Licenses and permits to open a retail store in Suzhou
A store's filings are mostly registration and tax, plus the sign and occupancy for the space. Here are the 5 filings, in the order they're made.
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.
Open the business on Suzhou's one-stop portal
Jiangsu Government ServicesSuzhou
Suzhou's portal takes the company registration, seal, tax, social insurance and invoices in one online application, and is where the food business license is applied for.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
Tax setup and invoicing (new taxpayer)
State Taxation AdministrationChina, national
After the license, confirm the tax details, choose the taxpayer type and apply for digital invoices on the province's electronic tax bureau.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Usually the same day online.
Employer social insurance and housing fund
Human Resources and Social Security Bureau; Housing Provident Fund CenterChina, national
Employer registration comes with the business license. Enroll each employee within 30 days of hiring and open the housing fund account.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Fire safety check before opening
Fire and Rescue DepartmentChina, national
Shops and restaurants open to the public apply before opening, usually by signing a commitment online; the fire department may inspect afterwards.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
More on opening in Suzhou
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Suzhou
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your retail store in Suzhou
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.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders