Published · Mozambique

China company registration: documents, steps and timeline for founders from Mozambique

A practical guide for Mozambican founders on registering a company in China: the documents to prepare, the steps from name reservation to bank account, realistic timelines, and common pitfalls. General information only, not legal or tax advice.

So you are a founder in Maputo, Beira or Nampula and you have decided to set up a company in China. Perhaps you are sourcing goods, selling Mozambican products such as cashew, timber or seafood, or building a technology partnership. Whatever the reason, the registration process is manageable, but it rewards preparation. Chinese authorities work with clear document checklists and defined procedures; the founders who move fastest are the ones who arrive with complete, correctly legalised paperwork.

This article walks through the documents, the sequence of steps and realistic timelines. It is general information for planning purposes only, not legal or tax advice. Rules vary by city and by industry, and they change. Always confirm requirements with a qualified local professional or the relevant authority before you commit money.

First, decide what kind of entity you need

Most foreign founders choose one of three structures:

• Wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE) — a limited liability company owned entirely by foreign investors. This is the most common choice for founders who want full control over trading, consulting or manufacturing activities.
• Sino-foreign equity joint venture — a company shared with a Chinese partner. Useful where local market access, licences or distribution networks matter, but it requires a carefully drafted joint venture agreement.
• Representative office — a liaison office that cannot earn revenue. It suits market research or coordination but not actual trading.

Your choice affects the documents, the registered capital discussion and the timeline. For most Mozambican founders doing import/export or services, a WFOE is the starting point to explore.

Documents you will need

Expect to prepare a document package in both English (or Portuguese, with translation) and Chinese. Chinese authorities generally require Chinese-language versions, and translations should be done by a recognised translation agency.

Investor and corporate documents

• Passport copies of all foreign shareholders and the proposed legal representative, clearly scanned.
• If the shareholder is a Mozambican company, its certificate of incorporation, articles of association, and a register of directors/shareholders.
• Board or shareholder resolution approving the investment in China and appointing the authorised signatory.
• Proof of address for the foreign corporate shareholder.
• Notarisation and legalisation of corporate documents. Mozambique is a party to the Apostille Convention, so apostille certification is typically used; confirm the current requirement with the Chinese embassy or consulate and your local notary, because acceptance practices can differ.

Company-level documents

• Company name in Chinese, with two to four alternatives, following the standard format (city + trade name + industry + company type).
• Articles of association for the new Chinese company.
• Registered address proof — a lease agreement and property certificate, or a serviced office/incubator agreement. Address requirements are strict; virtual addresses are not accepted everywhere.
• Business scope wording, drafted to match the official industry catalogue. Some activities require pre-approval or a specific licence.
• Registered capital figure and contribution schedule. Under China's current company law framework, subscribed capital and contribution deadlines must be set realistically; promised capital is a real obligation.
• Appointment documents for the legal representative, supervisor and directors, plus ID copies.

Practical extras

• A Chinese mobile number and email for official notifications.
• A company seal set (official chop, finance chop, legal representative chop) ordered after registration.
• Bank account opening documents, which usually require the legal representative to appear in person at the bank.

The registration steps, in order

Step 1: Name reservation

Submit proposed names through the local market regulation administration's online system. Approval is usually quick if the name is distinctive and does not conflict with existing registrations. Reserve the name and move on promptly; reservations expire.

Step 2: Prepare and legalise documents

This is the step that consumes the most calendar time for Mozambican founders. Notarisation in Mozambique, apostille or consular legalisation, courier delivery to China and certified translation can take weeks. Start here before anything else.

Step 3: Submit the establishment registration

File the application with the local Administration for Market Regulation (often through the integrated online enterprise registration portal). You will submit the articles, investor documents, address proof, business scope and appointments. If the business scope includes restricted activities, additional approvals may be needed.

Step 4: Receive the business licence

Once approved, you receive the business licence, which is the company's legal birth certificate. It lists the company name, legal representative, registered capital, address and business scope.

Step 5: Seals and basic registrations

Have the company chops carved at an authorised shop, then complete tax registration, social insurance and housing fund registration where applicable, and foreign exchange registration. These are usually handled online or at local service centres.

Step 6: Open a bank account

Open the basic corporate RMB account and, if needed, a foreign currency capital account. Banks apply their own due diligence, so expect questions about the source of funds, the business model and your Mozambican operations. The legal representative typically must attend in person.

Step 7: Capital contribution and ongoing compliance

Inject capital according to the schedule in the articles. From then on, monthly or quarterly bookkeeping, annual reporting and tax filings apply. Engage a local accountant early; this is not optional.

Realistic timeline

Assuming documents are complete and the activity is not restricted:

• Document legalisation and translation: typically several weeks, sometimes longer depending on courier and notary queues.
• Name reservation: a few working days.
• Business licence approval: commonly one to three weeks in major cities, longer where extra approvals apply.
• Seals and basic registrations: about one week.
• Bank account opening: one to three weeks, depending on the bank and the completeness of your file.

In practice, founders should budget roughly two to four months from starting document preparation to a functioning bank account, with document legalisation as the main variable. Restricted sectors, unusual business scopes or incomplete address documentation can extend this.

Common pitfalls for Mozambican founders

• Underestimating legalisation. Apostille or consular steps in Mozambique take time; build them into your plan first.
• Choosing an address that cannot be registered. Confirm in writing that the landlord can provide acceptable address documents.
• Overpromising registered capital. Commit only what you can realistically inject within the deadline.
• Ignoring the business scope. Wording matters for invoicing and licensing; get it reviewed.
• Skipping accounting. Even a dormant company has filing obligations.

A note on advice

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice, and it does not create any professional relationship. Chinese company law, foreign investment rules and local procedures are updated periodically, and requirements differ between cities. Before registering, verify the current checklist with the local market regulation authority, the Chinese embassy or consulate in Maputo, and a qualified Chinese lawyer or corporate services firm. With the right preparation, a Mozambican founder can navigate the process confidently and build a solid base in China.