See Webinar Recording at https://resource.alibabacloud.com/webinar/detail.htm?webinarId=5 ICP (Internet Content Provider) License registration is a key requirement for building a web presence in Mainland China. In this webinar, produced by Alibaba Cloud and our Marketplace partner SINO TONE, you will gain a clear understanding of the ICP registration process, including the categories of ICP registration, eligibility, as well as a general overview about business incorporation in Mainland China. This webinar is ideally suited for SMEs and large enterprises that wish to establish a website presence in Mainland China on local cloud infrastructure but are unsure where to start and whether they require ICP registration for their particular web project. More Webinars: https://resource.alibabacloud.com/webinar/index.htm ICP License: www.alibabacloud.com/icp China Connect: www.alibabacloud.com/chinaconnect

1. ChinaConnect:
How to Apply for an
ICP License in 2017
October 2017
Presenter: Oliver Theobald

2. What Will You Learn From This Webinar
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What is ICP? Business IncorporationEligibility Application Process
01 02 03 04

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What is ICP?
01

4. What is ICP?
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ICP (Internet Content Provider) is a license to host a website in Mainland China.
Administered by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
Alibaba Cloud customers must obtain ICP in order to deploy a website in Mainland China
regions.
ICP holders must display their registration number within the footer of their website.
Example of an ICP Number

5. 2ICP Filing
Non-Commercial
ICP Commercial License
Commercial
An ICP Filing, known in Chinese
as ‘Bei’An’ is the first level of ICP
registration. This license enables
the holder to host a website on a
server or CDN in Mainland China
for informational purposes.
An ICP Commercial License,
known as ‘ICP Zheng’ in Chinese
allows online platforms selling
goods and services to deploy their
website on a hosting server or CDN
within Mainland China.
ICP License Categories
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For online data processing of data
connected to a communication
network, or to provide transaction
processing hosted in Mainland
China.
EDI License
Online Data Exchange and
Processing

6. Products
Elastic
Compute
Service (ECS)
Server Load
Balancer
Domains
*Note*: Only the primary domain needs
to be filed, second level domain (“SLD”)
and subdomain don’t need to be filed.
Alibaba
Cloud CDN
Object Storage
Service
Web Hosting
Deployment Regions
Deploying on Alibaba Cloud in Mainland China
China East 1 – Hangzhou
China East 2 – Shanghai
China North 1 – Qingdao
China North 2 – Beijing
China North 2 – Zhangjiakou
China South 1 – Shenzhen
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ICP Eligibility
02

8. Requirements
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ICP Filing ICP License EDI License
Definition
For informational purposes.
Non-commercial.
For online platforms or third-
party sellers of goods and
services. Commercial.
Data processing and control
via communication networks.
Commercial.
Example
weibo.com alibabacloud.com taobao.com
amchamchina.org xiaomi.com 1688.com
Eligibility
Representative Office,
Wholly Foreign-Owned
Enterprise, Joint Venture, Local
Company
a) Joint Venture (less than 50%
ownership) or Local Company
a) Wholly Foreign-Owned
Enterprise, Joint Venture,
Local Company
Individuals* (personal website) b) ICP Filing b) ICP Filing

9. 2
Domestic
Overseas
Do I need an ICP Filing?
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Server Location
No need
to file
Outside
Mainland
China
Mainland China
Domain
Registration
Provider
Business Entity
Restricted in
some areas
(i.e. Beijing)
No
Yes
Enterprise
(No Restriction)
ICP Filing
Launch
Website
Third Party
Service Provider
(SINO-TONE)
Assist with
Incorporation
Or Foreign
Individual
Restricted in some
areas (IE Hebei)
Transfer domain registration to
a domestic service provider
first.

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Application Process
03

11. ICP Filing Application Steps
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1) Contact Alibaba Cloud International for guidance, https://www.alibabacloud.com/contact-sales
2) Purchase a domain name and hosting product/s for your website
1) Complete online application, including photo verification at https://beian.aliyun.com (CH)
*Receive ICP Filing*
4) Add Filing Number to the footer of your website
5) Submit PSB Post-Filing application (CH)

