You can register a company in Hong Kong yourself, or you can engage a company registration agent. What is the difference between the two approaches? How should entrepreneurs choose? General Accounting has over 20 years of experience in Hong Kong company registration. From a professional agent’s perspective, we have compiled 8 key points you should understand before registering a company, helping entrepreneurs save time and money by handling the process themselves, start doing business sooner, and take the first step in entrepreneurship.
What factors should you consider before registering a company in Hong Kong?
Registering a company yourself vs. using a company registration agent
| Registering a company yourself | Company registration agent | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower—only government fees are required | Higher—in addition to government fees, an agent service fee is required |
| Time | Generally longer, as most people lack specialist knowledge and tips | Generally faster than doing it yourself |
| Risk of errors | High—missing or entering any information incorrectly will extend the registration time | Low—General Accounting has registered over 12,000 Hong Kong companies and has extensive experience |
| Convenience | Low—clients need to travel between the Inland Revenue Department and the Companies Registry | High—a one-stop agent handles the entire Hong Kong company registration process |
More details: Online company registration | [Company Registration Process] Steps and fees for setting up an unlimited / limited company in Hong Kong | Complete guide
Pros and cons of registering a company yourself
Cons of registering a company yourself:
1. You need to spend time learning how to register a company.
2. You need to factor in the transport costs and time cost of multiple trips to the Companies Registry and the Inland Revenue Department.
3. If you are not a professional registration agent, you are more likely to fail to register a limited company or delay the process due to unfamiliarity with the procedures.
Pros and cons of using a company registration agent
Advantages of company registration agent services:
1. Convenience: Clients only need to complete the Hong Kong company registration forms and provide director/shareholder information; the agent will handle the entire registration process as a one-stop service.
2. Time-saving: Save the time needed to learn the process. The service includes company name search, preparation of incorporation documents, and end-to-end monitoring of the registration process. In the fastest cases, documents can be completed on the same day.
3. Reduced risk of errors: Professional agents are familiar with the incorporation process and can help avoid mistakes.
Disadvantages of company registration agent services:
A service fee will be charged.
8 key points to note for Hong Kong company registration:
1. TCSP licence for Hong Kong company registration
Before choosing a Hong Kong company registration agent, you should check on the (TCSP) Trust and Company Service Providers Registry website1 whether the company secretary is a licensed registered agent, to avoid inadvertently choosing an unlicensed company and becoming implicated.
Under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), any person carrying on a trust or company service business in Hong Kong must apply for a Trust or Company Service Provider licence; otherwise, it is an offence. In addition, the Companies Registry implemented Phase 2 of the Unique Business Identifier on 27 December 2023. In Form NNC1 (Incorporation Form for a company limited by shares), the section for the first company secretary’s particulars requires the TCSP licence number to be provided; if it cannot be provided, the Companies Registry will require an explanation.
General Accounting provides Hong Kong company registration services, specialises in setting up Hong Kong limited companies, and is familiar with the incorporation process. TCSP licence number: TC002940.
2. Experience of the company registration agent
Work experience in any industry is very important. Engaging an experienced Hong Kong company registration agent to assist with incorporation procedures can save time and reduce unnecessary losses.
Registering a company in Hong Kong may seem simple, but entrepreneurs are generally not familiar with the incorporation process and can easily make mistakes in the details, resulting in delays.
Real case: Ms A received a lawyer’s letter from an international brand after registering a company herself
General Accounting received an engagement from Ms A to change her company name. The reason was that the company secretary she previously engaged lacked experience and believed that as long as an online name search confirmed the name was not in use, she could register the company in Hong Kong.
However, three months after incorporation, Ms A received a lawyer’s letter from an international brand stating that her company name appeared to be associated with the brand and could easily mislead the public. The letter required her to change the registered company name within 14 days, otherwise the brand would take further action. Ms A therefore engaged us to handle the company name change and the procedures for opening a company bank account.
Although the company secretary Ms A previously engaged successfully registered the company in Hong Kong, they did not provide professional advice beforehand, causing the client to lose money and time—more effort for a worse outcome.
