Do all manufacturers need an EIA?

Yes — environmental impact assessment (report/book/form by impact class) precedes the licence for production scopes. Site selection should be EIA-aware: industrial parks with existing capacity shorten approvals.

Are export rebates worth structuring for?

For export-heavy plants, the 13% rebate on qualifying goods materially changes unit economics — the trading/architecture setup and general-taxpayer status must be built in from day one.

Manufacturing WFOE in China (2026) — Site Selection, EIA & Licensing

SHORT ANSWER

Manufacturing is now 100% open to foreign ownership (negative list cleared). Setup adds environmental impact assessment (EIA) before licence, heavier registered capital (RMB 1m+), customs/AEO and export-rebate architecture. Location decides incentives: 15% CIT routes in Hainan/Lingang/Qianhai/western zones.

Sequence: scope drafting matched to the Encouraged Catalogue (equipment import duty exemptions) → site selection with EIA feasibility (the long pole, 4-8 weeks) → SAMR licence → construction/permits → customs registration, e-port, AEO certification → VAT rebate setup. Capital: RMB 1-10m+ typical, sized to equipment capex under the 5-year rule. Incentives to model: catalogue duty exemptions, FTZ 15% CIT, western 15%, R&D super-deduction for onshore R&D records. Ongoing: environmental permits and discharge reporting join the compliance calendar.

One partner for the whole journey

Zhonghui Consulting — licensed, fixed-fee, English-speaking. cross-border compliance engagements, ICPA-reviewed.

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General information only — not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Rules change; verify with official sources (SAMR, STA, SAFE, MOFCOM, NIA) and licensed advisors before acting.