What is a green box?

When registering a company in Hong Kong, the "green box" is a container used to store important documents related to the business. These documents are essential for legal operations. Important, please note that it is the documents inside that are important, not the green box. The company green box usually contains: company articles of association, company steel seal, company signature seal, company round seal, stock book and statutory record book.

After the company is incorporated, these documents are given to the company's registered agent or company secretary for safekeeping. The Green Box is the repository for important company documents, which must be kept properly and available for review at any time.

Is a green box a necessity for starting a company?

According to the latest Companies Ordinance, the company establishment procedures in Hong Kong have been simplified. Enterprises can decide whether to keep and use a corporate seal (section 124(1)) , so many new companies no longer need a physical green box.

Nonetheless, it is important to note that while a physical green box is no longer required, companies are still required by law to properly maintain their important documents and records.

How to deal with the green box when canceling a company?

Under the new Companies Ordinance, documents of a deregistered company must be retained for at least six years after the business has ended. During this period, any documents or items within the Green Box may not be used for commercial purposes as they remain the property of the Company. Any unauthorized use of these documents or items is considered unlawful and may result in legal liability.

What is a company seal?

In Hong Kong, a company seal gives formal and legal effect to business documents. However, as of 2014, the use of a company seal is no longer compulsory.

Does my company really need a company seal?

Under the new regulations, companies established since 2014 no longer need to have a company seal.

Under the old regulations, every Hong Kong company must have a seal engraved with the company's name, which can be used to execute contracts and issue shares, etc. With the implementation of new regulations in 2014, this requirement has been abolished.

How to use company seal under the current new regulations?

According to the company's articles of association, the company seal can only be used for signing agreements or company documents with the consent of the company's directors and their authorized persons. For example, when issuing shares, only the directors of the company can put their stamp on the shares.

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