In 2026, Hainan's Free Trade Port will be officially closed and operational throughout the island. This means that Hainan has moved from a "policy pilot" to a new stage of "system-based opening", becoming China's first truly meaningful free trade port. "Inside and outside the country" Special areas.

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After the closure, the regulatory model of "liberalization of the first line and control of the second line" has been fully implemented:

• "One line."(Hainan and overseas): Free and convenient movement of people, goods and capital, with substantial reductions or exemptions in customs duties, value-added tax and consumption tax;
• "Tier 2"(Hainan and the Mainland): The circulation of goods is treated as import and export and managed under the customs system.

Faced with this historic point, many business owners are asking:Layout Hainan company now, or continue to use Hong Kong companies? How to choose between the two?

Today we are getting the best of both worlds from Meaning of Customs Closure, Business and Overseas Connections, Tax Comparison, Level of Internationalization, Registration and Account Opening 五大维度，结合 2026 年最新政策与市场数据，给您一份可落地的选择指南。欢迎扫码添加我司在线客服（微信：jxhqcy890 / 手机：16625410105），安排经理解答疑问，提供专业意见及全程一对一服务

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01.What is the meaning of Hainan's closure

Closure operations will be switched over by the end of 2025, with normalized operations from 2026 onwards. The current policy framework for Hainan has basically taken shape:

1. Zero tariffs expandedRaw and auxiliary materials, means of transportation and yachts, and consumer goods for island residents have entered the "zero tariff" positive list management, and the cost of importing production equipment and operational materials for enterprises' own use has been significantly reduced.
2. Tax Incentives Plus
   • Encouraged Industrial Enterprises Enterprise income tax reduced by 15%(Mainland General 25%);
   • High-end talent in short supply Exemption of the portion of the effective tax burden of personal income tax exceeding 15%.;
   • VAT exemption for part of the trade in services between enterprises on the island after the closure of the customs.
3. Easier cross-border capital flowsOn the basis of QDLP/QDIE and FT accounts, we have piloted a higher level of capital project liberalization and supported overseas listing, debt issuance and cross-border M&A.
4. Clearly oriented industrial systemIt focuses on supporting tourism and consumption, modern service industry, high-tech industry, medical and health care, modern finance, tropical agriculture, deep-sea science and technology, and aerospace science and technology.

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In short, after the closure of the customs, Hainan is not only a cost depression for mainland enterprises to link up with the world, but also a strategic pivot point for RCEP and the "Belt and Road" market.So, back to the original question.Should we locate our company in Hainan or in Hong Kong?Analyze it from the following perspectives

1. From the point of view of the relevance of the company's business to overseas

2. From a tax perspective

3. From the perspective of internationalization

4. From the aspect of registration and account opening

If you are evaluating Hainan Company vs Hong Kong Company the establishment of the program, or the need forOverseas structure construction, ODI filing, cross-border tax compliance, bank account opening 等服务，欢迎扫码添加我司在线客服（微信：jxhqcy890 / 手机：16625410105），安排经理解答疑问，提供专业意见及全程一对一服务

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02.Analysis of the company's business and overseas relevance

Hong Kong company::

• High level of international maturity, common law system, globally recognized financial and legal system, suitable forEnterprises with a stable overseas customer base and frequent international trade settlements.
• No foreign exchange control, free entry and exit of funds, diversified global financing channels.
• It often serves as a holding platform, an intellectual property holding platform, and a global clearinghouse.

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Hainan Company::

• The seamless integration with the Mainland market and the cross-border convenience brought about by the "first-line liberalization" are suitable for the development of a new market based on the "first-line liberalization" principle.Domestic supply chain basedWe are a company that is expanding into Southeast Asia and other overseas markets.
• The cost of logistics, people flow and capital flow has dropped after the closure, which is particularly favorable for cross-border e-commerce, international tourism and consumption, and bonded repair and remanufacturing businesses.
• Higher dependence on the Mainland parent company, initially suitable for the"Mainland production - Hainan re-export - overseas sales" model.

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reach a verdict::

• Overseas business is mature with clients all over the world → Hong Kong is still the preferred platform;
• Mainland supply chain oriented, expanding into overseas emerging markets (especially RCEP) → Hainan's advantages have been highlighted after customs clearance.

If you are evaluating Hainan Company vs Hong Kong Company the establishment of the program, or the need forOverseas structure construction, ODI filing, cross-border tax compliance, bank account opening 等服务，欢迎扫码添加我司在线客服（微信：jxhqcy890 / 手机：16625410105），安排经理解答疑问，提供专业意见及全程一对一服务

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03.从税收方面对比

As an example: Take an annual profit of RMB 50 million

• The combined tax liability of a Hong Kong company with offshore exemption is about 16.5%;
• Hainan encourages enterprises to be taxed at 15%, subject to compliance with the Industrial Catalog; 25% if not.

