By Ching Mia Kuang由程翔米娅匡

Starting from 1 December 2004, a new investment vehicle has been available to foreign investor – Chinese government allow and encourage foreign investor to set up “Foreign Investment Commercial Enterprise”(FICE) in China to conduct wholesale, retail, and other permitted businesses. 从2004年12月1日，一个新的投资工具，已提供给外来投资者-中国政府允许和鼓励外国投资者设立“外商投资商业企业” （ f ice） 在中国进行批发，零售，以及其他获准的业务。 Such a type of business entity possess of the total right of trade and business. 这种类型的商业实体拥有的总的权利，贸易和商业。 It can conduct import/export activities by itself, independent of the local import and export company or setting up a manufacturing company. 它可以进行进口/出口活动本身，独立于当地的进口和出口的公司或成立一个制造公司。

Furthermore, from 1 March 2006, the law permits FICE to apply and obtain approval documents from the local municipal Foreign Economic Relation and Trade Commission, instead of from Ministry of Commerce in Beijing.此外，从2006年3月1日，法律允许fice申请并取得核准文件，由当地市对外经济关系和贸易委员会，而不是从商业部在北京举行。

The FICE is a limited liability company wholly owned by foreign investor.该fice是一个有限责任公司全资拥有的外国投资者。 It is a legal person.这是一个法律人。 The foreign investor has sole responsibility for its profits and losses.外国投资者已全权负责其利润及亏损。 Limited liability is recognized by the amount of registered capital injected into the entity.有限责任是公认的金额注册资本投入的实体。 The FICE is able to implement strategies that effectively conform to the interests of the parent company abroad.该fice是能够实施各种战略，有效地符合利益的该公司的母公司在国外。 To carry on different trading business, it must have the required permits and certificates.进行对不同的交易业务，它必须拥有所需的许可证和证书。

To establish an FICE in Shanghai, the foreign investor is instructed to submit the required incorporation documents to various authorities for registration.建立一个fice在上海，外国投资者是指示提交所需的文件，纳入各有关当局登记。 It’s advisable for the investor to entrust an authorized consulting body or agency to do the tedious submission and application processes.它的可取为投资者委托授权的咨询机构或机构做的繁琐的意见书及应用进程。 [SBA Stone Forest Corporate Advisory (Shanghai) is an authorized agency] [的SBA石林企业咨询（上海）是一个授权的机构]

Investor 投资者
The foreign investor may be a foreign company, enterprise, other economic organization, or a natural person.外国投资者可能是一家外国公司，企业，其他经济组织，或一个自然人。

(1) For a company/enterprise, the Certificate of Incorporation, Bank Reference Letter, and Audit Report in the recent one year are required. （ 1 ）为公司/企业，公司注册证明书，银行参考的信，和审计报告，在最近的一年是必需的。

(2) For a natural person, the Identity Certificate and Bank Reference Letter are required. （ 2 ）为自然人的，该身份证明及银行推荐信是必需的。

• the Certificate of Incorporation/Identity Certificate—-certified by the notary organ and the Chinese Embassy in your country •注册证明书/身份证书-认证，由公证机关及我国驻贵国

• the Bank Reference Letter—- issued by the bank in which foreign investor has a working or trading account and signed by an authorized bank officer •银行参考的信-发出的银行，其中外国投资者有一个工作或交易帐户，并签署了经授权的银行人员

Capital Contribution 资本贡献
FICE’s minimum registered capital shall conform to relevant provisions of the Company Law. fice的最低注册资本应符合有关规定，该公司的法律。 The registered capital shall be matched with the actual business activities.注册资本应当符合实际的商业活动。 The amount of the initial capital contribution shall not be less than 15% of the registered capital, nor less than the statutory minimum amount of registered capital.数额的初始资本的贡献，不得少于15 ％的注册资本，也不低于法定的最低数额的注册资本。

The investor is allowed to contribute registered capital in cash, in kind, or technology/intellectual property right, or other non-monetary properties that may be assessed on the basis of currency.投资者是让作出贡献的注册资本以现金，实物，或技术/知识产权，或其他非货币性属性，可评估的基础上的货币。 The amount of the capital contribution in cash shall be no less than 30% of the registered capital.数额资本的贡献，在现金，应不低于30 ％的注册资本。

Business Scope业务范围

According to “Administrative Measures on Foreign Investment in Commercial Fields”, an FICE can undertake the following business activities:根据“行政措施，对外商投资商业领域” ，一fice可以进行下列业务活动：

• Wholesaling: Selling goods and providing relevant auxiliary services to retailers, to industrial, commercial and institutional users, and to other wholesalers; •批发：出售商品和提供相关的辅助服务，以零售商，工业，商业和机构用户，以及其他批发商;

For FICE engaged in wholesale business, Commodity import and export is to be allowed.为fice ，从事批发业务，商品进口和出口是不允许的。

