Quick Answer
A Chinese business license shows the registered company name, an 18-digit unified social credit code, the registered capital, the legal representative, the establishment date, and the business scope. To verify a supplier, confirm the scope includes manufacturing your product and that the name matches invoices and the bank account.
Key Fields on the License
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Registered name (名称) | The legal company name — must match invoices and bank account |
| Unified Social Credit Code | 18-character ID; the company's unique registration number |
| Registered capital (注册资本) | Declared capital; very low figures on large orders warrant caution |
| Legal representative (法定代表人) | The person legally responsible for the company |
| Business scope (经营范围) | Activities the company may legally perform — must cover your product |
| Establishment date (成立日期) | How long the company has existed |
What to Check
Confirm the business scope explicitly covers manufacturing or trade of your product category — a company producing outside its scope is a risk. Check that the registered name matches the supplier's invoices, contracts, and bank account exactly. Treat very low registered capital on a large order, or a very recent establishment date, as reasons to verify further.
Key Takeaways
- The registered name must match invoices and bank account.
- Business scope must cover your product.
- The 18-digit credit code is the unique company ID.
- Low capital or a very new company warrants extra checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a unified social credit code?
It is the 18-character identifier on a Chinese business license that uniquely identifies the registered company — the equivalent of a company registration number.
What is 'business scope' and why does it matter?
Business scope lists the activities a company may legally perform. If it does not include manufacturing or trade of your product, the company may be operating outside its registration — a risk indicator.
Does low registered capital mean a supplier is risky?
Not on its own, but very low registered capital relative to a large order can indicate limited financial backing. Combine it with other checks rather than judging on capital alone.
Should the company name match the bank account?
Yes, exactly. The registered name on the license should match the supplier's invoices, contracts, and bank account. A mismatch is a strong fraud indicator.
Can Plutonia read and verify a business license for me?
Yes. Plutonia reviews and verifies Chinese business licenses, confirms scope and registration, and checks the details against the supplier's documents and bank account.