3.1 Business Scope of Individually-Owned Businesses

Starting from 2004, Hong Kong residents holding Hong Kong permanent identity cards are allowed to register as individually-owned businesses and engage in commercial retailing (not including franchise operation) anywhere in Guangdong just like Guangdong residents. And starting from 2005, Hong Kong permanent residents can also establish individually-owned businesses in all provinces and cities across the country.

Unlike mainland residents, Hong Kong and Macau residents applying for registration as individually-owned businesses can only take the form of "individual operation" and not "family operation". For individual operations, the property of the individual has to be used as pledge for civil liabilities. The number of staff employed by an individually-owned business may not be more than eight, and the business area may not exceed 300 m2.

To read the full version, please click here