Securing Your Brand: The Definitive Guide to Hong Kong Business Name Availability
- a22162
- Apr 14, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 16
Hong Kong Business Name Availability Guide
Securing Your Brand: The Definitive Guide to Hong Kong Business Name Availability
Launching a business in Hong Kong is an exciting venture. One of the most critical early steps is choosing and securing a unique company name. Unlike some jurisdictions, your proposed Hong Kong business name must be approved by the government and cannot be the same as or too similar to an existing entity.
This guide will walk you through the essential process of checking Hong Kong company name availability, highlighting the official government resources and crucial rules to ensure a smooth incorporation process.
Where to Check Hong Kong Company Name Availability: The Official Source
The authoritative government body for all company registrations and name checks in Hong Kong is the Companies Registry (CR).
To verify if your proposed name is available, you must use their official online search service:
Official Tool: The Companies Registry's e-Services Portal (specifically the Integrated Companies Registry Information System, or ICRIS).
Service Name: Look for the e-Search Services or Cyber Search Centre.
Cost: Conducting a basic company name search using the 'Left Partial' or 'Exact Name' methods is free of charge.
The search allows you to check for both active and dissolved company names, as an identical name to a previous company may still be rejected.
Key Rules for Selecting Your Hong Kong Company Name
A successful availability check is just the first step. Your chosen name must also comply with the rules set out in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622). The CR will reject a name if it:
Is Identical: It is the same as a name already appearing in the CR's Index of Company Names (subject to specific disregarded terms, see below).
Is Misleading: It is the same as that of a body corporate incorporated or established under an Ordinance.
Is Offensive/Illegal: In the Registrar's opinion, its use would constitute a criminal offense, is offensive, or is otherwise contrary to the public interest.
Implies Government Affiliation: It is likely to give the impression of a connection with the Central People's Government, the Hong Kong SAR Government, or any of their departments/agencies (unless prior approval is secured).
Uses Restricted Words: It contains certain words or expressions (e.g., "Bank," "Insurance," "Chamber of Commerce") that require specific, prior approval from the
Registrar or other authorities.
The "Same As" Test: Disregarded Elements
When checking if two names are "the same as" each other, the CR disregards certain elements. This means adding or removing these elements will not make your name unique:
Element Disregarded | Examples |
Punctuation/Spacing | ABC Company vs. A.B.C Company |
Case Type | ABC Limited vs. abc Limited |
Definite Article at Start | The Dragon Limited vs. Dragon Limited |
Ending Words/Abbreviations | "Limited", "Company", "& Company", "有限公司" |
Synonymous Expressions | "and" vs. "&", "Hongkong" vs. "Hong Kong" vs. "HK" |
💡 Pro Tip: Because of these rules, a name like "HK Consulting Company Limited" may be considered identical to "Hong Kong Consulting & Co. Limited". Always perform a detailed check, even with minor variations!
3 Essential Steps for a Thorough Name Check
To minimize the risk of rejection and future legal issues, follow this three-step verification process:
1. Primary Check: Companies Registry (CR)
Use the official CR e-Search Services (ICRIS) to perform a free name search. This is the official and mandatory check for company registration.
Focus: Checking against registered local and non-Hong Kong companies.
Goal: To confirm your proposed company name is not identical or deemed too similar based on the CR's criteria.
2. Secondary Check: Trademark Search
A company name being available at the CR does not protect your brand identity or guarantee you won't infringe on a registered trademark.
Tool: Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department's Trade Marks Search System.
Goal: To ensure your proposed business name, logo, or brand is not already registered as a trademark in your relevant class of goods or services. This prevents costly rebranding or legal disputes later on.
3. Tertiary Check: Domain & Social Media Availability
While not a legal requirement for registration, checking online presence is crucial for branding and marketing.
Tools: Standard domain registrars (for .com, .hk, etc.) and social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, YouTube).
Goal: To secure your digital identity and ensure consistency across all your business channels.
Start Your Hong Kong Business Journey
Verifying your Hong Kong business name availability is a foundational step that secures your brand identity and prevents delays in the incorporation process. By diligently using the official Companies Registry e-Search services and following up with trademark and domain checks, you can confidently move forward with registering your new company.
