Geupeuteubit · Acehnese

Pendaftaran Perusahaan di Tiongkok: Dokumen, Langkah, dan Jangka Waktu

Panduan praktis dalam bahasa Aceh untuk pendiri asing yang ingin mendirikan perusahaan di Tiongkok daratan: dokumen yang diperlukan, langkah pendaftaran, dan perkiraan jangka waktu. Informasi umum, bukan nasihat hukum atau pajak.

Many foreign founders want to enter the Chinese market. One of the first steps is registering a company in mainland China. This article explains in general the documents usually needed, the main steps, and a realistic timeline. This is general information only, not legal or tax advice. Rules can change and differ by city and industry, so always confirm with a local professional before you start.

1. Choose the right company type first

Before preparing documents, decide the business structure. Most foreign founders choose a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE) because it gives full control. Other options include a Joint Venture (JV) with a Chinese partner, or a Representative Office (RO), which is limited and cannot earn revenue directly. The type you choose affects the documents, the capital requirements, and the timeline.

You also need to choose the business scope. This is a list of activities the company is allowed to do. Some activities need extra approval or a special license before or after registration. Check whether your industry is on the negative list for foreign investment, because sectors on that list have restrictions or need special permission.

2. Documents usually required

The exact list depends on the city and the company type, but foreign founders commonly need the following:

• Passport copies of all foreign shareholders and legal representatives, usually notarized and translated into Chinese.
• Proof of address for the foreign shareholder company, if the shareholder is a company, often notarized and legalized (or apostilled, depending on the country).
• Certificate of incorporation and good standing documents for corporate shareholders.
• Company name in Chinese, with several backup options for the name check.
• Registered office address in China. Many cities require a real lease contract and property documents; virtual addresses are not always accepted.
• Articles of association (the company charter).
• Capital contribution plan and the amount of registered capital.
• Appointment documents for the legal representative, supervisors, and managers.
• Business scope description.
• Power of attorney if an agent handles the process for you.

Documents from abroad often need notarization and legalization, or an apostille if both countries are part of the Apostille Convention. Translation into Chinese is usually required. Prepare these early, because this step often takes the longest.

3. Main registration steps

Step 1: Name pre-approval

Submit several Chinese company names to the market supervision authority. Names must follow local rules and must not copy existing trademarks or company names. This step can be done online in many cities.

Step 2: Prepare and legalize documents

Collect all shareholder and director documents, notarize and legalize them abroad, then translate them. Check with your local agent which format the local authority accepts.

Step 3: Secure a registered address

Sign a lease for a compliant office address. The landlord should provide property ownership documents and allow the address to be used for company registration. Some cities offer special zones with simpler address rules.

Step 4: Submit the establishment application

File the application with the Market Supervision Administration (MSA), usually online through the local government portal. You submit the articles of association, shareholder information, legal representative details, business scope, and address documents.

Step 5: Get the business license

If approved, you receive the business license. This is the key document that proves the company exists. The license includes the company name, registration number, legal representative, capital, and business scope.

Step 6: Make the company seal set

Order the official seals, usually including the company seal, financial seal, legal representative seal, and invoice seal. Seals are important in China for signing contracts and banking.

Step 7: Bank account and foreign exchange registration

Open a basic bank account for the company. If foreign capital will come in, complete the foreign exchange registration and open a capital account. Banks have their own compliance checks, so prepare documents carefully.

Step 8: Tax and customs registration

Register with the tax authority and, if you will import or export, with customs. You may also need to register with the social insurance and housing fund authorities once you hire staff.

Step 9: Post-registration licenses

Some businesses need extra permits, for example food, education, logistics, or certain online services. These are usually applied for after the business license is issued, but check before you commit to a location.

4. Realistic timeline

Timelines vary a lot by city and industry. A common estimate for a straightforward WFOE is:

• Document preparation and legalization abroad: several weeks, depending on your country and how fast your documents are issued.
• Name check: a few working days.
• Business license application: often one to three weeks after all documents are accepted.
• Seals, bank account, and tax registration: another one to three weeks, sometimes longer for bank compliance.

In total, many founders should plan for one to three months from the start of document preparation to a company ready to operate. Complex industries, restricted sectors, or cities with strict address rules can take longer.

5. Practical tips for foreign founders

• Start with documents from your home country. Notarization and legalization are often the slowest part.
• Check the negative list and any special license for your industry before choosing a company type.
• Do not underestimate the address. A compliant registered address is required, and some landlords cannot support registration.
• Keep Chinese translations consistent. Names, addresses, and passport details must match across all documents.
• Work with a local professional. Rules differ by city, and a local accountant or consultant can confirm the current requirements.
• Plan for banking compliance. Banks may ask for business plans, contracts, and shareholder information.

6. Important reminder

This article gives general information only. It is not legal, tax, or investment advice. Company registration rules, capital requirements, tax rules, and industry restrictions in China can change and are applied differently in each city. Before you register, consult a qualified local lawyer, accountant, or registered agent and confirm the latest requirements with the relevant authorities.