Setting up a company in Hong Kong involves ticking certain boxes, and one of the first is the “registered office address.” This is the official homing beacon for government communications – the spot where tax forms and other crucial notices from the authorities will land. It sounds important, perhaps even implying a need for exclusivity. But does every company need its own unique spot on the map?
The short answer: Nah.
Multiple companies can legally be registered at the same physical address in Hong Kong. There’s no requirement for your company’s registered address to be a unique snowflake; sharing is not only permitted, it’s incredibly common. Here’s why that seemingly simple rule works the way it does…
The law says nothing about exclusivity
Laws typically state what must be done or what is prohibited, rather than listing everything that is permitted.
So while there’s no specific clause in the law that explicitly states “multiple companies can use the same address”, the Companies Ordinance does not have any prohibition against sharing.
The primary requirements of a registered office is stated in Section 658 of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622).
Section 658(1) states: “A company must have a registered office in Hong Kong to which all communications and notices may be addressed.”
Notice what Section 658 doesn’t say. It does not state:
- That the address must be used exclusively by one company.
- That the company must own or lease the premises directly.
- Any restriction on how the company secures the right to use that address (e.g., via a service agreement with a provider).
The main concern is reachability, not solitude.
Think about it – it’s everywhere
This isn’t some grey area; it’s a completely standard and widespread practice. The most common scenarios are:
- Serviced Offices / Virtual Offices: This is the big one. Companies exist solely to rent out their address (and maybe mail forwarding services, meeting rooms, etc.) to hundreds, sometimes thousands, of other companies. Your startup, that multinational’s HK branch, and Dave’s Brilliant Gadget Co. (pending) might all technically “live” at the same address.
- Company Secretaries / Law Firms / Accounting Firms: These folks often provide registered office services as part of their package. Naturally, all their clients using this service will share the firm’s address.
- Big Office Towers: Okay, less surprising, but technically companies on different floors (Suite 101, Suite 102) share the same building address.
- Related Companies: A parent company and its kids (subsidiaries) often shack up at the same HQ address. Perfectly normal.
So, the takeaway?
Don’t stress about needing a unique, virgin address for your Hong Kong company registration. The key is having a valid, physical Hong Kong address where official communications can be reliably received. Whether that address also receives mail for a dozen (or a hundred) other companies is, legally speaking, not a problem.
It’s just mail, folks. As long as it gets delivered and someone acknowledges it, the system works. Now, go forth and share your address (responsibly, via a proper service provider or lease, of course).
How Monx can help
Ready to set up your Hong Kong company but want to skip the hassle? Monx makes incorporation feel like magic. We handle everything from A to Z, including providing your local registered address and company secretary, handling all incorporation documents, and even assisting with opening your business bank account with partners like HSBC, AirWallex, and Statrys. Ready to launch your Hong Kong business the easy way? Book a free consultation with Monx today!
