Your Guide to Hong Kong Business Registration Number Enquiry

Q: What does the BRN look like?

The BRN is an 8-digit number (e.g., 12345678) shown on the top left of the Business Registration Certificate.

Q: Is the BRN the same as the Company Number issued by the Companies Registry?

No. The Company Number is issued by the Companies Registry , while the BRN is issued by the Inland Revenue Department . A business may have both.

Yip Yuk Ming

9 mins read

Published:

28 July 2025

Updated:

27 October 2025

Need help with your BRN?

About to seal a deal with a new Hong Kong partner or pay a fresh supplier? Pause for a sec. A fast business registration (BR) check can tell you if the company’s legit and save you a world of trouble.

On the flip side, chasing your own BR number for a loan or to open a bank account? No dramas. Knowing how to find and confirm a BR number is a pocket-sized skill that packs a punch. It protects your interests, whether you’re dealing with Hong Kong firms or anyone offshore, and shows partners you mean business.

This step-by-step guide walks you through the whole process so you can verify any Hong Kong company in minutes and move ahead with confidence.

Have questions? Connect with our business registration experts today.

Why you might need to do a Business Registration Number Enquiry

A Business Registration Number (BRN) is a unique identifier issued by the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to every business registered under the Business Registration Ordinance. Conducting a BRN enquiry can be essential for various reasons especially when doing business, ensuring compliance, or verifying an entity’s legitimacy.

1. Verify a business’s legal status

Before engaging with any company in Hong Kong, it’s important to ensure the business is officially registered. A BRN enquiry allows you to:

Confirm that the business is legally registered with the IRD
Check the validity of its registration
Identify its business nature and registration status

This helps reduce the risk of fraud and ensures you’re working with a legitimate entity.

2. Conduct business due diligence

Whether you’re entering into a partnership, service contract, or investment, conducting a BRN enquiry helps you:

Understand the ownership and structure of the business
Identify any dormant or deregistered companies
Avoid risks related to shell companies or scams

It’s a critical part of corporate due diligence and vendor vetting in Hong Kong’s business environment.

3. Fulfil regulatory and tax obligations

For business operators, especially those working with local suppliers, contractors, or clients, verifying the BRN ensures:

You are dealing with tax-compliant entities
You have the correct BRN for documentation (e.g., on invoices and receipts)
You can comply with tax filings and audits properly

This is especially relevant if you’re claiming expenses or input tax under the Hong Kong Profit Tax regime.

4. Protect intellectual property and brand identity

Before registering your own business or trademark, performing a BRN enquiry helps you:

Ensure your proposed name is not already registered
Avoid brand conflicts with existing businesses
Reduce legal risk when launching a new brand, company, or service

This is crucial in Hong Kong’s dense and competitive business landscape.

5. Understand the market and competition

If you’re conducting market research or business development, BRN enquiries help by:

Identifying active businesses in a specific industry or district
Understanding your competitors’ legal standing and scale
Gathering background information for client prospecting or B2B sales

It’s a useful tool for building trust and credibility in business relationships.

Step-by-step guide to a Hong Kong Business Registration Number Enquiry

Conducting a Business Registration Number (BRN) enquiry in Hong Kong is a straightforward process, thanks to the government’s accessible online platforms. Whether you’re verifying a business partner or conducting due diligence, follow this step-by-step guide to perform a BRN search accurately.

Step 1: Determine where to search

There are two primary platforms for BRN or company information enquiries in Hong Kong:

Integrated Companies Registry Information System (ICRIS) – for limited companies.
- Website: www.icris.cr.gov.hk
Inland Revenue Department (IRD) – for sole proprietorships, partnerships, and business registration certificates.

If you’re unsure whether the entity is incorporated or not, start with ICRIS, then proceed to the IRD for further details if needed.

Step 2: Use the Companies Registry (ICRIS)

For Limited Companies or Incorporated Entities:

Go to ICRIS Cyber Search Centre.
Click “Company Name Search”.
Enter the full or partial company name or CR number.
Review the search results and select the relevant entity.
Check the Company Details, including:
- Company Number (which may be used to cross-check BRN)
- Date of Incorporation
- Status (e.g., live, deregistered)
- Type (private, public, etc.)

💡 Note: The Companies Registry number is not the same as the Business Registration Number, but often they are linked.

Step 3: Verify business registration details via IRD

For Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, or BRN Verification:

Visit the Inland Revenue Department’s Business Registration Office.
To make an official enquiry, you may:
- Contact the IRD directly for specific BRN verification.
- Visit their office in person or submit a written request (especially for sensitive or non-public business data).
Businesses typically display their BRN on invoices, receipts, and business registration certificates, so if you already have a BRN, you can verify its validity with the IRD.

Step 4: Cross-check with government records

If you have a BRN but want to confirm legitimacy or link it to a company:

Use both ICRIS and the IRD to match business names, addresses, and registration dates.
You may also check with the Business Registration Office Public Register (available via request) for more detailed verification.

Step 5: Document your findings

For due diligence, audit trails, or contract documentation:

Save or print the search results or company details.
Take note of the BRN, company name, registration status, and any discrepancies.
Consider keeping a record for compliance or future reference.

