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Hong Kong has long been a magnet for startups and global enterprises alike as it is renowned for its thriving market and providing endless opportunities for all businesses looking to expand their way. You may think that company registration is difficult as a first-time entrepreneur, but in fact, setting up a company in Hong Kong will have an efficient and smooth process if you have the right support. If you have the desire to start a business in Hong Kong, but don't know what to do, what the next plans are, or get lost in outdated advice, this article will be the guide for you. Let's take a look at SMEBro's guide on setting up a company in Hong Kong. Is it easy to start a business in Hong Kong? Yes, opening a business in Hong Kong is considered relatively easy compared to other places. Some of the main reasons are business-friendly environment, world-class infrastructure, legal transparency, and strategic location. The opening process has clear regulations, foreign ownership allowed, simple incorporation process, low and simple taxes. Hong Kong has a solid banking system and having access to a global financial hub. Why is opening a business in Hong Kong so promising? Because it acts as a bridge between the global market and the Mainland China, making it ideal for companies targeting Asia. Streamlined registration can be done online or in person, can be done in a few working days, the low tax regime is considered simple and attractive for entrepreneurs, plus the government offers funding schemes to support different industries. There are many compelling reasons why starting a business in Hong Kong is easy and promising. How much does it cost to set up a company in HK? Setting up a company in Hong Kong is relatively affordable with typical costs ranging from HKD $10,000 – $25,000+ (first-year estimate) depending on your setup and if you use service providers. This cost covers everything from company formation to legal basics for the first year. How long does it take to register a company in Hong Kong? Registering a company in Hong Kong does not take long. The usual timeline is 2-3 days if all requirements are ready and processed online, and an average of 5-7 business days if including preparation and document collection. For example, if you want to register a Private Limited Company and use an agency, you need to prepare company details such as proposed company name, type of business, registered office address, and share capital structure. A Guide to Set Up a Company in Hong Kong If you are a solo founder, director, or shareholder, what you need to prepare is the full name from ID or passport, nationality, residential address, passport copy, Hong Kong ID, email and phone number, plus percentage of shares held by each shareholder. The company secretary must be a Hong Kong resident or a corporate secretary firm. Setting up a company in Hong Kong Now, SMEBro will explain Hong Kong Limited Company Establishment Process. Discussion and evaluation The consultant will provide you with one-on-one case discussions to get the most suitable business plan for you, select the company category that suits your business, and explain every detail that matters to establishing a Hong Kong company. Prepare incorporation documents You are required to prepare copies of several things that we have written above such as Hong Kong identity cards or passports, company secretary, and proof of residential address for applying to open a company. Pre-check company name You will be asked to check pre-selected company name in both English and Chinese to ensure that your company name has not been used before and chosen appropriately to avoid unnecessary risks. We will carefully review the name and provide professional business name if needed. Payment of service charges and government fees You can choose to remit the service fee, company registration fee and business registration fee (HKD $1,720 & $2,150) to our accountant by cash, deposit or transfer. After we receive the funds, we will immediately start the company opening process. Company establishment Once the company is established, we will hand over the Business Registration Certificate (BR), Company Incorporation Certificate (CI) and other relevant company documents to the business owner. Open a bank account We will help you to prepare the documents required for account opening, and make an appointment to open a business account at a local bank or online wallet. Does a limited company have to have a company secretary? Having a company secretary is necessary, and every Hong Kong limited company must have one under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622). The company secretary is responsible for ensuring that the company stays compliant with local laws from filing annual returns to the company registry, maintaining statutory books and records and handling changes to the company structure.  Most entrepreneurs use a professional secretarial service, and we have prepared a bundle for everything from the opening business process to providing a company secretary. This bundle will make it easier for you to start your business and ensures compliance from day opening. Why register a company in Hong Kong? There are tons of advantages when you have a business in Hong Kong. Some of the key things why opening a business is very profitable in Hong Kong are simple tax system, no VAT, no capital gains tax, no withholding tax on interest or dividends, corporate tax for first HKD 2M profit is 8.25% and above that is 16.5%. Transparent legal system, based on English common law, robust rule of law and contract enforcement, recognized for IP protection and ease of doing business. This will be great for E-commerce, dropshipping business, import-export companies, SaaS and digital startups, holding companies, and investment entities. If you want to start getting a business with added credibility in global markets, immediately open your new business with SMEBrother, and our professional company secretarial services will do everything you need starting from: Assisting you for Hong Kong company registration, complying with Hong Kong's regulatory requirements, opening a new bank account, auditing, accounting and tax consultation, and many more.

