第一章总 则
Chapter One: General Provisions

第一条为了规范个人独资企业的行为，保护个人独资企业投资人和债权人的合法权益，维护社会经济秩序，促进社会主义市场经济的发展，根据宪法，制定本法。
Article 1 With a view to regulate the activities of sole proprietorship enterprises, to protect the lawful rights and interests of sole proprietors and creditors of sole proprietorship enterprises, to safeguard the social and economic order, and to promote the development of socialist market economy, this Law is formulated in accordance with the Constitution.

第二条本法所称个人独资企业，是指依照本法在中国境内设立，由一个自然人投资，财产为投资人个人所有，投资人以其个人财产对企业债务承担无限责任的经营实体。
Article 2 For purposes of this Law, a sole proprietorship enterprise means a business entity established within China with its capital contributed by one individual and its assets owned personally by the sole proprietor, who assumes unlimited liability to the extent of his personal assets.

第三条个人独资企业以其主要办事机构所在地为住所。
Article 3 A sole proprietorship enterprise's main place of business shall be its domicile.

第四条个人独资企业从事经营活动必须遵守法律、行政法规，遵守诚实信用原则，不得损害社会公共利益。
Article 4 In conducting business activities, a sole proprietorship enterprise shall abide by law and administrative regulations, as well as the principle of good faith and may not harm the public interests.

个人独资企业应当依法履行纳税义务。
A sole proprietorship enterprise shall fulfill its obligation to pay tax in accordance with the law.

第五条国家依法保护个人独资企业的财产和其他合法权益。
Article 5 The state shall protect the property and other lawful rights and interests of a sole proprietorship enterprise in accordance with the law.

第六条个人独资企业应当依法招用职工。职工的合法权益受法律保护。
Article 6 A sole proprietorship enterprise shall hire workers in accordance with the law. The lawful rights and interests of its workers are protected by law.

个人独资企业职工依法建立工会，工会依法开展活动。
The workers of the sole proprietorship enterprise shall establish a labor union in accordance with the law, and the labor union shall conduct its activities in accordance with the law.

第七条在个人独资企业中的中国*党员依照中国*章程进行活动。
Article 7 A member of the Chinese Communist Party in a sole proprietorship enterprise shall conduct his activities in accordance with the Charter of the Chinese Communist Party.

第二章个人独资企业的设立
Chapter Two: Establishment of Sole Proprietorship Enterprise

第八条设立个人独资企业应当具备下列条件：
Article 8 For the establishment of a sole proprietorship enterprise, the following conditions shall be met:

（一）投资人为一个自然人；
(i) The sole proprietor is a natural person;

（二）有合法的企业名称；
(ii) There is a lawful enterprise name;

（三）有投资人申报的出资；
(iii) There is capital contribution declared by the sole proprietor;

（四）有固定的生产经营场所和必要的生产经营条件；
(iv) There is a permanent place and the necessary conditions for production and operation;

（五）有必要的从业人员。
(v) There are necessary personnel.

第九条申请设立个人独资企业，应当由投资人或者其委托的代理人向个人独资企业所在地的登记机关提交设立申请书、投资人身份证明、生产经营场所使用证明等文件。委托代理人申请设立登记时，应当出具投资人的委托书和代理人的合法证明。
Article 9 In establishing a sole proprietorship enterprise, the sole proprietor or the agent appointed thereby shall submit such documents as an application for the establishment of a sole proprietorship enterprise, proof of identity of the sole proprietor, proof of use of the place for production and operation, etc. to the registration authority of the place where the sole proprietorship enterprise will be located. Where an agent is appointed to apply for the establishment of the sole proprietorship enterprise, the power of attorney issued by the sole proprietor and the legal identity of the agent shall be presented.

个人独资企业不得从事法律、行政法规禁止经营的业务；从事法律、行政法规规定须报经有关部门审批的业务，应当在申请设立登记时提交有关部门的批准文件。
A sole proprietorship enterprise may not engage in any business prohibited by law or administrative regulations; where the sole proprietorship enterprise intends to engage in any business which requires approval by the relevant authority, the approval document issued by the relevant authority shall be presented at the time of applying for establishment registration.

第十条个人独资企业设立申请书应当载明下列事项：
Article 10 The application form for the establishment of a sole proprietorship enterprise shall set forth the following:

（一）企业的名称和住所；
(i) name and domicile of the enterprise;

（二）投资人的姓名和居所；
(ii) name and residence of the sole proprietor;

（三）投资人的出资额和出资方式；
(iii) the amount and form of capital contribution;

（四）经营范围。
(iv) the scope of business.

