Published · Bosnia and Herzegovina

China Company Registration: Documents, Steps and Timeline for Founders from Bosnia and Herzegovina

A practical guide for founders from Bosnia and Herzegovina on registering a company in China: the documents you need, the steps involved, realistic timelines, and common pitfalls, including the notarisation and legalisation of foreign documents.

Setting up a company in China is a well-trodden path for foreign founders, but it is a formal, document-heavy process. If you are coming from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the main difference you will notice is not the paperwork itself but the chain of authentication that foreign documents must go through before Chinese authorities accept them. This article walks through the typical structure options, the documents you will need, the steps in order, and a realistic timeline. It is general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Rules vary by city and change over time, so confirm details with a local professional or the relevant Chinese authority before you commit.

First, choose the vehicle and the city

Most foreign founders set up one of two structures: a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE), which is a limited liability company owned entirely by the foreign investor, or a representative office (RO), which cannot generate revenue and is limited to liaison activities. A WFOE is the usual choice if you intend to invoice customers, hire staff and run operations. Joint ventures exist but are less common for small founders.

The city matters as much as the structure. Registration is handled at the local level, and requirements, processing speed and the availability of English-speaking staff differ between, say, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and smaller cities. Pick the city where you will actually operate, because the registered address must be real and verifiable.

Registered address

You need a physical address for registration. Options include a traditional office lease or a serviced office or virtual address offered by an authorised provider. Some cities allow address hosting through industrial parks or incubators. Landlords must provide the property certificate and lease documents. Budget for this early; it is often the first practical bottleneck.

Documents you will need

Prepare a clean, consistent document set. Names, addresses and shareholding details must match across every document. Inconsistent spellings are a common cause of rejection.

From the investor side (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

• Passport copy of each individual investor or legal representative, clearly scanned.
• Certificate of incorporation if the investor is a Bosnian company, plus its articles of association and a register of directors or shareholders as required locally.
• Board resolution authorising the investment in China and appointing a signatory.
• Proof of address for the investor entity, such as a utility bill or bank statement.
• Bank reference letter in some cases, depending on the city and the bank.

Documents issued in Bosnia and Herzegovina generally need to be notarised, then legalised for use in China. Because Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a party to the Apostille Convention for China's purposes, the usual route is consular legalisation: notary, then the competent ministry, then the Chinese embassy or consulate. Some documents may also need translation into Chinese by an approved translation agency. Confirm the current requirements with the Chinese embassy or consulate responsible for your area before you start, and build in time for this step.

For the Chinese company

• Company name in Chinese, with two or three alternatives for the name pre-approval check.
• Articles of association, usually in a standard template adapted to your business.
• Business scope wording, which must match permitted categories; keep it focused.
• Registered capital figure and contribution schedule. China moved largely to a subscribed capital system, but specific industries and cities may impose minimums or paid-in deadlines. Ask locally.
• Legal representative details. This person can be a foreigner and carries real responsibility, so choose carefully.
• Supervisor and directors information, as required by the structure.
• Lease agreement and property certificate for the registered address.

The registration steps in order

The sequence below is typical for a WFOE. Some cities combine steps or run them in parallel.

Step 1: Name pre-approval

Submit proposed Chinese names to the local market regulation authority. Names must be unique and follow naming conventions. This can take a few working days if there are no conflicts.

Step 2: Prepare and legalise documents

Complete the notarisation and legalisation chain in Bosnia and Herzegovina and arrange certified Chinese translations. This is usually the longest lead-time item, so start it before or alongside the name check.

Step 3: Submit the establishment application

File the application with the local Administration for Market Regulation, often through an online portal, including articles of association, investor documents, address proof and legal representative details. Reviewers may ask for clarifications; respond quickly and precisely.

Step 4: Obtain the business licence

Once approved, the business licence is issued. It contains your unified social credit code, which you will use for everything that follows.

Step 5: Make the company seal set

Order the official seals, typically the company seal, legal representative seal, finance seal and contract seal, from an authorised vendor. Seals carry legal weight in China and must be kept secure.

Step 6: Bank account

Open a basic deposit account at a Chinese bank. Expect enhanced due diligence for foreign-owned entities: origin of funds questions, beneficial ownership information and sometimes a visit or interview. Bring the full document set and the seals.

Step 7: Tax and social insurance registration

Register with the tax authority and complete the initial tax reporting setup. If you will hire staff, register for social insurance and the housing fund. A local accountant is strongly recommended for this stage.

Step 8: Foreign exchange and capital contribution

If you are injecting capital, follow the foreign exchange registration procedures and use the correct purpose codes when remitting funds. Keep bank receipts and conversion records; they will be needed for future capital verification and profit repatriation.

Step 9: Sector-specific licences

Some activities, such as food, education, logistics or certain consulting areas, require additional permits. Check whether your business scope triggers them before signing a lease.

Realistic timeline

Assuming your documents are in order, a straightforward WFOE in a major city often takes roughly four to eight weeks from the start of document preparation to a working bank account, though this is a planning estimate rather than a promise. The legalisation and translation stage in Bosnia and Herzegovina can add two to four weeks on its own. Name approval and licence issuance may each take several working days to a couple of weeks. Bank account opening can take one to three weeks depending on the bank and the complexity of your ownership structure. Sectors requiring special permits will take longer.

Practical tips for founders from Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Start the legalisation chain first. It is the item most likely to delay everything else.
• Keep names and addresses identical across all documents; use one English spelling consistently.
• Do not overstate registered capital. It signals commitment but also creates obligations.
• Choose the legal representative deliberately. The role carries statutory duties and potential liability.
• Budget for ongoing compliance: monthly bookkeeping, annual reporting and tax filings are mandatory even if the company is dormant.
• Use a local adviser for the first filing. A modest fee now can prevent costly rejections later.

None of the above is legal, tax or investment advice, and requirements differ by city and sector. Treat this as a planning checklist, verify current rules with the local market regulator, tax bureau and the Chinese embassy or consulate, and engage a qualified local professional before you sign a lease or transfer funds.