●Official Inland Revenue Department BRO Retrieval

Hong Kong Business Registration Search & HK Business Registry
8-Digit BRN Verification · Branch & Nature of Business

Statutory Hong Kong business registration search under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310). Obtain official Inland Revenue Department HK business registry (Business Registration Office) electronic extracts. Verify 8-digit Unique Business Identifiers (BRN), 3-digit branch suffixes (-000 / -001), principal place of business, Nature of Business, and obtain HK Practising CPA Certified True Copies (CTC).

STATUTORY REGISTRY ASSURANCE

Statutory Retrieval & Regulatory Authority

  • ⚡
    15–30 Min Fast Retrieval: Statutory retrieval from Inland Revenue Department BRO registers, authentic PDF export.
  • 🛡️
    Statutory Electronic Proof: Includes IRD verification QR code, payment barcode, and statutory fee validation.
  • 🏢
    Unique Business Identifier (UBI): Fully compliant with 2023 UBI statutory reforms across all HK regulatory authorities.
  • 🧾
    Formal HK Invoicing: Official HK statutory invoices, corporate wire transfer, WeChat/Alipay, Stripe.
Statutory Authority: Cap. 310 Business Registration Ordinance & Inland Revenue Rules
3,936,117
Cumulative Registered HK Companies (Live & Dissolved)
Cap. 310
Business Registration Ordinance Statutory Base
100%
Authentic IRD Anti-Fraud Verification
15–30 Min
Encrypted Official Dossier Delivery
Statutory Insights · BR GuideStatutory Principles of HK Business Registration (BR) & 8-Digit BRN Verification
Statutory Authority: HK Cap. 310 Business Registration Ordinance

1. Mandatory Registration & Strict Timeline: Under Cap. 310 Section 5, every person carrying on business in Hong Kong (including corporations, sole proprietorships, and foreign branches) must apply for Business Registration within 1 month of business commencement. Operating without a valid BR is a criminal offense subject to fines and imprisonment.

2. Unique Business Identifier (UBI) Reform: On 27 December 2023, the HKSAR Government fully implemented the 8-digit Business Registration Number (BRN) as the Unique Business Identifier (UBI). The BRN replaces the former 7-digit CR number on all Companies Registry filings and statutory communications across the Companies Registry and the Inland Revenue Department.

3. Master vs. Branch Registration Architecture: The primary commercial registration for an entity carries the suffix -000. If an enterprise establishes branch offices, physical shops, or registers separate secondary trading names (Trade Names), each branch must obtain a distinct Branch Business Registration Certificate bearing a 3-digit suffix (e.g., -001, -002).

4. Financial Proof & Annual Levy: A Business Registration Certificate indicates whether the enterprise is certified for 1 year or 3 years. It includes explicit verification of the Business Registration Fee (HK$ 2,200 for 1-year certificates) and the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund Levy (HK$ 150), constituting essential proof for bank onboarding and cross-border commercial compliance.

📚 Statutory Compliance Manuals & Official Sources: Read our Hong Kong Business Registration Search, 8-Digit BRN & Form IRBR37 Verification Guide and 2026/2027 BR Fee Schedule, Renewal & IRC 3111A Manual (Statutory Basis: Cap. 310 · IRD Official Guide).

Anatomy of a Hong Kong Business Registration Certificate (8 Key Fields)

Understand the official format, verification codes, and statutory disclosures on an Inland Revenue Department Business Registration Certificate.

INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT · HONG KONG
BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
✓ VALID & LEVY PAID
1. Business Registration No.66820292 - 000 - 01 - 26 - 4
2. Business NameHC BUSINESS LIMITED
3. Place of BusinessROOM 801, 8/F, CHEVALIER HOUSE, 45-51 CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON, HK
4. Nature of BusinessCORP (CORPORATE SECRETARIAL, CONSULTING & DUE DILIGENCE)
5. Legal StatusBODY CORPORATE (LIMITED COMPANY)
6. Validity Period15/01/2026 to 14/01/2027 (1 YEAR CERTIFICATE)
7. Fee & LevyFEE: HK$ 2,200 | LEVY: HK$ 150 | PAID (Total HK$ 2,350 · Includes PWIF Levy)
8. Statutory VerificationIRD Digital Anti-Counterfeiting QR Code + Official Payment Barcode

