I. Pre-registration with Industrial and Commercial Administration (5 Working Days)
Name of the representative office: Country (or area) + Foreign Enterprise Name + Shanghai Representative Office;
The Foreign Enterprise Name needs to be translated or transliterated. Business Scope: Usually business contact or inquiry for ** product or ** service (Business Scope for Representative Office of Foreign-funded Enterprise.)
Duration of the Representative Office: Usually the maximum period 3 years. (5 years for an insurance company and 6 years for a bank.) The duration starts from the authority approval date.
II. Registration (5 Working Days)(click to see an example)
1. Application form signed by the chief representative;
2. The legitimate certificate for operation issued by the relevant government authorities of its host country (need to be notified by the Chinese Consulate in its country);
Foreign Country: ① Notarized documents from local notary public or lawyer;
② Certification documents from local Chinese embassy;
Hong Kong: Hong Kong enterprise should hand in legitimate certificate for operation issued by the appointed Chinese notary person. China Legal Service (HK) Co., Ltd. will sign and transmit after audition. And a supporting document to confirm this is also required;
3. Capital Credit Certificate of the Foreign Company Issued by Foreign Bank;
① Original, with the bank formal letter paper, signed by the principal of the bank and with a stamp of the bank;
② It should include: Account, Balance held on deposit, and credit evaluation;
③ Valid for 6 months since issuance.
4. Application from the Foreign Enterprise.
① Printed on the company formal letter pad, signed by the Chairman or Manager;
② Documents in mother language and the Chinese translation are required for enterprises from other countries and regions. (Except Hong Kong and Macao.)
③ The application should include: Enterprise’s name, registered address, telephone number, business scope, name of the Chairman and manager; the purpose of setting up a representative office, the name of the representative office, the staff in the representative office (the names of the Chief Representative and representatives), business scope, operating period, address, etc.
5. The power of attorney of the staff (Chief Representative, representative) of the representative office, and their CVs and ID copies.
① Printed on formal letter paper of the company, signed by the director or the manager;
② Documents in original language and the Chinese translation are required for enterprises from other countries and regions. (Hong Kong and Macao not included)
③ If the Chairman himself/herself is the Chief Representative, signature of other 2 directors is required.
6. Passport copy (need to be notified by the Chinese Consulate in its country)(click to see an example), 2 photos, Chinese C.V. (from high school to present, must be continuous) of the staff (Chief Representative, Representatives) in the representative office.
If the Chief Representative is a Chinese citizen, his/her work permit copy and qualification certificate are required;
7. Proof of Domicile Usage (It should be a foreign-related building affirmed by bureau of public safety. Reference to foreign-related office building);
① Contract of house leasing (at least for one year)signed by the Chief Representative, with public seal;
Tip: If the house-owner is a foreigner, the contract needs to be notarized by the notary public within its district.
② Real estate certificate copy, with public seal;
③ Proof of foreign office copy (from Property Management Company, with their company seal);
④ Record card for house leasing copy (original)(from real estate trading center of the local district) (5 work days);
⑤ Proof of residence (from Property Management Company).
8. Power of attorney of the agent, agent’s business license.
9. Other pertinent documents;
Tip: The above documents must be translated (There should be a stamp from the translation company on the translation).
The original document for the above-mentioned document is required if it is not indicated as “copy”.
There should be a statement as “The copy agrees with the original” and the applicant company’s public seal on the copy.
III. Certificate of Foreign Currency, Account Managing Card (1 Working Day)(click to see an example)
1. Certificate of registry of representative office of enterprises from foreign country or region (duplicate);
2. Enterprise Organization Code Certificate;
3. Company’s public seal;
4. Other pertinent documents.
Tip: If the foreign company has no need to receive foreign currency, the company can skip this process.
IV．Customs Registration Certificate (1 Working Day) 80 RMB
1. Certificate of registry of representative office of enterprises from foreign country or region (duplicate) (copy);
2. Record Filing and Registration of Foreign Trade Operators form copy (except those who unnecessary to keep a record);
3. Tax affairs certificate of registry duplicate copy;
4. Proof of bank account opening;
5. Enterprise organization code certificate duplicate copy;
6. Customs registration forms;
7. Other pertinent documents
Tip: Enterprise can skip this process if there is no temporary item to be imported.
List of certificates:
1. Registration certificate(click to see an example);
2. Chief Representative Certificate;
3. Public seal, chief representative certificate, special financial seal;
4. Foreign currency IC card (optional);
5. Customs Registration Certificate (optional).
Note: If there is general representative in the enterprise, the enterprise needs to apply for general representative certificate.
