How to set up a food & beverage WOFE (Wholly Owned Foreign Enterprise) in China? Food & beverage WOFE, has two forms:

Form 1: A trading WOFE that provides prepackaged food (snacks) & beverage (liquor) import & export, wholesale and retail;
Form 2: A WOFE restaurant that provides catering services.
 
The flow path of WOFE Form 1 registration is similar to that of a trading WOFE. However, to do food & beverage trading business, such WOFE needs to apply for special permit, Food Distribution Permit and Liquor Wholesale Permit. Such WOFE should be registered in an actual office with real address;
The flow path of WOFE Form 2 registration could be more complicated. Such WOFE needs a business location, a store to provide catering services. And business location should meet the requirements of Shanghai Environment Protection Bureau. To register WOFE Form 2, we have to file Environment Impact Assessment Report, and apply for Catering Service License.
 
According to the company laws and regulations, the procedure to set up a common WOFE in different areas in China can be a little bit different. Shanghai is the economic center of China and the biggest port of cargo handling capacity, which makes Shanghai always the first option for foreign investors to set up their WOFEs. And this article just introduces how to set up tood & beverage WOFEs in the city of Shanghai.
 
As for other specific forms of WOFE please refer to other articles on this site.
Please read:
How to set up a WOFE in China?
How to set up a WOFE in China (Shanghai) Free Trade Zone?
How to set up a service WOFE in China?
How to set up a technology WOFE in China?
How to set up a trading WOFE in China?
How to set up an import & export WOFE in China?
How to set up a food & beverage WOFE in China?
How to set up a manufacturing WOFE in China?
 
1. The Registered Capital of Shanghai food & beverage WOFE: (Read:What is and How to change WOFE's Registered Capital?)
According to our many years of practical experience of registering Shanghai WOFEs and the latest policy, we suggest that the registered capital should not less than USD 150,000.00 (or CNY 1 million). However, there is no forcing the first round 20% registered capital investment since March, 2014. The subscribed period can be as long as 20 years. It’s very crucial to set an appropriate registered capital. For details, please contact us for help.

2. The Registered Address of Shanghai food & beverage WOFE: (Read:What is and How to change WOFE's Registered Adress?)
A food & beverage WOFE must have a real registered address, otherwise it can't be approved. For WOFE Form 1: You can find an office in Shanghai as registered address which should be in a business office building.
For WOFE form 2: You can find a store as registered address which should meet meet the requirements of Shanghai Environment Protection Bureau.

3. Required Documents for Shanghai food & beverage WOFE Registration:
According to the Company Law of the People's Republic of China and our many years of practical experience, the documents required for Shanghai Service WOFE Registration are:
(1). 2 Copies of Notarized & Certified Certificate of Incorporation of Overseas investing company;
Certificate of Incorporation needs to be notarized by the local lawyer/notary public, and certified in local Chinese embassy (consulate).
 
*If the investor is a natural person, please provide the original copy of the investor’s passport or provide 2 copies Notarized & Certified passport of the investor.
 
(2). 3 copies of The Passport/ID card of Legal Representative (often Executive Director) of the WOFE to be registered;
*Some districts will check the original copy;
(3). 3 copies of The Passport/ID card of Supervisor of the WOFE to be registered;
*Some districts will check the original copy;
(4). 10 alternative company Chinese names;
(5). 1 copy of Leasing Contract & Property Ownership Certificate of Registered Address;
(6). 1 copy of the accountant’s ID card of the WOFE to be registered;
Accountant should be Chinese with accountant license.
(7). A set of documents prepared by WOFEChina.com(signed/stamped);
(8). Other documents required.
*Leasing Contract & Property Ownership Certificate of Registered Address should be stamped or signed by the owner.
 
4. Flow path and Duration for Shanghai food & beverage WOFE Registration:
WOFE Form 1:
It takes at least 2 months to finish all procedure of Shanghai WOFE Registration. To apply for import and export registration it will take 1 additional month; To apply for Food Distribution Permit and Liquor Wholesale Permit would take extra 2 months.
To apply for VAT also takes 1 additional month. But the above two events can be done simultaneously. The specific Flow path and Duration for Shanghai WOFE Registration are:
(1). Check name to see if the company name is available, 5 workdays;
(2). Food Distribution Permit and Liquor Wholesale Permit; 45 workdays;
(3). Record Certificate of Foreign Invested Company, 5 workdays;
(4). Business License, 10 workdays;
(5). Engrave Official Stamp/Financial Stamp/Legal Representative’s Stamp, 1 workday;
(6). Open company bank account, 10 workdays;
(7). Apply for import and export registration, 25 working days;
(8). Ratify tax category, 25 workdays.
Note: In practice, the delay caused by the investor for not providing proper documents does not count in the Duration for Shanghai WOFE Registration.
 
WOFE Form 2:
It takes at least 2 months to finish all procedure of Shanghai WOFE Registration. To make Environment Impact Assessment and apply for Catering Service License would take extra 2 months.
To apply for VAT also takes 1 additional month. But the above two events can be done simultaneously. The specific Flow path and Duration for Shanghai WOFE Registration are:
(1). Check name to see if the company name is available, 5 workdays;
(2). Environment Impact Assessment and Catering Service License; 45 workdays;
(3). Record Certificate of Foreign Invested Company, 5 workdays;
(4). Business License, 10 workdays;
(5). Engrave Official Stamp/Financial Stamp/Legal Representative’s Stamp, 1 workday;
(6). Open company bank account, 10 workdays;
(7). Apply for import and export registration, 25 working days;
(8). Ratify tax category, 25 workdays.
Note: In practice, the delay caused by the investor for not providing proper documents does not count in the Duration for Shanghai WOFE Registration.
 
5. Service Charge and Administration fees for Shanghai food & beverage WOFE Registration:
Please send an email to leo@wofechina.com to get a quotation.


WOFEChina.com has successfully helped investors from more than 50 countries (regions) all over the world registered Wholly Owned Foreign Enterprises (WOFE), Joint Ventures (JV), Shanghai Representative Offices(RO), and provide one-stop business solution, including Trademark Registration, Bookkeeping, etc. We have a very skilled consultant team, a set of efficient operation system. We provide high-quality customized services with reasonable price and accurate information, that’s what makes us different.

Read:What should WOFE do monthly/annually?

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Shanghai QiXiang Business Consulting Co., Ltd.

www.WOFEChina.com

Contact: Leo Zhang

Mobile Phone:+86 185 1632 9606

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Email: leo@wofechina.com

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