• Retailing: Selling goods and providing auxiliary services for individual or collective consumption at a fixed location or via television, telephone, mail order, internet or vending machines; •零售业：销售商品和提供辅助服务，为个人或集体消费，在固定地点或通过电视，电话，邮购，互联网或自动售货机;

For FICE engaged in retail business, import of commodities for self-marketing and purchase of domestically made products for export are to be allowed.为fice ，从事零售业务，进口商品的自我推销和购买国产产品出口，是不能允许的。

• Commission Agency: sales agents, brokers, auctioneers or other wholesalers selling other’s goods and providing relevant auxiliary services based on the contract for gaining commission fee; •佣金代理：销售代理，经纪，拍卖或其他批发商售卖其他的货物和提供相关辅助服务的基础上的合同获得委员会的费用;

• Franchising: Authorizing others to use one’s own trademark, trade name business model, etc. by signing a contract de name, or business method, in exchange for remuneration or franchising fees. •特许经营：授权他人使用一个自己的商标，商标名称的商业模式，等签署了一项合同，德的名字，或业务的方法，以换取报酬或特许经营费。

Registration注册

Reservation and application of Name 保留和应用的名称
Prior to any of the following applications, the investor(s) should reserve a name for its prospective FICE with Shanghai Administration of Industry and Commerce (SAIC).之前，下列任何一种申请，投资者（ ）应预留的名称，其准fice与上海市工商行政管理局和商业（上汽集团） 。 SAIC requires that a proposed name and three other names be provided.上汽集团规定，拟议的姓名和其他三个名称提供。

Choosing a business name 选择一个公司名称
The Chinese name should be formatted as follows:中文名称的格式应为如下：
• First word - company name; •第一个字-公司名称;
• Second word – activity; •第二个字-活动;

If engaged in retail business, using Chinese words “商贸” ( read as “shang mao”, mean “business and trade” );如果从事零售业务的，使用中文的话“商贸” （读为“尚毛泽东” ，是指“商业和贸易” ） ;
If engaged in wholesale business, using Chinese words “贸易” ( read as “mao yi”, mean “trade” )如果从事批发，商业，使用中文的话： “贸易” （读为“毛一” ，是指“贸易” ）

• Third word - Shanghai; •第三个字-上海;
• Fourth word - company structure •第四个字-公司结构
The use of ‘China’ ‘Sino’ and ‘International’ are not permitted in the Chinese name unless very special permission is given, although they are permitted in the non-Chinese name.使用'中国' ， '中'和'国际'不得在中文名称，除非非常特殊的许可，给出了，虽然他们被允许在非中文名称。

Registration of Approval Certificate 登记批准证书
After the completion of Name Approval Notification, Approval letter and Approval Certificate are the next to be registered.完成后的名称核准通知，核准函及批准证书，是明年必须注册。

(1) For FICE intending to conduct retail business, the approval from “Shanghai Economic Committee” is required. （ 1 ）为fice有意进行零售业务，批准由“上海经济委员会”是必要的。 The Articles of Association, Feasibility Study Report, Lease Agreement of the proposed store, etc. should be submitted at the time of application.章程，可行性研究报告，租赁协议所建议的商店等，应提交在时间的应用。 Without retail business, registration procedure starts from item (2).没有零售业务，登记程序，从项目（ 2 ） 。

(2) With similar documents, apply for Approval Letter and Approval Certificate from Shanghai Foreign Economic Relation and Trade Commission. （ 2 ）与类似的文件，申请批准信和批准证书由上海市对外经济关系和贸易委员会。 The municipal Approval Authority will review all documentation and give instructions in accordance with the Company Law and administrative regulations.两个市政局的审批权，将审查的所有文件和指示，根据本公司的法律和行政法规。

(3) If all is up to standard, the authority is able to give its approval and issue the certificate within 10 to 15 working days upon receiving all the required documentation. （ 3 ）如果一切是达到标准，房委会是能够提供其审批和签发凭证在10至15个工作日内接到所有必要的文件。

Registration of Business License 登记营业执照
Within 30 days after obtaining the approval certificate, the foreign investor will need to register and apply for a business license for the FICE from the municipal SAIC.后30天内获得批准证书，外国投资者将需要注册和申请营业执照，为fice从市工商局。 As part of this step, the foreign investor should submit similar documentation to the authority for approval and filing.作为这项工作的一部分的一步，外国投资者应提交类似文件管理局核准和备案。

Once the business license is issued, the FICE is deemed to be a legal person duly organized and existing under PRC laws and will have full operational rights to operate a business in China within the scope of its Business License.一旦营业执照发出后， fice被认为是一个法律人应有的有组织的和现有的根据中华人民共和国法律，将有充分的经营权经营在中国的业务范围内其营业执照。

Registration of Organization Code Registration Certificate 登记的组织机构代码登记证
This is purely a procedural step.这纯粹是一项程序性的一步。 Organization Code Bureau will issue certificates within 1-3 working days.组织机构代码局会发出证书1-3个工作日。

