A business license in Hong Kong is needed for certain types of activities. A special government permit, license, approval, or certificate is required in regulated business sectors and it is applied for before the start of the business activities.
Obtaining special permits and licenses can be assisted by our team of lawyers in Hong Kong. We can provide complete information about the application requirements and process, and assist business owners during this step.
The representatives at our law firm in Hong Kong can tell you more about the specific license after learning more about your type of company in Hong Kong and the business field in which you operate.
You can read below to find out more about some of the types of business licenses, and the need to obtain a trade license in Hong Kong for companies involved in this sector. For other information, as well as assistance with different types of legal matters, our attorneys will answer your questions.
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The business license in Hong Kong
Obtaining the needed licenses and permits is mandatory for companies in Hong Kong. This step takes place after the company registration process is performed with the Companies Registry.
A business license in Hong Kong can be obtained for:
- Liquor selling, such as for clubs;
- Restaurants;
- Telecommunications companies;
- Companies providing elderly care services;
- Health workers;
- Companies working with radioactive substances or irradiating apparatus;
- Dealers in precious metals and stones;
- Money service operators;
- Import and export companies (please see more information about the trade license in Hong Kong below).
Investors in telecommunications in Hong Kong will also need to obtain licenses for:
- carrier license;
- public radio communications service license;
- class licenses or service-based operator licenses.
If you operate in the telecommunications sector or the financial and trade sectors, our lawyers in Hong Kong can help you submit the necessary applications for licenses.
Restaurants in Hong Kong need to obtain special permits in order to function. These are issued by the Food and Environmental Health Department and the submissions are made to one of the three licensing offices, depending on the area in which the restaurant or food establishment is located (Hong Kong & Islands, Kowloon, and the New Territories).
Examples of license types include the following:
- general restaurant license;
- light refreshment restaurant license;
- marine restaurant license;
- food factory and bakery license;
- licenses for milk factories and composite food shops.
Some of the annual fees in place for a license for a general restaurant or a marine restaurant are listed below by our attorneys in Hong Kong:
- A fee of $2,520 for restaurants that do not exceed 100 sqm;
- A fee of $3,140 for restaurants which are larger than 100 sqm but do not exceed 150 sqm;
- $4,410 for restaurants larger than 150 sqm but below 200 sqm;
- $5,650 for establishments with a size of less than 200 sqm but not exceeding 250 sqm.
Other fees apply for the grant or the renewal of a license for a light refreshment restaurant and these are generally lower than those for a general or a marine restaurant.
Please keep in mind that these fees are subject to change. Fees are imposed both for the initial license granting and for its renewal. The renewal fee is half of the fee for a full license and so is the value of the provisional restaurant license.
Our attorneys in Hong Kong can give you more information about the licenses for restaurants and food establishments, including the provisional business license in Hong Kong for these types of establishments.
Permissions need to be obtained for establishments that provide outside seating accommodation as well as for clubhouses, hotels and guesthouses or karaoke establishments.
Some of the businesses in Hong Kong will also need to apply for an environmental permit or license, but only in certain cases.
To determine if you need this special permit our lawyers in Hong Kong can help you understand the regulatory framework for air and water pollution as well as the disposal ordinances for special categories of waste.
The trade license in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has a free trade policy, however, import and export companies in Hong Kong need to obtain licenses to bring products into the city or export them.
The Trade and Industry Department oversees licensing and control in this business sector. Business owners need to submit certain application forms according to the type of imported or exported product (or both).
Herbal medicines, controlled chemicals, dutiable commodities, pharmaceutical products, diamonds or vehicles, and vehicle parts are just some of the types of regulated products.
The experts at our law firm in Hong Kong can give you complete details about import and export licensing and control.
Legal services in Hong Kong
Observing the laws and regulations for proper licensing and registration is important for Hong Kong businesses. Our team can help you obtain a business license in Hong Kong and assist with various other matters.
Our immigration lawyers in Hong Kong can help you with the application for residency in Hong Kong.
For more information about doing business and obtaining special permits and licenses in the HKSAR please do not hesitate to contact our law firm in Hong Kong.