12. 2
• Signed by person in charge of website
• Stamped with company seal
Passport Registration Certificate
Scanned Copy of Original
Scanned Copy of Original
Application Form
Filing Materials for Foreign Enterprise
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13. Passport
2
Scaned Copy of Original
• Signed by person in charge of website
Application Form Filing Restrictions
A. Require Chinese Identification
Certificate
1. Hebei
2. Shanxi
3. Heilongjiang
4. Henan
5. Chongqing
6. Xinjiang
7. Ningxia
8. Gansu
9. Qinghai
B. Require Residence Permit
1. Jiangsu
2. Shanghai
3. Hubei
4. Jiangxi
5. Guizhou
6. Sichuan
Other provinces and cities do not have
restrictions.
Filing Materials for Foreign Individual
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14. Identification Card
• Signed by person in charge of websiteScanned copy of original
Application Form
Filing Materials for Chinese Individuals
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15. 2
• Filing Service Number (SN): e.g.：32a43232-a888-88e8-b9ec-00888be8888f
• Each filing application need a specific filing service number (SN).
• Once filed successfully, the SN cannot be re-used.
STEP 1
Online Application
Obtain Filing Service Number
Filing Service Number
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16. 2
Enterprise/Individual
Website Host Information
Host Name
Host Nature
Certificate Type
Certificate Number
Address Indicated on Certificate
Province Host Located
Mail Address of Host
Investor or Supervisor Name
Remark
Person in Charge of Website Host
Name
Certificate Type
Certificate Number
Office Number
Mobile Phone Number
E-mail
Website Information
Website Name
Home Page URL
Domain Information
Service Content
Website Language
Pre-/special Approval (If applicable)
Remarks
Person in Charge of Website
Name
Certificate Type
Certificate Number
Office Number
Mobile Phone Number
E-mail
STEP 2 Complete Information Requirements
*Note*：(Note: Person in charge of Website Host and Person in charge of Website can be the same person.
Online Application For ICP Filing
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17. STEP 3 Upload Photo
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Online Application For ICP Filing

18. 2
STEP 4 Submit and Wait For Verification From MIIT
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Online Application For ICP Filing

19. 1-2
Working Days
For service provider to
process and verify your
application
5-20
Working Days
For MIIT to process
your application
Note: This may vary depending on complexity and current
policies
ICP Filing Timeline
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20. 2
Filing to Public Security Bureau
Definition
Computer Information Network International Connection Organization Filing
Requirement Within 30 days after ICP Filing
Documents
Business License (Duplicate) of Organization
ID Card Copy of Legal Representative or Individual Authorized by the Organization
Computer Information Network International Connection Organization Filing Form (with Filing Number)
Filing Authority Local Branch of Public Security Bureau
Timeline 10 working days
PSB Post-filing Requirement
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21. Should the online service fall under the listed industries below, pre-approval must be obtained
from the in-charge authority before applying for an ICP/EDI License.
Pre-approval for ICP Commercial & EDI Licenses
Internet News
Information Service
Internet Publication
and Distribution
Information Service
Internet Education
Information Service
Internet Health Care
Information Service
Internet
Pharmaceuticals
Medical Apparatus and
Instructions Information
Culture Internet Radio, Film and
Television Programs
Information Service
Financial Information
Service
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Business Incorporation
04

