Circular on Issues Relevant to Foreign Exchange Control in Connection with Foreign-invested Partnerships
关于外商投资合伙企业外汇管理有关问题的通知
After completing the necessary foreign exchange registration and capital contribution confirmation procedures, a foreign-invested partnership may directly open foreign exchange accounts and purchase foreign exchange with the bank.
(Issued by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on November 19 2012 and effective as of December 17 2012.)
(国家外汇管理局于二零一二年十一月十九日发布，自二零一二年十二月十七日起实施。)
Hui Fa [2012] No.58
汇发〔2012〕58号
Branches and offices of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government, the Shenzhen, Dalian, Qingdao, Xiamen and Ningbo Branches of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, and Chinese-invested designated foreign exchange banks:
国家外汇管理局各省、自治区、直辖市分局、外汇管理部，深圳、大连、青岛、厦门、宁波市分局，各中资外汇指定银行：
With a view to promoting the facilitation of foreign direct investment and regulating and enhancing foreign exchange control in connection with foreign-invested partnerships, we, pursuant to laws and regulations such as the PRC Partnerships Law, the Measures for the Administration of the Establishment of Partnerships in China by Foreign Enterprises or Individuals and the PRC Regulations for the Control of Foreign Exchange, hereby notify you on issues relevant to foreign exchange control in connection with foreign-invested partnerships as follows:
为促进外商直接投资便利化，规范和完善外商投资合伙企业外汇管理，根据《中华人民共和国合伙企业法》、《外国企业或者个人在中国境内设立合伙企业管理办法》、《中华人民共和国外汇管理条例》等法律法规，现就外商投资合伙企业外汇管理有关问题通知如下：
1. For the purposes of this Circular, the term “foreign-invested partnership” means a partnership lawfully established in the PRC by two or more foreign enterprises or individuals (Foreign Partners) or a partnership lawfully established in the PRC by (a) Foreign Partner(s) and (a) PRC natural person(s), legal person(s) or other organisation(s).
一、本通知所称外商投资合伙企业是指2个以上外国企业或者个人（以下简称“外国合伙人”）依法在中国境内设立的合伙企业，以及外国合伙人与中国的自然人、法人和其他组织依法在中国境内设立的合伙企业。
2. The State Administration of Foreign Exchange and its (sub-)branches (SAFE) shall be responsible in accordance with the law for regulating the foreign exchange registration and foreign exchange receipts and payments of, and fund conversions, etc. by, foreign-invested partnerships.
二、国家外汇管理局及其分支机构（以下简称“外汇局”）依法负责对外商投资合伙企业外汇登记、外汇收支及资金汇兑等行为实施监督管理。
3. A foreign-invested partnership shall carry out foreign exchange registration with the local SAFE on the strength of the materials set forth below within 30 days of collection of the business licence issued by the enterprise registrar:
三、外商投资合伙企业应在领取企业登记机关颁发的营业执照后30日内，持以下材料向所在地外汇局申请办理外汇登记：
(1) an Application for Foreign Exchange Registration by a Foreign-invested Partnership signed by all of the partners, the managing partner or the designated representative (see the Attachment);
（一）经全体合伙人签署或者执行事务合伙人或指定代表签署的《外商投资合伙企业外汇登记申请表》（见附件）；
(2) a business licence and organisation code certificate (originals for verification and photocopies to be retained);
（二）营业执照和组织机构代码证（验原件留复印件）；
(3) a corporate basic information sheet or online search printout (Information Sheet) including all of the foreign-invested partnership's registered particulars and bearing the search stamp of the registrar;
（三）包括外商投资合伙企业全部登记事项在内的加盖登记机关查询章的企业基本信息单或网络查询结果打印单（以下简称信息单）；
if the Information Sheet does not show information on the capital contributions of the partners, a written confirmation from all of the partners of the capital contributions subscribed for or actually paid in by each of the partners (if a capital contribution is made in cross-border renminbi, the amount of the renminbi capital contribution shall be indicated) shall additionally be submitted; and
信息单中未显示合伙人出资情况的，还应当提交全体合伙人对各合伙人认缴或者实际缴付出资的确认书（以跨境人民币形式出资的，应注明人民币出资金额）；
(4) other materials as requested by SAFE.
（四）外汇局要求的其他材料。
The (sub-)branches of a foreign-invested partnership are not required to separately carry out foreign exchange registration.
外商投资合伙企业的分支机构不需另行办理外汇登记。
4. If a Foreign Partner is newly admitted as a partner or is admitted as a partner by acquiring all or part of the property share of an existing partner in the partnership, causing the original partnership to become a foreign-invested partnership, foreign exchange registration shall be carried out with reference to the relevant provisions of Article 3 hereof.
