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Entering the Chinese market means navigating one of the world’s most complex regulatory environments. Foreign businesses face strict compliance requirements, mandatory capital injections within five years under the 2024 Company Law, and sector-specific restrictions through the Foreign Investment Negative List.
From choosing between WFOE, Joint Venture, or Representative Office structures to managing ongoing tax filings and business scope approvals, the setup process demands specialized local expertise. We’ve shortlisted the top 5 company formation services that help you establish and operate in China with less friction and more confidence.
Let’s dive in.
Company Formation Services at a Glance
| Company | Best For | Key Advantage | Starting Price |
| MSA Asia | Foreign SMEs needing incorporation plus ongoing operational support | Transparent and affordable fixed pricing | $2,999 (one-time) |
| Remote People | Global companies incorporating across multiple markets simultaneously | Platform-based multi-country setup | $6,900 (one-time) |
| China Incorporation | Businesses focused exclusively on mainland China entity formation | Fixed fee, no surprises | Fixed fee, no surprises |
| Deloitte | Large multinationals requiring integrated advisory across expansion | Global network with local expertise | Custom pricing |
| PwC | Enterprises needing corporate structuring tied to tax strategy | Tax-efficient entity design | Custom pricing |
1) MSA Asia – Full-Lifecycle Support from Setup Through Operations
Setting up a company in China is just the beginning. What happens after you receive your business license matters more. MSA Asia helps foreign businesses move from incorporation through the operational requirements that follow, including accounting, payroll, tax compliance, and ongoing regulatory filings. With over 15 years supporting companies entering China and more than 500 WFOEs registered, they provide integrated support across entity formation, financial management, workforce administration, and compliance maintenance through a dedicated account manager model.
Key Features:
- End-to-end WFOE, Joint Venture, and Representative Office setup covering documentation, regulatory filings, business license acquisition, and post-registration requirements like tax registration and bank account coordination.
- Post-incorporation operational support, including accounting services, monthly tax filings, payroll administration, and compliance management, so businesses don’t need separate providers after setup.
- Multi-country operational coverage across China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and India, allowing businesses to work with one partner across Asian markets.
- Employer of Record services enabling companies to hire employees in China without establishing a local entity, supporting faster market testing and team building.
Pricing starts at $2,999
| Service | Price | Billing | Key Features |
| Incorporation | $2,999 | One-time | Business license, documentation, and company chops |
| Accounting | $199 | Monthly | Bookkeeping, compliance, free setup |
| Payroll | $19 per employee | Monthly | Salary calculations, tax filing, contributions |
| EOR | $199 per employee | Monthly | Compliant contracts, payroll, and benefits |
| Taxation | Custom quote | As needed | VAT, CIT filings, tax optimization |
What else can you do with MSA Asia?
Beyond incorporation, MSA Asia offers transparent, fixed pricing that eliminates surprise costs during and after setup. The company provides bundled pricing for multi-service engagements and volume discounts for multi-country operations, making it a cost-effective choice for businesses that need both setup and ongoing support without juggling multiple vendors.
2) Remote People – Global Incorporation Platform for Multi-Market Expansion
Remote People positions company incorporation as part of a broader global employment platform spanning 150+ countries. The service helps businesses establish legal presence internationally while integrating recruitment, payroll, and compliance into one system. Companies expanding beyond China into multiple Asian or global markets can manage entity formation, workforce hiring, and operational compliance through a unified platform rather than coordinating separate providers across jurisdictions.
Key Features:
- Multi-country incorporation support allows businesses to register companies across 150+ countries from one platform, suitable for agencies planning regional or global expansion beyond China.
- Integrated EOR and payroll services enabling companies to hire employees immediately after incorporation through owned local entities with compliant contracts and benefits administration.
- Platform-based compliance engine that monitors law changes, tax updates, and regulatory requirements across jurisdictions, automatically applying updates to employment and payroll workflows.
- Global mobility and visa support in 80+ countries, helping businesses relocate staff internationally and manage immigration requirements alongside entity formation.
Considerations before going with Remote People:
Service coverage varies by product. While incorporation and EOR services span 150+ countries, payroll covers 100+ countries and visa support reaches 80+ countries, which may require coordination across different service tiers.
Pricing starts at $6,900
| Service Plan | Price | Billing Cycle | Features included |
| Company Incorporation | $6,900 | One-time | Company registration with local authorities |
| Setup Fee | From $2,500 | One-time | Local director, registered address |
| Ongoing Compliance | From $199 | Monthly | Corporate compliance and filings |
3) China Incorporation – Mainland China Entity Formation Specialists
China Incorporation focuses exclusively on mainland China company formation, providing end-to-end services from entity selection through operational transition. The company manages WFOE, Joint Venture, and Representative Office formations with dedicated incorporation managers overseeing each engagement from initial consultation to final operational handover. Services include business scope drafting, SAMR name pre-approval, document preparation, regulatory submissions, business license issuance, banking assistance, and SAFE foreign exchange registration coordination.
