What is China’s B24 License and Who Needs One?

Companies operating call center and customer service operations in China, whether providing customer support, help desk services, or outsourced contact center solutions, are legally required to obtain a B24 License, also known as the Call Center Services License or 增值电信业务经营许可证-呼叫中心业务 in Chinese. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the B24 License: its legal foundation, who needs it, the application process, and how to stay compliant with Chinese regulations.

What is the B24 (Call Center Services) License?

The B24 License, formally known as the “Call Center Services Business License” (呼叫中心业务许可证) is a commercial operating license required for businesses that provide call center services by utilizing call center systems connected to public communication networks or the Internet. The B24 License is specifically designed for companies that offer business consultation, information consultation, and data query services through call center platforms, whether for their own operations or as outsourced services for other entities.

The B24 designation refers to the specific category within the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s (MIIT) telecommunications business classification system, where “B24” represents “Call Center Services Business” (呼叫中心业务). There are two types of B24 Licenses, they are:

• The B24-1 Domestic Call Centre Services (国内呼叫中心业务) 
• The B24-2 Off-shore Call Centre Services (离岸呼叫中心业务)

This license serves as the government’s primary mechanism for regulating call center operations, ensuring that businesses providing customer service and consultation services in China comply with local laws and maintain service quality and security standards.

What is the Legal Foundation of the B24 License?

As part of the Value-Added Telecommunications Services (VATS) or 增值电信业务, the Telecommunications Regulations of the People’s Republic of China (中华人民共和国电信条例) applies to the B24 License.

Article 7 of the Telecommunications Regulations establishes that all telecommunications businesses require a license:

“The State shall implement a licensing system for telecommunications businesses in accordance with the classification of telecommunications businesses. Telecom operators shall apply to the information technology administration department of the State Council or the telecommunications administration authorities of the province, autonomous region or centrally-administered municipality for a telecommunications business permit pursuant to the provisions of these Regulations. No organisation or individual shall engage in telecommunications business without obtaining a telecommunications business permit.”

Article 8 clearly states that there are two types of telecommunications businesses: basic telecommunications and value-added telecommunications.

“Telecommunications businesses are categorised into basic telecommunications businesses and value-added telecommunications businesses. Basic telecommunications businesses shall mean the businesses of providing public network infrastructure, public data transmission and basic voice communication services. Value-added telecommunications businesses shall mean making use of public network infrastructure to provide telecommunications and information services.”

Who Needs a B24 (Call Center Services) License?

The B24 License is required when providing call center services through call center systems connected to public communication networks or the Internet. According to MIIT’s Classification Catalogue of Telecommunication Services (2015), Call Center Services refer to:

“the business consultation, information consultation and data query services regarding enterprises, public institutions and other relevant entities provided for users through the public communication network, as entrusted by such entities, by utilizing the call center system which is connected to the public communication network or the Internet as well as database technology, and by establishing an information base after information collection, processing and storage.”

MIIT further defines that call center services also include:

“the lease of call center systems and operators’ seats. Users may gain access to the database of the system in multiple ways such as fixed telephone, fax, mobile communication terminal or computer terminal, and obtain the information consultancy services regarding the relevant entities by voice mail, fax, e-mail, short message, etc.”

This therefore means that you will need a B24 License if your business revolves around any of the following:

Types of Call Center Services:

• B24-1: Domestic Call Center Services (国内呼叫中心业务) – Call center services provided for domestic and overseas entities mainly targeted at domestic users by establishing a call center platform inside China. This includes customer support hotlines, technical support centers, help desk services, and customer service outsourcing operations serving Chinese customers. Domestic call center operators can apply for 96-series phone numbers (96XXXX) for provincial operations or 95-series numbers (95XXX) for nationwide operations.
• B24-2: Offshore Call Center Services (离岸呼叫中心业务) – Call center services provided for overseas entities and targeted at overseas users by establishing a call center platform inside China. This includes back-office support centers, international customer service operations, and multilingual support services operated from China but serving foreign customers.

Common Application Scenarios:

• Customer service and support – Inbound call centers providing customer assistance, technical support, and help desk services through phone, email, instant messaging, or other communication channels
• Seat/operator outsourcing (坐席外包) – Providing call center agent seats and personnel to handle customer service for other companies
• Call center system leasing – Renting call center infrastructure, technology platforms, and telephony systems to other businesses
• Telephone research and surveys – Conducting market research, customer satisfaction surveys, and telemarketing campaigns
• Business process outsourcing (BPO) – Comprehensive customer service outsourcing including inbound and outbound call handling
• Multi-channel customer contact centers – Providing customer service through various channels including voice, email, chat, SMS, and social media
• Cloud-based call center services – Operating cloud call center platforms providing virtual contact center solutions

The B24 License is required regardless of whether customer service is provided for your own company or as an outsourced service for other companies. It applies to communication through phone calls, instant messaging, email, and other methods used in call center operations.

