Specific Arrangements for CEPA

• Hong Kong and Macau service suppliers are permitted to establish wholly-owned or joint venture companies, in the operation of international ship management, international floating cargo storage, international shipping container base and yard, as well as non-vessel operation carrier business, in mainland China
• Use of trunk liners to freely dispatch self-owned and chartered empty containers, shall be subject to relevant customs formalities

Form of Investment

• Wholly-owned in the operation of international ship management, international floating cargo storage, international shipping container base and yard, as well as non-vessel operation carrier business
• Incorporation of Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture or Sino-Foreign Co-operative Joint Venture, in the operation of international ship management, international shipping agency, international ship management, international floating cargo storage, international shipping container base and yard business
• Incorporation of wholly-owned, joint venture, co-operative venture, in the operation of international floating cargo storage business
• Incorporation of wholly-owned, joint venture, co-operative venture, for the provision of daily routine business to the vessels owned by the investors

Requirements for Incorporation

• Incorporation of Foreign Investment International Marine Transport Company
  • Available vessels are suitable for the operation of international marine transport service, which shall contain some vessels of Chinese nationality
  • The vessels put into operation shall comply with the marine traffic safety engineering standards set out by China
  •  Bill of lading (B/L), passenger ticket or multimodal transport document are available
  • Staffed are senior line executives meeting the occupational requirements stipulated by the Ministry of Communications (MOCOM)
  • Incorporation of Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture or Sino-Foreign Co-operative Joint Venture requires the foreign investor to contribute not more than 49% of the Authorized Capital
  • The chairman and general manager of corporation shall be designated by the Chinese investor through negotiation between all investors
• Incorporation of Foreign Investment International Shipping Agency Company
  • At least 2 of all senior line executives shall have, who have more than 3 years' experience in the operation of international marine transport activities, where senior line executive refers to a Chinese citizen with medium or above title of professional or technical post, who acts as department manager or above, in international sea transport corporation or international sea transport supporting corporation
  • Fixed business group/office and necessary operating facilities are available, including the capability of electronic date interchange (EDI) with the ports and the customs and other departments
  • Incorporation of Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture or Sino-Foreign Co-operative Joint Venture requires the foreign investor to contribute not more than 49% of the Authorized Capital
• Incorporation of Foreign Investment International Ship Management Company
  • At least 2 of all senior line executives shall have more than 3 years' experience in the operation of international marine transport activities
  • Staff includes a captain and chief engineer with proper certificates of competency suitable to the kinds of vessels managed by them and the navigating area
  • Equipment includes fixtures and facilities fit for the international ship management business
• Incorporation of Foreign Investment International Floating Cargo Storage Company
  • Fixed business ground/office is available
  • Available warehousing facilities are suitable to its business scope
  • At least 2 of all the senior line executives shall have more than 3 years' experience in appropriate businesses
• Incorporation of Foreign Investment International Shipping Container Base and Yard Company
  • Fixed business ground/office is available
  • Vehicles, cargo handling machinery, goods yard, container measuring equipment, and facilities are suitable to its business scope
  • At least 2 of all the senior line executives shall have more than 3 years' experience in appropriate businesses

Required Documents

• Submission of following documents to the communications authority:
  • Incorporation of Foreign Investment International Marine Transport Company
    • Application for incorporation
    • Feasibility analysis report
    • Joint venture or co-operative agreement
    • Proof of fixed business ground/office
    • Investors' certificate of incorporation or ID cards
    • Senior line executives meeting the occupational requirements stipulated by the Ministry of Communications
  • Incorporation of Foreign Investment International Shipping Agency Company
    • Application for incorporation
    • Feasibility analysis report, investment agreement
    • Investors' certificate of incorporation or ID cards
    • Proof of fixed business ground/office
    • Senior line executives' occupational qualification certificates and records of services
    • Agreement about EDI with the ports and the customs and other departments. Those unqualified for EDI shall provide relevant supporting documents concerning the ports or the customs
  • Incorporation of Foreign Investment International Ship Management Company
    • Application for incorporation
    • Feasibility analysis report, investment agreement
    • Investors' certificate of incorporation or ID cards
    • Proof of fixed business ground/office
    • Senior line executives' occupational qualification certificates and records of services
    • Captain and chief engineer's certificates of competency
  • Incorporation of Foreign Investment International Floating Cargo Storage Company, Foreign Investment International Shipping Container Base and Yard Company
    • Application for incorporation
    • Feasibility analysis report
    • Joint venture or joint operation agreement
    • Investors' certificate of incorporation or ID cards
• Submission of following information to the commerce authority:
  • Application for incorporation
  • Feasibility study report
  • Joint operation contract and the articles of association of the jointly operated enterprise (only the articles of association shall be submitted by the wholly-owned)
  • Investors' certificate of incorporation and credit certificates
  • The ID cards of the proposed chairman and general manager of the corporation