第十一条个人独资企业的名称应当与其责任形式及从事的营业相符合。
Article 11 The name of a sole proprietorship enterprise shall be consistent with its form of liability and its type of business.

第十二条登记机关应当在收到设立申请文件之日起十五日内，对符合本法规定条件的，予以登记，发给营业执照；对不符合本法规定条件的，不予登记，并应当给予书面答复，说明理由。
Article 12 Within fifteen days of its receipt of the application documents, the registration authority shall register the sole proprietorship enterprise and issue a business license thereto if the documents comply with the requirements set forth herein, or deny registration and issue a written response stating the reason for denial.

第十三条个人独资企业的营业执照的签发日期，为个人独资企业成立日期。
Article 13 The date of issuance of the business license for a sole proprietorship enterprise shall be the date of its establishment.

在领取个人独资企业营业执照前，投资人不得以个人独资企业名义从事经营活动。
Prior to issuance of a business license for sole proprietorship enterprise, the sole proprietor may not engage in any business in the name of the sole proprietorship enterprise.

第十四条个人独资企业设立分支机构，应当由投资人或者其委托的代理人向分支机构所在地的登记机关申请登记，领取营业执照。
Article 14 In establishing a branch of a sole proprietorship enterprise, the sole proprietor or an agent appointed thereby shall submit an application for registration to the registration authority of the place where the branch will be located, and the branch shall be issued a business license.

分支机构经核准登记后，应将登记情况报该分支机构隶属的个人独资企业的登记机关备案。
Upon approval and registration of the branch, its registration certificate shall be filed with the registration authority having jurisdiction over the sole proprietorship enterprise to which such branch belongs.

分支机构的民事责任由设立该分支机构的个人独资企业承担。
The civil liabilities of the branch shall be borne by the sole proprietorship enterprise establishing such branch.

第十五条个人独资企业存续期间登记事项发生变更的，应当在作出变更决定之日起的十五日内依法向登记机关申请办理变更登记。
Article 15 Where during its existence, a sole proprietorship enterprise undergoes a change which affects a registered item, an application for registration amendment shall be submitted to the registration authority in accordance with the law within fifteen days of the decision to make such change.

第三章个人独资企业的投资人及事务管理
Chapter Three: Sole Proprietor and Management of the Sole Proprietor Enterprise's Affairs

第十六条法律、行政法规禁止从事营利性活动的人，不得作为投资人申请设立个人独资企业。
Article 16 A person who is prohibited from engaging in any for-profit activity may not apply for the establishment of a sole proprietorship enterprise as a sole proprietor.

第十七条个人独资企业投资人对本企业的财产依法享有所有权，其有关权利可以依法进行转让或继承。
Article 17 A sole proprietor has lawful title to the assets of the sole proprietorship enterprise, and any related right may be assigned or inherited in accordance with the law.

第十八条个人独资企业投资人在申请企业设立登记时明确以其家庭共有财产作为个人出资的，应当依法以家庭共有财产对企业债务承担无限责任。
Article 18 Where at the time of application for establishment, the sole proprietor expressly declares any property jointly owned by his family as capital contribution, he shall assume unlimited liability to the extent of such joint property in accordance with the law.

第十九条个人独资企业投资人可以自行管理企业事务，也可以委托或者聘用其他具有民事行为能力的人负责企业的事务管理。
Article 19 A sole proprietor may manage the affairs of the sole proprietorship enterprise by himself, and may also appoint or hire another person with the capacity for civil act to manage the sole proprietorship enterprise.

投资人委托或者聘用他人管理个人独资企业事务，应当与受托人或者被聘用的人签订书面合同，明确委托的具体内容和授予的权利范围。
Where a sole proprietor appoints or hires another person to manage the affairs of the sole proprietorship enterprise, he shall conclude with the agent or employee a written contract prescribing the entrusted affairs and the scope of authority granted.

受托人或者被聘用的人员应当履行诚信、勤勉义务，按照与投资人签订的合同负责个人独资企业的事务管理。
The agent or employee shall perform the obligations of good faith and due care, and manage the affairs of the sole proprietorship enterprise in accordance with the contract with the sole proprietor.

投资人对受托人或者被聘用的人员职权的限制，不得对抗善意第三人。
Any restriction by the sole proprietor on the authority of the agent or employee shall not constitutes a defense against a third person in good faith.

