Chinese Business Licence to English: Translation for Registration

What a Chinese Business Licence Contains

A business licence (营业执照) issued in the People’s Republic of China carries the core identity of a company. Since 2015, each licence displays a Unified Social Credit Code that merges the old registration number, tax registration, and organisation code. The key fields include the Legal Representative, the individual authorised to act on behalf of the company, Registered Capital, Business Scope (the permitted activities listed in the company’s charter), Domicile (the registered address), and the Registration Authority, usually a local branch of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). For a broader picture of how companies are formed, see company registration in China. Translating these fields into English lets an Indian reader quickly verify a Chinese counterparty or prepare supporting documents.

Common Chinese Terms on a Business Licence

The table below lists the most frequent Chinese characters on a PRC business licence, with their pinyin romanisation and standard English equivalents. These terms appear on nearly every licence we process.

Chinese (Simplified)	Pinyin	English
统一社会信用代码	Tǒngyī shèhuì xìnyòng dàimǎ	Unified Social Credit Code
法定代表人	Fǎdìng dàibiǎo rén	Legal Representative
注册资本	Zhùcè zīběn	Registered Capital
经营范围	Jīngyíng fànwéi	Business Scope
住所	Zhùsuǒ	Domicile
登记机关	Dēngjì jīguān	Registration Authority
成立日期	Chénglì rìqī	Date of Establishment
营业期限	Yíngyè qīxiàn	Term of Operation

Why Translate a Chinese Business Licence into English

An English version of the licence supports several real‑world needs. When a Chinese manufacturer seeks Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for goods sold in India, the certifying body commonly asks for an English rendering of the factory’s business licence. If an Indian company plans a subsidiary with a Chinese shareholder, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs Registrar expects translated incorporation documents. Compliance teams conducting vendor due diligence and banks reviewing foreign counterparties also need to understand licence details without reading Chinese. In all these cases, having an English version lets you proceed with internal reviews and preparatory work before any formal certified step.

AI Translation vs. Human‑Certified Translation: When Each Fits

An AI‑generated translation is a fast, readable summary. It gives you the licence’s content in English within minutes, making it suitable for internal review, pre‑screening a supplier, or understanding the document before involving a professional. If the purpose is purely informational, for your own analysis or a draft, AI output is often enough. A human‑certified translation adds a signed statement of accuracy from a credentialed translator and is what embassies, courts, and many banks require for official submission. If an authority asks for a “certified translation,” you must engage a human certifier separately. Lekhak does not provide certified translation or any notarised attestation; its AI output serves as a working document and can even be given to a certified translator to speed up their work.

What Lekhak’s AI Translation Actually Delivers

When you upload a Chinese business licence, as a PDF, scan, or clear phone photo, Lekhak’s AI reads the Chinese characters and produces an English DOCX file, usually in minutes. The document preserves the original field structure: you see familiar labels like Legal Representative, Registered Capital, and Business Scope alongside the translated values. The output is an instant, self‑serve translation you can download immediately. It does not include a translator’s certificate, stamp, signature, notarisation, or apostille. From past translations of Chinese business licences, we observe that this instant DOCX meets the needs of most users who simply want to understand the document or prepare internal paperwork, without the cost and wait of a full certified process.

When You Need Notarisation, Apostille, or Embassy Attestation

If the translated licence must be presented to a government body or a foreign bank, the original Chinese document often needs authentication. For use in India, since both China and India are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, a Chinese apostille may be sufficient; some Indian authorities may still require consular attestation. The typical chain involves notarisation in China, followed by authentication from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then either an apostille or attestation at the Indian embassy. The Ministry of External Affairs apostille is the final link for documents destined for India. Lekhak does not offer notarisation, apostille, or embassy attestation, these steps must be arranged independently through the appropriate authorities.

How to Get a Duplicate Business Licence in China

If the original licence is lost or damaged, the company’s legal representative can apply for a replacement through the local branch of the State Administration for Market Regulation. The applicant typically needs the company seal, identity documents, and a declaration explaining the loss. The duplicate carries the same Unified Social Credit Code and registration details, though the issue date will reflect the reissuance. This is a separate administrative step that must be completed in China before any translation can be done.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an AI translation accepted for BIS certification in India?

BIS may request an English translation as supporting information, but official certification often calls for a notarised or human‑certified version. Check with your BIS liaison officer to know exactly what they require before you proceed.

What is the Unified Social Credit Code?

It is an 18‑digit alphanumeric identifier that uniquely identifies a registered enterprise in China. Since 2015 it replaces the separate registration number, tax registration, and organisation code, and all government agencies and banks use it to look up company records.

Does a Chinese business licence expire?

The licence itself remains valid as long as the company is in existence. The “Term of Operation” field shows the company’s approved duration; if a renewal or extension is needed, it is handled through the SAMR, and the licence may be reissued with updated dates.

Do I need to translate every page of the business licence?

Typically yes. A Chinese business licence is usually a single‑page document. If supplementary pages or annexures exist, translating the entire set ensures no field is missed. For internal review, the core face of the licence is often enough.

Can I use Lekhak’s translation to open a bank account for a Chinese company in India?

Indian banks almost always insist on a human‑certified translation with a signed certificate. Lekhak’s AI‑generated DOCX can serve as a draft for your own reference, but the bank will require a professional certifier’s statement that the translation is accurate.

How do I know if a translation is “certified” enough for my specific purpose?

Ask the receiving agency directly. Email or call the authority, BIS, bank, court, or embassy, and request their exact wording on what constitutes an acceptable certified translation. That way you avoid delivering the wrong document.

Can I translate a business licence from a photo taken with my phone?

Yes. Lekhak accepts JPG, PNG, and other common image formats. Upload a clear, well‑lit photo of the licence, and the AI processes it just like a scan. The output is a plain DOCX, not a replica of the original layout.

What is the difference between a business licence and a company registration certificate in China?

In China, the business licence (营业执照) is the primary certificate of incorporation. Some older documents may use a separate “Enterprise Legal Person Business Licence,” but since 2015 the unified business licence consolidates all registration information into one document.