Hong Kong is one of the places known as business-friendly cities in the world, because it attracts many global entrepreneurs and companies. Apart from having a favorable business environment, Hong Kong also has low taxation, making it a top choice for many people who want to apply for company registration. Learn about how to set up a company in Hong Kong with us, because you will think it might be hard when you don't understand how to start. This article will explain several important steps, requirements and tips for those of you who want to know local laws and regulations for company registration in Hong Kong. What are the benefits when set up a company in Hong Kong? Hong Kong is a city with a high standard of living, with superb infrastructure and has a vibrant culture. For these reasons alone, Hong Kong can become the right place for international trade and investment. Some of the things below are reasons why you should learn to set up a company in Hong Kong. Cheap to set up and straightforward Company registration in Hong Kong is cost-efficient and relatively fast. All you need to have is a business registration certificate from the Companies Registry which you can get within a few days. Don't worry about future costs, because government fees for incorporation are transparent and reasonable. Hong Kong does not require minimum registered capital or a local director, there are no restrictions on foreign investment, and has a business-friendly environment. Business-friendly taxes Hong Kong has one of the lowest tax systems in the world with a two-tiered profit tax rate for corporations with 8.25% tax on earnings up to 2 million Hong Kong Dollars, and 16.5% on earnings over 2 million Hong Kong Dollars, and with an exemption for the first 6,000 Hong Kong Dollar profit. The country has a territorial tax regime, which means there is no additional corporate tax for companies conducting business outside Hong Kong. Vibrant business environment Hong Kong has become a dynamic hub for SMEs because it offers adaptability and an innovative environment. There are already more than 360,000 SMEs in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong has become the world's top ten countries with a competitive economy. Many entrepreneurs want to expand their business in Hong Kong, because the Hong Kong Government supports innovation and technology development, by allocating 500 million Hong Kong Dollars to launch a Digital Transformation Support Pilot Program as digital solutions for SMEs. Things to know before registering a company in Hong Kong Before setting up a company in Hong Kong, you must know several things first. Because many people want to open a company in Hong Kong, you have to understand how institutions and local organizations work in Hong Kong. When you want to set up a company in Hong Kong, you have to deal with three main interlocutors, such as The Companies Registry, The Inland Revenue Department, and the company secretary. Limited Company and Unlimited Company in Hong Kong The company secretary must be the primary contact person during company establishment and maintenance. On the other hand, the IRD and Hong Kong Companies Registry will collaborate to ensure that your business complies with the laws of Hong Kong, upholds accurate statutory records, and is monitored for timely filing of the annual return. How to set up a company in Hong Kong? There are nine steps to setting up a company in Hong Kong, once you are familiar with local organizations and institutions. Choose a company name Choose the legal entity for your company Select a company secretary Appoint legal representatives Set the amount of the share capital Prepare the incorporation documents Obtain a business registration and incorporation certificate Set up a company bank account Keep up the taxies and financial reporting We will explain several important steps to make it easier for you when setting up a company. Choose the right legal entity This is crucial, because it can affect factors such as filing your taxes and how your business is done in general. The list of main possible legal entities for your business are: Private limited company, company limited by guarantee, sole proprietorship, partnerships, and branch office. Familiarize yourself with what features each legal structure has, and adapt it to the nature of your business. Select a company secretary Having a local company secretary will make it easier for you to establish your company. This is your main contact person when Hong Kong authorities want important information about your business. This role is crucial for your company, because they must be able to comply with the authorities without fail. Don't forget to include the company address, so that it is easy for government departments to reach you and send you correspondence. Prepare the incorporation documents The documents are subject to approval before you can start your business. You need to prepare the NNC1 Incorporation Form provided by the Companies Registry of Hong Kong, A copy of HK ID card or passport of a director and shareholder, and Article of Association of the Company. Submit all of them to the Companies Registry, by using e-Registry's online portal platform, mailing your documents, or going to the Company Registry and submitting the documents in person. After submitting these documents, you need to pay the applicable government fee, which can be paid on a yearly basis.   If you feel overwhelmed with establishing a company in Hong Kong, and need an agency to take care of everything, SMEBrother is your solution. SMEBrother has been providing business services for SME companies since 2012, and will help with all your business needs like a brother. We know that SME business is difficult, but with our knowledge, years of network, and reasonable pricing, we can support our clients and become your business brothers. All business services starting from auditing services, opening a Hong Kong company, accounting, auditing, opening a Hong Kong bank account, tax issues, and anything you need to run your business smoothly from the start until your business grows.