It is important to note, any company providing customer service or call center operations in China, whether in-house or outsourced, must obtain a B24 License.

What are the Basic Requirements to Apply for the B24 License?

Obtaining a B24 License requires meeting specific ownership, operational, and infrastructure requirements set by MIIT.

Ownership Structure

Foreign ownership limits vary by region:

Pilot Regions: According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s Notice on Launching Pilot Work for Expanding Opening Up of Value-Added Telecommunications Services (工业和信息化部关于开展增值电信业务扩大对外开放试点工作的通告), as of April 8, 2024 Beijing, Shanghai, Hainan, and Shenzhen have eliminated foreign capital restrictions for certain VATS businesses. Call center services (B24) are included in the pilot program liberalization. In these four pilot regions, WFOEs (Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprises) can apply for VATS Licenses, including the B24 License.

It is important to note, while legally permissible, obtaining a VATS license as a WFOE in pilot regions remains exceptionally difficult in practice. Approval thresholds are extremely high, with authorities primarily approving well-known multinational enterprises. As of 2025, only 13 companies total have successfully obtained VATS licenses as WFOEs across all categories since the pilot program began.

Other Regions: Outside of pilot zones, foreign-invested enterprises may face restrictions. It is recommended to consult with local Communications Administrations regarding current foreign investment policies for B24 licenses, or collaborate with a Chinese partner such as AppInChina.

Domestic companies face no ownership restrictions and can operate with 100% Chinese ownership nationwide.

Company Requirements

• Your company must be legally established under Chinese law with “Value-Added Telecommunications Business” (增值电信服务) or “Telecommunications Business” (电信业务) explicitly listed in your business scope.
• You need minimum registered capital of CNY 1 million for provincial operations or CNY 10 million for cross-provincial operations (nationwide operations).
• The company and its key personnel must have clean records with no telecommunications violations in the past three years and cannot be included in the list of dishonest telecommunications business operators.

Technical Infrastructure

• Call center platform infrastructure must demonstrate capability for handling inbound and outbound communications with appropriate call routing, queue management, and agent assignment systems.
• Network architecture must demonstrate capability for connecting to public communication networks or the Internet with sufficient bandwidth and reliability to support call center operations.
• Technical plans must demonstrate platform functionality, call handling capabilities, database systems for information storage and retrieval, and service level agreements.
• Equipment requirements include call center systems, telephony infrastructure, computer workstations, headsets, CRM systems, and network equipment necessary to provide reliable call center services. Equipment must meet national standards for telecommunications services.
• A cybersecurity department with supporting internal regulations is mandatory, including network security monitoring, incident response procedures, and data protection measures for customer information.

Companies must ensure compliance with data localization regulations and implement robust security controls for customer data and communications.

Personnel Requirements

• You need at least 3 Chinese employees with social security (社保) records covering recent months from your company for the application materials. These typically include a license administrator, customer service manager, and network security officer.
• Technical staff with relevant qualifications in call center operations, telecommunication systems, and customer service management are required.
• Management personnel with relevant experience in call center or customer service operations are also required.

Foreign Enterprise Requirements

Foreign-invested enterprises face additional requirements:

For pilot regions (Beijing, Shanghai, Hainan, Shenzhen): Foreign enterprises including WFOEs can apply for the B24 License, with the great level of difficulty detailed above, and must submit applications to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) rather than provincial authorities.

For all foreign-invested enterprises, regardless of region:

Your legal representative may need to be a Chinese national or permanent resident (requirements vary by region).

You must demonstrate call center operational experience through system architecture diagrams, service documentation, operational procedures, and case studies.

Additional documentation required for foreign enterprises:

• Foreign Investment Security Review Decision (《外商投资安全审查决定书》) if applicable
• Foreign shareholder overseas registration certificates with notarization and authentication
• Articles of association showing foreign investment structure
• Proof of foreign investor’s financial stability and business qualifications

Businesses registered in Hong Kong, Macau, or free-trade zones may enjoy additional advantages and have additional application requirements.

How to Apply for the B24 (Call Center Services) License

The B24 License application process is administered through regional telecommunications authorities under MIIT oversight. The process is complex and typically takes 30 to 60 business days from initial submission to final approval, though complex applications or requests for supplementary materials may extend this timeline to three months or more. Depending on the scale of your operations, the authority managing your application will differ:

Provincial Operations: Approved by the Provincial Communications Administration Bureau (省通信管理局) where the company is registered. Provincial licenses allow application for 96-series phone numbers.

Cross-Provincial Operations: Must apply to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (国家工业和信息化部). Nationwide licenses allow application for 95-series phone numbers.

