Know the Rules for Your Move in China

Business registration is the universal requirement for a moving company. A Road Transport Business License applies only to whichever party actually operates the goods vehicle, and for long-distance domestic moves that’s typically a subcontracted trucking company, not the mover itself.

Before you rely on this

Every commercial moving/relocation company in China needs business registration with the local Administration for Market Regulation (AMR), with “搬家” (moving) in its registered business scope. Beyond that, whether a Road Transport Business License (道路运输经营许可证) applies depends on which party physically operates the goods vehicle for a given move: for local, intra-city moves the mover typically uses its own vehicles and holds this licence directly; for long-distance domestic moves, the mover more typically packs and loads into a vehicle operated by a separately-licensed trucking company, similar to how an international mover packs into a container it doesn’t own. Always confirm current requirements directly before hiring a mover.

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What kind of question is it?

Business registration: the universal requirement

Standard registration with the local Administration for Market Regulation (市场监督管理部门/AMR), with a business scope that must explicitly include moving services (搬家).

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Road Transport Business License: required only for the party operating the vehicle

Typically the mover itself for local moves; typically a subcontracted trucking company for long-distance domestic moves, since China’s domestic long-haul freight market is dominated by generalist carriers rather than household-goods specialists.

Covered within the China page

Consumer protection & contract law

Moving contracts are treated as freight/carriage contracts under the Civil Code (民法典), with the Consumer Rights Protection Law providing general consumer protections. There is no China-specific statute purpose-built for moving contracts the way Germany has.

Covered within the China page

International moves

Two separate, stackable registrations are relevant to the sea/air freight segment: a foundational MOFCOM filing for a mover arranging freight as a forwarding agent, and a higher-tier NVOCC registration for a mover that issues its own bills of lading and takes on carrier-level liability.

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China

Business registration is the universal requirement for a moving/relocation service company. A Road Transport Business License applies only when the mover operates its own goods vehicles directly, which is typical for local moves but not for most long-distance domestic movesView requirements

International: China

A mover that arranges international sea or air freight needs an International Freight Forwarding Enterprise filing with MOFCOM; a mover that issues its own ocean bills of lading also needs NVOCC registration with the Ministry of TransportView requirements

Moving within China?

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Beijing

Business registration required for every mover; the national Road Transport Business License, Beijing’s own municipal ordinance and a genuinely significant vehicle entry-permit system for out-of-city trucks apply where the mover operates its own goods vehiclesView requirements

Shanghai

Business registration required for every mover; the national Road Transport Business License, plus Shanghai-specific vehicle access rights, plate categories, and configuration rules, apply where the mover operates its own goods vehiclesView requirements

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general reference only. Regulations may change and licensing specifics can vary by locality even within a uniform national framework. Always confirm current requirements directly with the local Administration for Market Regulation and transport authority before hiring a mover.

Last updated: October 15, 2026

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