How much does it cost to incorporate a company in Hong Kong (Companies Registry fee plus business registration)?
The Companies Registry fee is HK$1,545 online or HK$1,720 on paper. On top of that, business registration costs HK$2,350 for a one-year certificate (HK$2,200 fee plus HK$150 levy) or HK$6,170 for three years, for companies incorporated between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027. Professional fees are extra.
Government charges for a local private company
- Incorporation: HK$1,545 electronic, HK$1,720 hard copy.
- Business registration (paid with the same filing):
- 1-year certificate: HK$2,200 fee + HK$150 levy = HK$2,350
- 3-year certificate: HK$5,720 fee + HK$450 levy = HK$6,170
So an online incorporation with a one-year certificate costs HK$3,895 in government charges (1,545 + 2,350). With a three-year certificate it is HK$7,715.
How the BR amount is decided The amount depends on when the incorporation submission is delivered to the Registry. The IRD's table shows the levy was waived between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2026, so older articles quoting HK$2,200 in total are out of date for new companies. IRD's published table runs to 31 March 2027; rates after that date are set by later decisions and should be checked.
Not included
- Fees charged by any professional or company service provider.
- Registered office or company secretary service fees.
- Later costs: annual return fee (HK$105 if on time), business registration renewal, accounting and audit.
Always check the current schedule before paying.
Legal basis
- Companies (Fees) Regulation (Cap. 622K)
- Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310)
Sources
Applies to 2026 · Last reviewed 29 October 2026
General information for business owners, not legal, tax or professional advice. Rules change, so check the sources or ask a licensed professional before you act.
Related questions
- Which business structure should I choose in Hong Kong: sole proprietorship, partnership or limited company?Hong Kong offers sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited companies and, for overseas firms, branch or representative offices. The main trade-off is liability: a sole proprietor or general partner is personally liable without limit, while a limited company's members are liable only up to unpaid share capital.
- How do I set up a sole proprietorship in Hong Kong and what is my liability?Register the business with the Inland Revenue Department's Business Registration Office within one month of starting trading. There is no separate legal entity, so you are personally liable without limit for the business's debts.
- How does a partnership work in Hong Kong, and what is a limited partnership?A partnership is two or more people carrying on business together for profit. In a general partnership each partner can bind the others and all are jointly liable for debts. A limited partnership has at least one general partner with full liability and limited partners liable only up to their contribution.
- What is a private company limited by shares in Hong Kong and why do most businesses choose it?It is a separate legal entity whose shareholders are liable only for any unpaid amount on their shares. It is the most common vehicle in Hong Kong because it protects personal assets and makes ownership easy to transfer, in exchange for statutory filing and record-keeping duties.
- Should an overseas company set up a branch, a representative office or a Hong Kong subsidiary?A branch is the overseas company itself trading in Hong Kong and must register as a non-Hong Kong company within one month. A representative office can only liaise or research, not trade for profit. A subsidiary is a separate Hong Kong company that ring-fences liability.