Published · Equatorial Guinea

China Company Registration: Documents, Steps and Timeline for Founders from Equatorial Guinea

A practical English-language guide for founders from Equatorial Guinea on registering a company in China: the documents you need, the steps involved, realistic timelines, and common pitfalls, with a clear note that this is general information rather than legal or tax advice.

Setting up a company in China is a well-trodden path, but it is not a simple form-filling exercise. For founders from Equatorial Guinea, the process is manageable if you prepare your paperwork carefully and understand the sequence of steps. This article gives you a plain-English overview of the documents, the registration steps and the realistic timeline. It is general information only — not legal or tax advice — and Chinese rules change, so always confirm details with a licensed professional or the local market regulation authority before you commit money.

First, choose the right vehicle

Most foreign founders register a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE), a limited liability company owned entirely by foreign investors. A WFOE is the standard choice for a trading, consulting, manufacturing or service business where you do not need a Chinese partner. If your project requires a Chinese joint venture partner, or if you are in a sector on China's negative list for foreign investment, the structure and approvals will differ.

Two practical points before you start:

Registered capital is a commitment, not a fee. Under China's current company law framework, capital contributions are generally subject to a five-year contribution period, but sector rules and local practice vary. Do not pick a figure you cannot fund.
Registered address must be a real, verifiable address in the city where you register. Many founders use a serviced office or an incubator address. Confirm the address can be used for company registration before you sign a lease.

Documents you will need

The exact list varies by city and by business scope, but expect the following.

Investor and identity documents

Passport copies of all shareholders, legal representatives, supervisors and directors.
If the shareholder is a company in Equatorial Guinea, its certificate of incorporation, articles of association and a register of directors, plus a board resolution approving the China investment.
Proof of address for the foreign corporate shareholder, such as a utility bill or bank statement.

Notarisation, apostille and translation

Foreign documents usually must be notarised in the country of origin and then legalised for use in China. Equatorial Guinea and China are both parties to the Apostille Convention, so an apostille may replace consular legalisation for many documents — but Chinese authorities do not always accept apostilles uniformly in practice. Check with the specific registration authority in your target city. All foreign-language documents need a Chinese translation, and some cities require the translation to be stamped by a qualified translation agency.

Company formation documents

Proposed company names (provide several alternatives in Chinese; the name must be checked and reserved).
Articles of association, usually based on a local template.
Business scope wording, drafted in the standard Chinese format used by the market regulator.
Lease agreement and property ownership certificate for the registered address.
Appointment documents for the legal representative, supervisor and directors.
Bank reference letter or proof of funds for the investor, requested in some cities.

After-formation items

Company seals (official seal, finance seal, legal representative seal, contract seal).
Bank account opening documents, including a foreign exchange capital account.
Tax registration and invoice system setup.
Work permit and residence permit applications for foreign staff who will live in China.

The registration steps, in order

Step 1: Name reservation

Submit proposed Chinese names to the market regulation administration (SAMR) or through the local online enterprise registration system. Names are checked for duplication and for compliance with naming rules. This can take a few working days if your first choice is available.

Step 2: Prepare and notarise the foreign documents

This is often the slowest part. Gather corporate documents in Equatorial Guinea, have them notarised, apostilled or legalised as required, and translated into Chinese. Start this early, because delays here delay everything else.

Step 3: Submit the establishment application

File the application package with the local SAMR, usually online with original documents submitted later. If your business falls within the negative list or requires a sector-specific licence, additional approval from the commerce authority or the regulator may be needed. Most ordinary WFOEs in permitted sectors do not need a separate foreign investment approval, but they do need foreign investment information reporting.

Step 4: Obtain the business licence

Once approved, you receive the business licence, which is the company's legal birth certificate. The licence shows the company name, registered capital, legal representative, address and business scope.

Step 5: Make the seals

Seals are made at a police-approved seal-making shop and registered. In many cities the process is now digitised. Treat the official seal with the same care you would give a blank cheque.

Step 6: Open bank accounts

Open the basic deposit account for day-to-day renminbi operations, and a foreign exchange capital account for injecting registered capital. Banks conduct know-your-customer checks, so expect questions about the source of funds and the business plan. Having a local representative who can attend the branch in person helps.

Step 7: Tax and customs registration

Register with the tax authority, sign the tripartite tax deduction agreement with your bank, and set up the invoicing system. If you will import or export, register with customs and obtain the relevant trader credentials.

Step 8: Staff and visas

If you or your team will relocate, apply for work permits and residence permits. The employer generally needs to be established and able to sponsor the application, so plan the sequencing carefully.

Realistic timeline

Timelines depend heavily on document readiness, city and sector. As a rough planning guide:

Document preparation and legalisation: two to six weeks, sometimes longer if documents must be reissued in Equatorial Guinea.
Name reservation: a few working days.
Business licence: roughly one to three weeks after a complete application, longer if a sector licence is required.
Seals and bank accounts: one to three weeks after the licence, depending on bank onboarding.
Tax setup and invoicing: one to two weeks.
Work and residence permits: several weeks, and best started once the company exists.

In practice, founders should budget two to four months from first preparation to a company that can operate and invoice, and longer for regulated sectors. Anyone promising a one-week fully operational company is probably skipping steps you will have to fix later.

Common pitfalls for founders from Equatorial Guinea

Underestimating document legalisation. Start the notarisation and translation process before you travel or sign a lease.
Choosing a registered address that cannot be used. Verify it with the local authority first.
Copying a business scope from the internet. The wording matters for tax and licensing; use the standard catalogue.
Ignoring the capital contribution timetable. Plan the cash flow for injecting registered capital.
Assuming English is enough. Filings are in Chinese, and a reliable local representative or agent is often worth the cost.

Final word

China rewards preparation. For a founder from Equatorial Guinea, the key is to assemble clean, properly legalised documents, choose a structure and address that fit your actual business, and allow realistic time for banking and tax setup. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice; engage a qualified lawyer or registered agent in your target city before signing anything.