Company Creation HAINAN
BTOBExchange — Company Formation in Hainan FTZ
China is opening up.
Hainan is the gateway.
The only free trade zone inside China — 15% corporate tax, 0% customs duties, direct access to the world's largest consumer market from a 100% foreign-owned structure, to invest in China's future.
Why Hainan FTZ
China without the barriers,
with all the advantages
Available structures
Which company
in Hainan for you?
In the vast majority of cases, the WFOE is the structure of choice — full control, access to the Chinese market, free repatriation. BTOBExchange qualifies your project and guides you to the exact right structure.
Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise · Recommended
WFOE
Foreign entrepreneurs, e-commerce, tech, services, import-export and any activity without a mandatory local partner.
- —100% foreign control
- —No local partner required
- —Flexible minimum capital
- —Direct sales in mainland China
- —RMB + multi-currency bank account
- —Free profit repatriation
- —Formation in ~15 days
Sino-foreign partnership
Joint Venture
Strategic sectors requiring a local partner, access to government networks or Chinese public procurement.
- —Partnership with a Chinese partner
- —Access to regulated markets
- —Local institutional networks
- —Shared operational risks
- —Tax advantages preserved
- —Tailor-made structure
Lightweight presence without commercial activity
Representative Office
Prospecting, market intelligence, coordination and exploration before committing to a permanent structure in Hainan.
- —Official presence in China
- —No direct commercial activity
- —Ideal for testing the market
- —Minimal setup cost
- —Upgradeable to a WFOE
- —Facilitated expatriate staff
Methodology
From zero to operational company
in 15 days
Roadmap
Hainan is not sold for what it is
but for what it is becoming
The true Hainan investment thesis lies in its trajectory: enter during the rise of the free port, before its framework is fully mature and before competition intensifies.
Island-wide customs transition
The switch to special customs operations gives Hainan its true inflection point: greater flows, more regulatory flexibility and a free port logic applied across the entire island.
Fully mature FTP system
The official roadmap targets a much more complete framework for trade, investment, cross-border capital, people movement, transport and data flows.
World-class free port
The final objective is not merely a competitive tax zone, but a world-class Chinese platform to attract capital, talent, regional headquarters and international operations.
Pricing
Hainan FTZ Package
Each Hainan project is individually qualified. A BTOBExchange China-specialist advisor will present an offer tailored to your sector, target structure and ambitions in the Chinese market.
WFOE · Full Incorporation
Starter
Entrepreneurs and SMEs seeking a legal presence in Hainan FTZ without additional complexity.
- —Complete WFOE incorporation
- —Official Business Licence
- —Unified social credit number
- —Official seals (3 seals)
- —Fully certified documents
WFOE + Account + Support
Business
Operators who want to be active quickly with an RMB account, tax setup and e-commerce access.
- —Everything in Starter
- —RMB + multi-currency bank account
- —Full tax registration
- —Initial VAT filing
- —MOFCOM/SAMR guidance
- —Accounting setup & reporting
Complex Structures & Optimisation
Enterprise
Holdings, JVs, multi-entity structures or projects requiring advanced tax optimisation in Hainan.
- —Everything in Business
- —Optimised holding structure
- —Joint Venture if applicable
- —15% CIT / exemption optimisation
- —Multi-jurisdiction advisory
- —Investment support
* Official Chinese fees (MOFCOM, SAMR, seals, publication) and banking fees are not included unless expressly stated. Price varies depending on the chosen structure and sector of activity.
Testimonials
They made Hainan
their gateway to China
We were selling in China through local distributors taking 40% margin. With our WFOE in Hainan, we sell directly on Tmall and JD.com. Our margins tripled in 9 months. BTOBExchange managed everything from the Business Licence to our online store opening.
I was looking for a way into China without a forced local partner. The WFOE in Hainan was exactly what I needed. 15% corporate tax, 0% customs duties on my equipment, and direct market access. BTOBExchange was surgically precise on every administrative step.
Our Hainan holding manages our Asia-Pacific operations. Profits flow back freely, the corporate tax rate is unbeatable in Asia, and our local team is hired directly. This is the structure we should have had 5 years ago. BTOBExchange set it up for us in 15 days.
Frequently asked questions
What you need to
know about Hainan FTZ
Hainan FTZ is still largely unknown to European entrepreneurs. Here are the 8 questions that change perceptions — and the decision to set up there.
What is Hainan FTZ and how is it different from mainland China?
Hainan Free Trade Zone (FTZ) is a special economic zone covering the entire island of Hainan — 35,000 km², the world's largest free port. Unlike mainland China, Hainan offers 15% corporate tax (vs 25%), 0% customs duties on goods imported into the zone, and a simplified regime for foreign investors with free capital repatriation.
Can I create a WFOE in Hainan without living in China?
Yes. Physical presence is not required to create a WFOE in Hainan. You can incorporate remotely through notarised powers of attorney. A short trip may be needed for bank account opening depending on the institution, but BTOBExchange guides you through alternative solutions.
Which sectors are eligible for Hainan's tax benefits?
The four priority sectors with the strongest incentives: international tourism (resorts, MICE), modern financial services (fintech, asset management), high-tech trade (tech, software, data), and biomedicine (pharma, medical devices). Other sectors benefit from the 15% corporate tax rate as long as the activity is registered in Hainan.
Can I repatriate my profits from Hainan to Europe?
Yes. This is one of the major advances of the Hainan FTZ regime over standard mainland China. Foreign investors can freely repatriate dividends, profits and invested capital, provided they have met their tax obligations in Hainan. Transfers to foreign accounts in EUR or USD are possible through partner banks.
Can my Hainan company sell in mainland China?
Yes. A WFOE in Hainan is a full-fledged Chinese company and can trade in mainland China. Customs duties may apply when transferring goods from the FTZ to the mainland, but for services, digital, and e-commerce, access is direct and unrestricted.
What's the difference between Hainan FTZ and other Chinese free trade zones?
Hainan is unique: it's an entire island set up as a free trade zone — not just an industrial park or port area. Its area (35,000 km²) is unparalleled. It enjoys the strongest political backing from Beijing since the 1990s and aims to become a world-class international free port by 2035.
How long does it take to open a company in Hainan?
The Business Licence is typically issued in 10 to 15 business days. Opening a business bank account takes an additional 2 to 4 weeks. With BTOBExchange, you are fully operational — active company, account open, seals in hand — in about 4 to 6 weeks total.
What documents do I need to create a WFOE in Hainan?
For a foreign individual shareholder: valid passport, recent proof of address (less than 3 months), bank statement or proof of solvency. For a legal entity: parent company registration documents, articles of association, powers of representation. All foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Chinese by a certified translator.