Direct Link to the Hong Kong Companies Registry e-Services Portal
The direct link to the Hong Kong Companies Registry's e-Services Portal (which hosts the free name search function via the Integrated Companies Registry Information System, or ICRIS) is:
You can use this portal to access the e-Search Services and check the availability of your proposed company name in Hong Kong. No registration is required to perform a basic name search.
🇭🇰 Bestar Hong Kong: Your Blueprint for Seamless Company Registration
Securing Your Brand: The Definitive Guide to Hong Kong Business Name Availability
Establishing your business in the dynamic global hub of Hong Kong offers unparalleled access to Asian markets, a competitive tax system, and a robust legal framework. For entrepreneurs seeking a streamlined, compliant, and efficient company formation process, Bestar Hong Kong stands out as the trusted partner.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the essential steps to registering your new company in Hong Kong, highlighting how Bestar's expert services ensure a hassle-free launch.
Why Choose Hong Kong for Your Business Setup?
Before diving into the process, it's worth noting the key advantages that make Hong Kong company registration highly desirable:
Feature | Benefit to Your Business |
Tax Regime | Low corporate profits tax (8.25% on the first HK$2 million) and a territorial tax system (only HK-sourced profits are taxed). |
Foreign Ownership | 100% foreign ownership is permitted, with no local residency required for Directors or Shareholders. |
Simple Requirements | Minimum of one Director, one Shareholder, a Company Secretary, and a Registered Office Address. |
No Minimum Capital | There is no minimum paid-up capital requirement to start a private limited company. |
Essential Steps to Registering Your Company with Bestar
Bestar Hong Kong specializes in transforming the complex legal process into a simple, seven-step journey for global clients.
Step 1: Strategic Planning and Name Check
Decide on Structure: The Private Limited Company is the most popular choice, offering shareholders limited liability. Bestar provides consultation to ensure you choose the right legal entity.
Name Availability: Bestar conducts a thorough search of the Companies Registry (CR) to confirm your proposed name is unique, compliant, and does not infringe on existing Hong Kong trademarks—a crucial step to prevent rejections.
Step 2: Define Company Structure & Appoint Key Roles
You must legally define the individuals and entities governing your company:
Director(s): Minimum one natural person (any nationality).
Shareholder(s): Minimum one (can be an individual or corporation, any nationality).
Company Secretary: Mandatory requirement. Bestar provides a professional, compliant corporate secretarial service.
Registered Office Address: A mandatory physical address in Hong Kong (not a P.O. Box). Bestar offers this crucial service as part of its incorporation packages.
Step 3: Document Preparation & KYC
Bestar's team prepares all the statutory documents required by the government:
Articles of Association (A&A): The internal rules of your company.
Incorporation Form (NNC1): Official application form detailing company particulars.
Notice to Business Registration Office (IRBR1): Application for your Business Registration Certificate.
KYC Documents: Bestar guides you in preparing certified copies of passports/IDs and address proofs for all directors and shareholders.
Step 4: Application Submission to the Authorities
Bestar handles the official filing, primarily through the efficient electronic e-Services Portal of the Companies Registry.
Efficiency: Online submission dramatically reduces the processing time, often allowing for the issuance of certificates within as little as one hour for private limited companies once the documents are accepted.
Step 5: Receive Your Certificates
Upon successful registration, you will receive two vital documents:
Certificate of Incorporation (CI) (from the Companies Registry).
Business Registration Certificate (BRC) (from the Inland Revenue Department).
Step 6: Bank Account Opening Assistance
Opening a corporate bank account in Hong Kong can be challenging for non-residents. Bestar provides crucial assistance and preparation, leveraging its established relationships to streamline the process with major Hong Kong banks and virtual finance providers.
Step 7: Ongoing Compliance & Support
Registration is just the start. Bestar ensures your company remains compliant with Hong Kong law by providing long-term support, including:
Statutory Annual Return (NAR1) filing
Annual Business Registration renewal
Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Auditing services
Tax filing and advisory
💡 Bestar Advantage: By consolidating company formation, secretarial services, accounting, and tax under one roof, Bestar functions as a one-stop corporate service provider, saving you time and ensuring regulatory adherence from Day 1.
Ready to Launch Your Hong Kong Company?
Bestar Hong Kong is committed to making your entry into the Asian market simple and successful. With decades of local expertise, their service ensures your company is not only registered quickly but also positioned for sustainable growth.
Would you like me to provide a quick summary of the mandatory annual compliance requirements for a Hong Kong limited company?