What It Really Costs to Set Up and Run a Hong Kong Company in 2026
Updated: 6 days ago
Quick answer: Setting up a Hong Kong company with Woodburn costs HKD 4,500 all-in for the first year, including statutory government fees, the registered office and company secretary, mail handling and digital business account setup. After that, plan for the ongoing costs: company secretary and registered office renewal (HKD 7,000 a year with Woodburn), bookkeeping, the annual audit, the profits tax return and the yearly business registration renewal.
Last updated: November 2026
For many overseas business owners, Hong Kong remains one of the most straightforward and commercially attractive jurisdictions for company formation. The challenge is not access, it is clarity.
Search results often present low headline incorporation fees, but they rarely explain what is actually included, what is missing, and what you will need to remain compliant after setup.
This article provides a clear, practical breakdown of the real costs involved in setting up and running a Hong Kong company in 2026, so you can make informed decisions from the outset.
The True Cost of Setting Up a Hong Kong Company
At its core, incorporating a Hong Kong company involves two types of cost:
Statutory government fees
Professional service fees
Government fees are fixed. The variation comes from what service providers include, exclude, or charge separately.
Many low-cost offers only cover basic registration, leaving essential components such as company secretary services, a registered address or banking support as additional costs later. This is where the total cost can quickly increase.
A Fully Inclusive Setup Option
Woodburn offers a complete, transparent solution designed to remove uncertainty and avoid fragmented setup processes.
Set Up in Hong Kong for HKD 4,500
Our fully inclusive Hong Kong incorporation package covers professional services and statutory government fees, with no unexpected add-ons. It includes:
Hong Kong company incorporation and filing
Registered office and company secretary for the first year
Mail scanning and forwarding
Digital business bank account setup
Clients also benefit from Woodburn's partnership with Airwallex, including access to a dedicated relationship manager to support account setup and ongoing requirements. This approach ensures that your company is not only incorporated, but also operational and compliant from day one. Our Hong Kong fee structure sets out the package terms and the ongoing fees in full.
What Many Providers Do Not Include
When comparing pricing, it is important to look beyond the initial figure. Common exclusions that often appear later include:
Company secretary service
Registered office address
Assistance with bank account opening
Ongoing compliance guidance
Mail handling and forwarding
Individually, these costs may seem manageable. Combined, they can significantly exceed the original quoted price. A fully inclusive structure avoids this issue and provides clarity on the total investment from the outset.
Ongoing Costs You Need to Plan For
Setting up a Hong Kong company is only the first step. Maintaining compliance requires ongoing attention and budget.
1. Company Secretary and Registered Office
All Hong Kong companies must maintain a local company secretary and a registered office address. These are statutory requirements and must be in place at all times. With Woodburn, both renew at HKD 7,000 a year from year two.
2. Accounting and Bookkeeping
Even relatively simple businesses must keep accurate financial records. The complexity depends on transaction volume, but this is not optional.
3. Annual Audit
Hong Kong companies are generally required to prepare audited financial statements. This is a key compliance obligation and often underestimated in early budgeting.
4. Profits Tax Return Filing
Companies must file annual profits tax returns with the Inland Revenue Department, supported by their audited financial statements.
5. Business Registration Renewal
This is a recurring government fee. Most companies renew their Business Registration Certificate every year, and the IRD sends a demand note about one month before it expires. The IRD publishes the current business registration fees on its website.
Here is how the main costs add up over the life of your company:
Cost | When | Typical cost |
Incorporation package | First year | HKD 4,500 all-in with Woodburn, including government fees |
Company secretary and registered office | Every year from year two | HKD 7,000 a year with Woodburn |
Bookkeeping and accounting | Ongoing | Depends on transaction volume |
Annual audit and profits tax return | Every year | Depends on company size and activity |
Business registration renewal | Every year | Government fee, renewal date tracked by Woodburn |
Why Cost Clarity Matters
The most common issue businesses face is not high cost, it is unclear cost. Typical problems include:
Underestimating ongoing compliance requirements
Choosing providers based on incomplete pricing
Delays caused by missing setup elements, particularly banking
A structured, all-inclusive approach reduces these risks and ensures your business is set up correctly from the beginning.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a Hong Kong company with Woodburn?
HKD 4,500 all-in for the first year. This covers incorporation and filing, statutory government fees, the registered office and company secretary for the first year, mail scanning and forwarding, and digital business account setup. From year two, the company secretary and registered office renew at HKD 7,000 a year.
What costs come after the first year?
Renewal of the company secretary and registered office, bookkeeping, the annual audit, the profits tax return and business registration renewal. Budgeting for these from the start avoids surprises in year two.
Do I need a traditional bank account to start trading?
No. Many new Hong Kong companies start with a multi-currency business account, such as Airwallex, and add a traditional bank account later if the business needs one.
Does a company with no revenue still need an audit?
In most cases, yes. Unless the company is formally dormant or qualifies for an exemption, it must have its accounts audited each year, even if it has not started trading.
Related reading
Know your full Hong Kong costs before you start We set out every setup and ongoing cost for your company in writing, then handle incorporation, company secretary, registered office and your business account setup in one package. Book your free 30-minute consultation → Or call Hong Kong +852 3978 0300 · Shanghai +86 21 5116 2893 |
About Woodburn Accountants & Advisors
Woodburn Accountants & Advisors helps international businesses set up and run companies in mainland China and Hong Kong. With more than 30 years’ experience and offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong, our team of chartered company secretaries, certified public accountants and tax specialists has guided hundreds of foreign companies, from first-time market entrants to established multinationals, through company registration, accounting, tax, payroll and annual compliance. We combine large-firm expertise with boutique responsiveness.
Our Hong Kong services: Hong Kong Company Registration · Company Secretary · Registered Office Address · Cloud Accounting & Financial Reporting · Cloud Payroll · Tax & Audit · Employer of Record · Trademark Registration
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