Registering a company in China takes 3–5 business days and requires only one document from you: your international passport. Apostilles, notarized translations, and certificates from Russian authorities are not required. The only mandatory offline step is a personal visit to the tax office, which takes approximately six hours.
Requirements
- International passport with an expiration date covering the registration period
- Russian address: a formality, the system does not verify it
- Temporary address in China: hotel and registration card provided upon check-in
- Phone number and email for communication
The company is registered in your name, and you are the sole owner. A local partner assists with preparation, filing, and communication with authorities, but the company is legally yours.
Step 1. Online Application
The application is submitted in Chinese via the government portal. Your partner handles this; you only need to provide passport and address details. The application includes the company name in Chinese, business scope, founder details, legal address, and registered capital. After preliminary approval, a one-time government fee of 1,600 yuan is paid.
Step 2. Office and Seals
Every company requires a legal address, and authorities verify its existence. A full-scale office is not necessary; a nominal office in a business center or coworking space is sufficient: from 350 ¥ per month if paid annually, or about 500 ¥ monthly. This is a legal and common practice.
- The lease agreement is issued in the company's name to confirm the address
- An acrylic sign with the company name is placed on the door
- Four seals are created: company, owner, general manager, and chief accountant—all in your name
Step 3. Tax Office Visit: ~6 hours
- The inspector verifies the passport, application, and lease agreement
- Every page of the registration package is signed—this involves dozens of pages in a cycle of "sign → seal → verify"
- The founder is photographed with the documents
- A temporary certificate is issued, confirming the process has started
After signing, documents undergo a manual review (1–2 business days). Following the fee payment, the final check takes another 3–4 days. An inspector may call or visit the office; the lease agreement and the sign on the door will resolve any inquiries.
Registered Capital: No cash required
Registered capital in China is not a deposit but a turnover forecast. Funds are not frozen and are not paid during registration. We recommend declaring 100,000 yuan, which is achievable within 3–6 months of moderate sales. A minimum of 10,000 ¥ is possible but may raise questions; there is no need to inflate it, as it increases reporting expectations.
What you receive after registration
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 营业执照 — Business License | The company's primary document; required for your WB/Ozon account |
| Four seals | Contracts, banking, orders, financial documents |
| Lease agreement | Proof of legal address |
| Bank account | Opened immediately after, ~3 business days — <a href="/en-US/knowledge/banks-and-accounts-in-china/">how to choose a bank</a> |
Accounting support — 3,600 yuan per year, with English-speaking support. Next, set up your marketplace account: how selling from China works.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to register a company in China for my marketplace business?
The entire registration process takes 4–5 business days. This includes one day for adaptation, one day for the tax office visit, and the remaining time for document reviews.
What documents do I need to provide to register my company?
You only need your international passport to register. Other requirements include a temporary address in China, a phone number, an email address, and a Russian address, which serves as a formality.
Do I need to deposit the registered capital into a bank account during registration?
No, the registered capital is a turnover forecast and not a deposit. Funds are not frozen and are not paid during the registration process.
Why are the company seals important for my business in China?
In China, a seal is legally more powerful than a signature. You need the four company seals to open a bank account, sign contracts, and file reports.