Do I need to display my Business Registration Certificate in Hong Kong

Do I Need to Display My Business Registration Certificate

Yes. The Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310) requires every person carrying on a business in Hong Kong to display the Business Registration Certificate at a conspicuous place on the business premises. This legal obligation applies to all businesses registered with the Inland Revenue Department, from sole proprietorships and partnerships to limited companies.

Section 11 of the Business Registration Ordinance sets out the display requirement. The certificate must be exhibited in a conspicuous position at every place of business where the business is carried on. If the business operates from more than one location, a copy of the certificate must be displayed at each premises.

BRC Display Requirement

Display the original certificate issued by the Inland Revenue Department, not a photocopy. It must be clearly visible to anyone entering the premises, including customers, suppliers, and inspection officers. Frame the certificate and hang it near the entrance or behind the reception counter where it can be seen without difficulty.

Hong Kong Business Registration Posting

Place the certificate where it can be read by anyone who enters the place of business. For an office, this typically means a wall in the reception area or a common room. For a shop, the certificate is often displayed near the cash register or on a wall visible from the entrance. The certificate must be on open display, not hidden in a drawer or kept in a filing cabinet.

Where to Put Business Registration

Your premises layout determines the exact spot, but the law requires a conspicuous position. A conspicuous position means a place where the certificate can be seen easily and without effort. If your business operates from a shared office or a co-working space, you must still display the certificate at your specific area within that space. The Inland Revenue Department expects the certificate to be visible to any person who enters the part of the premises where the business is conducted.

Business Registration Certificate Visibility

Visibility is important for compliance inspections. Officers from the Inland Revenue Department may visit your premises to check that the certificate is displayed. If the certificate is not visible, the officer may ask to see it, and failure to produce it on request can lead to enforcement action. Keep the certificate in good condition so the details printed on it remain legible.

Consequences of Failure to Display

Failure to display the Business Registration Certificate is an offence under the Business Registration Ordinance. A person who fails to comply with the display requirement is liable on conviction to a fine. The Inland Revenue Department may also issue a notice requiring compliance, and continued failure to display the certificate can result in prosecution.

If your Business Registration Certificate has been lost, damaged, or destroyed, apply to the Inland Revenue Department for a replacement copy as soon as possible. A replacement certificate will allow you to comply with the display requirement while the original is unavailable.

The display requirement applies throughout the validity period of the certificate. When you renew your Business Registration Certificate, display the new certificate and remove the old one. The certificate should remain on display until it expires or the business ceases to operate.