How to Efficiently Cancel a Hong Kong Company? Complete Guide Here!

How to Efficiently Cancel a Hong Kong Company in Guangzhou? The Complete Guide!

In recent years, with the continuous advancement of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area construction, more and more mainland enterprises have set up branches or wholly-owned subsidiaries in Hong Kong. However, during operations, some companies need to cancel their Hong Kong companies due to business adjustments or strategic transformations. For Guangzhou enterprises, how to efficiently complete this process has become a key concern for many company managers.

I. Understand the Basic Process of Hong Kong Company Cancellation

According to the Companies Registry of Hong Kong, the cancellation of a Hong Kong company usually takes two forms liquidation cancellation and voluntary dissolution. The former applies when the company has assets and debts, while the latter is suitable for companies with no assets, no debts, and unanimous shareholder consent to dissolve. For most small and medium-sized enterprises, voluntary dissolution is the more common method. According to Section 103 of the Companies Ordinance, a company can start the cancellation process by submitting Form N62 - Application for Voluntary Strike-off to the Registry. The entire process generally takes 4-6 months, during which a notice will be published and creditors will be invited to declare their claims.

II. Key Steps for Guangzhou Enterprises to Cancel Their Hong Kong Companies

1. Confirm the Company Status and Prepare Documents

Before officially applying for cancellation, the enterprise needs to confirm whether the company is operating normally, whether there are any outstanding taxes, and whether bank accounts have been closed. The following documents should also be prepared

Certificate of Incorporation

Business Registration Certificate

Shareholder Resolution

Application Form N62

Company Seal if applicable

If the company has hired an accountant or lawyer before, it should communicate with them in advance to ensure all documents are compliant.

2. Entrust a Professional Agency

Due to the legal, tax, and administrative procedures involved in the cancellation of a Hong Kong company, many Guangzhou enterprises choose to entrust professional cross-border service agencies or law firms to handle the process on their behalf. These agencies are usually familiar with Hong Kong regulations and can provide one-stop services, including document preparation, approval tracking, and subsequent announcement publishing. For example, in August 2025, the Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Commerce jointly launched a green channel for the cancellation of Hong Kong and Macao enterprises with several law firms, aiming to simplify the cancellation process for Hong Kong and Macao companies in Guangzhou. This policy provides faster service support for eligible enterprises.

3. Submit the Application and Wait for Approval

Once all documents are ready, the enterprise can submit the relevant files to the Hong Kong Companies Registry. After receiving the application, the Registry will issue a notice requiring the company to publish a liquidation notice and accept creditor claims within a specified period. If there are no objections, the company will proceed with the cancellation.

4. Complete the Cancellation Procedures

After the entire process is completed, the Companies Registry will issue a cancellation certificate, and the company will be officially removed from the register. At this point, the enterprise must ensure that all bank accounts, tax registrations, and other matters have been properly handled to avoid unnecessary legal liabilities in the future.

III. Notes and Common Questions

1. Handle Tax Issues Before Cancellation

Hong Kong implements a profit tax system. Enterprises must complete annual tax returns and pay all taxes before cancellation. Otherwise, they may face fines or be listed on a blacklist, affecting future business activities in Hong Kong.

2. Avoid the Problem of Zombie Companies

Some enterprises fail to cancel their companies in time due to long-term non-operation, leading to them becoming zombie companies. This not only affects the company's credit record but may also be considered non-compliant. Even if the company is no longer used, it should be canceled as soon as possible.

3. Pay Attention to Deadlines

Hong Kong companies are required to submit annual returns each year. Failure to submit on time may affect the cancellation process. It is recommended that enterprises regularly monitor the status of their companies to avoid delays caused by negligence.

IV. Policy Support for Guangzhou Enterprises Cancellation of Hong Kong Companies

In recent years, Guangdong Province and Guangzhou City have attached great importance to optimizing the business environment and have introduced multiple policies to support the development and exit mechanisms of Hong Kong and Macao enterprises in the mainland. For example, in September 2025, the Guangzhou Market Supervision Administration issued a notice on further optimizing the cancellation process for Hong Kong and Macao enterprises, clearly requiring all relevant departments to simplify procedures and improve efficiency, providing more convenient services for enterprises. At the same time, Guangzhou encourages enterprises to strengthen communication and cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao through mechanisms such as Guangdong-Macao cooperation and Guangzhou-Hong Kong linkage, enhancing the efficiency of cross-border business processing.

V. Conclusion

For Guangzhou enterprises, efficiently handling the cancellation of a Hong Kong company is not only a need for internal management but also an important measure to adapt to market changes and optimize resource allocation. Through proper planning, adequate preparation, and the support of professional agencies, enterprises can significantly reduce cancellation costs and improve efficiency. With the acceleration of the integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the process for cross-border company cancellations will continue to be optimized, bringing more convenience and opportunities to Guangzhou enterprises. We hope this article can provide reference and assistance for enterprises intending to cancel their Hong Kong companies, helping them move forward steadily in the competitive market.