四、外国合伙人新入伙，或者通过受让原合伙人在合伙企业中的部分或者全部财产份额入伙，致使原合伙企业变为外商投资合伙企业的，应参照本通知第三条相关规定办理外汇登记。
5. In the event of a change in a foreign-invested partnership's particulars registered with the enterprise registrar, the foreign-invested partnership shall carry out the procedures for the amendment of foreign exchange registration with the local SAFE on the strength of the materials set forth below within 30 days of the date of carrying out the amendment of registration with the enterprise registrar:
五、外商投资合伙企业在企业登记机关的登记事项发生变更的，应自向企业登记机关办理变更登记之日起30日内，持以下材料向所在地外汇局申请办理外汇登记变更：
(1) an Application for Foreign Exchange Registration by a Foreign-invested Partnership signed by all of the partners, the managing partner or the designated representative (see the Attachment);
（一）经全体合伙人签署或者执行事务合伙人或指定代表签署的《外商投资合伙企业外汇登记申请表》（见附件）；
(2) if a change in the business licence was involved, the amended business licence (original for verification and photocopy to be retained);
（二）涉及营业执照变更的，提交变更后的营业执照（验原件留复印件）；
(3) if a change in the Information Sheet was involved, the revised Information Sheet;
（三）涉及信息单变更的，提交变更后的信息单；
if a partner increased or reduced its/his/her capital contribution to the foreign-invested partnership and the information on the change in its/his/her capital contribution is not shown on the Information Sheet, a written confirmation signed by all of the partners or the person designated in the partnership agreement concerning the capital contribution subscribed for or actually paid in by the partner in question shall additionally be submitted; and
合伙人增加或者减少对外商投资合伙企业出资且信息单中未显示出资变更情况的，还应当提交全体合伙人签署的或者合伙协议指定的人员签署的对该合伙人认缴或者实际缴付出资的确认书；
(4) other materials as requested by SAFE.
（四）外汇局要求的其他材料。
6. Once a foreign-invested partnership has been dissolved and liquidated, the liquidator shall carry out the procedures for cancellation of foreign exchange registration with the local SAFE on the strength of the materials set forth below within 30 days of carrying out the procedures for cancelling the business registration of the enterprise:
六、外商投资合伙企业解散并清算完毕后，清算人应在办理企业工商登记注销手续后30日内，持以下材料向所在地外汇局申请办理外汇登记注销手续：
(1) a written application signed by all of the partners, the managing partner or the designated representative and the proof of foreign exchange registration;
（一）经全体合伙人签署或者执行事务合伙人或指定代表签署的书面申请及外汇登记凭证；
(2) the liquidation report signed by all of the partners; and
（二）全体合伙人签署的清算报告；
(3) other materials as requested by SAFE.
（三）外汇局要求的其他材料。
7. If a Foreign Partner subscribes for its/his/her capital contribution in foreign exchange, the foreign-invested partnership shall, after carrying out foreign exchange registration, open a foreign exchange account for the foreign-invested partnership with a designated foreign exchange bank (a Bank) on the strength of the proof of foreign exchange registration. Such account shall be administered with reference to the administration of the foreign exchange capital accounts of foreign-invested enterprises.
七、外国合伙人以外汇认缴出资的，外商投资合伙企业在办理外汇登记后，应持外汇登记凭证在外汇指定银行（以下简称银行）开立一个外商投资合伙企业外汇账户。该账户参照外商投资企业外汇资本金账户管理。
If a Foreign Partner genuinely needs to remit inward foreign exchange for its/his/her capital contribution before the foreign-invested partnership has carried out foreign exchange registration, it/he/she may apply to the SAFE for the opening of a preliminary expense account for a foreign investor.
在外商投资合伙企业办理外汇登记前，外国合伙人确有需要汇入外汇出资的，可向外汇局申请开立一个外国投资者前期费用账户。
8. When a Foreign Partner makes a capital contribution to a foreign-invested partnership, the foreign-invested partnership shall carry out with the local SAFE the procedures for registration of the confirmation of a capital contribution by a foreign party, and the materials required for registration shall be submitted with reference to the requirements in respect of requests for confirmation of verification of the capital contributions of foreign investors to foreign-invested enterprises.
八、外国合伙人对外商投资合伙企业出资，应由外商投资合伙企业在所在地外汇局办理外方出资确认登记手续，登记所需材料参照外商投资企业外国投资者出资验资询证要求提供。
If a foreign-invested partnership fails to fully carry out registration of the confirmation of the capital contribution of a foreign party, the funds injected by the Foreign Partner may not be transferred within the PRC or converted for use.
