What documents are required to register a small manufacturing company in Shanghai, and how long does the licensing process take?

Thanks. Documents such as identity documents proving the identities of the investors, details as to local China employee office holders (legal rep), plans for the initial office location, business plan outline, business scope, intended company name, etc are all needed to get the ball rolling.  Usually, no more than one month is needed these days from submission of all required documents, to issue of the business license. Post business license issues, including recording with SAFE, Customs, Tax Office, etc. There may be capital verification and local bureau approvals depending on the nature of the manufacturing. This would need to be investigated.

Hi sir, Thank you for your question.

Here is a clear and concise overview of what’s typically involved in registering a small manufacturing company in Shanghai:

1. Basic Documents

• Most companies will need:
• Proposed company names
• ID/passport copies of shareholders and directors
• Business scope
• Registered address/lease agreement
• Articles of Association
• Capital contribution plan
• Legal representative & officer information

(Manufacturing projects may require additional compliance documents depending on the product type.)

2. Registration Process

The general steps are:

1. Name reservation with the local AMR
2. Submission of incorporation documents
3. Review and issuance of the business license
4. Company seals, bank account setup, and tax registration
5. For manufacturing: environmental, safety, or industry-specific approvals (if required)

3. Typical Timeline

• Name approval: 1–3 business days
• Business license: 5–10 business days after document submission
• Full setup (bank + tax): ~2–4 weeks
• Manufacturing-related permits: may extend the process to 1–3 months, depending on facility and product requirements

4. Capital & Approvals

China generally uses the subscribed capital system, so capital verification is not usually required.
However, manufacturing operations may involve:

• Environmental filings (EIA)
• Fire safety checks
• Production/industry permits

(These depend on your specific manufacturing activity.)

Since the exact requirements can vary widely based on your business model and factory setup, it’s best to continue the detailed discussion through Lawzana’s messaging system. This keeps your commercial information confidential and allows us to provide more tailored guidance.

If you’d like further assistance, you can also reach out to our firm directly through Lawzana.