When you start a new business, of course you already have an idea of the brand you will design and use. It is not only enough for you to have a good brand, eye catching and easy to remember, but it must be secured before your brand and logo are used by other people. You certainly don't want other people to ride on your success because your brand has not been officially registered, and someone else is ahead of you. That's why you should know about creating a trademark in Hong Kong as your intellectual property protection. If you already have trademarks, it prevents anyone from misusing or copying them. Why Register Your Trademark? Hong Kong has a trade marks ordinance to protect registered trademarks. You need to register your trademark, because you can show proof that you are the owner of the mark. For example, if you don't have a trademark yet but your brand and logo are already circulating on the market, you have to take action in accordance with common law to pass it off, and hope that no one misuses it. Misuse of trademark can cause financial losses and customer trust regarding your brand. Taking care of it in advance will ensure that every brand you register will be protected by law. Things to Prepare Before You Register Your Trademark Each trademark application has criteria that must be met. You cannot carry out a registration application if you still cannot achieve some of these criteria. Some important things you should note are: Ensure your trademark is distinctive, there are no words used that have no association with your business. Don't use descriptive words about your goods and services such as Good Bags, Best Wash Service, etc. You can't use well-known terms in your line of business, for example you can't use Mc'Donaldu for your fast food restaurant. Ensure your trademark is not already applied or registered to the similar goods and services. If someone has already applied, your registration application may be rejected. There are also certain words from the Hong Kong Government that may not be used by applicants as part of the trade mark, such as: Power Bank, iPod, Boogie, Caterpillar, Jacuzzi, Karaoke, Bluetooth, MacBook, Blu-ray, Popsicle, CompactFlash. Getting trademark in Hong Kong Now we find out how we got trademark in Hong Kong. Follow the method below, until you can have your own trademark for your business. Trademark registration process Filed the application for registering a trademark to the Trade Marks Registry office. You can take care of it online or visit the office directly. The applications need to be filed with the Intellectual Property Department of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR. Trademarks can only be registered which are being used by a company or a person or are about to be used in the future.   Submit the Trade Mark Form T2, personal details of the applicant, a clear image of the trademark, specification of the trademark, claims for priority consideration. After the registrar receives your application, the examiner will look at the application to see if there is any missing information or any deficiencies. After the deficiency check is complete, it's the stage of search and examination. The examiner will search the trademark records to see whether there are similar or similar trademarks that have been registered or applied for the same or similar goods and services. The examiner will check whether your application complies with the registration requirements under the Trade Marks Ordinance. The examiner can raise an objection when the requirements are not satisfied, and you have 6 months to overcome the objection, and can add another 3 months in the future. You can choose from several options, such as providing evidence that your brand has a distinctive character, filing a consent from the previously registered owner which prohibits you from registering your mark, filing an amendment to remove the services or goods affected by the objection. If you want to insist on registering your trademark even though someone has already registered it first, you can file a hearing request to present all the evidence and wait for the hearing officer's decision. Same goes for the trademark you create, everyone can view your new trademark and file an opposition within 3-month form the date of publication. You can respond to the opposition or withdraw your application. For valid registration without problems, it can be valid for the next 10 years, and must be renewed every ten years. Cost of trademark in Hong Kong If there are objections, oppositions, or deficiencies in your application, you can continue the procedure and it can be completed within 6 months. Depending on how complete your requirements are, the process can take up to 12 months. The application fee and form that must be submitted to the Intellectual Property Department of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR is HK$1,300. Benefits and Challenges Doing Business in Hong Kong If you have an additional trademark class in the application, there is an additional fee of around HK$650. Class in a trademark if you want to refer to the type of goods and services that you want to obtain a trademark. Hiring professionals to set up your business trademark in Hong Kong Registering a trademark can be a challenging process and you can be overwhelmed with the paperwork. You can look for an agency or a professional to take care of all trademark registration issues. If you don't understand where to start to create a business trademark, SMEBrother is here to help. SMEBrother is your best place for registering your business, obtaining a trademark, legalization, or any other needs for your small and medium-sized business. So contact us right now and start preparing your trademark until we come to you to take care of all the paperwork and any requirements until it's finished. We have more than a decade of experience helping new business owners in taking care of their business needs, including providing personal advice and administrative help when applying for copywriting and trademarks.

