How can I Verify Whether a Chinese Company Name is Available?

Registering a company in China involves several crucial steps, one of which is ensuring the proposed company name is not already in use. However, many encounter difficulties when naming their company, sometimes facing rejection during the name registration process. Here's how to identify problems and their causes during this stage.

Understanding the Composition of a Business Name

According to Chinese laws and regulations, a business name typically consists of four parts: the administrative division, the chosen name, the industry (or business characteristic), and the organizational form. Name declaration can be directly handled through the Enterprise Services E-Window.

As per the "Regulations on Enterprise Name Registration," a company can only register one name, which is legally protected. For companies operating across provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities directly under the Central Government, the name may not need to include the administrative division. Similarly, companies operating across different industries may omit industry or business characteristics from their names.

Basic Principles of Company Naming

The company name should not:

• Harm national dignity or interests;
• Damage public interests or disrupt public order;
• Use or imply the use of names and acronyms of political parties, government and military organizations, mass organizations, or specific titles and military unit numbers;
• Use the names or general acronyms of foreign countries (regions), international organizations, or specific titles;
• Contain obscene, pornographic, gambling, superstitious, terroristic, or violent content;
• Contain content discriminatory towards ethnicity, race, religion, or gender;
• Contravene public order or morals or potentially have other adverse effects;
• Mislead the public or cause confusion;
• Other circumstances prohibited by laws, administrative regulations, and national regulations.

Checking Name Availability

You can verify whether a company name is already registered via the "Online Registration and Reporting Service System for Market Regulation" provided by the State Administration for Market Regulation.

Steps to follow:

1. Access the system: Open Google Chrome and visit the above website..
2. Register and log in: Registration requires a Chinese ID; you might need the assistance of a friend in China or a service agent.
3. Select the service: On the homepage, click on "Pre-approval for Company Name".
4. Enter the company name: Type in the name you plan to register.
5. Submit for query: After entering the name, click on the "query" button to see if the name is already taken.

Note: There is a daily limit on the number of queries; if you exceed this limit, you cannot perform any more searches that day. The limit is 15 queries per day, so it's wise to have several names prepared in advance.

Special Tips

1. Names including words such as "China," "Chinese," "National," "State," etc., are strictly reviewed and require approval from the State Council. The State Administration for Market Regulation is responsible for drafting specific management measures.
2. If a company name contains words like "China," "Chinese," "National," "State," etc., these must be industry-specific terms.
3. Foreign-funded enterprises owned or controlled by foreign investors can include "(China)" in their names.
4. Names involving financial terms must be reviewed by the relevant authorities.

In summary, failing the name registration review could be due to various reasons. To address this, adhere to relevant legal norms and principles, ensure the uniqueness and relevance of the name, and prepare necessary materials and information thoroughly. If the name is rejected, promptly amend and resubmit your application to increase the likelihood of approval. Properly naming your company sets a strong foundation for your brand and market positioning.

More Information

For a comprehensive understanding of the entire company registration process in China, including capital requirements and legal procedures, you can refer to our detailed guide, "Complete Guide to Company Registration Process in China." This guide offers one-stop information to help you prepare comprehensively for all aspects of company registration.

I hope this translation conveys the information accurately and clearly to foreign users, ensuring they understand the necessary steps for company name verification in China without confusion or misunderstanding. If you have any further questions or need additional help, please feel free to let me know.