- The full Hong Kong company registration cost in 2026 is HK$3,895 in mandatory government fees alone (electronic filing): HK$1,545 to the Companies Registry plus the new HK$2,350 one-year Business Registration Certificate fee from 1 April 2026.
- A company secretary and a registered office address are statutory under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622). Any quote that leaves them out is incomplete, regardless of how it’s labelled.
- A standard year-one Hong Kong company formation cost (government fees plus a TCSP-licensed provider’s incorporation package) is typically HK$8,000–HK$12,000.
- Annual upkeep from year two onwards typically lands between HK$11,000 and HK$25,000, covering BRC renewal, NAR1 filing, company secretary, registered office, and basic accounting.
- Electronic filing is HK$175 cheaper than paper and is processed in about one working day for straightforward applications. Most founders file via the e-Registry.
The Hong Kong company registration cost is often higher than the headline quote you first see online. Many advertised prices only cover the Companies Registry filing fee, while the Business Registration Certificate, company secretary, and registered office address are mandatory parts of setting up a company.
This guide puts every Hong Kong company formation cost in one place, with government fees updated for 1 April 2026.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- The mandatory government fees at incorporation
- How the business registration fee works in 2026
- What professional incorporation packages usually include
- Three year-one cost scenarios
- The recurring costs after Hong Kong company formation
- How to keep your overall company registration cost lower
Hong Kong company registration cost at a glance
|
Cost item |
Typical amount |
|---|---|
|
Companies Registry filing fee, electronic |
HK$1,545 |
|
Companies Registry filing fee, paper |
HK$1,720 |
|
Business Registration Certificate, one-year |
HK$2,350 |
|
Mandatory government fees, electronic |
HK$3,895 |
|
Mandatory government fees, paper |
HK$4,070 |
|
Standard provider setup, year one |
HK$8,000-HK$12,000 |
|
Full-service provider setup, year one |
HK$12,000-HK$18,000 |
|
Typical annual upkeep from year two |
HK$11,000-HK$25,000+ |
These figures are useful for planning, but the right budget depends on whether you file yourself, use a basic service provider, or want a full package that includes banking and ongoing compliance support.
What are the mandatory government fees for Hong Kong company registration?
These are the non-negotiable fees paid directly to the government at incorporation. The cost is split between two bodies: the Companies Registry (CR) and the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).
Companies Registry incorporation fee
This fee is paid once to create your company as a legal entity.
- Electronic submission: HK$1,545
- Paper submission: HK$1,720
Electronic filing is faster, costs HK$175 less, and is usually processed within one working day for straightforward applications. Most applicants file through the e-Registry.
Business registration fee from 1 April 2026
The Business Registration Certificate (BRC) is issued by the IRD and is legally required before you can conduct business in Hong Kong. The business registration fee is paid alongside the Companies Registry filing for new incorporations, then renewed each year or every three years.
From 1 April 2026:
- One-year certificate: HK$2,350
- Three-year certificate: HK$6,170
The HK$150 levy waiver that applied in 2025/26 is no longer in effect from FY2026/27 for the one-year certificate.
Total government fees
|
Filing method |
CR fee |
BRC (one-year) |
Total government fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Electronic |
HK$1,545 |
HK$2,350 |
HK$3,895 |
|
Paper |
HK$1,720 |
HK$2,350 |
HK$4,070 |
What are the professional service costs for Hong Kong company formation?
Most founders use a TCSP-licensed provider to manage Hong Kong company formation. This keeps the statutory requirements in scope and reduces the risk of document errors that delay registration.
What a standard incorporation package includes
A standard package from a reputable provider usually covers:
- Incorporation filing with the Companies Registry
- First-year company secretary service
- Registered office address for official correspondence
- Preparation and delivery of incorporation documents
- Business Registration Certificate application
Prices vary by provider and level of support:
- Basic packages: From around HK$4,500, usually filing-focused with limited ongoing services.
- Standard packages: HK$6,000-HK$10,000, usually covering incorporation, company secretary, and registered office.
- Premium packages: HK$12,000-HK$18,000, often including banking assistance, nominee services, or broader compliance support.
Hidden costs to check before committing
When comparing providers, check whether the quote includes:
- Government fees or only the provider’s service fee
- Printed document fees charged separately from digital delivery
- Nominee director or shareholder fees
- Bank account opening assistance
- Annual renewal charges for company secretary and registered office address
Reading the terms before you pay avoids discovering mandatory extras after the initial deposit.
A company secretary and registered office address are not optional add-ons. They are statutory requirements under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622). Any Hong Kong incorporation quote that does not include both is only showing part of the real setup cost.
Year-one Hong Kong company registration cost scenarios
The three scenarios below show how the total Hong Kong company registration cost changes depending on how much support you need.
Scenario A: Government fees only (DIY)
If you handle registration yourself and pay only mandatory government fees, the total is HK$3,895 for electronic filing with a one-year BRC.
You must still appoint a company secretary and provide a registered office address from day one. Founders based outside Hong Kong typically find this difficult to arrange independently without a licensed provider.