Major filing authorities include:

• Shanghai Communications Administration (上海市通信管理局) for Shanghai
• Beijing Communications Administration (北京市通信管理局) for Beijing
• Guangdong Communications Administration (广东省通信管理局) for Guangdong
• Shenzhen Communications Administration (深圳市通信管理局) for Shenzhen

Step 1: Material Preparation

Confirm enterprise qualifications meet requirements and prepare all application materials organized by category:

• Business license with telecommunications or value-added telecommunications business scope
• Company articles of association
• Legal representative identification and proof
• Technical personnel and management personnel credentials (ID cards, education certificates, work experience proof)
• Office premises proof (lease agreement or property certificate)
• Call center system and equipment documentation
• Information security assurance system documentation
• Commitment letter for lawful telecommunications business operations (signed by legal representative and stamped with company seal)

Step 2: Online Submission

Access the Telecommunications Business Market Comprehensive Management Information System (电信业务市场综合管理信息系统). Complete and submit application forms, uploading all materials in PDF format.

Step 3: Material Review and Evaluation

MIIT’s local Communications Administration conducts initial formal review followed by substantive review. The review focuses on:

• Enterprise qualifications and registered capital
• Personnel qualifications and staffing levels
• Call center system configuration and capabilities
• Information security measures and customer data protection

If the initial review passes, authorities may conduct an on-site evaluation to verify actual operational conditions, including office premises, call center equipment, and personnel.

Step 4: Approval and Public Announcement

After passing review and evaluation, the application enters the approval phase. Upon approval, the company information will be publicly announced on the Communications Administration’s official website. If no valid objections are received during the announcement period (typically 15-30 days), the process moves to the final stage.

Step 5: Certificate Collection

After the announcement period ends without objections, the company can officially receive the B24 License. Choose on-site pickup or mail delivery. The certificate is valid for 5 years and requires renewal before expiration. Companies must apply for renewal 90 days before expiration and submit all complete materials at least 30 days before expiration, otherwise renewal will not be granted and this is considered automatic abandonment of renewal. Finally, to remain compliant with local laws and regulations, companies are required to display the B24 License number provided on the certificate on their website.

Failure to renew on time may result in being listed on telecommunications bad faith lists.

The entire process generally takes 30 to 60 business days (approximately 2 to 3 months) from submission to approval, though applications requiring additional review or supplementary materials may take up to three months or slightly longer.

What Documents are Required for Application?

According to the Administrative Measures on Telecommunications Business Permits (2017), the following documents are required:

Company Documents – Business license (营业执照) with telecommunications or value-added telecommunications business scope, company articles of association, legal representative identification, and shareholder identification.

Personnel Documents – Social security certificates for at least three employees (license administrator, customer service manager, network security officer), identification cards of key management and technical personnel, education certificates (degrees and diplomas), and relevant work experience proof or certifications.

Business Materials – License application form, business development plan, technical solution demonstrating call center platform capabilities, service quality assurance plan, and operational procedures.

Infrastructure Documents – Call center system architecture diagrams, equipment inventory lists with specifications (telephony systems, computers, headsets, CRM systems, etc.), office premises proof (lease agreement or property certificate), and platform functionality documentation.

Compliance Documents – Information security assurance system documentation, cybersecurity department establishment records, data protection regulations and procedures for customer information, incident response plans, operational security policies, and commitment letter for lawful telecommunications business operations (signed and stamped).

All copies must be stamped with your company seal. Foreign language documents require certified Chinese translations. Requirements will vary by province and local Communications Administration. Due to the complexity of this process, it is recommended you work with a partner that is familiar with this process, such as AppInChina. This will not only reduce application delays, but will also increase the likelihood of the application being successful.

What Are the Consequences of Operating Without a B24 License?

Operating telecommunications or call center services in China without a valid B24 License directly violates Chapter 6 of the Telecommunications Regulations of the People’s Republic of China (中华人民共和国电信条例) and carries significant legal and operational risks:

• Criminal liability for serious offenses such as unauthorized telecommunications operations.
• Administrative penalties including warnings, rectification orders, and confiscation of illegal gains.
• Fines calculated as 3 to 5 times the amount of illegal income; if there is no illegal income or it is less than CNY 50,000, fines ranging from CNY 100,000 to CNY 1 million will be imposed.
• Business restrictions including suspension of operations, forced shutdown of call center services, or revocation of telecom permits in severe cases.
• Blacklisting of the entity and key personnel, preventing future telecommunications business operations.
• Additional liability for companies and approval agencies if services are carried out during the application process before license approval.

You cannot operate call center services while your B24 License application is pending. Both your company and the approval agency will face penalties if unlicensed operations are discovered during the application period.

How Can AppInChina Help?

Navigating China’s B24 license requirements demands specialised expertise and a local entity. We can help with: 

• Compliance Assessment. We provide a free assessment of your solution to determine which licenses you require, which may include the B24 License and other licenses, filings and certificates. Based on this we will confirm what options are available to you.
• Publishing. AppInChina can obtain the B24 License on your behalf and publish your solution under our company. 
• License Application. If you’re trying to obtain the B24 License for your wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE) in China then we can advise you on this process. 

Contact us to book an initial call and begin your entry into the Chinese market.