🔍 Why Offshore Risk Control Must Verify These 8 Fields

  • Nature of Business Verification: Often missing from basic registry checks. The BR explicitly declares the entity's current business activities, mitigating cross-industry money laundering and unlicensed operations.
  • Actual Place of Business vs Registered Address: Many shell companies register at corporate secretarial addresses. The place of business recorded on the BR reflects genuine operational premises.
  • Levy Payment & Status Check: The official stamp and levy in field 7 verify timely annual renewal. Unpaid certificates are invalid and indicate delinquency with the Inland Revenue Department.
VERIFICATION SPEED
15-Minute Official BR Document Package Retrieval

Support simultaneous retrieval of current valid BR, historical archives, branch registers, and CPA CTC certification.

Cap. 310 & Cap. 380A Official Tariff Table

Hong Kong IRD Official Historical Business Registration Fee & PWIF Levy Schedule (2003–2027)

Statutory Rule: The payable amount for a Business Registration Certificate (BRC) is determined strictly by the Commencement Date of the certificate (or the submission date for newly incorporated companies under the One-Stop Service). Select any commencement date or year below to calculate the exact historical or current fee.

Matched Statutory Period:1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2027 (Current Schedule)
Two-year PWIF levy waiver expired on 31 Mar 2026; HK$ 150/yr levy resumed on 1 Apr 2026. 1-year main certificate totals HK$ 2,350; 3-year totals HK$ 6,170.
Breakdown: BR Fee HK$ 2,200 + PWIF Levy HK$ 150 Total Payable: HK$ 2,350
Certificate Commencement PeriodMain · 1-Year
(Fee + Levy = Total)		Main · 3-Year
(Fee + Levy = Total)		Branch · 1-Yr / 3-YrBudget Waiver & Statutory Policy Note
1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2027 (Current Schedule) Current HK$ 2,350
(2,200 + 150)
HK$ 6,170
(5,720 + 450)
HK$ 230 / HK$ 658 Two-year PWIF levy waiver expired on 31 Mar 2026; HK$ 150/yr levy resumed on 1 Apr 2026. 1-year main certificate totals HK$ 2,350; 3-year totals HK$ 6,170.
1 Apr 2025 – 31 Mar 2026 HK$ 2,200
(2,200 + 0)
HK$ 6,020
(5,720 + 300)
HK$ 80 / HK$ 508 Registration fee at HK$ 2,200/yr; Year 2 of the two-year PWIF levy waiver (1-yr levy HK$ 0; 3-yr levy HK$ 300 covering the remaining 2 years).
1 Apr 2024 – 31 Mar 2025 HK$ 2,200
(2,200 + 0)
HK$ 5,870
(5,720 + 150)
HK$ 80 / HK$ 358 2024–25 Budget raised 1-yr BR fee from HK$ 2,000 to HK$ 2,200 (3-yr HK$ 5,720) while waiving the HK$ 150/yr PWIF levy for two years (1-yr levy HK$ 0; 3-yr levy HK$ 150).
1 Apr 2023 – 31 Mar 2024 HK$ 2,150
(2,000 + 150)
HK$ 5,650
(5,200 + 450)
