Hong Kong Business Registration Fees Increase from April 1, 2026: What Businesses Need to Know

Effective April 1, 2026, Hong Kong’s business registration costs will increase following the end of the two-year levy waiver.

The HK$150 annual Business Registration Levy will be reinstated. As a result, businesses applying for or renewing a Business Registration Certificate will need to pay a higher total amount.

While HK$150 may seem relatively small, the change affects not only newly registered Hong Kong companies but also existing businesses renewing their certificates and businesses with registered branches. 

What Is Changing from April 1, 2026?

The key point is that the Business Registration Fee itself remains unchanged. The increase comes from the reinstatement of the Business Registration Levy, which was previously waived.

Fees on or Before March 31, 2026

One-Year Business Registration Certificate

• Business Registration Fee: HK$2,200
  

• Business Registration Levy: HK$0
  

• Total: HK$2,200
  

Three-Year Business Registration Certificate

• Business Registration Fee: HK$5,720
  

• Business Registration Levy: HK$0
  

• Total: HK$5,720
  
  

Fees from April 1, 2026

One-Year Business Registration Certificate

• Business Registration Fee: HK$2,200
  

• Business Registration Levy: HK$150
  

• Total: HK$2,350
  

Three-Year Business Registration Certificate

• Business Registration Fee: HK$5,720
  

• Business Registration Levy: HK$450
  

• Total: HK$6,170
  

In practical terms, the cost of a one-year certificate increases by HK$150, while the cost of a three-year certificate increases by HK$450.

Who Will Be Affected?

The change is not limited to entrepreneurs setting up new Hong Kong companies. Existing businesses may also see higher costs when their Business Registration Certificates are renewed.

The main groups affected include:

1. Newly Registered Hong Kong Companies

Companies completing the relevant business registration procedures from April 1, 2026 will be subject to the applicable new charges.

2. Existing Companies Renewing Their Business Registration Certificates

Hong Kong companies renewing their one-year or three-year Business Registration Certificates will need to account for the reinstated levy where applicable.

3. Branch Businesses

Businesses registering or maintaining branches in Hong Kong should also review the applicable business registration and levy requirements.

For companies managing multiple Hong Kong entities or branches, the additional cost can become more significant when calculated across the entire corporate structure.

Why Are the Fees Increasing?

The increase is primarily due to the end of the temporary waiver of the Business Registration Levy.

During the waiver period, eligible businesses did not have to pay the levy. From April 1, 2026, the levy will once again be collected as part of the applicable business registration charges.

It is therefore important to distinguish between the two components:

The Business Registration Fee is not increasing from HK$2,200 to HK$2,350. Instead, the HK$2,200 registration fee remains unchanged, while the HK$150 annual levy is reinstated.

This distinction is particularly important for finance, administration and corporate services teams when calculating annual company maintenance costs.

What Should Businesses Do?

Companies planning to incorporate in Hong Kong or renew their Business Registration Certificates should review their budgets and timelines in advance.In particular, businesses should check:

• The effective date of their Business Registration Certificate

• Whether they hold a one-year or three-year certificate
  

• The expiry date of their existing certificate

• Registration requirements for any Hong Kong branches

• Their overall annual Hong Kong company maintenance budget

• Businesses managing multiple Hong Kong entities may also want to update their internal cost forecasts to reflect the reinstated levy.

Key Takeaway

From April 1, 2026, Hong Kong’s Business Registration Levy will be reinstated.

The total cost of a one-year Business Registration Certificate will increase from HK$2,200 to HK$2,350, while the total cost of a three-year certificate will increase from HK$5,720 to HK$6,170.

Businesses planning to register a Hong Kong company or renew an existing Business Registration Certificate should therefore update their budgets and ensure that they are working with the latest applicable fee schedule.

Important

Important: Government fees and policies may be amended from time to time. Before submitting an incorporation, registration or renewal application, businesses should always check the latest official requirements and fee schedule published by the relevant Hong Kong authorities. Please contact Hakudatsu Global for free consultation before applying.