Key Features:
- Dedicated incorporation manager assigned to each client, providing single-point coordination from initial consultation through business license issuance and post-setup operational transition.
- Complete WFOE formation support, including consulting, services, trading, and manufacturing WFOE structures with scope planning aligned to operational requirements and regulatory expectations.
- Joint Venture structuring and partner coordination covering Equity Joint Ventures and Contractual Joint Ventures with due diligence support, agreement preparation, and MOFCOM approval management.
- Post-setup operational transition, including hiring support, payroll administration, bookkeeping coordination, tax filing support, and compliance calendar setup for ongoing business operations.
Considerations before going with China Incorporation:
The service focuses exclusively on mainland China incorporation. Businesses requiring multi-country support or operations across Hong Kong, Singapore, or other Asian markets would need separate providers.
Fixed fee, no surprises:
China Incorporation operates on a fixed-fee engagement structure with costs defined upfront. WFOE setup costs typically range from $6,000 to $12,000, depending on city, operational scope, and incorporation complexity, providing budget certainty for small and mid-sized businesses entering China.
4) Deloitte – Global Advisory Network for Complex Cross-Border Expansion
Deloitte provides entity setup advisory through its global network of independent member firms, supporting organizations during business expansion and transformation initiatives. Services help companies navigate regulatory environments while implementing strategies that support growth across multiple jurisdictions. Through collaboration across member firms, Deloitte combines global expertise with local regulatory knowledge to help organizations operate across borders and address complex corporate structuring challenges during international expansion.
Key Features:
- Cross-border corporate structuring advisory leveraging Deloitte’s global network to provide coordinated support when establishing entities across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.
- Regulatory and compliance advisory helping organizations interpret requirements, strengthen governance frameworks, and implement processes aligned with legal obligations across different markets.
- Legal and corporate structuring services through Deloitte Legal professionals who combine legal expertise with business knowledge to address complex corporate matters and transactions.
- Integrated transformation support connecting entity setup with broader business transformation initiatives, including finance operations, HR systems, tax compliance, and accounting services.
Considerations before going with Deloitte:
Services are delivered through independent member firms operating as separate legal entities. Service delivery may involve coordination between multiple firms across regions, and availability can vary depending on jurisdiction and member firm capabilities.
Custom Pricing:
Deloitte determines pricing based on engagement scope, complexity, and duration. Fees vary by service type, expertise required, and resources involved. Engagements are structured through formal service agreements defining deliverables and timelines, typically suited for large organizations and multinational corporations with complex requirements.
5) PwC – Tax-Efficient Entity Design for International Expansion
PwC supports organizations establishing legal entities in new jurisdictions as part of international expansion and corporate structuring initiatives. Services help companies determine appropriate legal structures, navigate regulatory requirements, and coordinate entity setup across different markets. PwC teams assist with corporate structuring, regulatory filings, governance frameworks, and tax-efficient entity design when expanding into new regions, integrating entity formation with broader tax strategy and compliance planning.
Key Features:
- Corporate structuring integrated with tax planning helping organizations design entity structures that align with both regulatory obligations and tax efficiency objectives across jurisdictions.
- Market entry strategy supports evaluating regulatory requirements, tax considerations, and operational structures required to establish a presence in new countries, including China.
- Global network coordination provides support across multiple jurisdictions through PwC’s network of member firms, enabling access to local expertise while coordinating expansion strategies.
- Risk and regulatory advisory helping companies identify potential risks, implement appropriate controls, and ensure compliance with applicable regulations during entity formation and ongoing operations.
Considerations before going with PwC:
PwC operates through a global network where each member firm functions as a separate legal entity. Service delivery depends on the specific member firm involved and may require collaboration across multiple teams, depending on project scope.
Custom Pricing:
PwC pricing varies based on engagement scope, complexity, and resources required. Fees are determined by the type of advisory, consulting, or tax services requested and the scale of the engagement. Services are delivered through tailored consulting engagements designed for mid-to-large enterprises and multinational organizations.
The Verdict: Which Company Should You Choose? (Our Top 3 Picks)
Choosing the right company formation partner depends on your operational needs and budget. Here are our top three recommendations for businesses entering China.
MSA Asia stands out as the most practical choice for foreign SMEs. It combines affordable fixed pricing with post-incorporation support, eliminating the need for multiple vendors across setup and operations.
Remote People works well for agencies planning multi-country expansion. Its platform approach lets you manage entity formation across 150+ countries alongside global hiring and compliance from one system.
China Incorporation suits businesses focused exclusively on mainland China. The fixed-fee model and dedicated incorporation managers provide budget certainty and hands-on coordination throughout the formation process.
