FAQ

China Property FAQ | Selling Property & Moving Money Overseas

Yes. A foreign company can sell property in China even without a registered local entity. However, the transaction must be structured carefully to comply with tax clearance requirements, regulated bank settlement procedures, and SAFE-approved cross-border fund remittance.

Yes. Foreign individuals do not need to be physically present in China to complete a property sale.

Through a notarized and hague apostilled power of attorney, the owner may authorize a trusted representative to handle the entire transaction process on their behalf, including property transfer, tax procedures, and related formalities.

If the passport has been renewed or changed between the property purchase and sale, you must obtain an official attestation to confirm that the old passport and the new passport belong to the same individual.

Yes, as long as the relevant documents are prepared in accordance with regulations, you may handle the foreign exchange purchase and outward remittance of the housing sale proceeds based on your immigration status.

Yes, as long as all required documents are ready, you can process foreign exchange purchase and outward remittance in one time.

It depends on which city the property is located in. If the city does not impose property purchase restrictions, the procedure can be processed directly only if the relevant documents required are ready. If the city has purchase restrictions, such as Beijing, the party whose name is being added or changed must hold valid property purchase qualification. Regarding taxes : This transaction is tax-exempt

Many transactions fail due to unclear payment structures, lack of tax planning, and uncertainty around cross-border fund remittance.

Without a compliant and pre-designed transaction pathway, buyers often withdraw due to perceived regulatory risk.

Foreign-owned property sales may involve multiple taxes, including value-added tax, land appreciation tax, and corporate income tax.

Accurate tax assessment and clearance are essential before ownership transfer and fund remittance can proceed.

When a foreign individual sells property in China, several taxes may apply depending on the property type, holding period, and transaction structure.

Commonly applicable taxes include value-added tax (VAT), individual income tax, and surcharges related to the transaction. In certain cases, exemptions or preferential treatments may apply if specific conditions are met.

Accurate tax assessment and proper clearance with local tax authorities are essential before ownership transfer and cross-border fund remittance can proceed.

It is important to make a clear plan in advance. In addition to understanding the procedures and documents required for the sale, researching the current market price of the property, and preparing for the outward remittance of the sale proceeds, you should also decide which country you plan to remit the funds to.

Many countries implement global taxation and double taxation, so you need to learn in advance about the local tax policies of the destination country — and even state or regional governments — where the funds will be received, as well as what supporting documents must be submitted. This way, you can have everything ready in advance during the property transaction process.

• Market valuation and sales strategy
• Buyer qualification and negotiation
• Tax calculation and tax clearance
• Coordination with the Beijing property registration authorities
• Bank settlement planning
• Foreign exchange documentation
• SAFE-compliant overseas remittance
• Power of Attorney arrangements if you cannot return to China
• Assistance if your passport has been renewed since purchasing the property

1. Passport (including any previous passport used when buying the property)
2. Property Ownership Certificate.
3. Original purchase contract and land tax payment invoice.
4. Notarization of passport translation (just for latest passport)
5. Chinese bank account information (or determine whether a new account needs to be opened).
6. Confirm whether you will return to China or sell remotely under a notarized and apostilled Power of Attorney.
7. Have a preliminary tax estimate prepared before setting the asking price.

Yes. While the absence of a domestic corporate bank account requires additional planning, it does not necessarily prevent the transaction. A suitable payment and documentation structure should be considered before the sale.

Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Hangzhou. Properties located anywhere within Chinese mainland are eligible for our processing service.

No. Property sale proceeds are generally handled under a different regulatory framework from ordinary personal foreign exchange purchases. The applicable requirements depend on the specific circumstances of the transaction.

Yes. Foreign citizens may legally purchase property in China, subject to applicable Chinese laws and local regulations.

In many cases, foreign buyers are generally limited to purchasing one property for self-use residential purposes and must satisfy the requirements in effect at the time of purchase. Eligibility requirements can vary by city and may depend on factors such as residency status, length of stay in China and the type of property being purchased.

