Documents for Registering a Wholly Foreign-Owned Subsidiary in Shanghai, Checklist for Establishing a Company in Shanghai by a Foreign Enterprise

1. Legal Representative:

   • If the legal representative is a Chinese mainland citizen: Provide a copy of both sides of the ID card, mobile number, and email address.
   • If the legal representative is from Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan: Provide a copy of the Mainland Travel Permit, mobile number, and email address.
   • If the legal representative is a foreign national: Provide a copy of the passport, mobile number, and email address. Each page of the copy must be signed.

2. Shareholder(s):

   • Hague Apostille: Documents require notarization locally and authentication by the Chinese embassy/consulate abroad. They must also be translated by a qualified translation company in China, with the translation company's official seal affixed and a copy of its business license attached.

3. Supervisor:

   • According to the new Company Law effective 2025, a company may choose not to establish the position of supervisor. If established, the required materials refer to the information for the legal representative.

   

4. Registered Capital:

   • Foreign-invested companies implement a subscribed capital system. The capital must be fully paid up within 5 years after company establishment.
   • Forms of contribution include: monetary contribution, contribution in kind, intellectual property contribution, etc.
   • Currency of contribution includes: RMB, USD, EUR, etc.

5. Business Scope:

   • Select based on the company's actual and planned future business operations.
   • Important Notes:

     1. As most foreign enterprises are involved in import/export business and will later apply for import/export rights,務(wù)必務(wù)必 add "Import & Export of Goods" and "Import & Export of Technology" to the selected business scope.
     2. Avoid the "Negative List" industries.

6. Company Name:

   • Only simplified Chinese characters can be used, not English. The name must be unique nationwide and cannot be identical or phonetically similar to an already registered company in the same industry. Before registration, you can check the name's availability online via the "Shanghai One-Stop Online Platform".

7. Registered Address:

   • 1. If there is an actual office space in Shanghai: Provide a copy of the property ownership certificate, lease agreement, and the property registration information booklet.
   • 2. If there is no actual office space in Shanghai: You can entrust Jiuyao Kaiye to act as an agent, providing a clustered registration address in an industrial park to obtain the business license.

Summary Registering a wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in Shanghai requires information such as personnel details, shareholder information (Hague Apostille and translation), registered capital, business scope, company name, and business premises. Some districts may require the original passport and entry/exit records of foreign personnel to be presented in person. As the documentation and process for establishing a wholly foreign-owned subsidiary are relatively complex, it is recommended to entrust the entire process to Shanghai Jiuyao Kaiye (bankcantonstate.com). Service Hotline: 400-8288-926 or 13761551584.