Company Chop vs Common Seal - What's the Difference?
Chop and Seal. What are they? Well, the answer's simple once you see an image of it, like in this video. It's a stamp and a metal press, in other words. Now, you're one step closer to understanding company registration in Hong Kong.
If you are setting up a company in Hong Kong, you will quickly come across terms like company chop and common seal.
For many founders, especially those coming from Western jurisdictions, this can be confusing. In Hong Kong, stamps often carry more legal weight than signatures, and not understanding how they work can lead to mistakes when signing contracts or handling official documents.
In this video, Patcha from Statrys explain the practical difference between a company chop and a common seal, how each is used in Hong Kong, and why they still matter today even though the common seal is no longer mandatory. She also clarify how Hong Kong practices differ from mainland China and what business owners should know about safekeeping and replacement.
Key Takeaways
- Why company chops and common seals are used instead of signatures in Hong Kong
- The practical difference between a company chop and a common seal
- Whether a common seal is still required under Hong Kong law
- How Hong Kong and mainland China differ when it comes to company chops
- What happens if a company chop is lost or needs to be replaced
- Who typically keeps and manages company chops for a business
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