The Companies Registry is a government department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region responsible for the incorporation and registration of local and non-Hong Kong companies, limited partnerships, and related entities, as well as maintaining public company records and administering certain licensing regimes.
Owned by Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
About Companies Registry
The Companies Registry of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is a government department responsible for the incorporation and registration of local and non‑Hong Kong companies, limited partnerships, and other registrable entities. It maintains the official public register of companies, processes statutory filings (such as annual returns and changes of directors or registered office), and administers certain trust or company service provider (TCSP) licensing regimes. The Registry also provides public search services so that members of the public can obtain certified copies, company particulars, and other official records through its online platforms (including the e‑Registry and the Cyber Search Centre) or over the counter.
A charge from “Companies Registry” or “HKSAR Companies Registry” on your bank or card statement usually relates to official government fees you or your business have incurred. Common reasons include paying incorporation or registration fees for a new company, filing annual returns, registering changes (e.g., directors, share capital, company name), purchasing company search reports or document images, renewing or applying for a TCSP licence, or ordering certified copies or extracts. Many of these payments are one‑off transaction fees, though you may see recurring patterns around the same time each year if you regularly file annual returns or purchase searches.
If you are unsure about a charge, first check recent activities involving your Hong Kong company or any online filings you submitted via the e‑Registry, CR eFiling mobile app, or at the Companies Registry’s counters. Log into your e‑Registry account at cr.gov.hk to review your filing history, payment records, and electronic receipts. For further assistance, you can contact the Companies Registry by phone or email using the contact details listed on its official website, or visit its office in person in Hong Kong. Have your company name, company number, date and amount of the charge, and any filing reference numbers ready—this will help staff quickly identify the transaction and explain or correct any billing issues, such as duplicate submissions or mistaken filings.
Bank Statement Variations
1 known variations
These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Companies Registry.
Why do I see a charge from the Hong Kong Companies Registry on my card or bank statement?
Most charges from the Companies Registry relate to statutory filing fees or paid services connected with Hong Kong companies. This may include company incorporation, registration of a non‑Hong Kong company, annual return filing, changes to company particulars, purchasing company search reports, or ordering certified copies of documents. If you or your adviser (such as a company secretarial firm) recently handled such matters, the payment may have been processed directly with the Registry.
What types of fees does the Companies Registry commonly charge, and are there any recurring amounts?
The Registry mainly charges one‑off government fees for specific services, such as incorporation, annual return registration, document registration, and record searches. You may notice recurring patterns annually if you file an annual return each year around the same time or regularly purchase company searches. Fee levels are set by law and published in detailed schedules on cr.gov.hk; they vary by service type (e.g., incorporation vs. search fees vs. late filing penalties). There is no subscription or membership fee—every charge corresponds to a particular filing or service request.
I don’t recognize this Companies Registry charge—how can I confirm what it is for?
Start by checking whether you have any connection with a Hong Kong‑registered company or business, or whether an agent (such as a corporate service provider, accountant, or solicitor) may have used your card or account to pay official fees. If you have an e‑Registry login, sign in at cr.gov.hk and review your recent submissions and online payment records, where you can download official receipts. If you still cannot identify the charge, contact the Companies Registry, providing the exact amount, date, and the name shown on your statement so their staff can locate the relevant transaction.
Can I get a refund from the Companies Registry if a filing or search was made in error?
As a general rule, statutory fees paid to the Companies Registry are not refundable once a filing or service request has been accepted and processed, because these are prescribed government fees. In limited circumstances—such as a clear duplicate payment or a technical error—staff may review and, where permitted by law, arrange a refund or adjustment. You should contact the Registry as soon as possible, with your receipt number and details of what happened, so they can assess whether any remedy is available. Current refund policies and procedures are outlined on the official website and may vary by service type.
Does the Companies Registry place temporary or small authorization charges on my card?
If you pay online via the e‑Registry or Cyber Search Centre using a credit or debit card, your card issuer may briefly show a pending or provisional amount while the transaction is being authorized. This can appear as an authorization hold before it posts as a finalized payment. Such holds are managed by your bank or card network and normally disappear or convert into the final charge within a few days. If a small temporary amount remains pending for an unusually long time, contact your card issuer for clarification and then the Registry only if the transaction ultimately posts incorrectly.
How can I obtain receipts or invoices for Companies Registry payments?
For online payments, electronic receipts are usually generated immediately and can be downloaded from your e‑Registry account or the relevant online service portal after you complete the transaction. For over‑the‑counter payments, you should receive a printed official receipt at the time of payment; keep this for your records or provide it to your accountant or auditor. If you have lost a receipt or cannot access it, contact the Registry with your company number, service type, date of payment, and amount so they can advise what supporting documentation can be reissued or accessed.
How do I correct or cancel a filing that I’ve already paid the Companies Registry for?
Once a statutory document has been accepted and registered, the Companies Registry generally cannot simply ‘cancel’ it, but there may be specific legal procedures to amend, rectify, or replace the filing (for example, by submitting a correction or a court‑ordered rectification, depending on the issue). The original filing fee is usually not refundable even if you later correct the document. If you realize an error shortly after submission, contact the Registry immediately, quoting your document reference, to ask what options are available. When in doubt, seek professional advice from a company secretarial firm, solicitor, or accountant familiar with Hong Kong company law.
How can I contact the Hong Kong Companies Registry about an unfamiliar charge or an account‑related question?
Visit cr.gov.hk and navigate to the “Contact Us” section for the latest telephone numbers and email addresses for different service units (e‑Registry helpdesk, public search services, incorporation and registry sections, etc.). You can call during Hong Kong office hours or send an email describing your query, including your company name and number (if applicable), the date and amount of the charge, and any reference numbers you have. If you are in Hong Kong, you may also visit the Registry’s offices in person; bring identification and relevant documents or receipts so staff can assist you more efficiently.