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The complete 2026 China Entry Checklist — 30+ steps from negative-list screening to your first fapiao. Print it, share it with your board, or hand it to us and we execute it.
Before you commit (week −4 to 0)
- ☐ Negative-list screen your exact activity (29 items; manufacturing clear)
- ☐ Choose entity: WFOE / JV / RO / single-shareholder WFOE
- ☐ Check the Encouraged Catalogue for incentive language
- ☐ Size registered capital to 12-24 months of real costs (5-year paid-in rule)
- ☐ Pick city: 15% CIT FTZ routes vs proximity vs cost
Documents (week 0-2)
- ☐ Parent company documents apostilled (Hague route since 2023)
- ☐ Notarized + certified Chinese translations
- ☐ Articles of association drafted bilingual with scope matching catalogue language
- ☐ Director/supervisor appointments + legal rep decision
- ☐ Registered address matched to your work-permit/VAT plan
Registration (week 1-6)
- ☐ Name pre-approval (3-5 alternatives ready)
- ☐ SAMR filing + FDI information report
- ☐ Chops: official, financial, legal-rep, contract (PSB-registered)
- ☐ Tax registration + general taxpayer election if B2B/import
- ☐ SAFE capital account + bank KYC pre-wiring in week one
People (week 4-10)
- ☐ Work permit notice (degree apostille, 2-year experience, clean record)
- ☐ Z visa → permit card → residence permit within 30 days
- ☐ Social insurance + housing fund accounts before first hire
- ☐ IIT registration and allowance structure in the contract
Operations (month 2+)
- ☐ Fapiao (invoicing) activation — do it before the first B2B sale
- ☐ Compliance calendar: monthly VAT/IIT, quarterly CIT, annual audit
- ☐ China trademark filed (first-to-file; platform verification needs it)
- ☐ PIPL data-mapping if you touch personal data
- ☐ Annual audit + AIC report by June 30
Want us to run the checklist for you?
Fixed-fee execution from $1,400. The $140 Expert Report maps every item to your specific case.
See Services & Pricing →One partner for the whole journey
Zhonghui Consulting — licensed, fixed-fee, English-speaking. cross-border compliance engagements, ICPA-reviewed.
See All Services & Pricing → Free AI Entry CheckGeneral information only — not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Rules change; verify with official sources (SAMR, STA, SAFE, MOFCOM, NIA) and licensed advisors before acting.