Shelf company selection and transfer
Acquiring a shelf company involves transferring an existing company to its new owners and updating its directors and statutory records. WeCorp checks the incorporation date, name, previous activities and outstanding matters, then handles the transfer documents and delivery of company materials.
Shelf company services from HK$4,900
The starting service price is HK$4,900; the specific company and transfer requirements determine the quote. The service includes:
- A choice of compliant, clean shelf companies, with records to review before selection.
- Share-transfer and director-change procedures.
- Updating statutory registers and company documents.
- A complete set of company stamps: seal, self-inking stamp and signature stamp.
Share-transfer stamp duty and related government charges are payable separately. Company secretary and registered-address services are quoted by service period.
Checks before acquisition
Past trading, assets, liabilities, contracts and outstanding filings.
Complete officer, shareholder, secretary, address and statutory records.
The proposed name, incorporation date and documents needed for the transfer.
From company selection to document handover
- Review available company names, incorporation dates and records, including any previous activity or outstanding obligations.
- Provide identification and address evidence for the new directors and shareholders; agree the transfer details and quote.
- Sign the required transfer and appointment documents, followed by share transfer, director changes and statutory-record updates.
- Receive the company documents, updated records and full set of stamps, and check the next renewal and filing dates.
The transfer can be completed in as little as one working day, subject to the chosen company, complete documents and signing arrangements. Bank-account approval and any separate name change follow their own procedures.
Related services and insights
Shelf companies and shell companies: key differences (Traditional Chinese)
An overview of the differences, common uses, purchase and handover procedures, and checks on company records, liabilities and past activities.
Hong Kong limited company registration
A company limited by shares has a legal identity separate from its shareholders, whose liability is generally limited to any unpaid amount on their shares. Share ownership and defined management roles provide a structure for bringing in investors and continuing the business.
Business bank account application support
A business bank account supports trading receipts, payments and day-to-day cash management. Banks review the company’s activities, ownership, source of funds and expected transactions, so the application needs to explain the business as well as identify the company.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in the HK$4,900 starting price?
The service covers selection of a clean shelf company, share transfer and director changes, updated statutory records and a full set of company stamps. The specific company and requirements determine the final quote.
Share-transfer stamp duty and related government charges are payable separately. The quotation states the company secretary and registered-address service periods.
Is every shelf company the same as a shell company?
The terms are sometimes used loosely, but the company’s actual history matters. Check whether it has traded, held assets, incurred liabilities or entered into contracts, instead of relying on a label or incorporation year.
Can the transfer be completed in one working day?
The shortest transfer time depends on the available company, complete information and signing. Company-name changes or additional work have separate documents, charges and processing times.
Bank-account support is available after the transfer, including company information and preliminary application preparation.
Which documents and items are included?
The handover includes company documents, updated statutory records and the seal, self-inking and signature stamps. Check these against the agreed list and retain signed transfer and appointment documents.
The handover also identifies the next annual return, business-registration renewal and secretary and address service renewal dates, together with any outstanding work.
Can the company name be changed after the transfer?
A company-name change can be arranged through the applicable procedure. It is separate from purchasing a company under its existing name, with additional documents, charges and processing time.
Request a shelf company quote
View available companies, transfer procedures and service fees.