How to Renew Your Business Registration in Hong Kong

If you’re running a business in Hong Kong, then you already know that compliance isn’t optional. One of those key requirements? Renewing your Business Registration.

It sounds simple enough, but between changing fees (which happen pretty often), renewal notices, and the different rules for 1-year vs. 3-year certificates, it’s surprisingly easy to miss a deadline.

That’s why we’ve put together this quick, but highly practical guide.

Whether you’re a sole proprietor, limited company, or overseas entity operating in Hong Kong, here’s everything you need to know to renew your Business Registration without the stress in 2025. Inside, you’ll find:

✅ When and how to renew your Business Registration
✅ What it costs (and what happens if you miss the deadline)
✅ How company secretaries and service providers like Statrys can help

If you're ready to keep your business fully compliant and avoid last-minute surprises, let’s get started.

A business registration is a legal requirement for all businesses operating in Hong Kong, as set out under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310). It applies to sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited companies, and even overseas companies with activities in Hong Kong.

The Business Registration Certificate, issued by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), is your official proof that the business is registered and recognised as a tax-paying entity. It includes key details such as:

• Company name and registered office address
• Business Registration Number (BRN)
• Type and nature of the business

If you're just getting started, think of this certificate as your business’s ID card. It’s essential for opening a business bank account, signing contracts, or dealing with suppliers. You’ll likely be asked to provide both the certificate and your BRN when handling official or financial matters.

Business Registration (BR) certificates in Hong Kong are typically valid for either 1 year or 3 years, depending on what you selected during registration or your last renewal.

You can check when your renewal is due by looking at the expiry date printed on your current certificate, like in the example below. Make sure to renew before that date to avoid any penalties or disruptions to your business operations.

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) usually sends out a renewal notice by post about one month before the expiry date. This notice includes payment instructions and can be used to renew your BR. Even if you don’t receive a notice, the responsibility to renew on time still rests with the business owner.

Renewing your Business Registration in Hong Kong is straightforward, but it’s important to follow each step carefully to avoid penalties or delays. Here's how it works in three steps.

Around the middle of the month before your current certificate expires, the Business Registration Office will issue a renewal demand note and send it to your registered office address by post.

For example, if your certificate expires at the end of September, the demand note will be sent around mid-August. This means you should be aware of your certificate’s expiry date and the expected timeline for receiving the demand note.

If you don’t receive the demand note, you must inform the Commissioner of Inland Revenue in writing within 1 month after your certificate expires to avoid compliance issues.

You can renew your Business Registration using one of the following methods:

• Online: Pay via the eTAX portal using your Business Registration Number.
• By post: Send a photocopy of your old Business Registration Certificate and a crossed cheque payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” to the Business Registration Office.
• In person: Visit the Business Registration Office with your old certificate. If your office address has changed and was not updated, complete and submit Form IRC 3111A.

If you’ve lost the demand note, you can still renew by post or in person following the above steps. 

Here’s a breakdown of the current renewal fees from April 2025 to March 2026:

Once you complete your payment, the demand note doubles as your official Business Registration Certificate. No extra steps are needed.

• In-person or online payment: The Certificate is valid immediately.
• Postal renewal: A receipted certificate will be sent to your business address shortly after processing.

If you're on a tight timeline, go with online payment to avoid delays since you don't have to wait for the mail.

Once you’ve renewed your Business Registration, there are a few key responsibilities to keep in mind to stay fully compliant. These obligations ensure your business remains in good standing with the relevant authorities and avoids unnecessary penalties or administrative issues.

1. Display the Certificate: You must display the updated Business Registration Certificate at your business premises, where it can be easily seen.
2. Keep information updated: If there are any changes to your business details, such as address, nature of business, or cessation, you must notify the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) promptly.
3. Stay compliant annually: Business registration renewal does not replace other ongoing obligations, such as filing your Annual Return with the Companies Registry or your Profits Tax Return with the IRD.

Failing to renew your Business Registration by the expiry date can result in a HKD 300 late penalty per year. In more serious cases, continued non-compliance may lead to prosecution.

Beyond financial consequences, not renewing on time can also affect your company’s legal standing, potentially disrupting operations, delaying other filings, or impacting business relationships that require a valid Business Registration Certificate.

So, as a rule of thumb, always remember to renew your business registration. 

Renewing your Business Registration might seem straightforward, but missing deadlines or handling changes in business details can create complications. This is why many companies rely on their company secretary or a trusted service provider to manage the process.

A company secretary typically handles not just the BR renewal itself, but also manages key compliance tasks such as filing annual returns, maintaining statutory records, and notifying the IRD and Companies Registry of any changes. They help keep track of all deadlines and ensure your business remains fully compliant throughout the year.

At Statrys, we provide ongoing support through our company secretary services, helping you stay on top of key compliance tasks so you can focus on running your business.