In Hong Kong, using a rubber stamp, commonly known as a company stamp or “chop,” is a unique practice influenced by colonial Indian English. While legally not mandatory for document validity, a company self-inked stamp chop in Hong Kong remains crucial for conducting business. Unlike in China, where companies may have multiple stamp chops for various purposes, Hong Kong’s system combines elements of both Chinese and Western business practices.
These stamp chops are extensively employed in commerce, especially for government document submissions and Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) account registration. Although optional for bank transactions, having a company self-inked stamp chop in Hong Kong is equivalent to a signature, facilitating various corporate activities.
Legal Implications and Case Study
Companies must exercise caution in authorising the use of company stamp chops in Hong Kong, as demonstrated by the TS Office System Ltd v Wing Kee Products Ltd case. Legal consequences arose when a receptionist used the company’s stamp chop on an order form, leading to a dispute over contractual obligations. The High Court ruled in favour of the company, emphasising the importance of monitoring stamp usage to prevent legal liabilities.
Obtaining a Company Self-Inked Stamp Chop
To acquire a company self-inked stamp chop in Hong Kong, businesses can avail services from providers like 3E Accounting. These stamps, available in various shapes and sizes with ink colour options, are crucial for official documentation and can be obtained through annual secretarial service subscriptions. The process ensures compliance with legal requirements and offers convenience for businesses operating in Hong Kong.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
In Hong Kong, using a rubber stamp, commonly known as a company stamp or “chop,” is a unique practice influenced by colonial Indian English. While legally not mandatory for document validity, a company self-inked stamp chop in Hong Kong remains crucial for conducting business. Unlike in China, where companies may have multiple stamp chops for various purposes, Hong Kong’s system combines elements of both Chinese and Western business practices.
