- Short answer
- Shopify might ask for a photo ID or business document if it can't verify the ID numbers, BRN or other details you enter.
- Photo ID, if asked
- Passport, identity card (both sides) or another listed document — a camera photo, not a scan
- No BRN
- Select Individual; you must live in Hong Kong SAR
- Business document
- Might be requested if your business details can't be verified; registry screenshots are rejected
- Bank account
- HKD checking at a Hong Kong SAR bank: personal for individual or sole proprietorship, business for corporation or partnership
- Upload review
- Can take up to 24 hours
Which ID documents are accepted in Hong Kong SAR?
If your details can't be verified, Shopify might ask for a photo of one of these:
- Passport
- Identity card, both sides
- Certificate of Registered Particulars
- Certificate of Exemption
- Vietnamese refugee card
Send a camera photo of the valid original, not a scan; a digitally issued document goes in as its original PDF.
Chinese driver's licenses and national ID cards aren't accepted; see who in mainland China can use this route.
Which business type, and when is a business document needed?
Your BRN, certificate status (法律地位) and any charity registration decide the type:
| Your situation | Select | Also list |
|---|---|---|
| No BRN | Individual (must live in Hong Kong SAR) | — |
| Individual, Proprietorship, 獨資/独资 | Sole proprietorship | None stated; owner must be the representative |
| Partnership, 合夥/合伙 | Partnership | Every other partner |
| Registered charity or non-profit | Incorporated non-profit | Board, key decision makers |
| Other not-for-profit | Unincorporated non-profit | Board, key decision makers |
| Body corporate, corp, anything else | Corporation, even with one owner | Beneficial owners, directors |
Those you also list may need a photo ID or proof of address if unverified.
Shopify checks name, BRN and address against the business registry; the business name must match exactly, including case, punctuation and symbols.
If the information that you provide about the business can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business verification document.
If asked, send a commercial register extract, Certificate of Incorporation or business registration certificate showing legal name, BRN and address — not a registry screenshot.
Which bank account works, and what happens while you wait?
Connect an HKD checking account at a Hong Kong SAR bank — personal, in your legal name, for an individual or sole proprietorship; in the business name for a corporation or partnership. Savings, flex-currency, wire-only and money transfer accounts don't work. Card rates: what each payment costs in Hong Kong SAR.
You can take payments at once, but payouts can be held until you're verified, and Shopify can ask for more information later. Use only the admin banner — emailed files are redacted.
Uploads can take up to 24 hours to be reviewed — see what that figure covers. Seeing a maximum-attempts error? Contact Shopify Support.
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