23. 2
Representative Office vs. Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE)
Legal Status Pros Cons
Representative
Office (RO)
- Not a legal entity, liabilities
extend to parent company
- Business scope limited to
marketing, research, and
liaison activities
- Relatively short
establishment process
- No registered capital
requirement
- Paves way for future
investment
- Cannot conduct business activities and
collect money
- Cannot issue invoice locally in RMB
- Requires parent company in existence for 2
years
- Cannot directly employ staff
- Max. 4 representatives (including 1 chief
representative)
Wholly Foreign-
Owned
Enterprise
(WFOE)
- Distinct legal entity (i.e.
limited liability company),
liabilities separate from
parent company
- Can conduct a full range
of business activities
within FDI restrictions and
as specified in business
- Can conduct a broad
range of business
activities
- Can sign contracts and
collect/disburse
payments in RMB
- Can issue special tax
invoices in RMB
(Fapiao)
- Can directly employ staff
- Registered capital requirement (minimum
for select industries)
- Longer establishment process than RO
Business Corporation
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24. 2
Establishment Process General Taxes Registered Capital
Representative
Office (RO)
1-2 Months
VAT 3% or 6%
Corporate Income Tax 25%
Not Required
Wholly Foreign-
Owned Enterprise
(WFOE)
2-3 Months
Corporate Income Tax 25%;
annual (prepaid quarterly)
Value Added Tax (VAT)
6% (services); monthly
17% (most goods), monthly
Required
amount varies by business
activities of Company, the
shareholder should fully
consider their own investment
ability.
Business Corporation
Representative Office vs. Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE)
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25. Applications that require special pre-approval:
Industry of Foreign Enterprise
Publishing agency
Radio, Film and Television Institutions
Bank
Securities Institution
Insurance Institution
Airlines
Law Firm
Non-enterprise Economic Organizations*
Non-governmental Organization
(“NGO”)*
(Provision: Catalogue of AIC Pre-approval; Directory of
Activities and Projects of Non-governmental Organizations
Outside China in China, and the List of Competent Authorities
(2017))
Representative Office: Setup Restrictions
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26. 2
Serial No. Item Serial No. Item
1 Compulsory Education Institution 5
Broadcasting Station, Television Station,
Radio and Television Channel, Radio and
Television Broadcasting Overlay Network
(Launcher, Rebroadcasting Station, Radio and
Television Satellite, Satellite Uplink Station,
Satellite Receiving and Transferring Station,
Microwave Station, Monitoring Station, Wire Radio
and Television Broadcasting Overlay Network)
2 News Agency 6
Radio and Television Program Producing Company
3
Publishing Business (Books, Newspaper,
periodicals)
7
Film and Video Program Making, Film and Video
Program Distribution, Film Projection
4
Audiovisual Products and E-Journals
Publishing, Producing Business
8
Internet Information Service, News Industry, Other
Publishing Industry, Broadcasting, Television, Other
Culture and Art Industry, Internet Bar Related
Activities
(Provision: Above is only part of and extracted from Special Administrative Measures for Admittance of Foreign Investments (Negative List)
released by Beijing AIC as example for reference.)
WFOE: Forbidden Industries
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27. 2
Serial
No.
Item
Special
Requirement
Serial
No.
Item
Special
Requirement
1 Publications Printing Controlled by Chinese Party 8
Security Company Foreign Investment: ＜49%
2
Satellite Television
Broadcasting Ground
Receiving Facilities, Key
Components and Parts
Manufacturing
9
Regular Senior High
School Education
Institution
Limited to Cooperation: the Principal or
Main Administrator Shall be Chinese, 1/2
of the Board Members shall be Chinese
3
1) Value-Added Telecom
Service (Except for E-
commerce)
Foreign Investment: ＜50%
10
Preprimary Education
Institution
Limited to Cooperation: the Principal or
Main Administrator Shall be Chinese, 1/2
of the Board Members shall be Chinese
2) Basic Telecom Service Foreign Investment: ＜49%
4 Bank
Foreign Investment:
1) Sole Foreign Investor＜20%
2) Several Foreign Investors jointly 25%
11 Medical Limited to Joint-Venture, or Cooperation
5 Life Insurance Foreign Investment: ＜50% 12
Broadcasting and TV
Program, Film Making
Limited to Cooperation
6 Futures Company Controlled by Chinese Party 13
Controlled by Chinese
Party
Controlled by Chinese Party
7
Higher Education
Institution
Limited to Cooperation: the Principal or
Main Administrator Shall be Chinese, 1/2
of the Board Members shall be Chinese
14 Food Service
WFOE: Restrictions & Special Approval
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28. Representative Office Establishment Process
RO: Setup Flowchart
Basic information collection
12-month office lease agreement
(depends on client/landlord)
Incorporation documents preparation
(5-7 working days)
Business License issued by Administration
of Industry and Commerce (AIC)
(5-7 working days)
Company legally registered
Public Security Bureau (“PSB”) backup and engrave
company chop, financial chop and chief representative chop
(1-2 working days)
Foreign Exchange
Registration Certificate
managed by bank
(5-7 working days, if required)
Opening of RMB
bank account
(15-20 working days)
Custom Registration
(if required)
Tax registration with
Tax Bureau
(5-7 working days)
Pre-
licensing
1-2 months
Post-
licensing 1-
2 months
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29. WFOE Establishment Process (Trading WFOE)
WFOE: Flowchart (Trading WFOE)
Information collection
Company name pre-approval
(5-7 working days)
12-month office lease agreement
(depends on client/landlord)
Incorporation documents preparation
(5-7 working days)
Business License issued by Administration of
Industry and Commerce (AIC)
(5-7 working days)
Company legally registered
Public Security Bureau (“PSB”) backup and engrave company chop,
financial chop and chief representative chop (1-2 working days)
Foreign Exchange Registration Certificate managed by bank
(5-7 working days)
Pre-
licensing
1-2 months
Post-
licensing 1-
2 months
A record filing from the Ministry of Commerce
(3-5 working days)
Foreign capital account
(5-7 working days)
RMB bank account
(2 weeks)
Foreign Trade operator filing with MOFCOM (3-5 days)
Customs Registration Certificate (3-5 days)
Inspection and Quarantine License with AQSIQ (3-5 days)
Customs IC Card Application (2 weeks)
Preliminary Foreign Trader filing with SAFE (2-3 days)
General VAT taxpayer filing (2-3 days)
General VAT taxpayer invoice quota (2 weeks)
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30. Summary
05
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31. Key Take-outs
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ICP registration applies only to websites with a publically available URL.01
02
03
04
Hosting a website in Mainland China offers optimal performance and high
availability.
To host a non-personal website, you will need to have a registered
commercial entity in Mainland China in order to apply for ICP.
Hosting your website in Hong Kong is the next best option if you do not currently
- or don’t intend to - operate a registered business in Mainland China.

32. Alibaba Cloud & SINO TONE Services
06
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33. ChinaConnect
www.alibabacloud.com/chinaconnect
Alibaba Cloud ChinaConnect
High-performance
Infrastructure
Advantages
ICP Application
Support
A Single
Global Account
Access to the
Alibaba Ecosystem
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ChinaConnect is
Alibaba Cloud’s one-stop solution
to help international companies
do business in China.

34. Trademarks
Patents
Copyright
Logo Design
VI Design
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TM
C
Daily Legal Consulting
Auditing for annual CIT filing,
financial statement, tax
liquidation etc.
Bookkeeping service
for RO and WFOE
Intellectual Property Design Financial, Tax &
Legal Services
SINO TONE SERVICES
Business Registration Setup

35. Q&A
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Further Resources
alibabacloud.com/chinaconnect
alibabacloud.com/marketplace (search ‘SINOTONE’)
alibabacloud.com/icp
alibabacloud.com/contact-sales
E: oliver.ot@alibaba-inc.com