HK$ 223 / HK$ 639 Standard 1-yr BR fee resumed at HK$ 2,000 plus HK$ 150 PWIF levy (total HK$ 2,150).
17 Jun 2022 – 31 Mar 2023 HK$ 150
(0 + 150)
HK$ 3,650
(3,200 + 450)
HK$ 150 / HK$ 566 1-yr BR fee waived (HK$ 0), and PWIF levy lowered from HK$ 250/yr to HK$ 150/yr effective 17 Jun 2022 (total HK$ 150).
1 Apr 2022 – 16 Jun 2022 HK$ 250
(0 + 250)
HK$ 3,950
(3,200 + 750)
HK$ 250 / HK$ 866 1-yr BR fee waived (HK$ 0); only HK$ 250/yr PWIF levy payable.
1 Apr 2019 – 31 Mar 2022 HK$ 250
(0 + 250)
HK$ 3,950
(3,200 + 750)
HK$ 250 / HK$ 866 Three consecutive fiscal years of 1-yr BR fee waivers (HK$ 0 fee + HK$ 250 PWIF levy = HK$ 250).
1 Apr 2017 – 31 Mar 2019 HK$ 2,250
(2,000 + 250)
HK$ 5,950
(5,200 + 750)
HK$ 323 / HK$ 939 Standard 1-yr BR fee HK$ 2,000 + PWIF levy HK$ 250 = HK$ 2,250.
1 Apr 2016 – 31 Mar 2017 HK$ 250
(0 + 250)
HK$ 3,950
(3,200 + 750)
HK$ 250 / HK$ 866 2016/17 fiscal year 1-yr BR fee waived (HK$ 0); only HK$ 250 PWIF levy payable.
1 Apr 2014 – 31 Mar 2016 HK$ 2,250
(2,000 + 250)
HK$ 5,950
(5,200 + 750)
HK$ 323 / HK$ 939 Standard 1-yr BR fee HK$ 2,000 + PWIF levy HK$ 250 = HK$ 2,250.
19 Jul 2013 – 31 Mar 2014 HK$ 250
(0 + 250)
HK$ 3,950
(3,200 + 750)
HK$ 250 / HK$ 866 1-yr BR fee waived (HK$ 0); PWIF levy lowered from HK$ 450/yr to HK$ 250/yr effective 19 Jul 2013.
1 Apr 2012 – 18 Jul 2013 HK$ 450
(0 + 450)
HK$ 4,550
(3,200 + 1,350)
HK$ 450 / HK$ 1,466 1-yr BR fee waived (HK$ 0); HK$ 450/yr PWIF levy payable.
1 Aug 2011 – 31 Mar 2012 HK$ 2,450
(2,000 + 450)
HK$ 6,550
(5,200 + 1,350)
HK$ 523 / HK$ 1,539 Standard 1-yr BR fee HK$ 2,000 + PWIF levy HK$ 450 = HK$ 2,450.
1 Aug 2009 – 31 Jul 2011 HK$ 450
(0 + 450)
HK$ 4,550
(3,200 + 1,350)
HK$ 450 / HK$ 1,466 Two-year 1-yr BR fee waiver (HK$ 0); HK$ 450/yr PWIF levy payable.
1 Apr 2009 – 31 Jul 2009 HK$ 2,450
(2,000 + 450)
HK$ 6,550
(5,200 + 1,350)
HK$ 523 / HK$ 1,539 Standard 1-yr BR fee HK$ 2,000 + PWIF levy HK$ 450 = HK$ 2,450.
1 Apr 2008 – 31 Mar 2009 HK$ 450
(0 + 450)
HK$ 4,550
(3,200 + 1,350)
HK$ 450 / HK$ 1,466 2008/09 fiscal year 1-yr BR fee waived (HK$ 0); HK$ 450 PWIF levy payable.
14 Mar 2008 – 31 Mar 2008 HK$ 2,450
(2,000 + 450)
HK$ 6,550
(5,200 + 1,350)
HK$ 523 / HK$ 1,539 PWIF levy lowered from HK$ 600/yr to HK$ 450/yr effective 14 Mar 2008 (total HK$ 2,450).
1 Apr 2003 – 13 Mar 2008 HK$ 2,600
(2,000 + 600)
HK$ 7,000
(5,200 + 1,800)
HK$ 673 / HK$ 1,989 Standard 1-yr BR fee HK$ 2,000 + PWIF levy HK$ 600 = HK$ 2,600 (3-yr total HK$ 7,000).

Companies Registry (CR) vs. Business Registration Office (BR) Comparison

Understanding the institutional scope, legal weight, and practical utility between statutory incorporation records and business tax registration.