Registration of Tax Registration Certificate 注册税务登记证书
Once your Organization Code registration Certificate is approved then you may proceed with applications to the local tax authority.一旦您的组织机构代码登记证，批准，然后你可以进行申请，地方税务机关。 At the same time, you should also apply for the company seal and legal representative seal.在同一时间内，您也应适用于该公司的印章和法人代表印章。 Together with Approval Certificate, Business License and other documents, the formal application form affixed with seals should be submitted to the authority for their examination and approval.连同批准证书，营业执照和其他文件，正式申请表，贴有封条，应当向管理局提交他们的审查和批准。

Other Certificates 其他证书
• Statistics Registration Certificate issued by Statistics Bureau; •统计登记证发出统计局;
• Foreign Exchange Registration Certificate issued by Foreign Exchange Supervision Bureau; •外汇登记签发的证书，由外汇局的监督;
•Finance Registration Certificate issued by Finance Bureau; •财务登记证，所发出的库务局;
•Customs Registration Certificate issued by Customs Bureau •海关注册证明书，海关核发之局

Others 其他
Having obtained approval from the tax and foreign exchange authorities, you are legally entitled to open USD Capital and RMB Basic Accounts.在获得批准，从税收和外汇当局，你是在法律上有权公开美元，资本和人民币基本帐户。 Then you may proceed with capital injection, capital verification and certificates renewal.然后，您可以进行注资，验资和证书续期。

Information and Documents资料和文件

• name and address of FICE •姓名或名称及地址fice
• lease agreement of FICE •租赁协议的fice
• a written application for the establishment of FICE; •书面申请，为建立fice ;
• Feasibility Study Report covering items such as technological process, equipment, raw material supply, market survey, economic results, infrastructure facilities, expected profitability, etc •可行性研究报告，涵盖的项目，如工艺，设备，原料供应，市场调查，经济成果，基础设施建设，预计利润率等
• Articles of Association of the proposed FICE; •公司章程所建议的fice ;
• Catalogue of import and export commodities for the FICE being applied for; •目录，进口与出口的商品为fice正在申请;
• a list containing the proposed chairman and the members of the FICE board of directors and appointment letters; •一个清单，其中载有建议的主席和成员的fice的董事局和聘任书;
• an original Bank Reference Letter of the FICE investor; •一原银行参考信的fice投资者;
• an original Certificate of Incorporation of the FICE investor; • 1原注册证书的fice投资者;
• Audit Report in the recent one year of the FICE investor; •审计报告，在最近一年的fice投资者;
• other documents as may be required by the Approval Authority. •其他文件可能需要的，由审批权力。

For establishing a store为建立一个商店

Already existent foreign invested commercial enterprises applying to establish a store shall meet the following conditions:已经存在的外商投资商业企业申请建立一个商店应符合下列条件：

1. 1 。 Meet relevant regulations on urban development and urban commercial development.符合有关规定，对城市发展及城市商业发展。

2. 2 。 Participate on time in and pass the joint annual review on foreign invested enterprises;参与的时间在通过的联合年度审查关于外商投资企业;

3. 3 。 The registered capital of the enterprise has been paid up.注册资本的企业已支付了。

The whole procedure of establishing a store is the same with an enterprise set-up.整个程序建立一个商店是一样，一个企业的设立。 The existent FICE is required to obtain a series of certificates for the proposed store.存在的fice是须取得了一系列的证书，为拟建的商店。 While in the process of application, the following submissions shall be made:而在这个过程中的应用，下列意见书应当：

• an written application letter; • 1书面申请函;
• the modified Articles of Association; •修改后公司章程;
• the Feasibility Study Report pertaining to opening of the store; •可行性研究报告有关开幕的存储;
• the Board’s Resolutions on opening of the store; •董事会的决议，关于开幕的存储;
• the Lease Agreement of the store and copy of the Real Estate Certificate (landlord); •租赁协议的存储和复制的房地产证书（业主） ;
• the Capital Verification Report of FICE; •该验资报告fice ;
• copy of Auditing Report of FICE for the most recent year; •副本的审计工作报告， fice为最近期的一年;
• copy of the Incorporation Certificate of the FICE investor; •副本纳入证书的fice投资者;

Time and governmental charges时间和政府收费

The whole process time shall be within 60 working days if all supporting documents and additional information are provided.整个过程的时间应在60个工作日，如果所有的支持文件和其他信息提供。

The total government charges for establishment of an FICE are estimated to be between USD 1,500 and USD 2,000.政府总费用为建立一个fice估计为1500美元之间，以及美元在2000年。
The total government charges concurrently for establishment of an FICE and a store are estimated to be between USD 2,500 and USD 3,000.总的政府收费同时，为建立一个fice和商店估计为2500美元之间的和3000美元。

Ching Mia Kuang, Partner程翔米娅光，合伙人 SBA Stone Forest Corporate Advisory Co., Ltd.的SBA石林企业咨询有限公司