Registering a company in Hong Kong has 3 cost layers: government fees you pay regardless of how you incorporate, service provider fees if you use a formation agent, and ongoing annual compliance costs. This guide gives you a complete picture of every cost involved, upfront and recurring, so you can plan accurately before you start. For the full registration process, see how to register a company in Hong Kong.
Highlights of this article
- The mandatory government fee for incorporating a private limited company in Hong Kong is HKD 3,895 (approximately USD 500) from April 1, 2026.
- This covers HKD 1,545 for the Companies Registry incorporation fee and HKD 2,350 for a 1-year Business Registration Certificate.
- Service provider fees range from USD 90 (document preparation only, government fees separate) to USD 1,070 all-inclusive (government fees, company secretary, and registered address included).
- Ongoing annual costs for a compliant Hong Kong company (company secretary, registered address, BRC renewal, audit, tax return) typically range from USD 1,500 to USD 3,000 per year depending on complexity.
- There is no minimum share capital requirement. A company can incorporate with HKD 1.
Government Fees (Mandatory)
These are the fees paid directly to the Hong Kong government. They apply regardless of whether you incorporate yourself or use a service provider.
| Fee | Amount (from April 1, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Companies Registry incorporation fee (e-filing) | HKD 1,545 |
| Business Registration Certificate (1-year) | HKD 2,350 |
| Total government fees | HKD 3,895 |
At current exchange rates, HKD 3,895 is approximately USD 500. The BRC fee includes a Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund (PWIF) levy of HKD 150, which was reinstated on April 1, 2026 after a waiver period. You can verify the current fee schedule on the Companies Registry e-Registry portal.
If you choose a 3-year Business Registration Certificate instead of 1 year:
| BRC Option | Fee | Total with Incorporation |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year BRC | HKD 2,350 | HKD 3,895 |
| 3-year BRC | HKD 6,170 | HKD 7,715 |
The 3-year BRC saves HKD 530 over 3 years compared to 3 annual renewals (3 × HKD 2,350 = HKD 7,050 vs HKD 6,170). It is a better value if you plan to continue operating. For a full explanation of what the BRC is and when it must be displayed, see Hong Kong Business Registration Certificate.
There is no government fee for appointing directors, shareholders, or company secretaries at incorporation. There is also no stamp duty on share issuances at incorporation (only on share transfers).
Service Provider Fees
If you use an incorporation agent or TCSP to handle the registration on your behalf, their fees are in addition to the government fees unless stated otherwise. Here is what Air Corporate charges:
| Package | Price | Government Fees Included? | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | USD 90 | No (HKD 3,895 paid separately) | Name check, NNC1 preparation, Articles of Association, e-Registry submission |
| All-Inclusive | USD 1,070 | Yes | Everything in Basic + government fees + company secretary (12 months) + registered address (12 months) + bank account support + digital company chops + share certificates |
| Expert | USD 1,405 | Yes | Everything in All-Inclusive + 5 hours legal and tax consultation + dedicated account manager + premium banking assistance + Certificate of Incumbency |
For most international founders, the All-Inclusive package at USD 1,070 is the right starting point. It covers all mandatory first-year costs in a single payment with no hidden additions.
The Basic package at USD 90 appears cheaper but requires you to pay government fees separately (HKD 3,895), manage your own company secretary obligation, and find your own registered address. These costs quickly exceed the All-Inclusive price. For a full explanation of what a company secretary does and why the role is legally mandatory, see company secretary in Hong Kong.
What the Government Fees Cover (and What They Do Not)
The HKD 3,895 government fee covers only:
- The legal incorporation of the company entity
- The Business Registration Certificate for 1 year
It does not cover:
- Company secretary (mandatory by law)
- Registered address (mandatory by law)
- Bank account opening
- Corporate seal or company chop
- Statutory records setup
- Post-incorporation document preparation
A company that incorporates itself using only the government portal still needs to separately arrange a company secretary and registered address before it can operate legally. These are not optional extras. For a step-by-step walkthrough of the full process, see setting up a private limited company in Hong Kong. For the full list of documents and conditions required to incorporate, see Hong Kong company registration requirements.
