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
Use of “LeaveHomeSafe” Mobile App
With effect from 1 March 2021, all people entering the public service halls and offices of the Companies Registry are required to use the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app to scan the QR code of the public service halls or offices concerned before entry in order to tie in with the epidemic prevention measures of the Registry. Any person who does not use the mobile app will be required to provide his/her name, contact number and the date and time of visit to the staff onsite. The information provided will be used to facilitate the work of the Government in controlling the spread of COVID-19 and related purposes only. Any person who does not use the mobile app and refuse to provide the required information will be denied entry to the Registry.
We appeal to your cooperation with the Registry in fighting the COVID-19.
25 February 2021
