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All Mainland China companies should be registered and have a China business license, so there is a good chance you will have seen or received a copy of this certificate.
But what does the license represent and what information does it contain? This article explains all.
To register in Mainland China, companies are required to apply to the relevant authorities for a business license.
This application is usually made at the company’s local Administration for Industry and Commerce (AIC).
If and when the company is issued a business license, they will receive their business licence in the form of a certificate. All companies in Mainland China should be registered and have such a certificate.
Throughout Mainland China the appearance of the business licence certificate is fairly consistent and will clearly state the text “营业执照” (business licence) in a large font.
See the text in gold on the image to the right:
Many companies actually receive two versions of this certificate, one in A3 size which is the official certificate, and one in A4 size which is an official copy!
Don’t be concerned if you receive one or the other, they contain the same information.
Includes the red national emblem with 5 stars
Without the the red national emblem.
As we reported earlier in the year, China business licenses are now starting to be issued with a QR codes displayed.
Here is an example of a China business license with a QR code:
Unfortunately China business license certificates are only available in Chinese writing which makes it difficult to comprehend for most foreigners.
In simple terms, the license contains the key details of the company’s registration and specifies details such as their:
In Mainland China it is very common for many companies such as shops and restaurants to display their business license in their premises to demonstrate to customers that they are a legitimate business.
When you are doing business with a Chinese company it is a good idea to request a copy of their China business license to ensure that they are registered.
Often a Chinese company will provide you with a copy of their license before you even ask for it.
A company has provided you with a copy of their China business license but you don’t read Chinese characters and can’t make sense of it. You understand that the information on the license is critical to help you understand the business, so what to do?
China Checkup’s company verification report service gives you access to the current registration record of a Mainland China company, with complete translation and explanation in native English.
They include all the information contained on the business license and much more. Plus, unlike a paper version of the license, you can be sure that this information will be up to date and accurate.
Alternatively, if you just want to check that the license you have been provided is legitimate, you can submit it when applying for a China Certificate Verification report and we will verify it against the company’s official records.
You’ve tried asking for a copy of their business license, or feel uneasy about asking. Perhaps you are worried that the license they provided is fake or has been adjusted?
China Checkup have a range of company verification services that can be used to verify whether the Chinese company you are dealing with is registered in Mainland China.
View this comprehensive list of cities in China from Ankang to Zunyi!
We have included all cities in China that are either at, or above, prefecture-level and they are listed both alphabetically and grouped by province.
This list of Chinese AMR websites includes links to the AMR branch website for each province/administrative region in China.
In case you're wondering, the acronym "AMR" stands for "Administration for Market Regulation", which is a newly-launched Chinese government agency created by the merger of many previous agencies, including the AIC and AQSIQ.
This super regulator is now responsible for a wide range of regulatory matters in Mainland China, so if you need to get in touch with them you should find this list of Chinese AMR websites useful.
The China AEO Certificate is a document held by companies in China engaged in import and export activities.
Issued by China Customs, the certificate specifies the company's enterprise classification, which determines their level of inspections and more.
Requesting and verifying a supplier's China AEO certificate can be a sensible measure to understand if they are registered with China Customs as an "Authorized Economic Operator" and to check their AEO type.
Matt Slater
Author
Hi there, I'm Matt, the Founder & CEO of China Checkup. Originally from the UK, I am now based in Brisbane, Australia.
Frustrated by the scarcity of concise, high-quality and timely information about Chinese companies, I setup China Checkup whilst living in Shanghai in 2013.
My team are proud that China Checkup's company verification reports have now helped thousands of clients from all corners of the world to do business in China more safely.