1. The UK and the Convention
The United Kingdom is a party to the Apostille Convention.
For Chinese documents destined for the UK, an apostille issued in China replaces consular legalization.
China’s accession took effect in November 2023.
2. The UK issuing authority
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office issues apostilles for UK documents.
For documents going the other direction, a UK document for use in China needs an FCDO apostille.
3. Chinese documents for UK use
Common cases.
Business licence, for UK company registration, banking or tender participation.
Powers of attorney.
Company registration documents.
Free sale certificates, for product registration with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for health products.
Civil and academic documents, for visa, employment and university applications.
The process: notarization, then apostille from the Chinese foreign ministry or an authorised local office.
4. Translation
UK authorities generally require documents in English.
Certified translation is required for non-English documents.
For most purposes, a translation certified by the translator or by the notary is accepted. For court proceedings, higher standards apply.
Confirm the specific requirement of the receiving body.
5. UK company registration
Where a Chinese company is establishing a UK presence, Companies House requires specific documentation.
The application requires the overseas company’s constitutional documents, translated into English, and specific forms.
The apostille question depends on the registry’s requirements at the time. Confirm with Companies House or the agent handling the registration.
6. The health products case
Where a Chinese exporter submits to the MHRA for product registration, the free sale certificate from the Chinese authority requires apostille and translation.
The MHRA has specific requirements for the certificate’s content, including the manufacturing site, the product scope and the issuing authority.
A free sale certificate that satisfies a Middle Eastern customs authority may not satisfy the MHRA’s requirements.
7. Timing
Notarization: a few days.
Apostille: typically a few days.
Translation: a few days.
A full cycle runs one to two weeks.
8. Common errors
Running the consular route
The UK is a party.
No certified translation
Required.
Free sale certificate not matching the receiving body’s requirements
The MHRA and similar bodies have specific content requirements.
Assuming Companies House requires an apostille
Confirm the current requirement rather than preparing documents that may not be needed.
9. What the exporter controls
The commercial documents and their accuracy.
The apostille cycle.
Translation arrangements.
What the exporter does not control: the receiving body’s registration requirements and processing times.
10. Closing view
The UK is one of the more straightforward destinations for Chinese documents, because the Convention applies and the process is fast.
The complexity sits in the content of specific documents, particularly free sale certificates for regulated products, where the receiving body’s requirements are more specific than a generic certificate satisfies.
*This article is based on the Hague Apostille Convention and the consular authentication guidance published by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated October 2026. Exporters should confirm requirements with the receiving UK body.*