To set up a coffee shop in Shanghai fast and correctly, lock your entity, premises, and food license in the right order: lease, register, fit‑out, inspect, open. Secure a compliant lease first—zoned for catering, with landlord consent for “beverage store/餐饮服务,” grease-trap access, exhaust duct to roof, and no open-flame if you want the simpler beverage category. Register a LLC or WFOE with Shanghai AMR, business scope “catering services,” then open the RMB bank account and inject capital. Apply for the Food Business License (食品经营许可证): submit floor plan, equipment list (three-compartment sink, separate handwash, cold chain), HACCP-style procedures, staff health certificates, and contract for waste oil removal; pass on‑site hygiene and fire checks. Choose category wisely—beverage shop (drinks and simple cold food) avoids kitchen gas approvals; hot food requires additional fire/gas acceptance. Configure ventilation per GB oil‑fume standards, grease interceptor, pest-proofing, and washable surfaces. For taxes, pick small-scale VAT 3% or general taxpayer (input VAT credit); activate fapiao issuance on Golden Tax system. Enable Alipay/WeChat Pay merchant accounts, plus UnionPay. If importing beans, file GACC customs, Chinese label per GB 7718, or roast locally with additional filings. Typical timeline: 6–10 weeks; critical path is license inspection scheduling and landlord renovation approvals.
