Companies Registry
HIGHLIGHT
Waiver on Annual Return Registration Fees and Fee Reduction for e-Incorporation of Companies and Registration of Non-Hong Kong Companies
Good News! The Companies (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2020 will come into operation on 1 October 2020.
The registration fees for annual returns (except for late delivery) charged by the Companies Registry will be waived for two years. The waiver of registration fees will apply to annual returns delivered to the Registry on time and within the concession period from 1 October 2020 to 30 September 2022 (both dates inclusive). However, the fee waiver will not apply to late delivery of annual returns. In cases of late delivery of annual returns, companies are still required to pay the statutory higher registration fees calculated based on the date of delivery, even though the late annual returns are delivered within the concession period.
In addition, with a view to encouraging the wider use of the Registry’s electronic services, with effect from 1 October 2020, the fees payable for electronic incorporation of companies and registration of non-Hong Kong companies will also be reduced by 10%.
For details on the waiver and fee reduction, please refer to Companies Registry External Circular No. 4/2020.
HIGHLIGHT
Common Seal is now Optional
The new Companies Ordinance simplifies the mode of execution of documents by companies. The keeping and use of common seal is now optional.
Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions - Common Seal Section at the Companies Registry’s website for more details.
HIGHLIGHT
Delivery of Annual Returns under the Companies Ordinance
Delivery of annual return by a public company or a guarantee company in respect of the company’s financial year that begins on or after 3 March 2014 must comply with the new requirements under the new Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622). Please refer to the information pamphlet on “Annual Return of a Local Public Company or a Company Limited by Guarantee” for details.
There is no change in the requirement for a private company to deliver annual returns. Please refer to the information pamphlet on “Annual Return of a Local Private Company” for details.
Please note:- Substantially higher registration fees are payable for late delivery of annual returns.
HIGHLIGHT
New Licensing Regime for Trust or Company Service Providers and Keeping of Significant Controllers Registers by Companies
For details, please refer to Companies Registry External Circular No. 1/2018 and Companies Registry External Circular No. 2/2018.
HIGHLIGHT
Waiver on Annual Return Registration Fees and Fee Reduction for e-Incorporation of Companies and Registration of Non-Hong Kong Companies
Good News! The Companies (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2020 will come into operation on 1 October 2020.
The registration fees for annual returns (except for late delivery) charged by the Companies Registry will be waived for two years. The waiver of registration fees will apply to annual returns delivered to the Registry on time and within the concession period from 1 October 2020 to 30 September 2022 (both dates inclusive). However, the fee waiver will not apply to late delivery of annual returns. In cases of late delivery of annual returns, companies are still required to pay the statutory higher registration fees calculated based on the date of delivery, even though the late annual returns are delivered within the concession period.
In addition, with a view to encouraging the wider use of the Registry’s electronic services, with effect from 1 October 2020, the fees payable for electronic incorporation of companies and registration of non-Hong Kong companies will also be reduced by 10%.
For details on the waiver and fee reduction, please refer to Companies Registry External Circular No. 4/2020.
HIGHLIGHT
Common Seal is now Optional
The new Companies Ordinance simplifies the mode of execution of documents by companies. The keeping and use of common seal is now optional.
Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions - Common Seal Section at the Companies Registry’s website for more details.
HIGHLIGHT
Delivery of Annual Returns under the Companies Ordinance
Delivery of annual return by a public company or a guarantee company in respect of the company’s financial year that begins on or after 3 March 2014 must comply with the new requirements under the new Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622). Please refer to the information pamphlet on “Annual Return of a Local Public Company or a Company Limited by Guarantee” for details.
There is no change in the requirement for a private company to deliver annual returns. Please refer to the information pamphlet on “Annual Return of a Local Private Company” for details.
Please note:- Substantially higher registration fees are payable for late delivery of annual returns.
HIGHLIGHT
New Licensing Regime for Trust or Company Service Providers and Keeping of Significant Controllers Registers by Companies
For details, please refer to Companies Registry External Circular No. 1/2018 and Companies Registry External Circular No. 2/2018.