Additional tips

Language: Both Chinese and English names may be used in search queries.
Fees: Basic company searches on ICRIS are free, but detailed reports may involve small fees.
Updates: Always check for the latest information, as statuses can change (e.g., deregistration, liquidation).

With these steps, you can confidently verify business identities and conduct BRN enquiries in compliance with Hong Kong’s regulatory standards.

How to Renew Your BRN (Business Registration Number)?

Common issues you might face during a Hong Kong BRN Enquiry (and how to fix them)

While conducting a Business Registration Number (BRN) enquiry in Hong Kong is generally straightforward, users may occasionally encounter roadblocks. Here are the most common issues—and practical ways to resolve them.

1. Unable to find a business using its name

Possible Causes:

The business name is misspelled or incomplete
You are using a trading name instead of the registered name
The business is registered in Chinese, but you’re searching in English (or vice versa)

How to Fix It:

Use partial keywords or only the main name fragment in your search
Try both English and Chinese name variations
Refer to any official documentation (e.g., invoice, receipt) to find the registered name
Use wildcards or flexible filters on the ICRIS Cyber Search Centre

2. Confusing the BRN with the Company Registration Number (CRN)

Problem:

The Business Registration Number (BRN) issued by the IRD is different from the Company Number issued by the Companies Registry (CR)
Users mistakenly enter the CR number when trying to verify a BRN

How to Fix It:

Understand that BRN and CRN serve different purposes:
- BRN is for tax and business operation purposes (IRD)
- Company Number identifies incorporated entities (CR)
If you only have the Company Number, search through ICRIS first, then cross-reference with the BR Certificate

3. Limited access to BRN information for sole proprietorships and partnerships

Issue:

Unlike incorporated companies, sole proprietorships and partnerships may not be listed in the public Companies Registry
Their BRN details are harder to access without consent or proper documentation

How to Fix It:

Contact the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) directly to request verification
Ask the business owner to provide a copy of their Business Registration Certificate
If you’re a contracting party, include a clause requesting this document during onboarding

4. Outdated or inactive records

Issue:

A business may appear “not found” or “inactive” due to:
- Deregistration
- Non-renewal of Business Registration
- Liquidation or strike-off

How to Fix It:

Confirm the company’s status using the ICRIS portal
If the business is deregistered, it cannot legally operate
Check the date of last registration to see if it lapsed due to non-renewal

5. Platform timeouts or technical errors

Problem:

Government portals (especially ICRIS) may time out or become unresponsive, particularly during high-traffic hours

How to Fix It:

Try again during non-peak hours (early morning or late evening)
Use a stable internet connection and supported browser (e.g., Chrome or Edge)
Clear your cache or switch to a different browser
If the site is under maintenance, try again later or contact the CR Helpdesk

6. Discrepancies between BR certificate and online records

Issue:

Sometimes, there are inconsistencies in the name, address, or registration number

How to Fix It:

Contact the business to confirm the latest BR Certificate
If needed, report discrepancies to the Inland Revenue Department for clarification
Businesses are required to update their registration within 1 month of any changes

By anticipating these issues and knowing how to address them, you’ll be better equipped to perform a successful BRN enquiry in Hong Kong—saving time, reducing risk, and ensuring compliance.

Alternative ways to look up a Hong Kong Business Registration Number

Method	How it works	When it’s most useful
GovHK eTAX “Business Registration Number Enquiry”	Enter the exact Chinese or English business name and choose its location (Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories) to retrieve the BRN instantly.	You know the official name but not the CR/BR numbers and need a free, government‑verified result.
Companies Registry e‑Services Portal (Quick Search ▶ CR No./BRN Mapping)	Type a Company Registration Number (CR No.) to get the corresponding BRN (and vice versa). This tool was added when the Unique Business Identifier (UBI) regime made the BRN the primary identifier on 27 Dec 2023.	You already have a CR No. from previous filings or certificates but need the BRN for tax or banking forms.
Companies Registry Cyber Search Centre (full company search)	Create a free user account, search the company name or number, and buy an “Image Record” (HK$10) or “Company Particulars Report” (HK$22) that shows both the CR No. and BRN.	You need more than just the BRN (for example, directors, share capital, historical filings) while staying on an official source.
Downloadable CR‑to‑BRN mapping lists (Excel)	The Registry publishes bulk spreadsheets mapping every former CR No. to its new BRN; you can filter the data offline.	High‑volume look‑ups, data analysis, or system integration without repeated portal queries.
GovHK / IRD hotline and counter service	Call +852 183 5500 or visit the Business Registration Office (Inland Revenue Centre, Kai Tak) with the company’s details. Staff can confirm a BRN or issue certified copies.	When online services are inaccessible or you need an officially stamped certificate.
Check the Business Registration Certificate itself	Every Hong Kong business must display its certificate at its principal place of business; the eight‑digit BRN appears near the top right.	You are on‑site (for example, at a supplier’s showroom) or the company can email you a scan.
Third‑party corporate databases and APIs (for example, DatabaseSets, FastLane, QCC HK)	Aggregators cross‑reference CR No., BRN, and Chinese/English names; most offer freemium web searches or JSON/API plans.	Bulk checks, fintech/KYC onboarding, or when you need global data in one interface (though always validate with an official source).