第二十条投资人委托或者聘用的管理个人独资企业事务的人员不得有下列行为：
Article 20 The person appointed or hired by the sole proprietor to manage the affairs of the sole proprietorship enterprise may not engage in any of the following conducts:

（一）利用职务上的便利，索取或者收受贿赂；
(i) demanding or accepting bribes by usurping his official position;

（二）利用职务或者工作上的便利侵占企业财产；
(ii) converting property of the sole proprietorship enterprise by usurping his official position or working relationship;

（三）挪用企业的资金归个人使用或者借贷给他人；
(iii) misappropriating funds of the sole proprietorship enterprise by using them for his own purpose or lending them to a third person.

（四）擅自将企业资金以个人名义或者以他人名义开立帐户储存；
(iv) depositing funds of the sole proprietorship enterprise in his own name or in the name of any third person without authorization;

（五）擅自以企业财产提供担保；
(v) pledging assets of the sole proprietorship enterprise as security without authorization;

（六）未经投资人同意，从事与本企业相竞争的业务；
(vi) engaging in any business in competition with the sole proprietorship enterprise without consent by the sole proprietor;

（七）未经投资人同意，同本企业订立合同或者进行交易；
(vii) entering into any contract or conducting any transaction with the sole proprietorship enterprise without consent by the sole proprietor;

（八）未经投资人同意，擅自将企业商标或者其他知识产权转让给他人使用；
(viii) assigning any trademark or other intellectual property of the sole proprietorship enterprise to a third person for use without consent by the sole proprietor;

（九）泄露本企业的商业秘密；
(ix) disclosing trade secrets of the sole proprietorship enterprise;

（十）法律、行政法规禁止的其他行为。
(x) any other act prohibited by law or administrative regulations.

第二十一条个人独资企业应当依法设置会计帐簿，进行会计核算。
Article 21 A sole proprietorship enterprise shall set up accounting books and conduct accounting in accordance with the law.

第二十二条个人独资企业招用职工的，应当依法与职工签订劳动合同，保障职工的劳动安全，按时、足额发放职工工资。
Article 22 Where a sole proprietorship enterprise employs workers, it shall enter into labor contracts with the workers, and ensure workplace safety and make full and timely payment of wages.

第二十三条个人独资企业应当按照国家规定参加社会保险，为职工缴纳社会保险费。
Article 23 A sole proprietorship enterprise shall participate in the social insurance scheme in accordance with the relevant stipulations of the state, and shall pay social insurance premiums for its workers.

第二十四条个人独资企业可以依法申请贷款、取得土地使用权，并享有法律、行政法规规定的其他权利。
Article 24 A sole proprietorship enterprise may apply for loan and acquire land-use-rights in accordance with the law, and shall enjoy other rights prescribed by law or administrative regulations.

第二十五条任何单位和个人不得违反法律、行政法规的规定，以任何方式强制个人独资企业提供财力、物力、人力；对于违法强制提供财力、物力、人力的行为，个人独资企业有权拒绝。
Article 25 No entity or individual may force a sole proprietorship enterprise to contribute funds, goods or labor in any manner in violation of law or administrative regulations; a sole proprietorship enterprise is entitled to reject any attempt forcing it to contribute funds, goods or labor in violation of law.

第四章个人独资企业的解散和清算
Chapter Four: Dissolution and Liquidation of Sole Proprietorship Enterprise

第二十六条个人独资企业有下列情形之一时，应当解散；
Article 26 A sole proprietorship enterprise shall be dissolved in any of the following circumstances:

（一）投资人决定解散；
(i) The sole proprietor decides to dissolve the sole proprietorship enterprise;

（二）投资人死亡或者被宣告死亡，无继承人或者继承人决定放弃继承；
(ii) The sole proprietor is deceased or is declared deceased, and there is no heir or the heir has renounced his inheritance;

（三）被依法吊销营业执照；
(iii) Its business license is lawfully revoked;

（四）法律、行政法规规定的其他情形。
(iv) Any other situation prescribed by law or administrative regulations has occurred.

第二十七条个人独资企业解散，由投资人自行清算或者由债权人申请人民法院指定清算人进行清算。
Article 27 Where a sole proprietorship enterprise is to be dissolved, the sole proprietor shall conduct liquidation himself, or the creditors thereof may apply to the People's Court to designate a liquidator to conduct liquidation.

投资人自行清算的，应当在清算前十五日内书面通知债权人，无法通知的，应当予以公告。债权人应当在接到通知之日起三十日内，未接到通知的应当在公告之日起六十日内，向投资人申报其债权。
Where the sole proprietor conducts liquidation himself, he shall notify the creditors fifteen days prior to liquidation, and where he is unable to give notice, he shall make a public announcement. A creditor who has received such notice shall file a claim with the sole proprietor within thirty days of notification, and a creditor who has not received such notice shall file a claim with the sole proprietor within sixty days of the public announcement.

