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What is a company secretary? Definition, duties and eligibility to act explained

Updated 1 November 2026

What is a company secretary? Duties, eligibility and whether you can do it yourself, all in one read

If you plan to set up a company, you will certainly find that setting up a Hong Kong limited company requires appointing a company secretary. The role sounds no different from an ordinary secretary, so what does a company secretary actually do? How do the duties differ from those of a general secretary? This article tells you about the relationship between a company secretary and the company, their duties, and how to find a suitable company secretarial firm.

Complete guide to the Business Registration Certificate (BR): eligibility, documents, steps, renewal and FAQs

Updated 1 November 2026

5-minute guide to applying for a business registration certificate: required documents, online application guide and FAQs on changing your address

You can apply for a Business Registration Certificate (BR) online or on paper. Online applications can receive an electronic BR in as little as 2 working days; in-person paper applications take about half an hour to collect […]

What does the nature of business “CORP” on a Hong Kong Business Registration Certificate (BR) mean? Understand how to fill it in within 3 minutes

Updated 12 May 2026

What is the nature of business on a business registration certificate? How to fill in CORP, how to change it and points to note (with form guide)

When a limited company is formed, the nature of business on its BR defaults to “CORP” (meaning a body corporate that has not yet declared its actual business). Once the company starts operating, it must within 1 month […]

Complete guide to renewing your 2025 Business Registration Certificate: penalties for an expired certificate and how to renew

Updated 12 May 2026

Business registration certificate renewal guide: what is the penalty for an expired BR? 6 tips to avoid expiry (2026 update)

About 1 month before a Business Registration Certificate (BR) expires, the IRD sends a payment notice. Once you have paid, the notice itself serves as a valid BR, and there is no need to collect a new certificate. […]

The definition and purpose of the Business Registration Certificate, and how it differs from a company, explained

Updated 11 May 2026

Complete guide to the Hong Kong business registration certificate: BR definition, fees, application process and the difference from the CI (2026 update)

By law, anyone carrying on business in Hong Kong must apply for a Business Registration Certificate. This article explains in detail what a Business Registration Certificate is, which businesses need one, the business registration certificate number, and how it differs from company registration.

What is the difference between a shareholder and a director?

Updated 8 May 2026

Shareholder vs director in Hong Kong: key differences

Shareholders are the owners of the company, with voting and dividend rights; directors manage the company day to day and bear heavier legal responsibilities. One person can be both, but a director's statutory duties do not […]

Do you need business registration to run an online shop?

Updated 10 March 2026

Online shop business registration in Hong Kong | SetupHK

You do not necessarily need a company to run an online shop, but if you trade continuously for profit you must have a business registration. Registering as an individual is enough at the start; upgrade to a limited […]

What is a credit rating?

Updated 9 January 2026

What is a credit rating? Hong Kong TU grades, their impact, how to check your credit report and key ways to improve your score

A credit rating is an important basis on which banks assess lending risk. It is calculated by TransUnion (TU) and divided into grades A–J. The score affects loan interest rates and mortgage approval […]

[Complete guide to company transfers] Documents, process, stamp duty and points to note for transferring shares (equity) in a Hong Kong limited company

Updated 8 December 2025

[Complete guide to company transfers] Documents, process, stamp duty and points to note for transferring shares (equity) in a Hong Kong limited company

A company transfer requires the company information and statutory documents to be prepared and stamp duty to be paid; the transfer takes effect once the register of members is updated in accordance with the procedure. As long as you have the documents, the process and the tax filing deadlines in hand, you can […]

How do you deregister a company? The Hong Kong deregistration process, conditions, fees and cancelling the business registration at a glance

Updated 3 December 2025

How do you deregister a company? The Hong Kong deregistration process, conditions, fees and cancelling the business registration at a glance

Deregistering a Hong Kong company applies to a limited company that is no longer operating and has no debts. After the shareholders agree, all liabilities are settled and a notice of no objection is obtained from the Inland Revenue Department, an application is made to the Companies […]

What is a Hong Kong postal code? How to fill in the Postal Code / Zip Code correctly when shopping online

Updated 3 December 2025

What is a Hong Kong postal code? How to fill in the Postal Code / Zip Code correctly when shopping online

When shopping online, many people who see a postal code field in the delivery address wonder what a postal code is. Does Hong Kong have postal codes? How should it be filled in correctly? This article will […]

Why do banks freeze accounts? Can they be unfrozen? 5 common reasons for account freezes and how to prevent them

Updated 2 December 2025

Why do banks freeze accounts? Can they be unfrozen? 5 common reasons for account freezes and how to prevent them

What should you do if a bank account is suddenly frozen? Can it be unfrozen? How can it be prevented? As a platform that manages public funds, a bank must not only ensure the safety of customers' assets […]

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