Before you choose a company structure
Start with what your business will actually do: your products or services, ownership, customers, planned location and staffing. These details help define the registration work and the questions that need checking before you commit.
Supro's company setup scope includes foreign-owned company formation, often searched for as WFOE registration, as well as joint venture and representative office preparation. The appropriate route depends on your activity and circumstances; not every structure suits every business.
If you only need a China-side corporate bank account for an overseas company, discuss NRA and FTN account preparation before assuming you need a mainland company.
What Supro can coordinate
- Preparation: organise the proposed ownership, business activity and registration documents.
- Registration: coordinate company name and business licence preparation, including Shanghai Free Trade Zone setup enquiries where relevant.
- After registration: company seals, tax and social security registration coordination.
- Banking: prepare the company bank account application and clarify the bank's attendance and document requirements. Approval remains with the bank.
- Ongoing operations: arrange a clear handover to bookkeeping, tax filing and English reporting support.
Your written proposal should distinguish the agreed registration work from ongoing accounting, banking support and any third-party charges.
From first conversation to ongoing support
- Define the business. Explain your ownership, activity, location and intended start date.
- Agree the scope. Confirm the preparation work, responsible parties, fees and any requirements that still need verification.
- Prepare and coordinate. Gather the requested documents and respond to questions during the registration process.
- Plan the handover. Decide who will handle accounting records, invoices and routine filings after setup.
Timing depends on the documents, business activity and reviews involved. Ask for an estimate for your particular project rather than treating an advertised deadline as a guarantee.
Questions foreign founders ask
Can I prepare the setup while I am outside China?
You can discuss your project and prepare information remotely. Signing, identity verification and attendance requirements need checking for your particular registration and bank application. Do not assume that every step can be completed without a visit.
What should I send for an initial quote?
A short business summary, shareholder countries, intended Shanghai location, planned staff and expected start date are useful. Do not send passports, passwords or bank documents through this public enquiry form.
Does setup include accounting?
Registration and ongoing accounting are separate scopes to agree. Supro can discuss both, including the records, routine filings and English reports you need after registration.
For official starting points, see the Shanghai government portals for starting a business and company registration. Confirm current requirements for your own activity and structure.