Scenario B: Standard setup with a service provider
This is the most common approach. Government fees plus a bundled incorporation package typically cost HK$8,000-HK$12,000 in year one.
This usually covers the CR filing, BRC, first-year company secretary, and registered office address.
Scenario C: Full-service package
This is suitable for foreign founders who want end-to-end support, including banking assistance and ongoing compliance. Expect to pay HK$12,000-HK$18,000 in year one, depending on the provider and scope.
Year-one cost summary
|
Setup |
What’s included |
Approximate year-one cost |
|---|---|---|
|
DIY, government fees only |
CR filing + BRC |
HK$3,895 |
|
Standard with provider |
CR + BRC + secretary + address |
HK$8,000-HK$12,000 |
|
Full-service |
Above + banking + compliance support |
HK$12,000-HK$18,000 |
What are the annual maintenance costs after Hong Kong company formation?
Once your company is incorporated, several recurring costs apply. Budget for these from the start so your company registration cost does not feel like a one-off expense.
Business Registration Certificate renewal
The BRC must be renewed each year or every three years with the IRD.
- One-year renewal from April 2026: HK$2,350
- Three-year renewal: HK$6,170
Many companies choose a three-year certificate to reduce annual admin, although the upfront payment is higher.
Annual Return filing fee
Every private limited company must file an Annual Return (Form NAR1) with the Companies Registry within 42 days of the company’s incorporation anniversary. The filing fee is HK$105 when submitted on time.
Late filing penalties escalate from HK$870 (1-3 months late) to HK$3,480 (9+ months late).
Company secretary and registered office address
Maintaining both is a legal requirement. Typical annual costs from professional providers are:
- Company secretary: HK$2,000-HK$5,000 per year
- Registered office address: HK$1,500-HK$3,000 per year
If you want a Central Hong Kong address without leasing physical office space, a virtual office in Hong Kong is a cost-effective way to meet the registered address requirement.
Accounting, audit, and tax filing
All Hong Kong companies must prepare audited financial statements annually and file a Profits Tax Return with the IRD. For small private companies, this typically costs HK$5,000-HK$15,000 per year depending on transaction volume.
Understanding what you can claim as profit tax deductions before your first financial year ends can meaningfully reduce your tax liability.
Average annual maintenance cost
Item | Typical annual cost |
|---|---|
BRC renewal | HK$2,350 |
Annual Return filing (NAR1) | HK$105 |
Company secretary | HK$2,000-HK$5,000 |
Registered office address | HK$1,500-HK$3,000 |
Accounting and audit | HK$5,000-HK$15,000 |
Total | HK$11,000-HK$25,000+ |
Common mistakes when comparing company registration costs
Comparing headline fees instead of total setup cost
Some providers advertise only the Companies Registry filing fee or their own service fee. That makes the quote look low, but it does not reflect the full Hong Kong company registration cost. Always check whether the quote includes the BRC, company secretary, registered office address, and government fees.
Treating company secretary and registered office as optional
They are not optional. A company secretary and registered office address are required from incorporation. If they are not included in a quote, you will still need to arrange and pay for them separately.
Ignoring year-two costs
Company formation in Hong Kong creates ongoing obligations. BRC renewal, Annual Return filing, company secretary renewal, registered office renewal, accounting, and audit all start after incorporation. A cheap year-one quote may not be cheaper if year-two renewal costs are high.
Paying for premium add-ons too early
Nominee directors, premium document packs, and other add-ons may be useful in specific cases, but most founders do not need them at incorporation. Start with the statutory essentials, then add services when the business case is clear.
How to keep your Hong Kong company registration cost lower
A few practical choices at setup can reduce your first-year spend:
- File electronically: It saves HK$175 on the CR fee and processes faster.
- Use a bundled package: A single provider for secretary, address, and filing is usually cheaper than managing them separately.
- Consider a three-year BRC: Higher upfront cost, but it reduces annual renewal admin.
- Start simple: Nominee directors and premium add-ons can be added later if you need them.
- Check what’s included: Confirm whether the quoted price covers government fees or only the provider’s service fee. A clear quote will itemise both.
How Sleek helps you keep Hong Kong company formation costs predictable
Sleek is a TCSP-licensed firm (TC006483) handling end-to-end Hong Kong company formation for both local and foreign founders, entirely online.
With Sleek, you can:
- See every cost up front: Our incorporation packages bundle the Companies Registry filing, business registration fee, first-year company secretary service, and a Central Hong Kong registered office address in a single fixed price.
- Avoid hidden extras: No printing surcharges, BRC add-ons, or fees discovered after deposit. The quote you see is the price you pay.
- Cover the statutory roles from day one: Sleek acts as your company secretary and provides a registered office address, both required by the Companies Ordinance from incorporation.
- Plan year-two costs early: BRC renewal, NAR1 filing, accounting, and audit can be quoted on the same fixed-price basis, so your budget stays predictable beyond year one.
That means your Hong Kong company registration cost is one setup budget to plan around, not a series of mandatory extras discovered later.
Our team will walk you through the exact cost for your situation before you commit.
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