Hong Kong Company Secretary Costs: Fees and Pricing for Services

Understanding Hong Kong Company Secretary Costs

Every Hong Kong company must appoint a company secretary under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622). Your budget is shaped by government filing fees, provider pricing, and the specifics of your company structure. The choice is between an in-house employee or an outsourced provider.

Hong Kong Company Secretary Fees: Government Filing Charges

The Companies Registry charges fixed filing fees for statutory forms. These are government fees, not service provider charges.

Form ND2A notifies the appointment or cessation of a company secretary. The filing fee is set by the Companies Registry and must accompany the form when it is submitted. File it within the prescribed period after the change. A late filing penalty applies if you miss the deadline.

Form ND2B notifies a change of particulars of an existing company secretary, such as a change of address or name. The same filing fee structure applies. Late submission attracts a penalty.

Form ND4 is a notice of resignation served by the company secretary on the company. The resigning secretary files this form with the Companies Registry. There is a filing fee. The secretary must deliver it within 15 days after the resignation takes effect.

The exact fee amounts are published on the Companies Registry website and are subject to periodic revision. The filing fee for each of these forms is in the range of HK$15 to HK$30. Check the current schedule before filing. Late filing penalties escalate: a form filed more than 14 days late may incur a penalty of HK$120, rising to HK$300 or more depending on the delay.

Company Secretary Service Pricing Hong Kong: What Outsourced Providers Charge

Most Hong Kong companies outsource the company secretary role to a licensed trust or company service provider (TCSP). The annual service fee for a standard private company covers maintaining the statutory registers: the register of members, register of directors, register of company secretaries, register of charges, and the Significant Controllers Register. It also covers preparing and filing the annual return (Form NAR1). The provider notifies changes of director or secretary on Forms ND2A, ND2B, and ND4. They maintain the registered office address and the prescribed place for company records. They prepare board minutes and written resolutions. They track annual compliance deadlines.

Annual service pricing for a straightforward Hong Kong company ranges from HK$3,000 to HK$8,000. Providers with a TCSP licence under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615) charge at the higher end of this range because they must meet customer due diligence and record-keeping requirements.

Additional services increase the fee. Handling complex corporate structures, preparing certified true copies, or managing multiple subsidiaries all add cost. Some providers charge separately for each statutory filing. Others bundle everything into a fixed annual retainer.

Hong Kong Company Secretary Service Cost: Factors That Affect Pricing

Several variables influence what you pay.

Complexity of the company structure. A single-shareholder private company with one director and no subsidiaries is straightforward. A company with multiple shareholders, different classes of shares, or a group structure requires more work to maintain the statutory registers and prepare resolutions.

Number of transactions. Companies that frequently change directors, issue shares, or amend their articles of association generate more filings. Each filing requires preparation, review, and submission. The service fee rises accordingly.

TCSP licence status. Providers holding a TCSP licence under Cap. 615 must comply with anti-money laundering obligations, including customer due diligence on every client. This regulatory overhead is reflected in their pricing. Unlicensed providers cannot legally offer company secretary services to third parties. Engage only a licensed TCSP.

Location of the registered office and prescribed place. If the provider maintains the registered office address and keeps the statutory registers at their premises, this is included in the annual fee. A separate address or a virtual office may carry an additional charge.

Urgent or out-of-hours filings. Some providers charge a premium for same-day or next-day filing of forms such as ND2A or ND2B.

In-House Secretary vs Outsourced Secretary: Cost Comparison

Appointing an in-house company secretary means hiring an employee who is ordinarily resident in Hong Kong. The cost includes salary, Mandatory Provident Fund contributions, annual leave, and office space. For a qualified secretary with knowledge of Cap. 622 and the Companies Registry filing requirements, the annual salary cost is HK$200,000 or more.

An outsourced secretary from a licensed TCSP costs a fraction of that figure. The annual service fee covers all routine compliance work. The provider bears the cost of training, software, and regulatory compliance. For most small and medium-sized companies, outsourcing is the more cost-effective option.

The trade-off is control. An in-house secretary is immediately available and can handle ad hoc tasks such as liaising with auditors or preparing board packs. An outsourced provider may charge extra for work outside the agreed scope.

Annual Compliance Costs Beyond the Secretary Fee

The company secretary service fee is only one component of annual compliance. Budget for these items as well.

The annual return filing fee for Form NAR1 is HK$105 for a company with share capital, payable to the Companies Registry. Late filing penalties apply: HK$870 if filed more than 42 days after the return date.

The business registration fee is payable to the Inland Revenue Department under the Business Registration Ordinance. The annual fee is HK$2,150 (as of the 2025-26 year).

The profits tax return (BIR51) is filed annually. There is no filing fee, but professional fees for preparing accounts and tax computation apply.

A registered office address through a virtual office or serviced address costs HK$1,000 to HK$3,000 annually.

Late Filing Penalties and Renewal Costs

Missing a filing deadline at the Companies Registry triggers a late filing penalty. For Form ND2A, ND2B, or ND4, the penalty is HK$120 if filed within 14 days of the due date, rising to HK$300 after 14 days and HK$600 after one month. For the annual return, the penalty escalates to HK$870 after 42 days.

A TCSP licence under Cap. 615 must be renewed every three years. The renewal fee is set by the Registrar of Companies and is payable before the licence expires. Carrying on a trust or company service business without a valid licence is an offence carrying a fine of up to HK$100,000 and imprisonment for up to six months.

How to Choose a Company Secretary Provider

Verify that the provider holds a current TCSP licence. The register of licensees is public and searchable on the TCSP website. Confirm what is included in the annual fee: all statutory filings, maintenance of the five statutory registers, and the registered office address. Ask about additional charges for forms ND2A, ND2B, and ND4, and for preparing written resolutions or board minutes.

A reputable provider will give you a written service agreement that lists the scope of work and the annual fee. Avoid providers that quote a very low price without explaining what is excluded. Unexpected charges for routine filings can quickly erode the apparent saving.

Sources

Companies Registry: https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/home/index.htm
TCSP Licensee Register: https://tcsp.cr.gov.hk
Verified August 2026.