Start a Business in Canada from China
Build your Canadian company without trying to work through Canadian registration, CRA accounts and accounting compliance on your own. The Accounting Doc helps founders in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan establish and operate Canadian businesses from one place.
Local context — China
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.
Typical China-based scenarios
- • A Shenzhen electronics supplier adding a Canadian entity to sell direct to Canadian retailers
- • A Hong Kong trading company opening Canadian import and GST/HST accounts
- • An e-commerce seller shipping into Canada and needing clean sales tax handling
- • A family setting up a Canadian holding company ahead of relocation
Terminology
What things are called in Canada
Same concepts, different names — here is the translation you'll 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
- 02
Canadian registration
- 03
CRA setup
- 04
Accounting setup
- 05
Ongoing compliance
FAQ
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 authorization. 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.
Related
Registering a Canadian company does not create residency, citizenship, immigration status, credit, loan or bank-account approval.
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