Local context: China
Start a business in Canada from China
Build your Canadian company without working through Canadian registration, CRA accounts and accounting compliance on your own. We help founders in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan establish and operate Canadian businesses from one place.
- Working with founders in
- Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Hong Kong
- Registration
- Usually one to two business days, remotely
- Director residency
- None for an Ontario corporation
- Packages
- From CAD 1,495
Registering a Canadian business does not create residency, citizenship, immigration status, credit, loan or bank account approval. Pricing shown is indicative and confirmed in writing before any engagement begins.
What changes
What changes when you incorporate in Canada from China
Founders in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Hong Kong usually already run a trading, manufacturing or e-commerce operation and want a Canadian entity to invoice North American buyers, import goods, hold a brand, or support a family relocation plan. The differences you will notice most: Canada taxes corporate profit federally and provincially, GST/HST applies to most sales and can be recovered on business purchases, and books must be kept in a form CRA can review.
The structure review comes first, then registration, the CRA accounts, and the bookkeeping and tax that keep the company compliant from a distance.
Typical China-based scenarios
Who usually does this
- 01A Shenzhen electronics supplier adding a Canadian entity to sell direct to Canadian retailersServed
- 02A Hong Kong trading company opening Canadian import and GST/HST accountsServed
- 03An e-commerce seller shipping into Canada and needing clean sales tax handlingServed
- 04A family setting up a Canadian holding company ahead of relocationServed
Terminology
What things are called in Canada
Same concepts, different names. This is the translation you will need in your first CRA conversation.
| In China | In Canada |
|---|---|
| Business licence | Articles of Incorporation plus business number |
| VAT / fapiao | GST/HST with receipts and input tax credits |
| WFOE | Federal or provincial corporation |
| Tax registration certificate | CRA program accounts (RC, RT, RP) |
The process
How your setup runs
- 01
Business structure review
Ontario or federal, ownership, directors and what it means for tax.
- 02
Canadian registration
Name search, articles and filings completed remotely.
- 03
CRA setup
Business Number, GST/HST, payroll and import/export where needed.
- 04
Accounting setup
Cloud software, chart of accounts and multi-currency handling.
- 05
Ongoing compliance
Bookkeeping, filings, reporting and a compliance calendar.
Packages
Canada setup packages
Prices in CAD, starting points confirmed in writing before any work begins. Banking approval is never guaranteed.
Canada Launch
One founder, one Canadian company
From CAD 1,495
- Structure consultation (federal vs Ontario)
- Company registration
- CRA Business Number setup
- GST/HST review
- Compliance calendar
Canada Launch Plus
Most chosenSelling into Canada from day one
From CAD 2,495
- Everything in Canada Launch
- GST/HST registration
- Accounting software setup
- Bookkeeping onboarding
- Import/export account setup where needed
- Registered-office coordination where available
Canada Global
Operating groups and multi-entity founders
From CAD 4,995
- Everything in Canada Launch Plus
- Ongoing accounting and management reporting
- Payroll setup where needed
- Tax orientation session
- Cross-border accounting coordination
Government fees are separate and shown before you pay.
Questions from founders in China
Can I open a Canadian company from China without travelling?
Yes. Ontario incorporation, CRA registration and accounting setup are completed remotely using electronic documents.
How does GST/HST work for goods imported into Canada?
GST is generally paid at the border and can often be recovered through input tax credits once your company is registered. We set up the registration and the bookkeeping so the recovery is claimed properly.
Do I need a Canadian director?
Not for an Ontario corporation. Federal corporations generally require 25% Canadian-resident directors.
Can a non-resident own a Canadian company?
Yes. Non-residents can own shares in a Canadian corporation. Federal corporations generally require 25% Canadian-resident directors, while Ontario corporations have no director residency requirement, which is why many international founders incorporate in Ontario.
Does incorporating in Canada give me immigration status?
No. Registering a Canadian company does not grant residency, citizenship, a visa or work authorisation. Immigration matters must go through a licensed immigration professional.
Can you guarantee a Canadian bank account or payment processor?
No. Bank account and payment processor approval is decided by the institution based on its own requirements. We prepare your corporate documents and records so your application is as complete as possible.
Map my Canada setup
Share the basics and we map your setup path. We reply by email or WhatsApp, whichever you prefer, within one working day.
We never ask for confidential documents on this form. Secure upload happens after onboarding.
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