外商投资合伙企业未完整办理外方出资确认登记的，外国合伙人投入的资金不得在境内划转或结汇使用。
The proceeds received by a Foreign Partner from the foreign-invested partnership from liquidation, a capital reduction, transfer of its/his/her partner property share, distribution of profits, etc. may be used for the payment of foreign exchange to a foreign entity or a domestic re-investment only after the foreign-invested partnership has fully carried out registration of the confirmation of the capital contribution of the Foreign Partner.
外国合伙人从外商投资合伙企业中因清算、减资、合伙财产份额转让、利润分配等所得，应在外商投资合伙企业完整办理外国合伙人出资确认登记后，才可用于对外付汇及境内再投资。
9. When a foreign-invested partnership wishes to outwardly remit the profit inuring to a Foreign Partner to it/him/her, it shall carry out the procedures with the Bank on the strength of the materials set forth below:
九、外商投资合伙企业向外国合伙人汇出其所得利润，应持以下材料向银行申请办理：
(1) a written application signed by all of the partners, the managing partner or the designated representative;
（一）经全体合伙人签署或者执行事务合伙人或指定代表签署的书面申请；
(2) the profit distribution resolution adopted by all of the partners based on the method specified in the Partnership Law and the profit distribution method specified in the partnership agreement;
（二）全体合伙人按照《合伙企业法》规定形式及合伙协议约定的利润分配方式作出的利润分配决议；
(3) the tax certificate for the profit received by the Foreign Partner; and
（三）外国合伙人所得利润的税务证明；
(4) other materials as requested by the Bank.
（四）银行要求的其他材料。
Before carrying out the outward remittance of the profit for the foreign-invested partnership, the Bank shall confirm that the foreign-invested partnership has carried out the pertinent procedures for registration of the confirmation of the capital contribution by the foreign party, and check and review the relevant profit details.
银行在为外商投资合伙企业办理利润汇出前，应确认其已完成相应的外方出资确认登记手续，并查询和审核有关利润情况。
When carrying out the outward remittance of the profit for the foreign-invested partnership, the Bank shall additionally record the relevant information in SAFE's relevant business system.
银行应在为外商投资合伙企业办理利润汇出的同时，向外汇局相关业务系统备案相关信息。
10. If a Foreign Partner (including its/his/her legal successor) wishes to use the profit obtained from the foreign-invested partnership or the proceeds received when withdrawing from, or from the liquidation of, the partnership or the proceeds derived from the transfer of its/his/her partner property share to invest in the PRC (including a contribution to a capital increase or a re-investment), it/he/she shall carry out registration with SAFE of the place where the foreign-invested partnership is located on the strength of the materials set forth below:
十、外国合伙人（含其合法继承人）以从外商投资合伙企业获得的利润或退伙、清算所得资金和转让合伙财产份额所得资金用于中国境内投资（包括增资或再投资）的，应持以下材料到外商投资合伙企业所在地外汇局办理登记：
(1) a written application signed by all of the partners, the managing partner or the designated representative;
（一）经全体合伙人签署或者执行事务合伙人或指定代表签署的书面申请；
(2) materials evidencing the source of the aforementioned funds and the pertinent tax certificate;
（二）上述对应所得资金的来源证明材料及相应税务证明；
(3) the business licence and articles of association (or partnership agreement) of the project that will be the recipient of the re-investment;
（三）再投资项目的营业执照、公司章程（或合伙协议书）；
(4) if the project that will be the recipient of the re-investment is a foreign-invested enterprise, the approval document, approval certificate and proof of foreign exchange registration of said enterprise shall additionally be provided; and
（四）如再投资项目为外商投资企业，还应提供该企业的批文、批准证书、外汇登记凭证；
(5) other materials as requested by SAFE.
（五）外汇局要求的其他材料。
11. When a domestic partner of a foreign-invested partnership outwardly remits the consideration for acquisition of the property share of a Foreign Partner, the domestic partner shall, after carrying out the amendment of registration with SAFE of the place where the foreign-invested partnership is located, carry out the procedures for the purchase and payment of foreign exchange with the Bank of the place where the domestic partner is located on the strength of the pertinent tax certificate and foreign exchange registration information.
十一、外商投资合伙企业的境内合伙人汇出受让外国合伙人财产份额对价款，境内合伙人应在合伙企业所在地外汇局办理登记变更后，凭相应税务证明和外汇登记信息，到境内合伙人所在地银行办理购付汇手续。
12. If a Foreign Partner is admitted as partner by acquiring the capital contribution of a domestic partner, the foreign-invested partnership shall carry out the procedures for the amendment of its foreign exchange registration with the local SAFE, the original domestic partner shall open a domestic designated asset realisation account directly with the Bank based on the foreign exchange registration information and use the same to accept the consideration paid by the Foreign Partner. The conversion of the foreign exchange funds in such account shall be handled in accordance with current relevant foreign exchange control provisions.