第二十八条个人独资企业解散后，原投资人对个人独资企业存续期间的债务仍应承担偿还责任，但债权人在五年内未向债务人提出偿债请求的，该责任消灭。
Article 28 Upon dissolution of a sole proprietorship enterprise, the former sole proprietor shall be liable to repay the debt incurred by the sole proprietorship enterprise during its existence, provided that any claim not made by the relevant creditor within five years shall be extinguished.

第二十九条个人独资企业解散的，财产应当按照下列顺序清偿：
Article 29 Upon dissolution of a sole proprietorship enterprise, its assets shall be paid out in the following order of priority:

（一）所欠职工工资和社会保险费用；
(i) wages and social insurance premiums payable;

（二）所欠税款；
(ii) taxes payable;

（三）其他债务。
(iii) other debts.

第三十条清算期间，个人独资企业不得开展与清算目的无关的经营活动。在按前条规定清偿债务前，投资人不得转移、隐匿财产。
Article 30 During liquidation, a sole proprietorship enterprise may not engage in any business activity unrelated to the liquidation. The sole proprietor may not transfer or conceal the property of the sole proprietorship enterprise prior to full payment of its debt.

第三十一条个人独资企业财产不足以清偿债务的，投资人应当以其个人的其他财产予以清偿。
Article 31 Where the assets of a sole proprietorship enterprise are not sufficient to repay its debts in full, the sole proprietor shall contribute his other personal assets to cover the difference.

第三十二条个人独资企业清算结束后，投资人或者人民法院指定的清算人应当编制清算报告，并于十五日内到登记机关办理注销登记。
Article 32 Upon completion of the liquidation of a sole proprietorship enterprise, the sole proprietor or the liquidator designated by the People's Court shall prepare a liquidation report, and shall conduct de-registration with the registration authority within fifteen days.

第五章法律责任
Chapter Five: Legal Liabilities

第三十三条违反本法规定，提交虚假文件或采取其他欺骗手段，取得企业登记的，责令改正，处以五千元以下的罚款；情节严重的，并处吊销营业执照。
Article 33 Where a sole proprietor, in violation of the provisions hereof, obtains registration for the sole proprietorship enterprise by submitting false documents or by other fraudulent means, he shall be ordered to rectify the situation, and shall be fined not more than five thousand Yuan; where the circumstance is serious, its business license shall be concurrently revoked.

第三十四条违反本法规定，个人独资企业使用的名称与其在登记机关登记的名称不相符合的，责令限期改正，处以二千元以下的罚款。
Article 34 Where the name of a sole proprietorship enterprise, in contravention to the provisions hereof, is not consistent with the name registered with the registration authority, the sole proprietorship enterprise shall be ordered to rectify the situation within a prescribed time limit, and shall be fined not more than two thousand Yuan.

第三十五条涂改、出租、转让营业执照的，责令改正，没收违法所得，处以三千元以下的罚款；情节严重的，吊销营业执照。
Article 35 Where a sole proprietorship enterprise alters, rents or assigns its business license to any other person, it shall be ordered to rectify the situation, and any resulting illegal income shall be confiscated, and the sole proprietorship enterprise shall be fined not more than three thousand Yuan; where the circumstance is serious, its business license shall be revoked.

伪造营业执照的，责令停业，没收违法所得，处以五千元以下的罚款。构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
Where a person falsifies the business license of a sole proprietorship enterprise, he shall be ordered to cease his business, and any illegal income shall be confiscated, and he shall be fined not more than five thousand Yuan. Where such act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be imposed in accordance with the law.

第三十六条个人独资企业成立后无正当理由超过六个月未开业的，或者开业后自行停业连续六个月以上的，吊销营业执照。
Article 36 If a sole proprietorship enterprise fails to commence business within six months from the time of its establishment, or it ceases to carry out its business for more than six consecutive months, its business license shall be revoked.

第三十七条违反本法规定，未领取营业执照，以个人独资企业名义从事经营活动的，责令停止经营活动，处以三千元以下的罚款。
Article 37 Where a person, in violation of the provisions hereof, engages in any business activity in the name of a sole proprietorship enterprise while no business license has been issued, he shall be ordered to cease such business activity, and he shall be fined not more than three thousand Yuan.

个人独资企业登记事项发生变更时，未按本法规定办理有关变更登记的，责令限期办理变更登记；逾期不办理的，处以二千元以下的罚款。
Where a registered item of a sole proprietorship enterprise has changed, if amendment registration is not carried out in accordance herewith, the sole proprietorship enterprise shall be ordered to carry out such registration within a prescribed time limit; where amendment registration is not carried out within the prescribed time limit, the sole proprietorship enterprise shall be fined not more than two thousand Yuan.

