12-007 · EVIDENCE A · SOURCE-SENSITIVE
Businesses requiring licenses must wait until they obtain one
要许可证的行当，证没下来不开张
No cost involved. Before opening, verify whether your business type requires a license. Restaurants and food vendors must obtain a food business license. Selling only pre-packaged food products does not require a license — only registration is needed. Only then can you officially open for business.
Operating a business without a license may result in a temporary shutdown order, confiscation of all earnings, and a fine of up to 10,000 yuan. If you handle goods subject to exclusive distribution rights, or engage in securities, futures, insurance, or payment settlement services without authorization, severe violations may constitute the crime of illegal business operations, punishable by up to five years in prison. Renovating premises first and then attempting a trial run prior to obtaining a license are common mistakes.
A
Move “Businesses requiring licenses must wait until they obtain one” to Future Me's calendar
The excuse
Future Me has a clearer calendar, more patience, and apparently the same responsibilities.
What feels good now
Today I keep a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.
What the source says
The source summarizes the return this way: “Operating a business without a license may result in a temporary shutdown order, confiscation of all earnings, and a fine of up to 10,000 yuan. If you handle goods subject to exclusive distribution rights, or engage in securities, futures, insurance, or payment settlement services without authorization, severe violations may constitute the crime of illegal business operations, punishable by up to five years in prison. Renovating premises first and then attempting a trial run prior to obtaining a license are common mistakes.” Evidence grade A. The original states the population, caveats, and sources; this is not a personal forecast.
Use the original facts and limits. For an urgent medical, safety, financial, or legal issue, contact a qualified local professional or service.
THE ENGLISH EDITION
Original recommendation and evidence
7. Businesses requiring licenses must wait until they obtain one
Cost: No cost involved. Before opening, verify whether your business type requires a license. Restaurants and food vendors must obtain a food business license. Selling only pre-packaged food products does not require a license — only registration is needed. Only then can you officially open for business.
In plain terms: Operating a business without a license may result in a temporary shutdown order, confiscation of all earnings, and a fine of up to 10,000 yuan. If you handle goods subject to exclusive distribution rights, or engage in securities, futures, insurance, or payment settlement services without authorization, severe violations may constitute the crime of illegal business operations, punishable by up to five years in prison. Renovating premises first and then attempting a trial run prior to obtaining a license are common mistakes.
Benefit: Authorities designated by law will investigate any unlicensed businesses. For operations without a license where no specific penalty is stipulated, operators must cease activities, surrender all illicit earnings, and pay a fine of up to 10,000 yuan. More serious penalties apply to businesses dealing in goods requiring exclusive distribution rights or engaging in securities, futures, insurance, or payment services without approval. Such violations may also constitute illegal business operations, resulting in imprisonment of up to five years and fines ranging from one to five times the illicit profits earned. Particularly egregious cases may incur sentences exceeding five years nationwide.
Evidence grade: A
Sources: State Council of China (2017). Measures for the Investigation and Punishment of Unlicensed and Unlicensed Businesses (State Council of China Order No. 684, Articles 5, 6, and 13). <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2017-08/23/content_5219861.htm>; State Administration for Market Regulation of China (2023). (State Administration for Market Regulation of China Order No. 78, Article 4). <https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/2023/issue_10606/202307/content_6894763.html>; National People’s Congress (1997). Criminal Law (Article 225). <https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/201802/t20180206_364975.shtml>
Notes: Licensing requirements for financial, medical, and educational services are governed by separate laws; this entry only outlines general enforcement procedures and relevant criminal statutes. Milk tea shops and snack vendors fall under food services and must secure a food business license. Renovating premises first and conducting trial runs prior to licensing are frequent pitfalls. Details regarding licensing tiers for the food industry and requirements for selling fresh produce are covered in Section 8.
Read the complete Chinese source and notes
7. 要许可证的行当，证没下来不开张
成本: 不花钱。开张前先查清楚，自己要做的这门生意要不要办许可证。做餐饮、卖食品要办食品经营许可。只卖别人做好的整包装食品，不用许可，改成备案。证下来了再开门营业。
说人话: 没证就开张，轻的是勒令停业、把挣到的钱收走，再罚 1 万元以下。要是做的是专营专卖的东西，或者证券、期货、保险、资金支付结算这几类，情节严重就构成非法经营罪，判 5 年以下起步。先装修后办证、证下来之前先试营业，是最常踩的一脚。
收益: 没拿到许可就开门做生意的，由法律法规指定的那个部门来查处。没有执照就经营、法律又没写明怎么罚的，勒令停下来，把挣到的钱（违法所得）收走，再罚 1 万元以下。还有更重的一档。法律法规规定的专营、专卖或者限制买卖的物品，没经许可就去经营。证券、期货、保险、资金支付结算这几类生意，没经批准就去做。这两种情形，情节严重的构成非法经营罪。判 5 年以下有期徒刑或者拘役（短期关押），同时按挣到的钱的 1 到 5 倍罚钱。情节特别严重的判 5 年以上（全国）
证据等级: A
来源: 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）. <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2017-08/23/content_5219861.htm>；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）. <https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/2023/issue_10606/202307/content_6894763.html>；全国人大 (1997). 刑法（第二百二十五条）. <https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/201802/t20180206_364975.shtml>
备注: 金融、医疗、教培这几类的许可条件，各有专门的法律，本条只核实了通用的查处规则和刑法条款。奶茶店、小吃店属于餐饮服务，要办食品经营许可。先装修后办证、证下来之前先试营业，是常见的踩坑点。食品这一行分哪几档、卖生鲜肉菜要不要证，见第 8 条（做食品先看自己落在哪一档）。
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