• Hong Kong has a flexible tax regime and a mature offshore model;
• Hainan has clear tax advantages in specific industries, subject to meeting the requirements of the incentive category.

If you are evaluating Hainan Company vs Hong Kong Company the establishment of the program, or the need forOverseas structure construction, ODI filing, cross-border tax compliance, bank account opening 等服务，欢迎扫码添加我司在线客服（微信：jxhqcy890 / 手机：16625410105），安排经理解答疑问，提供专业意见及全程一对一服务

04.Analysis from an internationalization perspective

fact::

• One of the world's three major financial centers, with a legal system that is highly compatible with international standards and a high degree of recognition of international arbitration.
• Regional headquarters of multinational companies are clustered, with strong financing, listing and brand endorsement capabilities.

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Hainan Island::

• Internationalization has accelerated after the closure of the customs, but it is still inferior to Hong Kong in terms of international financial hub status, legal and arbitration resources, and international talent pool.
• The advantages include the backing of a large mainland market, geographic proximity to RCEP member countries, and intensive policy dividends, which makes it suitable for being a regional operation center for mainland enterprises to "go global".

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reach a verdict::

• Building a globalized brand and financing platform → Hong Kong has a solid advantage;
• Deep plowing in the Mainland + expanding the RCEP/Belt and Road market → Hainan's geographic and policy synergies are stronger.

Compared with Hong Kong, Hainan still has a certain gap in the degree of internationalization and needs to make continuous efforts to improve.

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If you are evaluating Hainan Company vs Hong Kong Company the establishment of the program, or the need forOverseas structure construction, ODI filing, cross-border tax compliance, bank account opening 等服务，欢迎扫码添加我司在线客服（微信：jxhqcy890 / 手机：16625410105），安排经理解答疑问，提供专业意见及全程一对一服务

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05.Analysis in terms of registration and account opening

Hong Kong Company Registration::

• The whole process is electronic, the fastest 1 working day for preliminary examination, 7 days to complete a full set of documents.
• The registered capital does not need to be paid up, the name is free and the maintenance cost is relatively low.
• Bank accounts need to provide a complete trade background (contracts, invoices, water flow, etc.), strict audit, sensitive country collections may be closed, it is recommended to open more accounts to diversify the risk.

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Hainan company registration (2026)::

• Business registration is carried out through the "one network", and there is seamless integration with the mainland's industrial, commercial and taxation systems, which facilitates the start-up of businesses to a high degree.
• You can enjoy the convenience of "Separation of License and Permit" and the commitment system of examination and approval for the establishment of enterprises in the Free Trade Port.
• Bank account opening is closely linked to the mainland system, and the initial background audit of purely offshore business is more stringent, but with the deepening of customs closure, the convenience of cross-border account opening will be significantly improved.

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reach a verdict::

• Hong Kong registration and account opening process is mature, but high requirements for trade background;
• Hainan is convenient for registration and well connected with the mainland system, and there is much room for cross-border financial services in the future.

If you are evaluating Hainan Company vs Hong Kong Company the establishment of the program, or the need forOverseas structure construction, ODI filing, cross-border tax compliance, bank account opening 等服务，欢迎扫码添加我司在线客服（微信：jxhqcy890 / 手机：16625410105），安排经理解答疑问，提供专业意见及全程一对一服务

Summary of recommendations

1. Business Focus: Mature globalized business → Hong Kong; Mainland + emerging overseas markets → Hainan.
2. tax planning: Flexible offshore mode required → Hong Kong; belongs to encouraged industries → Hainan 15% Tax rate is more favorable.
3. Internationalization Resources: Need global financing and legal protection → Hong Kong; need RCEP regional springboard → Hainan.
4. Establishment and maintenance costs: Hong Kong is mature but has a high threshold for account opening; Hainan has low initial costs and many policy dividends.
5. combination strategyThe company can adopt the dual structure of "Hong Kong Holdings + Hainan Operation", which can take into account the international image and the policy dividends of the Mainland.

Hainan in 2026 has entered a deep-water zone of institutionalized openness, forming a complementary pattern with Hong Kong. Where an enterprise chooses to locate depends critically on its stage of development, business model and strategic objectives.

If you are evaluating Hainan Company vs Hong Kong Company the establishment of the program, or the need forOverseas structure construction, ODI filing, cross-border tax compliance, bank account opening 等服务，欢迎扫码添加我司在线客服（微信：jxhqcy890 / 手机：16625410105），安排经理解答疑问，提供专业意见及全程一对一服务