Before you start a business in a country, especially if you are a foreigner who wants to try to take advantage of opportunities in another country, you need to learn about the challenges and benefits in that country. Especially for those of you who are doing business in Hong Kong, we have prepared several things you need to know. Business owners must understand why Hong Kong is considered as one of the best places to run a business. Apart from friendly policies, Hong Kong also offers free trade, easy market access, and increased access to labor. Let's learn about all this. Benefits of doing business in Hong Kong Why do we discuss the benefits of doing business in Hong Kong rather than the challenges? Because the benefits outweigh the challenges, and is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses. Let's see what are the benefits of opening a business in Hong Kong. Low operational cost Companies in Hong Kong are proven to spend significantly less than other countries. There are many favorable laws for new businesses so that Hong Kong is a flexible place to start a business. Limited Company and Unlimited Company in Hong Kong For example, the company income tax rate is 8.25% for profits up to HK$2 million, and 16.5% for profits more than HK$2 million. The taxation will not erode much income because the country offers significantly lesser tax rates. Large and growing economy Hong Kong is one of the largest economies in the People's Republic of China. This will outweigh the challenges of doing business in Hong Kong, because this region is energetic, and with economic development at a steady rate of 2-6% per year. The Hong Kong economy opens up freedom for different types of business with free markets and trade policies to facilitate your new business. Suitable business location Hong Kong has a strategic location for other Asian markets because it is located on the Southern Coast of China. That location makes it easy for business owners to easily travel to any other major Chinese city, for example going to Beijing by high-speed train, or reach nearby countries like Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and India. The suitable location can be used as land to gain profits in terms of trade agreements with other countries. The more connections your business has, the greater the revenue you can get. Challenges of doing business in Hong Kong Even though Hong Kong has proven to be a suitable place for small or medium-sized businesses, you must still pay attention to what challenges you might face when having a business in Hong Kong. Laws and regulations Long before you decide to open a business in Hong Kong, you should dedicate your time to learning about the laws relating to company incorporation, especially regarding hiring, paying staff, and the firm's daily operations. If you cannot follow these laws, your business could be subject to penalties and sanctions. Due to the many differences from one jurisdiction to another, you need a legal advisor to provide advice and guide you to stay on the good side of the law and whatever information you need. Opening a bank account Maybe you will be confused, why opening a bank account is more complicated than opening a business in Hong Kong. This is because Hong Kong is a country that is strict with new and existing customers regarding financial matters, to avoid money laundering and terrorism financing. Some of these documents will be needed when you want to open a bank account for your new business: Proof of registration, identity cards, travel documents, certificate of incorporation, details of the company's control structure and ownership, partnership agreement of deed, exchange of financial account information, details of business nature and method of operation. In fact, many Hong Kong banks charge high fees when you want to open an international bank account. Some small businesses can find it difficult to deal with these kinds of fees. There is also a lot of paperwork required for a single bank account. New tax laws Tax is something that every business owner needs to continue to study because there will always be changes over time. Each company needs to pay corporate and payroll taxes, and file audited financial statements to the Inland Revenue Department. If a business fails to comply with the tax regulations, it will get penalties and have difficulty opening a new business. There are many things you need to do for taxes, or what can be called tax treatment. You need to make tax planning, tax declaration, tax review and dispute resolution, and many others. Not many businesses can survive dealing with so many paperwork requirements for taxes and also the time to take care of it all. If you are overwhelmed by all this, you can hire a professional tax treatment to make it simpler. Who can help us when we want to open a business in Hong Kong? You already know the benefits and challenges when you open a business in Hong Kong. Now what you need to prepare is what the process is for starting a business, and which agency can help you so you can stay on the right side of the law. After you choose a company name and incorporate your firm, register the company, open a bank account, and register a business address, you can contact SMEBrother for all your legalization needs, processing documents, or if you want help with getting permission to open a business from scratch. SME Bro has been providing business services for small and medium-sized businesses for more than a decade, starting from auditing services, accounting, opening a Hong Kong bank account, tax issues handling, to opening a Hong Kong company from scratch. Whatever your needs are for successfully opening a business, up to any permits to thrive your business, you can do it with SMEBrother as your truly SME brother. You just focus on expanding your business and let us take care of the rest.