What 注册资本 means
Registered capital is a company-law and registration concept, not simply cash sitting in a bank account. For an LLC established on or after 1 July 2024, shareholders generally must pay their subscribed capital within five years from establishment, subject to any special statutory rules.
Companies established on or before 30 June 2024 are subject to a transition regime: where an LLC’s remaining subscribed-capital period would extend more than five years beyond 1 July 2027, it generally must be adjusted by 30 June 2027 so that the remaining period is no more than five years, subject to the State Council implementing rules and specified exceptions.
Where you see the term
Translation note
“Registered capital” is the standard English rendering. Do not translate it as “paid-up capital”: subscribed and paid amounts can differ.
Primary legal basis
Primary legal basis
Example
A foreign shareholder registers RMB 10 million of capital, with the articles scheduling instalments. The company may be registered before the full RMB 10 million has been paid, but the contribution obligation remains enforceable.
Primary authorities.
18 Sep 2026