How to Verify a Company in Hong Kong? – Steps You Need to Take
In today’s rapidly growing business environment, new companies are being established in Hong Kong every day. To ensure trust and avoid potential fraud, it’s essential to verify a company’s legitimacy before entering into any business transaction.
This guide explains how to verify a company in Hong Kong and ensure you are dealing with a registered and credible entity. The Integrated Companies Registry Information System (ICRIS) serves as the official platform for confirming a company’s registration details and authenticity, helping you make informed and secure business decisions.
Why It’s Essential to Verify a Company in Hong Kong?
Conducting a company verification in Hong Kong is not merely a formality — it’s a strategic business safeguard. By verifying a company’s background and legal standing, you can:
- Avoid fraudulent or shell companies.
- Ensure compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.
- Assess financial and operational credibility.
- Protect your business from reputational risks.
- Make informed decisions before signing contracts or partnerships.
In today’s dynamic corporate environment, conducting a Hong Kong company search through official channels such as ICRIS and IRD helps you stay compliant and confident when engaging in new business relationships.
How to Verify a Company in Hong Kong?
Step 1: Search the Hong Kong Companies Registry (ICRIS)
The Companies Registry is the official and most authoritative source for verifying the incorporation of companies in Hong Kong.
- Access the Cyber Search Centre: Navigate to the e-Services Portal of the Companies Registry at e-services.cr.gov.hk and enter the Cyber Search Centre.
- Conduct a search: You can search for a company by its full or partial English or Chinese name, or by its unique Company Registration (CR) number.
- Review the free summary: Basic details are available for free and include:
- Company name and registration number.
- Status (e.g., “Live,” “Dissolved,” or “Deregistered”).
- Date of incorporation.
- Purchase detailed records: For a small fee, you can order a “Company Particulars Report” or view “Image Records” of documents like the Annual Return (NAR1). This can provide more in-depth information, such as:
- Registered office address
- Director and shareholder information
- Capital structure
- Company charges or mortgages
Step 2: Verify with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD)
All businesses, including sole proprietorships and partnerships, must have a valid Business Registration Certificate issued by the IRD.
- Use the online enquiry service: On the government portal GovHK, you can perform a free “Business Registration Number Enquiry” by entering the exact business name and address area code.
- Request documents: For a fee, you can apply for documents on the Business Register to confirm information or obtain a duplicate of a valid Business Registration Certificate.
- Cross-reference information: Match the details from the Companies Registry (like the company name and address) with the IRD records to ensure consistency. Since December 2023, the Business Registration Number (BRN) has served as the Unique Business Identifier for all entities registered with the Companies Registry, simplifying the cross-referencing process.
Step 3: Conduct additional due diligence
For high-stakes transactions, you should perform more comprehensive checks beyond the main government registries.
- Check for litigation: Search the Hong Kong Judiciary website for records of court cases, winding-up petitions, or bankruptcies involving the company.
- Access financial records: For publicly listed companies, you can review financial reports through the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX). For private companies, you may need to request recent audited financial statements directly.
- Verify physical presence: Use tools like Google Maps to check if the company’s registered address is a genuine business location and not just a virtual office.
- Look for red flags: Be wary of inconsistencies, such as a mismatch between the company’s website address and its registered address, frequent changes in directors, or expired business registration.
- Screen beneficial owners: Under Hong Kong law, companies must maintain a Significant Controllers Register (SCR) to identify their beneficial owners, though this register is not publicly accessible. For due diligence, professional firms can help screen the owners for compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.