The latest figures released by the Companies Registry of the HKSAR Government are striking: by the end of 2025, the total number of Hong Kong local companies and companies on transfer registered under the Companies Ordinance has reached 1,557,103 roomswhich is a surge of 96,609 rooms from 2024.Record highThis is the first time that Hong Kong has been recognized as a business-friendly city in the world. Behind this is the vote of confidence cast by global investors in Hong Kong's business environment, and it is the preferred springboard for countless mainland entrepreneurs going overseas.

However, just as the market continues to heat up, Hong Kong's 2026/27 Budget has brought about a key change:Hong Kong company business registration certificate official fee will be increased soonThe

The core reason is that the two-year business registration levy relief will officially end on March 31, 2026.With effect from April 1, 2026, the HK$150 levy will be reinstated for all new registrations and annual renewals of business registration certificates. This means that operating costs will increase, both for new registrations and for maintaining existing companies. The following three core changes are important to keep in mind:

📢 Full sphere of influence coverage with no buffer! The adjustment is not only for newly registered businesses, but the annual renewal and branch registration certificate fees for already registered businesses are also going up at the same time. If you have plans to register or renew after April 1, the costs will increase in real terms. By planning and registering early, you can lock in the current favorable costs.

If you are planning to layout the Hong Kong market but are confused about the policy details and process.Now is the perfect time for counseling. You can contact me anytime (📞)Tel：16620947137,WeChat：Qicaiyingjituan), Enterprise Finance Group will provide you with professional licensed secretarial services to assist you to complete the registration efficiently, support the whole process remotely, without the need to come to Hong Kong in person.

I. Hong Kong company registration materials and process (2026 latest version)

There is no restriction on the nationality of shareholders and directors under Hong Kong law. Mainlanders aged 18 or above are eligible to be shareholders and directors. Before registration, please prepare the following core information in advance:

📋 List of necessary documents for company registration

1. company identification: The name must be in English (ending with “LIMITED”) and can be in Chinese (ending with “有限公司”). It is recommended to prepare more than 3 alternative names to prevent renaming.
2. Scope of business: The English language is controlled within 60 characters and the Chinese language within 30 characters. Hong Kong has very few restrictions on the scope of business, and some of the words that are sensitive in the Mainland can be successfully registered in Hong Kong.
3. registered capital: Contributions are made on a contributory basis and there is no need for actual capital verification. Normally, the default setting of HK$10,000 is sufficient, and it is not recommended to set the initial setting too high.
4. Director and Shareholder Information: A minimum of 1 person can be established. Scanned copies of ID card, passport or Hong Kong and Macao Travel Permit are required; if there are more than 2 shareholders, the percentage of shareholding should be specified.
5. Registered Office and Legal Secretary: Must have a physical address in Hong Kong to receive government correspondence and a Hong Kong resident or licensed corporation to act as statutory secretary (this is usually provided by a secretarial firm).

⚙️ Overview of the full registration process
The process is very simple when the information is prepared and done on behalf of the company through a professional organization:
Name checking and verification → signing of statutory documents → submission to the registry and tax office → governmental audit (about 3-5 working days) → issuance of certificate to receive the green box.

🚀 Enterprise Finance Professionally Escorted: For first-time Hong Kong company owners, the details of the information are most likely to be wrong leading to the return of documents.Enterprise Finance GroupWe provide full-process agency services, from company name search, data review to receive a full set of green box documents, there are specialists to follow up, to ensure that you do not leave home, easy to get the license. If you are interested, please add WeChat to get the detailed process list:QicaiyingjituanThe

II. Guidelines for bank account opening and tax compliance

Successful registration is only the first step, opening a bank account and complying with tax filing are the key to getting your business off the ground.

🏦 Key Points for Hong Kong Company Bank Account Opening
At present, Hong Kong banks are tightening their vetting of SMEs' account opening, but most of them have already supported remote video witnessing of account opening in the Mainland without the need to come to the counter in person.

• Required documents: Certificate of Incorporation (CI), Business Registration Certificate (BR), Articles of Incorporation, personal documents and proof of address of directors and shareholders, business transaction contracts/invoices.
• Account Opening Cycle: Generally 1-2 months, depending on the progress of the bank's review and the strength of the business background.

