CR registration number: What it is and how it differs from a business registration number

What is the CR number?

The company number, also commonly referred to as the CR number, is a unique identifier assigned to a company upon its incorporation in Hong Kong. It's a legal and corporate identifier that essentially brings the company into existence as a separate legal entity.

Think of it as the company's social security number. This number is used for all official and legal documentation related to the company's corporate life, from its formation to any subsequent changes and filings with the relevant government authorities. The CR number is a crucial component of the Unique Business Identifier (UBI) framework, which aims to streamline business registration and compliance processes in Hong Kong¹.

What is the purpose of a CR number?

The primary purpose of a CR number is to uniquely identify a company for legal and corporate purposes. It is the official reference number that the Companies Registry uses to track and manage a company's corporate records. This includes filings of annual returns, changes in company structure, directorships, and share capital.

Without a CR number, a company can't be recognised as a legal entity in Hong Kong. It is the cornerstone of corporate compliance and governance, ensuring that the company adheres to the provisions of the Companies Ordinance and other relevant laws. The CR number is also vital for official communications and legal proceedings involving the company²³.

Who needs to obtain a CR number?

The requirement to obtain a CR number is tied directly to the legal structure of a business. Any entity incorporated as a company under the Companies Ordinance in Hong Kong is required to have a CR number. This includes:

• Private Limited Companies: The most common form of business structure in Hong Kong.
• Public Companies: Companies that offer shares to the public.
• Companies Limited by Guarantee: Typically used for non-profit organisations.
• Overseas Companies: Foreign companies that have established a place of business in Hong Kong.

It's important to note that a CR number is specifically for incorporated entities. Other business structures, such as sole proprietorships and partnerships, do not require a CR number. Instead, they are only required to obtain a Business Registration (BR) number, which we'll discuss in more detail later.

How to get a CR number

Obtaining a CR number is an integral part of the company incorporation process in Hong Kong. The Companies Registry offers a one-stop service that streamlines this procedure⁴.

Required Documents

To register a company and obtain a CR number, you generally need to submit the following documents⁵:

• Incorporation Form (Form NNC1 for companies limited by shares or Form NNC1G for companies limited by guarantee): This form contains essential details about the company, such as its proposed name, registered office address, share capital, and particulars of its directors and company secretary.
• Articles of Association: This is a crucial legal document that outlines the internal rules and regulations governing the company's operations and its relationship with its shareholders and directors.
• Copy of the identification documents of the directors, company secretary, and founding members.

Registration process

The company registration process is straightforward and can be completed electronically through the Companies Registry's e-Filing service or by submitting hard copies. The steps are as follows⁴:

• Name Search: Before submitting an application, it is advisable to conduct a company name search to ensure the proposed name is available and not identical to an existing company name.
• Submission of Documents: Submit the completed incorporation form, Articles of Association, and other required documents to the Companies Registry.
• Review and Approval: The Companies Registry will review the application to ensure it complies with the Companies Ordinance. This process typically takes a few days.
• Issuance of Certificate of Incorporation: Once the application is approved, the Companies Registry will issue a Certificate of Incorporation. This certificate will clearly state the company's CR number, officially marking its legal existence.
• Simultaneous Business Registration: As part of the one-stop service, the Companies Registry will also forward the application details to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) for the issuance of a Business Registration Certificate and BR number. This ensures that the company is registered for both legal and tax purposes at the same time.

According to our experience,

CR number vs business registration number: Key differences

While both the CR number and the BR number are essential for businesses in Hong Kong, they are not interchangeable. Understanding their distinct roles is crucial for compliance and smooth business operations⁵⁶.

Purposes

The CR number is the official corporate identifier for a company. Its primary purpose is to track compliance with the Companies Ordinance, and it's used for filings with the Companies Registry, such as annual returns, changes in directorships, and other legal documentation.

Meanwhile, the BR number is the tax and business identifier for an entity. It's used for all tax-related matters and general business activities, including filing tax returns with the Inland Revenue Department, paying business registration fees, and opening a bank account.

Registration requirements

The CR number is exclusively for companies incorporated under the Companies Ordinance. Sole proprietorships and partnerships don't require a CR number.

On the other hand, the BR number is required for all businesses operating in Hong Kong, regardless of their legal structure. This includes sole proprietorships, partnerships, and incorporated companies.

Issuer

The CR number is issued by the Companies Registry (CR). The CR is responsible for the incorporation of companies and the enforcement of the Companies Ordinance.

Meanwhile, the BR number is issued by the IRD, which is responsible for tax collection and the enforcement of the Business Registration Ordinance.

Number format and expiration

The CR number is a seven-digit number. Once assigned, it remains with the company for its entire legal life. It doesn't expire unless the company is dissolved.

The BR number, meanwhile, is an eight-digit number. The Business Registration Certificate, which contains the BR number, has an expiration date, and the registration must be renewed annually or every three years, depending on the payment schedule. The BR number itself, however, remains consistent throughout the business's existence.

Streamline your finances from day one with Aspire

From our experience, we've learned firsthand the importance of CR and BR numbers for business operations and compliance. However, we also understand that managing these obligations can be complex, especially when it comes to financial compliance.

We've also seen how many businesses struggle to track and monitor expenses, spending hours on manual recordkeeping. This not only increases the risk of human error but also results in less accurate reporting and potential compliance failures.

That’s why we introduced the Aspire Business Account—an all-in-one platform to help you manage your finances from day one. With Aspire, you can automate financial operations such as payments and invoicing, and track your cash inflows and outflows in real time. This saves hours of manual work and gives you full visibility over your finances.

With Aspire, you can:

• Get a complete view of your cash inflows and outflows, including the status of accounts payable, receivable, and recurring payments, in real time—making it easier to create and categorise cash flow statements.
• Gain real-time visibility into business expenses and invoice statuses.
• Simplify cross-border payments and international transactions with detailed, upfront invoice documentation.
• Save up to 50% of the time spent on manual accounting tasks with smart automation.
• Eliminate manual data entry through real-time syncing with Xero and QuickBooks.

Whether you're starting up or scaling your business in Hong Kong, Aspire gives you the confidence to manage your finances efficiently and focus on growth.