Licensed trades: don't open until the license is issued
Grade ABig benefitFreedomFreeSome timeNo willpower
Opening without a license is handled by the department that governs that license under its rules. With no business license and no specific penalty rule: ordered to stop, illegal gains confiscated, plus a fine of up to 10000 yuan. Selling monopoly or restricted goods, or doing securities, futures, insurance, or payment settlement—serious cases are illegal business operation; the lowest tier is up to 5 years.
- Cost
- No money. Before opening, check whether your line needs a license. Catering and selling food need a food business license. Selling only others' prepackaged food needs no license—file for record instead. Open only after the license or filing is done.
- Benefit
- Operating without authorization is handled by the department the law designates. No license where the law doesn't spell out a penalty: stop, confiscate gains, fine up to 10,000 yuan. Heavier track: monopoly or restricted goods without permission, or securities, futures, insurance, or payment settlement without approval—serious cases are illegal business operation, up to 5 years' imprisonment or short-term detention plus a fine of 1–5 times illegal gains; especially serious, above 5 years (nationwide).
- Notes
- Finance, medical, and training each have their own licensing laws; this item only checked generic enforcement and criminal articles. Milk tea and snack shops are catering—food business license required. Renovate-first, trial-before-license is a common trap. Food tiers and whether fresh meat and vegetables need a license: item 8.
Sources · 3
- 国务院 (2017). 无证无照经营查处办法（国务院令第 684 号，第五、六、十三条）. gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2017-08/23/content_5…
- 市场监管总局 (2023). 食品经营许可和备案管理办法（市场监管总局令第 78 号，第四条）. gov.cn/gongbao/2023/issue_10606/202307/conten…
- 全国人大 (1997). 刑法（第二百二十五条）. spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/201802/t20180206_364975.shtml