Therefore, before choosing a company registration agent service, the agent’s experience is a very important factor.
3. Clearly itemised service fees and government fees for Hong Kong company registration
When choosing a company registration agent, in addition to service quality, pricing is also one of the key factors.
The agent should clearly itemise Hong Kong company registration fees, including whether government registration fees and Business Registration Certificate fees are included. The scope of services should also be clearly stated—for example, whether it includes a company chop, green box, and CPA-certified copies.
Consumers should understand the fee breakdown before engaging the service to avoid hidden charges.
For example, at General Accounting, the HK$4,800 fee for setting up a limited company clearly states that the Hong Kong limited company incorporation service includes the company registration fee, the first-year Business Registration Certificate fee, and the incorporation service fee.
4. One-stop services provided by the company registration agent
After completing the Hong Kong company registration process, it is in fact only the beginning of operations. Every year, a Hong Kong limited company must handle accounting, audit arrangements, tax matters, and filing the Annual Return, among other obligations.
When choosing an incorporation agent, entrepreneurs should also confirm whether the company secretary provides one-stop services for Hong Kong company registration, accounting, and company secretarial services.
For example, changes to the registered address, company name, and directors/shareholders must be reported to the Companies Registry or the Inland Revenue Department.
More details: Company tax filing | [Annual Return penalties] Why do you have to go to court for late filing of NAR1? 10 common mistakes and how to complete the form correctly
5. Hong Kong company names must comply with regulations
A limited company name must be unique and cannot be duplicated2. After deciding on a company name, you must first check the Companies Registry’s name search website to confirm availability, and you must search Chinese and English names separately.
More details: Company name search
A limited company name must end with “有限公司” or “Limited”2. You may register a Chinese name only, an English name only, or both Chinese and English names, but you must not mix Chinese and English within the same name. Some banks require the company to have an English name.
Clients may add relevant business terms to the company name, for example General “Accounting & Business” Limited, to strengthen the professional image of being in the accounting services industry.
6. Articles of Association
The Companies Registry provides a sample Articles of Association for limited companies3. Entrepreneurs may also customise the Articles of Association, but the content must comply with the Companies Ordinance.
More details: [Articles of Association] 6 key purposes of the Articles of Association (AA) | Procedures for amending the Articles
Download Articles of Association templates
Download the Articles of Association for a private company limited by shares <Simplified format>
Download the template Articles of Association for a private company limited by shares
Download the template Articles of Association for a public company limited by shares
Download the template Articles of Association for a company limited by guarantee
7. Prepare a company green box and company chop
Before registering a company in Hong Kong, you should consider whether you need to prepare a company green box and a company chop.
More details: Company green box
8. Hong Kong company bank account
To operate a business after registering a company in Hong Kong, it is essential to open a corporate bank account. Do not use a personal account for business purposes for convenience, as it may be regarded as “money laundering”. The bank may freeze or close your personal account at any time, and freezing company funds can lead to serious consequences such as cash-flow issues.
More details: [Company bank account] Process, required documents, requirements and fees for opening a bank account in Hong Kong
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Registering a company to start a business is a major life decision. Entrepreneurs should first clearly understand the 8 key points to note, the Hong Kong company registration procedures, the quality of the agent, and the detailed breakdown of service fees.
If you are not familiar with the Companies Ordinance, it is recommended to use a company registration agent service. If a company breaches the Companies Ordinance, the company and its officers (including the company secretary) may be prosecuted and subject to default fines.
Further reading:
Sources
1. Trust and Company Service Providers Registry website
https://www.tcsp.cr.gov.hk/tcspls/?lang=zh
2. Companies Registry – Company Name
https://www.cr.gov.hk/tc/faq/local-company/company-name.htm
3. Companies Registry – Document Submission
https://www.cr.gov.hk/tc/electronic/e-servicesportal/docs_submission.htm
4. Companies Registry address
https://www.cr.gov.hk/tc/about/contact/office-addresses-service-hours.htm
