Starting a Business in Beijing: Local Regulations & Tax Info (From a Slightly Panicked Illustrator)
okay, so. beijing. right. i’m elara, and i draw weird little monsters for a living. mostly commissions, some prints. i moved here six months ago thinking it’d be…easier? cheaper? more inspiring? it’s all three, and none of them. it’s a lot. and the air smells like someone’s constantly burning incense, which, honestly, isn’t the worst. it’s currently that weird grey-yellow that means it’s not actively raining, but definitely will be in an hour. shanghai’s only a high-speed train ride away if you need a break from the…everything.
so, business. i’m not a lawyer, okay? i just yelled at a lot of people until they explained things to me in words i understood. which, admittedly, took a while. first, you need a *business scope. this is crucial. like, seriously. you can’t just be like “i’ll do art stuff.” you need to specify. “graphic design,” “illustration,” “character design,” whatever. they’re picky. i heard a rumor (drunk advice from a guy at a dumpling place) that if your scope is too broad, they’ll just deny your application. TripAdvisor Beijing has some basic tourist info, but it doesn’t touch the business side.
getting a business license (营业执照 - yíngyè zhízhào) involves registering with the Administration for Market Regulation (AMR). it’s…a process. you’ll need a registered address, which can be tricky if you’re not renting an office. some co-working spaces offer this as a service, which is what i did. expect to pay around 5000-10000 rmb a year for that. then there’s the paperwork. lots of paperwork. and stamps. oh god, the stamps. you’ll need a company chop (公章 - gōngzhāng), a financial chop (财务章 - cáiwù zhāng), and a legal representative chop (法人章 - fǎrén zhāng). seriously. chops. it’s like a medieval bureaucracy.
taxes. this is where i almost cried. china has a progressive tax system. basically, the more you earn, the higher the percentage you pay. the standard rate is 25% for most businesses, but there are deductions. you’ll need to register with the tax bureau and file monthly or quarterly returns. i use an accountant because i’d rather spend my time drawing monsters than deciphering tax codes. they charge around 1000-3000 rmb a month, depending on complexity. Yelp Beijing might help you find one, but read the reviews carefully.
rent is…variable. i’m in hutongs near nanluoguxiang, which is super touristy but also has a cool vibe. i pay about 6000 rmb a month for a tiny studio. you can find cheaper places further out, but then you’re dealing with longer commutes. the subway is amazing, though. seriously, it’s clean, efficient, and ridiculously cheap. a single ride is like 2-6 rmb. but be prepared for crowds. always crowds. i overheard someone complaining on Reddit’s r/Beijing that finding an apartment that accepts foreigners is a nightmare. they’re not wrong.
safety isn’t really a huge concern, honestly. beijing feels pretty safe, even at night. pickpocketing can happen, especially in crowded areas, so just be aware of your surroundings. the biggest danger is probably the traffic. jaywalking is a national sport, and drivers are…enthusiastic. i’ve almost been run over more times than i can count. and the air quality, obviously. invest in a good air purifier. seriously.
cost of living (rough estimate, in rmb):Expense Monthly Cost Rent 6000-12000 Utilities 500-1000 Food 2000-4000 Transportation 200-500 Entertainment 1000-3000 Accountant 1000-3000 Business License 5000-10000/year (divided by 12)
look, it’s not easy. it’s chaotic, frustrating, and occasionally terrifying. but it’s also incredibly rewarding. the art scene* is thriving, the food is amazing (seriously, the dumplings!), and the people are…complex. i’m still figuring things out, but i’m making it work. and if a slightly disorganized illustrator can start a business in beijing, anyone can. just bring a lot of stamps, a good accountant, and a healthy dose of patience. oh, and maybe a face mask. China Briefing has a ton of detailed legal and tax information, if you're feeling ambitious.
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