十二、外国合伙人受让境内合伙人的出资额入伙的，外商投资合伙企业应在所在地外汇局办理外汇登记变更手续，原境内合伙人根据外汇登记信息直接到银行开立境内资产变现专用外汇账户，用于接收外国合伙人支付的对价。该账户内外汇资金结汇按照现行外汇管理有关规定办理。
13. When foreign-invested partnership outwardly remits to a Foreign Partner its/his/her funds from its/his/her withdrawal from the partnership or the funds inuring to it/him/her from the liquidation of the partnership, it shall, after carrying out the corresponding procedures for the amendment or cancellation of foreign exchange registration with the local SAFE, carry out the procedures for the purchase and payment of foreign exchange with the Bank on the strength of the pertinent tax certificate and foreign exchange registration information.
十三、外商投资合伙企业向外国合伙人汇出其退伙资金或者清算所得资金，应在所在地外汇局办理相应外汇登记变更或注销后，凭相应税务证明和外汇登记信息，到银行办理购付汇手续。
14. When SAFE handles foreign exchange control matters for a foreign-invested partnership or its partners, it shall do so through SAFE's relevant business system.
十四、外汇局为外商投资合伙企业或其合伙人办理外汇管理业务，应当通过外汇局相关业务系统办理。
When a Bank handles matters for a foreign-invested partnership such as the opening of an account for capital account items, the crediting of funds to such an account, the conversion and sale of foreign exchange, and account closure, it shall, on the day that it handled the matter, accurately carry out record filing or information reporting in a timely manner through SAFE's relevant business system.
银行为外商投资合伙企业开立资本项目账户、办理资金入账、结售汇、关闭账户等业务时，应在业务办理当日通过外汇局相关业务系统及时、准确地办理备案或信息反馈。
For relevant foreign-related receipts and expenditures of Foreign Partners and foreign-invested partnerships, statistical reporting of the international balance of payments shall be carried out in accordance with relevant provisions for statistical reporting of the international balance of payments.
外国合伙人及外商投资合伙企业的相关涉外收支，应当按照国际收支统计申报的有关规定办理国际收支统计申报。
15. A foreign-invested partnership shall participate in foreign exchange annual inspections with reference to those for ordinary foreign-invested enterprises.
十五、外商投资合伙企业应参照普通外商投资企业参加外汇年检。
For foreign exchange control matters of foreign-invested partnerships not expressly provided for herein, matters shall be handled with reference to relevant foreign exchange control provisions for ordinary foreign-invested enterprises.
本通知未明确的外商投资合伙企业外汇管理事项，参照普通外商投资企业外汇管理相关规定办理。
16. If a foreign-invested partnership or Bank fails to handle foreign exchange matters in accordance herewith, SAFE shall penalise it in accordance with relevant provisions such as the PRC Regulations for the Control of Foreign Exchange.
十六、外商投资合伙企业、银行未按本通知规定办理外汇业务，外汇局根据《中华人民共和国外汇管理条例》等相关规定予以处罚。
17. Matters shall be handled with reference to the provisions hereof when enterprises or individuals from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region or Taiwan establish partnerships in mainland China.
十七、香港特别行政区、澳门特别行政区和台湾地区的企业或者个人在内地设立合伙企业，参照本通知规定执行。
18. Other foreign exchange control issues related to the establishment in the PRC by Foreign Partners of foreign-invested partnerships whose main business is investment shall be provided for separately.
十八、外国合伙人在中国境内设立的以投资为主要业务的外商投资合伙企业的其他外汇管理问题另行规定。
This Circular shall be effective as of December 17 2012. After receipt of this Circular, branches and offices of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange shall forward it to central sub-branches and sub-branches of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, urban commercial banks, rural commercial banks, foreign-funded banks and rural cooperative banks in their jurisdictions in a timely manner; all Chinese-invested banks shall forward it to their (sub-)branches in a timely manner.
Attachment
APPLICATION FOR FOREIGN EXCHANGE REGISTRATION BY A FOREIGN-INVESTED PARTNERSHIP
本通知自2012年12月17日起实施。各分局、外汇管理部接到本通知后，应及时转发辖内各中心支局、支局、城市商业银行、农村商业银行、外资银行、农村合作银行；各中资银行应及时转发所辖分支机构。
附件
外商投资合伙企业外汇登记申请表
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