Published · Moldova

China company registration: documents, steps and timeline

A practical guide for founders from Moldova on registering a company in China: the documents you need, the registration steps, realistic timelines and common pitfalls, with a note that this is general information, not legal or tax advice.

Setting up a company in China is a well-trodden path, but for founders coming from Moldova the process can feel unfamiliar. The paperwork is document-heavy, much of it is in Chinese, and several steps depend on local authorities rather than a single national office. This guide walks you through the typical documents, the sequence of steps and a realistic timeline for a foreign-invested company. Treat it as general information to help you plan and ask the right questions — not as legal or tax advice. Rules and local practice vary by city and change over time, so confirm details with a qualified local professional before you commit money or sign anything.

First, decide what kind of entity you need

Most Moldovan founders choose one of two structures. A wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE) is a limited liability company owned entirely by foreign investors — the standard choice for a trading, consulting, manufacturing or services business. Alternatively, a representative office (RO) is simpler but restricted: it cannot earn revenue directly and is mainly for liaison and market research. A joint venture with a Chinese partner is possible but adds complexity and negotiation.

Your entity type, business scope and registered capital all flow from what you actually plan to do. The business scope must be worded using accepted categories, and some activities require a pre-approval or a specific licence before registration. Get this right early; changing it later means another filing round.

Documents you will typically need

Requirements differ by city and by entity type, but a WFOE application usually involves the following. Prepare clean, consistent copies, and expect Chinese translations of foreign-language documents.

• Passport copies of the legal representative, directors, supervisors and shareholders (for individuals).
• Proof of address for foreign shareholders — often a utility bill or bank statement, sometimes notarised.
• Corporate documents if a Moldovan company is the shareholder: certificate of incorporation, articles of association, and a board resolution appointing the authorised signatory. These usually need notarisation and legalisation (or an apostille, depending on what the Chinese authorities in your city accept) plus a Chinese translation.
• Articles of association for the new China company, drafted to local templates and signed.
• Lease agreement for a registered office address, plus the landlord's property certificate. This is a common bottleneck — the address must be zoned for commercial use and accepted by the registration authority.
• Name reservation confirmation for the Chinese company name (in Chinese characters, with an approved structure).
• Legal representative appointment documents and a power of attorney if someone files on your behalf.
• Bank reference letter or proof of funds in some localities, particularly for certain business scopes.

If you are unsure whether a document needs notarisation, legalisation or translation, ask before you courier originals. Re-doing a legalisation step from Chisinau is slow and expensive.

The registration steps, in order

1. Name reservation and business scope

Reserve the company name through the local market regulation authority's online system. Names follow a strict format (region + brand + industry + company type), and some words are restricted. Agree the business scope at the same time.

2. Prepare and legalise foreign documents

Notarise, legalise and translate the Moldovan corporate documents and shareholder proofs. This step runs in parallel with everything else and is often the longest lead item.

3. Secure a registered address

Sign a lease for a compliant office or use an approved virtual address where local rules allow it. Obtain the landlord's property certificate and lease copies.

4. File the establishment application

Submit the application — increasingly online, with hard copies in some cities — to the market regulation authority (the body that replaced much of the old industry and commerce bureau). If your activity needs a licence, file for it around this stage.

5. Receive the business licence

Once approved, you receive the business licence, which carries the unified social credit code. This is the company's foundational document.

6. Make the official seal set

Order the company seals (company seal, legal representative seal, finance seal, contract seal, invoice seal as applicable) from an approved seal-maker and register them.

7. Open a bank account

Open a basic RMB account and, if needed, a foreign-currency capital account. Banks apply their own onboarding checks, and the legal representative often must attend in person. Bring the licence, seals and identification.

8. Tax and social insurance registration

Complete tax registration, choose your accounting method, and register with the social insurance and housing fund authorities if you will employ staff. Arrange bookkeeping from day one.

9. Capital contribution

If you committed registered capital, contribute it through the proper account and follow the current rules on timing and foreign-exchange handling. Confirm the requirements with your bank and adviser.

10. Post-registration items

Foreign exchange registration, customs registration if you import or export, and any sector licences. Do not overlook ongoing filings such as annual reporting.

Realistic timeline

Timelines vary widely by city, entity type, business scope and how quickly your documents are ready. As a planning guide rather than a promise:

• Document preparation and legalisation: often several weeks, depending on notary and legalisation queues in Moldova and translation time.
• Name reservation: days, if the name is accepted first time.
• Establishment approval and business licence: commonly a few working days to a few weeks once a complete file is submitted; licensed activities take longer.
• Seals and bank account: several days to a couple of weeks, with bank onboarding the main variable.
• Tax and social insurance registration: usually days after the licence.

In practice, founders should budget roughly one to three months from a standing start to an operating company, with document legalisation and bank onboarding as the usual swing factors. Cities with more foreign investment experience tend to process files more predictably.

Practical tips for Moldovan founders

• Use a local adviser. A China-based lawyer or corporate services firm can check your business scope, review the lease and handle filings in Chinese.
• Keep names and details consistent. A mismatch between the passport, notarised documents and application forms causes rejections.
• Plan the legal representative's presence. Bank account opening and some filings may require the legal representative in person.
• Think about tax early. VAT, corporate income tax and invoicing rules affect your pricing and bookkeeping from the first month.
• Confirm the apostille position. Moldova and China's document-authentication arrangements can affect how you legalise papers; verify what your target city accepts before notarising.
• Do not sign a lease before checking acceptance. A rejected address wastes both time and deposit.

A final note

This article is general information for founders from Moldova planning a China company registration. It is not legal, tax or investment advice, and it does not create a professional relationship. Chinese rules, local practice and document requirements change, and they differ between cities and business activities. Before you register, contribute capital, sign a lease or hire staff, take advice from a qualified professional in China and, where relevant, in Moldova.