Chinese & Hong Kong Entrepreneurs — EU Company Through Poland (2026)

China and Hong Kong are among the most active source markets for LEXCARTA company formations. The reasons are consistent: access to EU customs (EORI), Amazon FBA across Europe, and a legal entity that satisfies GPSR, VAT, and marketplace requirements — all without visiting Poland.

The general process for forming a Polish company as a non-EU citizen is covered in our complete guide for non-EU entrepreneurs. This article covers what is specific to Chinese and Hong Kong clients.

Full Freedom to Do Business

Polish law places no restrictions on Chinese citizens owning and operating companies in Poland. A citizen of China or Hong Kong can be the sole shareholder and sole director of a Polish sp. z o.o. — no Polish partner, no Polish director, no local co-owner required. Ownership can be 100% foreign from day one.

Polish administrative authorities — the court register (KRS), tax offices, and customs — are accustomed to working with foreign-owned companies. International ownership is routine, not exceptional. The registration process is the same regardless of the shareholder’s nationality.

Everything Online — The E-Signature Approach

The entire process — from company formation through years of ongoing management — runs online. The key tool is a qualified electronic signature, obtained through a short video verification call with a certified provider (we cooperate with Eurocert). No visit to Poland, no visit to an embassy, no paper documents shipped internationally.

With the e-signature you can: sign the share transfer agreement to acquire the company, pass shareholder resolutions, sign annual financial statements, file changes with the court register (KRS), access KSeF (mandatory e-invoicing from April 2026), and authorise your accountant to handle tax filings. It is not just a formation tool — it is your permanent remote management infrastructure.

LEXCARTA coordinates the entire e-signature process: we schedule the video call at a time that works for your timezone, prepare you with step-by-step instructions, and verify the certificate works correctly after issuance. The cost is €350, valid for 3 years.

The alternative — a notarised power of attorney with apostille — is available for clients who cannot complete the video verification or prefer a paper-based procedure. But for most Chinese and HK clients, the e-signature is faster, cheaper, and far more practical for long-term company management.

Apostille — Only If Needed

A common misconception: many clients assume they need apostilled documents to form a Polish company. In most cases, this is not necessary. If the shareholder — whether an individual or a representative of a HK or Chinese company — has a qualified electronic signature, the entire formation process runs digitally. No apostille, no notarisation, no paper documents shipped internationally.

Apostille becomes relevant only in specific situations: when the client cannot complete video verification for the e-signature, when a notarial formation is required (custom articles of association for investor structures), or when the client prefers a traditional paper-based procedure. In those cases, documents from China can now be apostilled directly — since China joined the Hague Apostille Convention in November 2023. Previously, a complex multi-step legalisation through the Polish embassy was required. Hong Kong has been part of the Convention since 1965, so HK apostille has always been straightforward.

For most Chinese and HK clients, the e-signature route means apostille is not part of the process at all.

Hong Kong — The Simplest Route

Hong Kong is the most common parent jurisdiction for Chinese-owned Polish companies. The typical structure: a Hong Kong Ltd (owned by the Chinese entrepreneur) becomes the 100% shareholder of the Polish sp. z o.o. The director — usually the same person who controls the HK company — manages the Polish entity remotely via qualified electronic signature. Everything online, no paper trail across borders.

Why HK as intermediary? Three reasons: simpler banking (HK entities are better recognised by Polish and international banks), corporate flexibility (HK company law is familiar to international partners and investors), and established track record (LEXCARTA has formed hundreds of companies with HK parent structures).

Ownership Structures

Chinese and HK clients typically choose one of three structures:

HK Ltd → Polish sp. z o.o. — Most common. Hong Kong company as 100% shareholder. The HK company’s representative signs via e-signature. Clean corporate chain, good banking recognition. Recommended for trading companies and Amazon sellers.

Chinese individual → Polish sp. z o.o. — Simpler for solo entrepreneurs. The Chinese citizen owns shares directly and signs via e-signature. Works well for smaller operations where a HK intermediary is not needed.

Chinese company (PRC) → Polish sp. z o.o. — Direct mainland ownership. The company’s representative signs via e-signature. CRBR filing traces through to the ultimate beneficial owner. Less common than the HK route but increasingly practical.

The Amazon FBA Model

The most common business model among Chinese clients: manufacturing in China, importing through a Polish sp. z o.o. (as importer of record with EORI), and selling on Amazon across Europe via FBA.

Poland is particularly well-suited for this because of its 10–11 Amazon fulfillment centres and deep-water ports (Gdańsk, Gdynia) on competitive shipping routes from Asia. Goods arrive at Gdańsk, clear customs through the Polish company, and Amazon distributes them across EU fulfillment centres via the Pan-European FBA program.

The Polish company handles: customs clearance (EORI), VAT on imports (recoverable), GPSR compliance (Responsible Person with EU address), and OSS reporting for cross-border B2C sales. Some clients also register for German, French, or Italian VAT separately — depending on their Amazon account setup and fulfillment strategy.

→ Amazon & E-Commerce service page · Amazon FBA setup guide

Banking — The Realistic Picture

Banking is the area where Chinese clients face the most friction. Polish banks have tightened KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures, and companies with Chinese UBOs sometimes face extended due diligence timelines.

The practical approach:

• Wise Business — 100% remote, opens in days, no monthly fees. Not a bank (no credit facilities, no VAT refund processing), but sufficient for initial operations, receiving payments, and paying suppliers. Most Chinese clients start here.
• Traditional Polish bank — requires a personal visit to Poland in most cases. Processing time: 2 weeks to 3 months. More scrutiny for Chinese-owned companies, but once opened, the account provides full banking capabilities including VAT refund processing.

LEXCARTA provides banking guidance and documentation support, but we cannot guarantee bank account opening — this is the bank’s decision based on their own KYC assessment. We recommend starting with Wise for immediate operability and pursuing a traditional bank account in parallel.

Double Tax Treaty

Poland has a double tax treaty with both China (PRC) and Hong Kong. The treaties may reduce withholding tax on dividends paid from the Polish company to the Chinese/HK shareholder. Standard Polish WHT on dividends is 19% — the treaty rate depends on the specific agreement and the shareholding percentage. Your tax advisor in the home jurisdiction should assess the treaty benefits based on your specific structure.

Timeline and Cost

For a ready-made company with e-signature:

• Ownership transfer: 2–5 days (company operational immediately)
• E-signature: 1–3 days (video verification with Certum)
• KRS update: 1–2 weeks (does not affect operations)
• Cost: €2,550 (Structured €2,200 + e-signature €350) or €3,350 (Premium + e-signature)
• Share capital: PLN 5,000 (~€1,150) deposited into company account, but can be used for company ongoing expenses.

If a HK or Chinese company is the shareholder and the representative uses an e-signature — no additional time is needed. If apostille is required (notarial formation or paper-based procedure) — add 3–5 business days for HK, 1–2 weeks for mainland China.

Ready to set up your EU company? Check eligibility or schedule a consultation.

For the full step-by-step process: Complete guide for non-EU citizens