more extensive experience with the approval process, more comprehensive supporting services, and the fact that many licensed secretarial firms have already accumulated practical case experience. It is recommended that you consult a professional, licensed secretarial firm before proceeding to avoid unnecessary setbacks.

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Starting in 2025, the Hong Kong government will promote the use ofBusiness Registration Number (BRN)As the company’s sole external business identifier, it replaces the traditional registration number (CR No.). By 2026, this transition had entered the full implementation phase.

If your Hong Kong company is still using the CR number in external communications, you must switch to the new system now. The BRN refers to the first 8 digits of the Business Registration Certificate number, and this change has a wide-ranging impact.

Bank account opening:Banks such as HSBC and Standard Chartered have explicitly requested that the BRN be provided instead of the CR number. The "Company Identification Code" field on the account opening application form has been changed to the BRN format.

Tax Filing:The tax authority's system uses the BRN as the primary index; returns submitted using a CR number may be rejected by the system.

Contract Template:It is recommended that the company identification code on commercial contracts signed by the company and on invoices be uniformly updated to BRN to avoid any legal ambiguity.

Cross-border E-commerce:Business verification on platforms such as Amazon and Shopify also accepts the BRN format; we recommend updating your profile information on these platforms in advance.

Another change to note: Starting at the end of 2024, the Hong Kong Registry has introducedStandardized Industry Classification Codes (Business Nature Codes). Previously, you had some flexibility when filling out the "Nature of Business" field, but now you must select the code that most closely matches your business from the government's drop-down list. Entering the wrong code may result in your application being returned, which could delay the registration process.

Effective July 2025,Registration Fee WaiversThe policy will remain in effect through 2026. Newly registered companies that submit their formation form (NNC1) electronically are exempt from the fee that would otherwise be required.Full waiver of the HK$1,720 company registration feeThe

However, this does not mean ”free registration.” The first-year fee for the Business Registration Certificate—HK$1,545—must still be paid, plus the statutory stamp duty on share capital (0.1% of the registered capital, with a minimum of HK$30). The actual government fees amount to approximately:

Business Registration Certificate (BR): HKD 1,545

Statutory Stamp Duty on Share Capital: Starting at HKD 30(Default registered capital: 10,000 HKD)

Company Registration Fee: HKD 0(After the reduction)

Total: Approximately HKD 1,575(Equivalent to approximately 1,450 RMB)

There are three conditions for the exemption:

First, Form NNC1 must be submitted electronically; paper applications are not eligible for the reduction or exemption.

secondly, you must use an electronic service account approved by the Companies Registry.

thirdly... The exemption applies only to local limited liability companies; companies not registered in Hong Kong are not eligible.

One more thing to keep in mind: Once you've completed registration, the governmentOnly electronic certificates are issued”Paper copies will no longer be issued.” The "Green Box" (a paper kit containing the company's articles of incorporation, official seal, and meeting minutes book) is also no longer provided as standard. If you need physical seals and documents, you can have a secretarial service handle the arrangements on your behalf.

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Taking into account the policy changes outlined above and how they have been implemented this year, if you plan to register a Hong Kong company in 2026, the following tips are worth keeping in mind:

First, you should check the availability of the name well in advance.Hong Kong has very strict rules regarding company name duplication checks; a company name cannot be identical to or highly similar to that of an already registered company. We recommend preparing 2–3 alternative names and checking their availability in advance using the Registry’s online search system.

Second, select the industry code in advance.The standardized industry classification code must be selected from the government’s drop-down list. We recommend that you clarify your primary business focus before registration and verify it in advance by referring to the latest industry code table.

Third, directors and the secretary must meet the required qualifications.At least one director must be a natural person (not a corporation) and must provide valid proof of address (issued within the last three months). If the company secretary is a legal entity, it must hold a valid Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) license.

Fourth, choosing online registration saves money and time.Online registration not only qualifies you for a HK$1,720 discount, but the processing time is also faster than for paper applications—you can typically receive your Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate within one business day.

Fifth, registration is just the first step; ongoing maintenance is even more important.Hong Kong companies are required to fulfill three major statutory obligations each year: filing the Annual Return (NAR1), renewing the Business Registration Certificate, and completing bookkeeping, auditing, and tax filing. Newly registered companies will receive their first tax return within 18 months of incorporation, at which point they must engage a licensed accountant to perform the audit.

Don’t wait until you receive your tax return to start scrambling. Registration, annual review, audit, and tax filing form a complete compliance process; failing to complete any step may result in fines or even legal risks.

The record-high number of company registrations in Hong Kong in 2025 was no coincidence. The implementation of the relocation system, reductions in registration fees, and the transition to electronic registration—each of these measures sends the same message:Hong Kong is making an unprecedented effort to improve its business environment and attract global companies to set up operations there.

2025 is the year the policy was introduced, but 2026 is when the benefits will truly take effect. The first cases under the registration transfer system have already completed the process, the BRN transition has been fully implemented, and the registration fee waiver policy remains in effect.

For cross-border e-commerce sellers, foreign trade companies, family offices, and mainland Chinese companies looking to expand overseas,2026 is the best time to establish a company in Hong Kong.The sooner you register, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of the policy.

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