📊 Annual Review, Audit & Tax Returns in a Nutshell

• Annual audits (renewal of business registration certificates and annual declarations): Required annually, Business Registration Certificate needs to be renewed on an anniversary basis (one year's certificate costs HK$2,350 under the new policy), and the annual return needs to be filed within 42 days, with a maximum fine of HK$3,480 for late filing.
• audit and tax preparation: The first time a company receives a tax return 18 months after its incorporation. Regardless of whether there is profit or not, a licensed accountant in Hong Kong must be appointed to conduct an audit before submitting to the Inland Revenue Department. Even for shell companiesYou can't just do a zero filing, or face hefty fines.

💡 Compliance Alerts: Recently Amazon joint Hong Kong Registry to strictly investigate the virtual address shell companies, once found to be no water license, no actual office address, not only the company faces anomalies, but also triggers the e-commerce platform secondary audit leads toBlocking of numbers, freezing of funds.. The cost of compliance is much lower than the cost of non-compliance!

💼 One-Stop Corporate Services: If you feel that the account opening information is complicated and the annual audit process is cumbersome.Enterprise Finance GroupWe provide one-stop service from bank account opening counseling, bookkeeping, audit and tax filing to SCR filing and physical water license rental. Our team of Hong Kong licensed accountants ensures that your company operates soundly under a compliant framework. Please call for details:16620947137The

Who is registering a Hong Kong company? Four core groups of people

Why do 1.55 million companies still choose Hong Kong? These companies are used for much more than simply avoiding taxes:

1. Cross-border e-commerce and foreign trade SOHO: For overseas collection and settlement, circumventing the mainland's foreign exchange limit of 50,000 US dollars and enhancing the efficiency of capital turnover. Signing a contract through a Hong Kong company can greatly enhance the trust of overseas customers.
2. Cross-Border Services & Technology Team: Consulting, technical outsourcing, and software development teams facing overseas customers, using Hong Kong subjects for smoother docking and payment convenience.
3. Structuring Holding and Capitalization Enterprises: It is used as an intermediate layer in the group structure for holding Mainland or overseas subsidiaries, for profit allocation, and for setting up a red chip/VIE structure for future financing or listing.
4. Identity Planners and Asset Allocators: Entrepreneurs coming to Hong Kong through the Premium Talent and High Talent Pass, or those engaged in family wealth management, to set up a company in advance as a vehicle for career and tax planning.

The eight core advantages of registering a Hong Kong company

For mainland entrepreneurs, Hong Kong companies are not only viable, but also strategically valuable tools:

1. Freedom of name and scope of business: The words “international”, “group”, “institute”, etc. can be included, and the scope of business is rarely restricted.
2. Very Low Tax Rates and Offshore Exemptions: Two-tier profits tax system (only 8.25% for up to $2 million), and if the profits are sourced outside Hong Kong, you can apply for offshore exemption to legally realize the tax exemption.
3. No exchange controls: Free flow of funds in and out of the country and free exchange of multiple currencies, making it the perfect hub for cross-border settlements.
4. Avoiding trade barriers: Transit trade as an offshore entity, effectively bypassing tariff barriers and export quota restrictions.
5. Sound legal system: Based on English common law, intellectual property is well protected and internationally recognized.
6. Easy access to people and logistics: Visa-free access to more than a hundred countries around the world and efficient logistics at the Freeport.
7. Low registration threshold: Contributory system, no capital verification, no physical office required (but compliant address required).
8. Bridging global markets: With the Mainland at its back and facing Southeast Asia, the location advantage is irreplaceable.

V. Transparent list of Hong Kong company maintenance costs in 2026

Knowing the cost of maintenance in advance will help to make a good annual budget for your business. Below is a reference to current market conditions:

⚠️ URGENT RISK ALERT: A must see for Amazon sellers!
2026, Amazon AI system upgraded to form a linkage with the Hong Kong Registry's field verification. The use ofVirtual shared address, no water license, no separate entityof Hong Kong company accounts that are facingBulk store closures, fund freezes, subject change dismissalsof high risk. Once characterized as a shell, account assets may be zeroed out instantly.
Immediate remedial self-inspection: Can your registered address display a water sign? Can you cooperate with the government's door-to-door verification?

If you are currently still operating Amazon with a high-risk virtual address or have questions about the cost of subsequent annual audits and audits.Do not delay until after the closure to remedy the situation! Scan the code now to add an advisor (WeChat: Qicaiyingjituan），Enterprise Finance GroupWe provide you with compliant physical address replacement, water license rental and comprehensive risk assessment services to guard the safety of your store assets. One step ahead of compliance, millions less to lose.