Take Beijing as an example, the foreign purchaser shall hold a work permit and possess a residence certificate registered with the local police station. And the foreign purchaser must be physically present within mainland China when verifying housing purchase eligibility. The targeted property to be purchased is subject to foreign-related approval procedures.

Because property regulations may change and local implementation can differ, foreign buyers should confirm the latest requirements before entering into a transaction. If you already own property in China and are now living overseas, you may also be able to sell the property and transfer eligible sale proceeds abroad after completing the required transaction, tax and banking procedures.

Foreign property owners used to find it relatively straightforward to transfer rental income from China to overseas bank accounts. However, the process has become significantly more challenging in recent years. One of the key reasons is China's 2006 regulations restricting foreign individuals from purchasing residential property except for their own use. Under these rules, foreign-owned residential property is generally intended for owner occupation rather than rental purposes. For many years, rental income remittances were not subject to particularly strict enforcement because there was no comprehensive government review of whether a property had been rented out. As a result, many foreign owners were able to transfer rental income overseas without significant difficulty. Since 2025, however, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) has required banks to conduct much stricter compliance reviews before processing overseas remittances of rental income. In practice, rental income remittances are generally only feasible for properties purchased before the 2006 foreign property purchase restrictions took effect, provided the owner can satisfy a range of compliance requirements. These requirements may include: • A lease agreement that has been properly registered or filed with the relevant government authority (where required); • Evidence that all applicable taxes on the rental income have been declared and paid; • Official tax payment certificates; • Government-issued rental invoices (fapiao); and • Other supporting documents required by the handling bank. As banks have strengthened their compliance procedures, many foreign property owners have found it increasingly difficult to transfer rental income overseas. This tightening of regulatory enforcement is one of the reasons why an increasing number of foreign owners are choosing to sell their properties in China rather than continue renting them out.

Yes, in many cases. Foreign individuals may be able to transfer eligible income earned in China—such as proceeds from an equity transfer, dividends or profit distributions—to an overseas bank account, provided they comply with applicable Chinese laws, tax requirements and foreign exchange regulations. Before approving an overseas remittance, banks typically conduct compliance reviews and require documentation demonstrating the legitimacy of both the income and the source of funds. Depending on the type of income, supporting documents may include: • Equity transfer agreement or share purchase agreement • Board or shareholder resolutions approving dividend or profit distributions • Tax payment certificates or tax filing records • Company registration and corporate documents • Bank payment records • Personal identification documents • Other supporting documents required by the handling bank or relevant authorities In recent years, banks have strengthened their compliance and anti-money laundering (AML) procedures. As a result, applications are subject to more detailed reviews than in the past, and processing times may vary depending on the complexity of the transaction. Careful planning and complete documentation before submitting a remittance application can help reduce delays and improve the likelihood of a smooth approval process.

Yes. Foreign nationals may inherit property located in China in accordance with Chinese inheritance laws and applicable legal procedures.

The timeline depends on market conditions, the city, buyer financing, and document preparation. A typical transaction may take 2 to 6 months, while cross-border fund transfer preparation may require additional time.

Common documents include: • Passport and notarization of passport translation in Chinese • Property Ownership Certificate • Purchase Contract • Marriage or Divorce Documents (if applicable) • Tax-related documents • Power of Attorney (if selling remotely) Additional documents may be required depending on the case.

Many foreign property owners are relocating, retiring, or simplifying their asset portfolios. In recent years, stricter compliance requirements for overseas fund transfers and rental income remittance have also influenced some owners to dispose of their properties.

Yes. A properly executed and legalized Power of Attorney can allow an authorized representative to handle the transaction on your behalf.

Yes. Foreign individuals and foreign-invested companies may sell commercial property, subject to applicable regulations and tax requirements.

Replacement procedures may be available, but the requirements vary by city. It is advisable to resolve missing documentation before listing the property for sale.

Yes, but the consent and participation of all registered owners are generally required unless otherwise permitted by law or authorized through a valid Power of Attorney.

Selling property in China often involves legal, tax, banking, and cross-border documentation requirements. Early planning can help avoid unnecessary delays and ensure the transaction proceeds as smoothly as possible.