Do I need a food business license in China?
The short answer, with the official forms and the agencies' own links.
The short answer
Yes to make or serve food: apply online after the business license, with the floor plan, equipment list and food safety manager. Selling only prepackaged food needs a filing instead. The license is valid for 5 years.
The forms involved
Food business license
Local Administration for Market RegulationChina, national
Applied for online after the business license, with the floor plan, equipment list and food safety manager. Selling only prepackaged food needs a filing instead of a license.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Valid for 5 years.
Company registration and business license
Local Administration for Market Regulation (under SAMR)China, national
Filed online on the city's one-stop business portal, which also registers tax, social insurance and the company seal in the same application.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Usually 1 to 3 business days once the documents are complete.
Full guides
General information, not legal or tax advice. Agency requirements change; check the agency's page before you file.
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This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
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