How to Choose a Hong Kong Company Incorporation Service: Fees, Process & TCSP License Check Guide
When looking for a Hong Kong company incorporation service provider, don’t just look at the “lowest price.” First, break down and compare government fees, service provider fees, company secretary, registered office, first-year renewal, and the actual regulated legal entity. For a local private company limited by shares, the minimum government fees for electronic filing plus a one-year business registration certificate are approximately HK$3,895, with service provider fees charged separately.
The Bottom Line: A Qualified Service Provider Should Address at Least 4 Things
- Whether the quote clearly separates government fees from service fees.
- The legal entity name that actually provides the company secretary, registered office, and regulated services.
- What is included in the first year and how renewal works in the second year.
- Whether “obtaining CI/BR” is treated separately from bank account opening, payment collection, tax, and audit.
Check the “Hong Kong Company Formation” services listed on the Chan & Chung website, then use the following checklist to verify the quote item by item. For a full service overview, see Chan & Chung Services.
How Much Does Hong Kong Company Incorporation Cost? Start with the Government Base Price, Then Compare Agency Fees
Government Fees for 2026-04-01 to 2027-03-31
| Item | Electronic Filing | Paper Filing |
|---|---|---|
| Company Registration Fee | HK$1,545 | HK$1,720 |
| One-Year Business Registration Certificate | HK$2,350 | HK$2,350 |
| Total Government Fees | HK$3,895 | HK$4,070 |
Notes:
- A three-year business registration certificate costs HK$6,170; verify against the actual effective date.
- Do not mix electronic and paper filing fees.
- Government fees are not the same as the service provider’s package price.
Source: Companies Registry Fees, IRD Business Registration Fee and Levy Table.
Verify Every Line Item in the Quote
When you receive a quote, check the following items one by one:
- Company registration government fee
- Business registration certificate fee
- Document preparation and submission fee
- Company secretary and registered office
- Statutory registers or document copies
- Mail forwarding, certified copies, and other additional charges
- Second-year renewal fee and scope of services after renewal
Hong Kong company incorporation packages on the market commonly range from approximately HK$6,000 to HK$25,000. This range is for market reference only and is not an official standard price; the actual amount must be confirmed item by item against the quotation.
How to Compare Hong Kong Company Incorporation Service Providers? Use This Checklist
1. Check the Actual Regulated Entity
If a service provider is involved in regulated trust or company services, look up the legal entity name or licence number on the TCSP Registry. Do not simply accept the word “licensed” or licence images displayed on a website.
2. Distinguish “Company Incorporation” from Follow-Up Services
Confirm whether the quote covers only company incorporation, or also includes:
- Company secretary
- Registered office
- Annual return
- Business registration renewal
- Accounting, audit, or tax support
These fall under different service scopes. Just because they appear in the same package or website category does not mean they are all included.
3. Do Not Accept Unconditional Guarantees
Bank account opening, payment platform approval, licence applications, and tax outcomes may all be affected by case-specific information, KYC, or regulatory requirements. A service provider should explain the scope of assistance, not guarantee a certain outcome.
Hong Kong Company Incorporation Process and Timeline
Preparing the Name and Incorporation Documents
For a typical local private company limited by shares, you need to:
- Choose the company type and name.
- Prepare Form NNC1, the articles of association, and Form IRBR1.
- Provide details of directors, shareholders, company secretary, and registered office.
- Submit via the electronic platform or on paper.
- Obtain the Certificate of Incorporation (CI) and Business Registration Certificate (BR).
The Companies Registry states that certificates for electronically filed private companies are normally issued within one hour, and paper filings normally within four working days. Official Incorporation Process
What Still Needs to Be Handled After Obtaining CI and BR?
CI/BR certifies that the company has been incorporated and has completed business registration, but does not guarantee that a bank or payment platform will open an account. Afterwards, you still need to attend to the company secretary, registered office, annual return, and other compliance obligations. Accounting, audit, tax, or payment collection solutions are extended needs that must be arranged separately.
Can Taiwanese or Non-Hong Kong Residents Incorporate a Hong Kong Company?
Basic Requirements for Non-Hong Kong Residents
- Non-Hong Kong residents can incorporate a Hong Kong local limited company.
- Directors do not need to be Hong Kong residents.
- The company must have a Hong Kong registered office.
- A natural-person company secretary must ordinarily reside in Hong Kong; a body-corporate company secretary must have a registered office or place of business in Hong Kong.
- A sole director cannot also serve as the company secretary of the same company.
Source: Companies Registry Incorporation FAQ, Directors and Company Secretary FAQ.
Bank Account Opening Requires Separate Assessment
Taiwanese or overseas applicants should prepare information on their business model, revenue sources, counterparties, and projected cash flow. The speed of company incorporation and the timeline for bank KYC should not be conflated.
DIY, Basic Agency, and Integrated Solutions: How to Choose?
| Approach | Suitable For | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Self-filing via CR e-Services | Those familiar with document and filing procedures | Handle information, secretarial matters, and ongoing compliance on your own |
| Document-filing agency | Those who only need incorporation assistance | Check whether secretary, address, and renewal fees are charged separately |
| Package including secretary and address | Those without local Hong Kong support | Verify the actual service-providing entity, first-year coverage, and renewal fees |
| Cross-border advisory coordination | Those with shareholder structure, payment collection, or compliance issues | Confirm which matters are handled by external professionals |
The above are common market approach categories, not specific brand product lines.
“Hong Kong Company Formation” Services Listed on the Chan & Chung Website
The “Hong Kong Company Formation” services on the Chan & Chung website cover document preparation including Form NNC1, articles of association, CI/BR, and statutory registers. Regulated trust or company services are provided by Intelligent Services Limited (TCSP TC010349), not by Chan & Chung Consultancy Services Limited. For more background, see About Chan & Chung.
Visit the Hong Kong Company Formation service page for the full list of items.
FAQ
How much does a Hong Kong company incorporation service provider charge?
The government base price should first be calculated based on electronic or paper filing; electronic filing plus a one-year business registration certificate is approximately HK$3,895, with service provider fees, secretary, and registered address charged separately.
How long does Hong Kong company incorporation take?
Certificates for electronically filed private companies limited by shares are normally issued within one hour; paper filings normally take four working days. Bank account opening is a separate process.
Can Taiwanese incorporate a Hong Kong company?
Yes. Non-Hong Kong residents can incorporate a local limited company. Directors do not need to be Hong Kong residents, but the company must have a Hong Kong registered office and a qualifying company secretary.
How to verify whether a Hong Kong company incorporation service provider is legitimate?
Search for the service provider’s full legal entity name or licence number on the TCSP Registry. Do not rely solely on the word “licensed” appearing in advertisements or on package pages.
Can I open a bank account immediately after company incorporation?
Not necessarily. CI and BR only certify that the company has been incorporated and has completed business registration. Banks or payment platforms will still independently conduct KYC and commercial review.
Can a sole director also serve as company secretary?
No. A sole director cannot also serve as the company secretary of the same company. A qualifying secretary must be arranged separately.