第三十八条投资人委托或者聘用的人员管理个人独资企业事务时违反双方订立的合同，给投资人造成损害的，承担民事赔偿责任。
Article 38 If while conducting the affairs of the sole proprietorship enterprise, the person appointed or hired by a sole proprietor breaches the contract between them, thereby causing harm to the sole proprietor, such person shall be liable for civil damages.

第三十九条个人独资企业违反本法规定，侵犯职工合法权益，未保障职工劳动安全，不缴纳社会保险费用的，按照有关法律、行政法规予以处罚，并追究有关责任人员的责任。
Article 39 Where a sole proprietorship enterprise, in violation hereof, violates the lawful rights and interests of its workers, fails to ensure the safety of its workers or fails to pay their social insurance premiums, it shall be sanctioned in accordance with the relevant laws or administrative regulations, and liability shall be imposed on the relevant person.

第四十条投资人委托或者聘用的人员违反本法第二十条规定，侵犯个人独资企业财产权益的，责令退还侵占的财产；
Article 40 Where the person appointed or hired by a sole proprietor infringes on the property interests of the sole proprietorship enterprise, he shall be ordered to make restitution,

给企业造成损失的，依法承担赔偿责任；有违法所得的，没收违法所得；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
and where the sole proprietorship enterprise sustains any loss as a result, he shall be liable for damages in accordance with the law; where he has made any illegal gain, such illegal gain shall be confiscated; where a crime is committed, criminal liability shall be imposed.

第四十一条违反法律、行政法规的规定强制个人独资企业提供财力、物力、人力的，按照有关法律、行政法规予以处罚，并追究有关责任人员的责任。
Article 41 Where a sole proprietorship enterprise is forced to contribute resources in the form of labor, goods, or funds in violation of law or administrative regulations, the responsible party shall be sanctioned in accordance with the relevant law or administrative regulation, and liability shall be imposed on the relevant person.

第四十二条个人独资企业及其投资人在清算前或清算期间隐匿或转移财产，逃避债务的，依法追回其财产，并按照有关规定予以处罚；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
Article 42 Where before or during the liquidation of a sole proprietorship enterprise, the sole proprietorship enterprise or the sole proprietor conceals or transfers its/his assets in order to evade debts, such assets shall be reclaimed in accordance with the law and sanction shall be imposed in accordance with the law; where such act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be imposed in accordance with the law.

第四十三条投资人违反本法规定，应当承担民事赔偿责任和缴纳罚款、罚金，其财产不足以支付的，或者被判处没收财产的，应当先承担民事赔偿责任。
Article 43 Where the sole proprietor violates the provisions hereof, thereby incurring civil liability for damages as well as administrative or criminal fine, if his assets are not sufficient to pay the above amounts in full, or his assets are to be confiscated, satisfaction of the relevant civil liability shall have priority.

第四十四条登记机关对不符合本法规定条件的个人独资企业予以登记，或者对符合本法规定条件的企业不予登记的，对直接责任人员依法给予行政处分；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
Article 44 Where the registration authority grants registration to an application for the registration of sole proprietorship enterprise which fails to meet the conditions prescribed herein, or fails to grant registration to an application for registration of sole proprietorship enterprise which meets the conditions prescribed herein, the person direct responsible shall be assessed administrative penalties in accordance with the law. Where such act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be imposed in accordance with the law.

第四十五条登记机关的上级部门的有关主管人员强令登记机关对不符合本法规定条件的企业予以登记，或者对符合本法规定条件的企业不予登记的，或者对登记机关的违法登记行为进行包庇的，对直接责任人员依法给予行政处分；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
Article 45 Where the department in charge of the registration authority compels it to grant registration to an application which fails to meet the conditions prescribed herein, or engages in cover up for an illegal registration, the person with directly responsible shall be assessed administrative penalties in accordance with the law. Where such act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be imposed in accordance with the law.

第四十六条登记机关对符合法定条件的申请不予登记或者超过法定时限不予答复的，当事人可依法申请行政复议或提起行政诉讼。
Article 46 Where the registration authority fails to grant registration to an application which meets the conditions prescribed herein, or fails to issue any response after the legally prescribed time limit has expired, the party may apply for administrative review or bring an administrative suit.

第六章附 则
Chapter Six: Supplementary Provisions

第四十七条外商独资企业不适用本法。
Article 47 This Law shall not apply to a wholly foreign-owned enterprise.

第四十八条本法自2000年1月1日起施行。
Article 48 This Law shall take effect as from January 1, 2000.