Comparison DimensionInland Revenue Department — BR (Tax/Business)Companies Registry — CR (Incorporation/Legal)
1. Governing AuthorityInland Revenue Department (IRD) — Business Registration Office under the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau.Companies Registry (CR) — Administers Cap. 622 Companies Ordinance.
2. Core Statutory PurposeTax registration & authorization to carry on business. Determines tax residency, trading activity, and employer status.Corporate birth certificate & legal personality. Governs legal existence, share capital, directors, and articles.
3. Official Certificate IssuedBusiness Registration Certificate (BR) / Branch Business Registration Certificate.Certificate of Incorporation (CI) & Annual Return filings (NAR1).
4. Unique Identifier (UBI)8-digit Business Registration Number (BRN) — Adopted as the sole Unique Business Identifier (UBI) across HK.Historically assigned 7-digit CR No.; now integrated to use the 8-digit BRN as the primary index.
5. Validity & Renewal CycleRenewed annually or every 3 years. Must be kept current with timely fee and levy payment.CI is valid indefinitely (unless company is dissolved). Annual Returns (NAR1) filed every year.
6. Disclosed Business InfoNature of Business (specific trading activities), Principal Place of Business, branch addresses.Statutory registered office address, issued share capital, directors, and shareholder equity ratios.
7. Branch & Trading NamesSupports branch registers (suffixes -001, -002) and distinct proprietary trade names.Registers the primary legal corporate name only; does not issue separate branch filings.
8. Banking & Commercial UsageMandatory for offshore bank account opening, payment gateway merchant setup (Stripe/Alipay HK), and tax audits.Mandatory for verifying authorized signatories, director appointment mandates, and equity structures.

Hong Kong Business Registration Retrieval & Verification Rates

No hidden costs. 15–30 minute priority delivery with official electronic documents and CPA certification options.

BASIC RETRIEVAL

BR Electronic Extract

Fast retrieval of the official Business Registration Certificate electronic copy for routine checks.

HK$ 20 / doc
⚡ 15–30 Min Fast Delivery
  • ✓ Official IRD Electronic BR Copy
  • ✓ Includes Verification QR & Barcode
  • ✓ Current Validity & Expiry Dates
  • ✓ Principal Place of Business
  • ✓ 7-Day Roaming Download Access
Most Popular
STATUTORY VERIFICATION

8-Digit BRN Verification Pack

Comprehensive check of UBI identifier, active trading status, branch records, and fee payment.

HK$ 128 / entity
⚡ 30-Min Comprehensive Report
  • ✓ 8-Digit UBI Code Statutory Cross-Check
  • ✓ Master (-000) & All Branch Records
  • ✓ Nature of Business Statutory Extraction
  • ✓ Levy & Annual Renewal Fee Audit
  • ✓ Bilingual PDF Verification Dossier
CPA CTC CERTIFIED

HK CPA Certified True Copy

Statutory verification by AFRC-regulated Practising HK CPA. Accepted by global commercial banks and courts.

HK$ 300 / doc
📜 Same-Day Issuance · Global Courier
  • ✓ Signed & Sealed by Practising CPA
  • ✓ Official Practising Certificate No.
  • ✓ High-Res Color PDF Scan Same-Day
  • ✓ Original Hard Copy SF/DHL Express
  • ✓ High Banking & Commercial Admissibility
FULL DUE DILIGENCE

BR + Registry + Court Risk Pack

Integrate BR tax registry, CR director/shareholder records, and 7-tier court litigation screening.

HK$ 499 / package
📑 30-Min Full Dossier
  • ✓ Current Business Registration (BR) Extract
  • ✓ Latest Annual Return (NAR1) Stamped Pack
  • ✓ Director & Shareholder UBO Penetration
  • ✓ 7-Tier Court Writs & Winding-Up Check
  • ✓ Senior Compliance Analyst 1v1 Support

Hong Kong Business Registration Search & HK Business Registry FAQ

Official statutory explanations under Cap. 310 on HK business registry lookup, 8-digit BRN (Unique Business Identifier), BRC vs CI differences, banking KYC requirements, and CPA CTC certification.

