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China’s Unified Enterprise Code: A Digital ID for Foreign Founders

Foreign founders in China now benefit from a unified enterprise code that simplifies access to business information and government services. Learn how this digital ID works and what it means for your company.

What is the Enterprise Code?

China’s market regulator has introduced a unified “enterprise code” – a QR code that serves as a digital identity for businesses. This code, generated automatically by the national electronic business license system, is designed to streamline interactions with government services and improve transparency in market transactions.

For foreign founders, understanding this system is essential for efficient company registration and ongoing compliance. The code is already being used across 18 provinces and municipalities, with over 32 million paper business licenses carrying the code as of June 2026.

How the Enterprise Code Evolved

The concept originated in May 2020, when the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) proposed an “enterprise information code” to facilitate business resumption during the pandemic. Inspired by personal health codes, it aimed to provide a unified way for businesses to verify identity and access services.

At that time, fragmented QR codes from different government departments created data silos and inefficiencies. In April 2021, SAMR formalized the “enterprise service code,” mandating that codes be generated and verified through the national electronic business license platform. The term was later simplified to “enterprise code,” and in 2023, a national standard for technical requirements was issued.

Pilot programs in Beijing, Shanghai, and Zhejiang in early 2023 demonstrated the code’s effectiveness, leading to a State Council directive in June 2023 to unify paper and electronic business license QR codes and promote the “one enterprise, one license, one code” approach nationwide.

Key Features and Benefits

The enterprise code is automatically generated and covers all types of business entities. It unifies the QR codes on paper and electronic licenses, ensuring nationwide consistency. The code links to a wide range of business information, including registration details, licenses, regulatory records, and credit information.

For foreign founders, this means:

• Simplified Verification: Government agencies and the public can scan the code to verify your business identity and access key information.
• Reduced Paperwork: The code integrates multiple electronic licenses and certificates, reducing the need to submit physical documents.
• Enhanced Transparency: Partners and customers can easily check your company’s credentials, fostering trust.
• Streamlined Processes: Tasks like档案查询 (archive retrieval) that once took days can now be completed in under a minute, as demonstrated in Xiong’an New Area where 170,000 enterprise files are accessible via the code.

Implementation Across Regions

Several regions have pioneered the adoption of the enterprise code:

• Beijing: Since September 2022, all new business licenses include the code, linking to six major categories of information, including registration, permits, and regulatory data.
• Shanghai: Also from September 2022, all business entities have the code on their licenses. Local regulations mandate its use, and it integrates 59 types of electronic permits across eight categories.
• Shandong: Implemented the “two codes in one” reform in May 2023 and has been issuing electronic licenses as primary since March 2025, with paper licenses no longer proactively issued.
• Zhejiang: Integrated the code into its business environment optimization reforms, linking 101 data items and 63 types of electronic licenses.
• Tianjin: Links the code to 86 electronic permits, enabling centralized display and verification.
• Hebei: Fully promotes the code, linking registration, permits, announcements, and regulatory information.
• Xinjiang: All new and renewed paper licenses carry the code, and paper licenses are no longer proactively issued.
• Xiong’an New Area: Launched a “1+3+N” system in October 2025, with 1,000 pilot enterprises, offering services like code-based querying, handling, and sharing.

Practical Guidance for Foreign Founders

As a foreign founder, you don’t need to apply separately for the enterprise code; it is automatically generated with your business license. However, you should be aware of the following:

• Check Your License: Ensure your paper and electronic licenses display the unified QR code. If you have an older license, consider updating it.
• Use the Code for Verification: When interacting with government agencies or business partners, you can present the code for quick identity verification.
• Access Information: Scan the code via the electronic business license mini-program to view your company’s registration, permits, and credit information.
• Stay Informed: Policies vary by region, so check local market regulator guidelines for specific implementation details.

The enterprise code is part of China’s broader effort to create a unified digital government infrastructure. By adopting it, foreign founders can reduce administrative friction and enhance credibility in the Chinese market.

Conclusion

China’s enterprise code represents a significant step toward digitalized business governance. For foreign founders, it offers a more streamlined and transparent way to manage regulatory requirements. As the system continues to expand, staying informed about its applications will be beneficial for your operations in China.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

For assistance with company registration and operations in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.