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How to register a company in China — step by step

  • Writer: Roman Verzin
    Roman Verzin
  • Jun 13
  • 2 min read

Want to open a company in China? Here’s how it really works.


It’s not just about documents. If you want to work legally — hire staff, reclaim VAT, sign contracts — you need a proper setup. That means structure, presence, and understanding what Chinese authorities expect.


What the process looks like (with United Suppliers Group)


  1. Sign contract with us and pay the invoice

  2. Choose the company name (we’ll help adapt it into Chinese)

  3. Approve the articles of association and fill out the registration form

  4. Collect all documents, check for compliance

  5. Rent an office (required before registration)

  6. Plan the business trip to China

  7. Submit documents and get the business license

  8. Open bank accounts

  9. Register with tax and other local authorities


Who Needs to Come to China?


  • The legal representative must be physically present to submit documents and open bank accounts

  • In most provinces, a supervisor must also come

  • The founder does not need to travel


How long does it take?


  • Business license: ~7 working days after full submission

  • Bank account: 15+ days — banks verify the physical office

  • Total timeframe:

    • 1–2 months if the founder is an individual

    • 3–5 months if the founder is a legal entity


Office requirements


By law, the future company must rent an office before starting the registration process. A lease agreement is required to register the company. Typically, the lease is signed by the future legal representative of the company and paid with personal funds. After the company is established, this is recorded as a loan in the accounting records and later reimbursed from the company’s account.


To save costs, companies often start with a virtual office. Once the company is ready to begin operations (hiring employees, conducting export transactions, reclaiming VAT), it is recommended to find a real office according to the needs of the business and change the legal address. A physical office above 20-30 m² where employees carry out activities is necessary for VAT refunds.


Approximate prices in Shenzhen/Guangzhou:

  • Office: 140–200 CNY/m²/month

  • Warehouse: 50–120 CNY/m²/month

  • Utilities (small office): 500–2000 CNY/month


Documents required


  • Passport or company documents (legalized)

  • Founder’s articles of association (if the founder is a legal entity only)

  • Application form and name approval

  • Office lease agreement

  • Meeting resolution: directors, supervisor

  • Power of attorney for local submission

  • Articles of association of new company

  • Info on all key roles: CEO, CFO, supervisor

  • Bank reference letter


We’ll guide you through each step.

Final notes


Incorporation in China takes planning, presence, and the right partner.

Most problems happen because people skip steps — or trust someone who doesn’t know the system or doesn't understand your reality.


We’ve helped founders from MENA, Central Asia, CIS, Europe, and Africa open real companies in China — with working bank accounts and compliant structures.


If you’re thinking of entering China — let’s talk.

We’ll help you do it right from the start.



 
 
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