In the ever-changing global economic landscape, more and more entrepreneurs and business owners are looking to Hong Kong and choosing to register their companies here to expand their international business. What are the attractions of Hong Kong as an internationally recognized financial center and business hub? Is the registration process complicated? Later and need to pay attention to what? This article will answer for you one by one.

I. Why register a Hong Kong company?

1. Significant tax advantages

• Hong Kong adopts the principle of "territorial source taxation" and levies profits tax only on profits arising in Hong Kong. There is currently a two-tier tax system:
• First HK$2 million profit: tax rate of 8.25%
• Excess: tax rate of 16.5%
• Compared with the general corporate income tax of 25% in the Mainland, Hong Kong's tax burden is much lower and there is no value-added tax, consumption tax, capital gains tax and dividend tax, so the tax system is simple and clear.

2. Freedom of access to funds

• Hong Kong has no foreign exchange control, supports multi-currency accounts (e.g. USD, EUR, etc.), and flexible fund transfer, which is ideal for cross-border trade, investment and settlement.

3. Low threshold for registration

• Minimum registered capital of HK$10,000, no capital verification required
• Shareholders and directors of any nationality, at least 1 person is sufficient
• The scope of business is loose, with basically no restrictions except for licensed industries such as finance and insurance.

4. High level of international recognition

• A Hong Kong company with a good global reputation facilitates the opening of overseas accounts, the application of international trademarks (which can be protected in more than 100 countries through the Madrid system), and is also conducive to the creation of an international brand image.

If you have a domestic company registration (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, etc.), overseas company registration (Hong Kong / U.S. / U.K. / Thailand / Singapore / Malaysia / Vietnam / Indonesia / Japan / Dubai, etc.) Hong Kong identity applications and renewals, cross-border tax planning, shareholding structure design, compliance and risk control programs and other needs, you can add customer service (WeChat: qcygscszk, cell phone: 18676749275), we will customize your exclusive optimization program to help you comply with the business, save money and increase efficiency!

Second, what is the registration process?

Pre-registration

• Determine the name of the company in English and Chinese (ending with "Limited").
• Setting of registered capital (recommended from HK$10,000)
• Clear business scope (Chinese ≤ 30 characters, English ≤ 60 characters)
• Prepare director and shareholder identification information
• Conduct name searches (free searches are available on the official website of the Hong Kong Companies Registry)

Registration Steps

• Submission of application: Completion of incorporation form (NNC1), articles of incorporation and other documents
• Government review: electronic submission can be completed within 1 hour at the earliest, paper about 4 working days
• Obtaining certificates: obtaining the Certificate of Incorporation (CI) and the Business Registration Certificate (BR)
• Bank account opening: complete company information and business proof, usually takes 2-4 weeks
• Tips: You can also appoint a professional organization to handle the whole process on your behalf, so you do not need to go to Hong Kong in person.

Third, post-maintenance considerations

1. Annual review of companies

• An annual return (NAR1) needs to be filed with the Registrar of Companies and the Business Registration Certificate renewed every year. Failure to do so may result in fines and even a court summons.

2. Audit of accounts

• A Hong Kong company is required to conduct an annual audit of its accounts, and a certified public accountant will issue an audit report and file a tax return with the Inland Revenue Department after the end of the tax year (usually from April 1 to March 31 of the following year).

3. Maintenance of bank accounts

• Keep your account active and submit updated information on time to avoid account freezing or closure. Some banks may require business vouchers on a regular basis.

4. Register of significant controllers

• Limited companies are required to establish and maintain a Register of Significant Controllers to ensure information transparency and compliance.

5. Address and Secretary

• A Hong Kong company must have a local registered address and a licensed company secretary, which can be arranged through a professional service provider if you are unable to provide them yourself.

If you have a domestic company registration (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, etc.), overseas company registration (Hong Kong / U.S. / U.K. / Thailand / Singapore / Malaysia / Vietnam / Indonesia / Japan / Dubai, etc.) Hong Kong identity applications and renewals, cross-border tax planning, shareholding structure design, compliance and risk control programs and other needs, you can add customer service (WeChat: qcygscszk, cell phone: 18676749275), we will customize your exclusive optimization program to help you comply with the business, save money and increase efficiency!

IV. How to select a suitable agency?

Registration of a Hong Kong company usually requires the appointment of a licensed secretarial company, which should be chosen with care:

• ✅ Whether holding a Hong Kong Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) license
• ✅ Whether the service is transparent and there are no hidden charges
• ✅ Whether to provide one-stop service (registration, account opening, annual review, audit, etc.)
• ✅ Availability of a professional team with a good service reputation
• ❌ Be wary of organizations with low prices and promises of "guaranteed passes," as follow-up services may not be guaranteed.

If you plan to use a Hong Kong company to set up on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, you need to pay special attention to::

• The registered address should be an independent address, can provide the company name of the lease contract, utility bills, etc.
• Avoid using a secretarial address that is shared by multiple companies as this may affect the platform audit

V. Specialized matters, entrusted to professionals

Although the process of registering a Hong Kong company is clear, it involves many aspects such as legal, tax, banking, etc. It is inevitably time-consuming and laborious to handle it by yourself. If you:

• Efficiently complete your registration without having to travel to Hong Kong in person
• Looking for a compliant company address and secretarial services
• Requires assistance in opening public accounts, handling annual audits and audits
• Fear of subsequent maintenance errors affecting company operations

Enterprise Caiying, specializes in providing one-stop services for enterprises, such as Hong Kong and overseas company registration, bank account opening, bookkeeping and auditing, tax planning, etc. We have a professional licensed team to handle the whole process online, so that you can explore the international market with ease. With a professional licensed team, the entire online processing, compliance and efficiency, so that you can develop the international market with no worries.

If you are interested in registering a Hong Kong company or still have questions about the process, please feel free to contact us. Let us help you get your company up and running.

For inquiries or processing, please contact us to help you set sail for a smooth international business.

This article is for reference only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Please refer to the latest Hong Kong regulations and guidance from professional organizations for specific operations.