Every Hong Kong private limited company must appoint a company secretary by law. The market for outsourced company secretary services ranges from HKD 1,500 to USD 955 per year depending on what is actually included. The price gap is not just about quality: it reflects a real difference in scope.
This guide breaks down what each price tier covers, which fees are typically excluded, and what to check before signing with any provider. For background on the role itself, see our Hong Kong company secretary guide.
Highlights of this article
- Company secretary fees in Hong Kong range from HKD 1,500 (basic NAR1-only) to HKD 20,000/year (full-service TCSP including registered address and designated representative).
- The cheapest providers typically include only Annual Return (NAR1) filing. Everything else (change notifications, register maintenance, BRC renewal, AGM resolutions) is charged separately.
- Full-service providers include everything a compliant Hong Kong company needs from a company secretary perspective with no add-on fees for standard filings.
- The comparison is not just price: a low-cost provider that misses a filing deadline or fails to maintain statutory registers can cost the company far more in fines than the fee difference.
Market overview: what company secretary services cost in Hong Kong
| Provider type | Annual fee | What is typically included |
|---|---|---|
| Freelance individual | HKD 1,500–3,000 | Annual Return (NAR1) filing only |
| Small TCSP firm | HKD 3,000–6,000 | NAR1, basic register maintenance |
| Mid-range TCSP | HKD 5,000–8,000 | NAR1, registers, change notifications |
| Full-service TCSP (e.g. Air Corporate) | USD 955 (~HKD 7,470) | NAR1, registers, change notifications, BRC renewal, registered address, designated representative, AGM resolutions |
| In-house individual (salary) | HKD 30,000–70,000/year | All of the above (full-time employee) |
The key variable is not the headline price: it is what is included at that price.
Make sure you subscribe to a company secretary package that includes everything except exceptional reorganizations (such as change of shareholders, change of name, change of corporate form). If you are screening providers, this is the first question you shall ask.
What the statutory minimum actually requires
A compliant Hong Kong private limited company needs its company secretary to cover all of the following every year:
| Obligation | Statutory basis | Fee if charged separately |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Return (NAR1) filing | Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) | Included in most packages |
| Statutory register maintenance | Cap. 622 | HKD 500–2,000/year extra with some providers |
| Change notifications (ND2A) | Cap. 622 | HKD 500–1,500 per notification with some providers |
| BRC renewal | Business Registration Ordinance | HKD 300–500 extra with some providers |
| AGM resolutions | Cap. 622 | HKD 500–1,000 per resolution with some providers |
| Registered address | Cap. 622 | HKD 2,000–5,000/year extra with most providers |
| Designated representative (SCR) | AMLO (Cap. 615) | Separate fee with most providers |
A provider charging HKD 1,500/year for "company secretary services" typically covers only the NAR1. The remainder of the statutory minimum falls on the company or is billed at additional rates. For a full list of statutory duties and what qualifies a company secretary, see our company secretary requirements guide.
The hidden costs of low-fee providers
The advertised fee is only part of the picture. Low-fee providers typically charge separately for:
Per-notification fees. Every time a director changes, an address changes, or a shareholder transfer is recorded, the company secretary must file a form with the Companies Registry. Basic providers charge HKD 500–1,500 per notification. A growing company with 2–3 changes per year pays HKD 1,000–4,500 on top of the base fee.
Register maintenance. The Companies Ordinance requires 5 statutory registers to be maintained at the registered office. Low-fee providers often treat this as a separate service.
Registered address. Most companies need a registered address in Hong Kong (especially foreign-owned companies). Many basic providers do not include this, charging HKD 2,000–5,000/year as a separate line item.
Designated representative. Since March 2018, every non-listed Hong Kong company must appoint a designated representative (DR) to manage the Significant Controllers Register. Many providers do not include this. See our guide on designated representative vs company secretary for the eligibility rules and what the role requires.
BRC renewal. The Business Registration Certificate must be renewed annually. This is a separate government fee (currently HKD 2,350 for 1-year certificate) plus service charge.
When you add all of these at per-item rates, the effective cost of a "HKD 1,500" provider frequently exceeds HKD 6,000–8,000 per year.
What a full-service provider covers
A full-service TCSP provider covers all statutory requirements under a single annual fee. Air Corporate's company secretary package at USD 955/year includes:
- Licensed TCSP company secretary
- Registered address (Unit 909, Prosperity Millennia Plaza, 663 King's Road, Quarry Bay)
- Designated representative (SCR compliance covered)
- Business Registration Certificate renewal
- Annual Return (NAR1) filing
- All statutory registers maintained and updated
- AGM resolutions
- 24/7 document dashboard
- Automated compliance calendar with deadline reminders
There are no per-notification fees and no add-on charges for standard filings.
What to check before choosing a provider
1. Does the fee include the registered address?
Most foreign-owned companies need a registered address. If it is not included, add HKD 2,000–5,000 to the quoted fee.
2. Is the designated representative covered?
This is a legally required separate role since 2018. If your provider does not confirm DR coverage, you are responsible for appointing someone separately.
3. What is the per-notification charge?
Ask explicitly: what do you charge if I add a director? If I change my registered address? If a shareholder transfers shares? Get this in writing before signing.
4. Does the provider have a valid TCSP licence?
Corporate company secretaries must hold a TCSP licence issued by the Companies Registry. Verify the licence on the Companies Registry TCSP licensee list before appointing any provider. An unlicensed provider cannot legally act as company secretary.
5. What happens if a filing is late?
Ask whether the provider takes responsibility for missed deadlines on filings within their scope, or whether liability falls on the company regardless.
Year 1 vs year 2+ costs
Formation-year pricing is sometimes artificially low because the company secretary service is bundled with incorporation. Always check the renewal rate:
| Provider | Year 1 (bundled with formation) | Year 2 onwards |
|---|---|---|
| Budget formation agents | HKD 0 (included) | HKD 1,500–3,000 basic |
| Mid-range agents | HKD 0–1,000 (partial inclusion) | HKD 3,000–6,000 |
| Air Corporate | USD 1,070 all-inclusive (formation) | USD 955/year (CS only) |
For the full breakdown of annual running costs including audit, accounting, and government fees, see our Hong Kong company registration cost guide. For NAR1 fees and late filing penalties in detail, see our annual return filing guide.
Air Corporate's company secretary service is USD 955/year, fully inclusive: registered address, designated representative, BRC renewal, NAR1 filing, all change notifications, statutory registers. No hidden fees. Get started
