The New China “3 in 1”《3证合一》Certificate

The Chinese Administration has streamlined the business certificates issuance. With effect from 1st October 2015, companies will no longer need to apply 3 separate certificates from 3 different administration agencies. These will be combined into 1 certificate.

Prior to this, the State Council has initiated policy instructions to move in this direction. In August 2015, 6 Administration bodies have issued circular instructions to push forth this measure. These bodies are: The State Administration of Industry & Commerce (SAIC), Central Organization Office, State Reform & Development Committee, State Administration of Taxation, State Quality Inspection Bureau and State Council Legal Office.

With this procedural measure, companies will be issued with a Business License that shall also include the Organization Code and the Tax Registration Code. Ie. The Business License, Organization Code Certificate and Tax Certificate shall combined into one Business License. For existing operating companies, their old certificates will be collected back and new “3 in 1” certificates will be issued to replace the old ones. We are currently assisting clients in Shanghai, Suzhou, Beijing and Shenzhen to replace their certificates.

The policy instructions from the 6 administrative bodies has sought to push forth the procedural changes and streamline processes to be more efficient. The government agencies have also been instructed to just request for Business License instead of 3 certificates in conducting the government procedures.

Our general check with various provincial, municipalities, cities and counties indicated that most of them are conducting this new requirement accordingly. It is a timely move by the Chinese government to streamline these administrative procedures.