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OUR SERVICES
INFORMATION & PUBLICATIONS
HIGHLIGHT
Waiver on Annual Return Registration Fees and Fee Reduction for e-Incorporation of Companies and Registration of Non-Hong Kong Companies
Good News! The Companies (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2020 will come into operation on 1 October 2020.
The registration fees for annual returns (except for late delivery) charged by the Companies Registry will be waived for two years. The waiver of registration fees will apply to annual returns delivered to the Registry on time and within the concession period from 1 October 2020 to 30 September 2022 (both dates inclusive). However, the fee waiver will not apply to late delivery of annual returns. In cases of late delivery of annual returns, companies are still required to pay the statutory higher registration fees calculated based on the date of delivery, even though the late annual returns are delivered within the concession period.
In addition, with a view to encouraging the wider use of the Registry’s electronic services, with effect from 1 October 2020, the fees payable for electronic incorporation of companies and registration of non-Hong Kong companies will also be reduced by 10%.
For details on the waiver and fee reduction, please refer to Companies Registry External Circular No. 4/2020.
HIGHLIGHT
Common Seal is now Optional
The new Companies Ordinance simplifies the mode of execution of documents by companies. The keeping and use of common seal is now optional.
Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions - Common Seal Section at the Companies Registry’s website for more details.
HIGHLIGHT
Delivery of Annual Returns under the Companies Ordinance
Every company is required to deliver annual returns to the Registrar of Companies for registration.
Delivery of annual return by a public company or a guarantee company in respect of the company’s financial year that begins on or after 3 March 2014 must comply with the new requirements under the new Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622). Please refer to the information pamphlet on “Annual Return of a Local Public Company or a Company Limited by Guarantee” for details.
There is no change in the requirement for a private company to deliver annual returns. Please refer to the information pamphlet on “Annual Return of a Local Private Company” for details.
Please note:- Substantially higher registration fees are payable for late delivery of annual returns.
HIGHLIGHT
New Licensing Regime for Trust or Company Service Providers and Keeping of Significant Controllers Registers by Companies
With effect from 1 March 2018, a new licensing regime for trust or company service providers has come into operation. Any person who carries on or wishes to carry on a trust or company service business in Hong Kong is required to apply for a licence from the Registrar of Companies. In addition, the new requirement for companies to ascertain and maintain up-to-date information on beneficial ownership by way of keeping a Significant Controllers Register was implemented on the same day.
For details, please refer to Companies Registry External Circular No. 1/2018 and Companies Registry External Circular No. 2/2018.
NOTICE
Latest arrangements for Companies Registry’s public services
In view of the latest epidemic situation and the special work arrangements for government employees, starting from 10 December 2020, while maintaining the limited counter services provided currently, the Companies Registry will temporarily close the Public Search Centre on 13/F at Queensway Government Offices until further notice.
The Registry will continue to provide limited counter services for receiving documents delivered in hard copy and collection of certificates for company incorporations. Details of the limited counter services are set out in Annex.
To achieve social distancing with a view to reducing the risk of the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the community, the Registry appeals to its customers to continue to deliver documents electronically or by post. Customers should avoid visiting the Registry’s office premises unless they require urgent service. The Registry’s services on registration of documents and public search services will continue to be provided electronically through the “e-Registry” (www.eregistry.gov.hk), "Cyber Search Centre" (www.icris.cr.gov.hk) and the website of the Registry for Trust and Company Service Providers (www.tcsp.cr.gov.hk). Details of the Registry’s electronic services are also set out in Annex.
The waiting time for public services provided at the Registry’s offices will be longer as the provision of services has been scaled down. The Registry will also take a longer time to process the documents submitted in hard copy form. We apologise that the standard performance pledges are not applicable to our services during the limited service period.
For enquiries, please call 2867 2600 or contact us by email at crenq@cr.gov.hk.
9 December 2020