Mandatory Ongoing Annual Costs
These costs arise every year after incorporation. They are not optional.
| Obligation | Approximate Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Business Registration Certificate renewal | HKD 2,350 (1-year) or HKD 6,170 (3-year) |
| Company secretary service | USD 955 per year (Air Corporate) |
| Registered address | Included in company secretary package |
| Annual Return (Form NAR1) filing | Included in company secretary service; Companies Registry fee: HKD 105 |
| Annual audit | From USD 580 per year (Air Corporate) |
| Profits Tax Return preparation | Included with accounting service |
Total estimated annual ongoing cost: USD 1,500 to USD 2,500 per year for a simple trading or holding company.
The audit obligation is mandatory for all Hong Kong private limited companies regardless of revenue. There is no turnover threshold below which a company is audit-exempt. Only formally declared dormant companies may qualify for a reduced reporting obligation under specific IRD criteria.
Air Corporate's company secretary service at USD 955 per year covers the BRC renewal, Annual Return filing, registered address, and all Companies Registry correspondence. Accounting and audit services start from USD 580 per year.
Optional One-Time Costs
These costs apply to some companies but not all:
| Item | Typical Cost | When Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of Certificate of Incorporation | HKD 230 | Required by some banks and overseas counterparties |
| Apostille on Certificate of Incorporation | HKD 1,000 to HKD 2,000 | If CI is needed for use in a Hague Convention country |
| Certificate of Incumbency | HKD 1,500 to HKD 3,000 | Required by banks for KYC; included in Expert package |
| Notarisation of documents | HKD 2,000 to HKD 4,000 | For use in non-Hague countries (e.g., mainland China) |
| Business licence (varies by type) | HKD 500 to HKD 25,000+ | Required for licensed activities (MSO, F&B, import/export) |
| MPF registration | No fee | Required if you plan to hire employees |
Total Cost Summary
Putting it all together for the first year of operation:
If using Air Corporate All-Inclusive package (USD 1,070):
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| All-Inclusive incorporation package (incl. govt fees, CS, address) | USD 1,070 |
| Annual audit (simple company, no transactions) | from USD 580 |
| Total Year 1 cost | from USD 1,650 |
Year 2 and beyond:
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Company secretary renewal (incl. BRC, address, Annual Return) | USD 955 |
| Annual audit | from USD 580 |
| Total Year 2+ cost | from USD 1,535 per year |
These are base costs. Companies with significant transactions, payroll, or complex accounting will have higher audit and accounting costs. For a realistic picture of how long each stage takes from incorporation to a fully operational company, see the company formation timeline for Hong Kong.
Why Hong Kong Is Cost-Competitive
Compared to other common incorporation jurisdictions:
| Jurisdiction | Setup Cost (approx.) | Annual Cost (approx.) | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | USD 1,070 | USD 1,500+ | Tax efficiency, real substance, banking access |
| Singapore | USD 1,200+ | USD 2,000+ | Similar tax system, ASEAN access |
| British Virgin Islands | USD 1,500+ | USD 1,200+ | Privacy, holding structures |
| Cayman Islands | USD 3,000+ | USD 2,500+ | Fund structures, Cayman exemptions |
| Delaware (USA) | USD 500+ | USD 800+ | US market access, investor familiarity |
Hong Kong is the most cost-effective Asian jurisdiction that offers genuine operating substance, real banking access, and a transparent tax system. For a full comparison, see Hong Kong vs Singapore company registration.
You can register your Hong Kong company with Air Corporate from USD 1,070 all-inclusive, with government fees, registered address, and company secretary included.
Ready to incorporate? Air Corporate's All-Inclusive package covers all government fees, company secretary, and registered address in a single USD 1,070 payment. Get started →
