Why Hong Kong
7 reasons global founders incorporate here
A territorial tax system, open capital flows and direct China banking rails — built for founders trading across borders.
0% tax on foreign income
Territorial principle: income earned outside Hong Kong qualifies for 0% tax via an Offshore Tax Claim, locked in for 3–5 years.
100% foreign ownership
No local partner required. A non-resident can fully own and manage the company — one person, one signature.
No capital controls
Money flows freely in and out — no quotas, no permissions, no transfer limits, no regulatory notifications required.
No VAT / GST
Hong Kong levies no value-added tax or goods-and-services tax — not on sales, not on import or export.
No dividend tax
Profits already taxed at company level distribute to shareholders without additional taxation — a clean exit strategy.
Crypto is legal & regulated
An official VASP/VATP licensing system under the SFC sets clear rules for exchanges, custody and trading platforms.
Same-day payments to China via CIPS
Hong Kong banks are direct CIPS participants. Pay suppliers in mainland China in offshore CNY with same-day arrival — no intermediaries, no PBOC delays.
Who is Hong Kong for?
Not every jurisdiction is right for every business. Here's where Hong Kong is often a strong fit.
SaaS & IT Companies
If you sell software or digital services globally, Hong Kong offers territorial tax benefits.
- Territorial tax system
- International banking
- Investor-friendly
Digital Agencies
For consultants, designers, developers and agencies serving international clients outside Hong Kong.
- International invoicing
- Global banking
- Offshore tax eligibility
E-commerce Brands
Shopify, Amazon and international e-commerce brands sourcing globally and selling worldwide.
- International payments
- Supplier payments
- Multi-currency banking
Amazon FBA Sellers
Manage multi-country operations and supplier payments while selling across multiple Amazon marketplaces.
- Multi-country operations
- Supplier payments
- International banking
Import & Export
Hong Kong remains a leading international trading hub for businesses buying from Asia and selling worldwide.
- International trade
- Multi-currency payments
- Global suppliers
Trading with China
Directly connected to Mainland China's offshore RMB ecosystem. Make faster RMB payments and improve relationships.
- Faster RMB payments
- CNH infrastructure
- Better supplier terms
Holding Structures
For international groups managing subsidiaries, intellectual property or overseas investments.
- Corporate structure
- Shareholding flexibility
- Strong legal system
Investment Vehicles
Investors and founders choose Hong Kong to hold investments and participate in international transactions securely.
- Global recognition
- Flexible structures
- Strong legal framework
Manufacturing Contracts
International supply agreements often use Hong Kong law. Awards enforceable in Mainland China.
- International arbitration
- Dispute resolution
- Cross-border enforcement
Still not sure if Hong Kong is right?
Tell us what your business does, where your customers are located and how you work with suppliers.
We'll help you determine if Hong Kong is right — or recommend a better alternative.
Ask us about your businessHong Kong company package
What's included
Simple. Fast. Remote. We handle every filing — you just sign.
Certificate of Incorporation
Issued once by Companies Registry. Valid forever — your company's birth certificate, government-sealed.
Business Registration Cert.
From IRD, Hong Kong's tax authority.
Corporate Secretary
Licensed Hong Kong resident with TCSP. Handles all Companies Registry filings on your behalf for 1 year.
Legal Address in HK
For registration, mail and banking. Registry filings on your behalf for 1 year.
Share Capital Setup
Minimum 1 HKD (~$0.13), structured as 1 share × 1 HKD nominal — ready for banking and operations.
NAR1 Filing (Year 1)
Annual Return, incl. composition report.
HSBC, Hang Seng, DBS — need an in-person visit to HK. Or fully remote: Wise Business, Statrys, Aspire, Airwallex.
Registration is completed entirely remotely. Document apostille services are charged separately. The cost is calculated based on the country where the documents are located.
Roadmap
The company lifecycle, month by month
From registration to your first tax filing — and every year after.
Annual Return (Form NAR1)
Filed annually with the Hong Kong Companies Registry to confirm the company's registered information, including directors, shareholders, registered office, and company secretary.
Business operations commence
Accounting records begin to be maintained.
Accounting records
Hong Kong companies must maintain proper accounting records from incorporation, including:
First Profits Tax Return (PTR)
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) generally issues the first Profits Tax Return (PTR) 18 months after incorporation. The extended first filing period allows companies incorporated late in the tax year to report a longer initial accounting period.
The first tax filing generally includes:
Corporate tax rates
Hong Kong operates a two-tier corporate profits tax regime:
Accounting & audit fees
Annual accounting and audit fees depend on the company's activity, transaction volume, and complexity.
per year, depending on the company's business activity, transaction volume, and overall complexity.
Requirements
Documents required
Everything we need to incorporate — and what banks may ask for after.
What we need to incorporate
To incorporate a Hong Kong Ltd., we require:
- Proposed company name
- Unique and available for registration
- Must end with “Limited” or “Ltd.”
- English, Chinese, or both accepted
- No restricted words or trademark conflicts
- Business activity description
- Contact email address
- Contact phone number
- Details of directors and shareholders
- Shareholding structure
Identity & address proof
To register your company, we typically require:
- Passport (clear color scan) of each director, shareholder & UBO
- Proof of Residential Address issued within the last 3 months
Documents in English are preferred; other languages may need a certified translation for the provider or financial institution.
Additional verification (CTC or notarized copies) may be requested depending on compliance requirements.
Corporate bank account
A separate compliance process, per bank policy.
- Business plan
- Company website / product deck
- Expected transaction volumes, counterparties & countries
- Supplier agreements
- Customer contracts
- Sample invoices
- Purchase orders
Hong Kong FAQ
Hong Kong company questions, answered
How much does it cost to register a Hong Kong company?
Registration starts from $1,990 as a one-time fee. It covers incorporation, business registration, a local company secretary, a registered address and the first-year filings. Accounting and tax filing start from US$800 per year.
How long does Hong Kong incorporation take?
A standard Hong Kong company is usually incorporated within 5-7 business days once we have your documents and completed identity checks.
Can I register a Hong Kong company remotely, without travelling?
Yes. Incorporation is handled entirely online and documents are signed digitally. Some traditional banks such as HSBC, Hang Seng and DBS may require an in-person visit, but fully remote business accounts are available through providers like Wise, Statrys, Aspire and Airwallex.
How is a Hong Kong company taxed?
Hong Kong uses a territorial tax system. Profits genuinely earned outside Hong Kong can qualify for 0% tax, while Hong Kong-sourced profits are taxed at 8.25% on the first HK$2 million of assessable profits and 16.5% above that.
Do foreigners need a local partner or shareholder?
No. Hong Kong allows 100% foreign ownership. You do not need a local shareholder or director to own and control the company.
What are the ongoing costs from year two?
From the second year you renew the business registration (from about $300), the company secretary (from about $488) and the registered address (from about $200), plus annual accounting and tax filing from US$800. We handle every filing with the Companies Registry and the Inland Revenue Department.
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Send us your business details and we'll confirm the jurisdiction, structure and banking path that fits your case.