Business verification in Hong Kong
VBC certifies businesses registered in Hong Kong. Verification starts from the official record: in Hong Kong the company register is maintained by the Companies Registry, and the entity is identified by its Company Registration Number, alongside the Business Registration Number.
Hong Kong businesses hold two separate identifiers: a Certificate of Incorporation from the Companies Registry and a Business Registration Certificate from the Inland Revenue Department. The second is renewed annually, so it evidences current standing.
Where a business is registered for tax, the the Business Registration Number issued by the Inland Revenue Department is reviewed alongside the registration record, since it provides an independent corroborating identifier.
Why Hong Kong businesses certify
Hong Kong is used widely as a trading and holding jurisdiction, which means entities registered there often deal with parties far from Asia. The annually renewed Business Registration Certificate is a genuine indicator of current standing rather than historic registration.
What VBC verifies for a Hong Kong business
Depending on the certification level, the review may cover legal identity and registration records, the registered business address, working contact details, website ownership and digital presence, supporting documentation and evidence of current business activity.
Documents a Hong Kong business commonly supplies at Enhanced level:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Business Registration Certificate, currently valid
- Annual Return (Form NAR1)
- Articles of association
Levels, fees and process
Three levels apply everywhere VBC operates — Basic at $100 a year, Enhanced at $250, Trusted at $500 — and the eight-stage process is the same in every country. Only the paperwork differs, because each national registry issues its own records. See what each fee covers and the eight stages in detail.
Public verification
Every VBC certificate issued to a Hong Kong business carries a unique certificate ID and appears on the public register. Customers, suppliers and partners can check its current status themselves, without an account and without contacting the business first.
Verify a certificate or browse the directory.
Questions from Hong Kong businesses
Can a business registered in Hong Kong get VBC certified?
Yes. VBC certifies businesses registered in Hong Kong. Verification is based on records from the Companies Registry, together with the address, contact and digital-presence evidence required at the certification level chosen.
What documents does a Hong Kong business need for VBC certification?
At Enhanced level a Hong Kong business normally supplies: certificate of Incorporation; business Registration Certificate, currently valid; annual Return (Form NAR1); articles of association. The the Business Registration Number issued by the Inland Revenue Department is normally reviewed alongside it. Exact requirements depend on the level and are confirmed during review.
What is the Company Registration Number, alongside the Business Registration Number used for in verification?
The Company Registration Number, alongside the Business Registration Number identifies the legal entity on the register maintained by the Companies Registry. VBC uses it to confirm that the business named on the certificate is the same entity that appears on the official record.
How is a VBC certificate for a Hong Kong business verified?
Anyone can check it at https://vbcertified.online/verify using the certificate ID, or by scanning the QR code on the certificate. The record shows the current status, which may be valid, expired, suspended or revoked. No account is needed and the business does not have to be contacted first.
Is VBC certification a business licence in Hong Kong?
No. VBC is a private verification and certification service, not a government licence, regulatory approval or ISO certification. A business in Hong Kong remains responsible for every licence, registration and regulatory obligation that applies to it.
How much does VBC certification cost for a Hong Kong business?
The same three levels apply everywhere: Basic at $100 a year, Enhanced at $250 and Trusted at $500. Each level is a superset of the one below it and the level appears on the certificate.