1. How do I conduct a Hong Kong business registration search on the HK business registry using an 8-digit BRN or company name?
You can conduct an official Hong Kong business registration search by entering the entity's legal name or 8-digit Business Registration Number (BRN), with official extracts delivered online. Pursuant to the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310), searching the HK business registry (formally the Inland Revenue Department's Business Registration Office, BRO) verifies six statutory records: (1) Legal corporate name and registered trade name; (2) 8-digit BRN (Unique Business Identifier, UBI) and 3-digit branch suffix (-000, -001); (3) Principal place of business address; (4) Declared Nature of Business; (5) Legal status and date of commencement; and (6) Current Business Registration Certificate (BRC) expiry date and levy payment standing.
2. What is the difference between the HK business registry (Business Registration Certificate, BRC) and the Hong Kong company registry (Certificate of Incorporation, CI)?
The Hong Kong company registry (Companies Registry, Cap. 622) grants corporate legal existence via a Certificate of Incorporation (CI), whereas the HK business registry (IRD Business Registration Office, Cap. 310) grants tax and operating authority via a Business Registration Certificate (BRC). A CI is issued once upon incorporation and remains valid until dissolution. Conversely, a BRC must be renewed every 1 or 3 years with statutory fee and levy payments. Holding a CI alone does not authorize commercial activity; every active Hong Kong company must maintain a valid BRC to legally trade, hire staff, and pass bank KYC onboarding.
3. How does the 8-digit Business Registration Number (BRN) function as Hong Kong's Unique Business Identifier (UBI)?
Since 27 December 2023, the 8-digit Business Registration Number (BRN) issued by the Inland Revenue Department serves as the statutory Unique Business Identifier (UBI) for all Hong Kong corporations. Under Phase 2 of the UBI mandate implemented by the Hong Kong company registry (Companies Registry), the 8-digit BRN replaced the legacy 7-digit Company Number (CR No.) across all statutory filings (Forms NAR1, NNC1, ND2A), tax returns, regulatory licenses, and commercial bank KYC databases.
4. Why do commercial banks and global payment platforms require a Hong Kong business registration search during KYC onboarding?
Banks and payment gateways perform a Hong Kong business registration search to verify active tax compliance, physical operating address, and declared business scope. Licensed banks (HSBC, OCBC, BOCHK) and global platforms (Stripe, Amazon, Airwallex) require a current Business Registration Certificate (BRC) under Cap. 615 AML/CDD rules to confirm: (1) Full payment of annual registration fees and insolvency levies; (2) The registered Principal Place of Business; and (3) Consistency between the declared Nature of Business (e.g., TRADING, CORP SERVICES) and actual transaction flows.
5. Are the Business Registration electronic copy and Certified Extract of Information on the Business Register retrieved via 86hc authentic and legally valid?
Yes, 100% authentic and legally valid under Section 19 of the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310). Every Business Registration Certificate (BRC) electronic copy and Certified Extract of Information on the Business Register retrieved through 86hc is sourced directly from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) Business Registration Office. They retain official payment transaction barcodes, verification serials, and statutory seals accepted for corporate due diligence, trade contracts, and legal proceedings.
6. Can a Hong Kong business registration search verify branch registrations (Branch Code -001, -002) and trade names?
Yes, both master (-000) and branch (-001, -002) registrations can be verified in full. Under Cap. 310, a corporation's headquarters carries the suffix -000, while each retail outlet, branch office, or separate operating trade name is assigned a distinct 3-digit branch code (-001, -002, etc.). Our Hong Kong business registration search retrieves both master and branch registers to confirm specific branch addresses, trade names, and operating validity.
7. How do I verify a Hong Kong sole proprietorship or partnership that is not listed on the Companies Registry?
Sole proprietorships and partnerships must be verified through a Hong Kong business registration search at the HK business registry (Inland Revenue Department BRO). Because the Companies Registry (Cap. 622) only registers incorporated bodies corporate, unincorporated businesses—such as sole proprietorships and partnerships—are registered exclusively under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310). Ordering an official Extract of Information on the Business Register via 86hc is the sole statutory method to verify proprietor or partner identities, principal addresses, and active registration status.
8. Can a Business Registration Certificate (BRC) be certified as a Hong Kong CPA Certified True Copy (CTC)?
Yes, CPA (Practising) Certified True Copies (CTC) are fully supported. After retrieving the official Business Registration Certificate or extract from the IRD Business Registration Office, an AFRC-regulated Hong Kong Practising Certified Public Accountant verifies the record, affixes a wet-ink signature, practising seal, and certificate number, and provides high-resolution digital scans and physical certified copies, widely accepted for offshore commercial bank account opening, overseas investment notarization, and judicial arbitration.
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