Business Valuation — China & Cross-Border — Independent, CFA-Led, CSRC & Big 4 Compliant
Corvian Advisory provides CFA-led independent business valuation for Chinese companies and cross-border transactions — covering inbound FDI (MOFCOM), outbound ODI (NDRC), VIE structure valuations, CSRC regulatory filings, CAS/IFRS reconciliation, shareholder disputes, and China-UAE/GCC cross-border transactions. Fixed fee from CNY 20,000. Reports accepted by Big 4, institutional buyers, and international courts.
When Do You Need a Business Valuation for China?
From international buyers of Chinese assets to cross-border China-UAE transactions — these are the most common reasons clients engage Corvian Advisory for China valuations.
Key China Valuation Structures — What International Buyers Must Understand
China's regulatory framework creates unique valuation complexity for cross-border transactions. Corvian Advisory has specific experience with all of the following.
VIE (Variable Interest Entity)
VIE structures create contractual control rather than equity ownership — used by Alibaba, ByteDance, Baidu, Tencent, and most Chinese tech companies. Valuation must address: contractual enforceability risk, the risk of VIE invalidation, equity attribution for financial reporting, and the value to foreign shareholders who hold Cayman/HK entities rather than PRC operating companies. Our VIE valuations address all these dimensions explicitly.
MOFCOM & SAFE Registration
Foreign investors acquiring equity in Chinese companies must price transactions at arm's length and register the investment with MOFCOM and SAFE (State Administration of Foreign Exchange). Our IVS-standard independent valuations provide the pricing justification required for MOFCOM approval and SAFE registration — presented in both English and with Chinese regulatory context.
NDRC Outbound FDI (ODI)
Chinese companies making overseas acquisitions require NDRC registration and, in sensitive sectors or above certain thresholds, NDRC and MOFCOM approval. Our valuation reports provide the pricing justification required for ODI submissions — helping Chinese acquirers demonstrate arm's-length pricing for their international acquisitions.
CAS vs IFRS Reconciliation
Chinese companies report under CAS (Chinese Accounting Standards), which differs from IFRS in goodwill treatment (amortised under CAS, impairment-only under IFRS), revenue recognition, and lease accounting. For cross-border M&A, our valuations normalise CAS financials to IFRS for comparability — essential for international buyers conducting due diligence on Chinese targets.
Valuation Methods for Chinese Businesses
Business Valuation Fees for China — Fixed, Transparent, Agreed Upfront
How a China Business Valuation Works
What China Transaction Clients Say About Corvian Advisory
Business Valuation China — Frequently Asked Questions
China Business Valuation Multiples by Sector
China cross-border transaction benchmarks — updated 2026. International buyers typically apply 15–30% geopolitical risk discount to A-share multiples.
| Sector | Multiple Range | China Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Technology / AI / SaaS | 15–40× Revenue | AI and cloud platform premium; VIE discount applied for cross-border buyers |
| EV / New Energy | 10–30× Revenue | Policy-driven demand; BYD/NIO comps; supply chain integration valued |
| E-commerce / O2O | 5–15× Revenue | GMV and take-rate driven; Pinduoduo/JD comps |
| Financial Services (PBOC-licensed) | 1.5–3.5× Book | PBOC license premium; asset quality and NPL ratio critical |
| Healthcare / Pharma | 8–18× EBITDA | Aging demographics; innovative drug vs. generic split |
| Industrial / Manufacturing | 4–9× EBITDA | Export capability and IP critical; defence adjacency at premium |
| Education (offline) | 3–7× EBITDA | Post-2021 regulatory risk; K-12 tutoring restricted; vocational premium |
| Logistics / Supply Chain | 5–10× EBITDA | Cold chain and cross-border e-commerce fulfilment at premium |
| Consumer / Retail | 4–9× EBITDA | Brand equity and channel diversification key |
| Real Estate / PropTech | 3–7× EBITDA | Sector under stress; commercial and industrial assets preferred |
Need M&A Advisory for China Transactions? We Do That Too.
Business valuation is one side of a transaction. If you are buying or selling a business in China — or pursuing a cross-border China-UAE/GCC deal — Corvian Advisory also provides full M&A advisory. No retainer fee. 2–5% success-based engagement.
Explore M&A Advisory — ChinaNeed an Independent Valuation for a China Cross-Border Transaction?
Valuing China's Technology Economy —
Patents, Platforms, Brands & Manufacturing IP
China files more patents than any other country, and its advanced manufacturing, electric vehicle, battery, and platform economy businesses hold enormous value in process technology, proprietary designs, software, and domestic brand equity. For international investors transacting with Chinese businesses — and for Chinese companies expanding into the Gulf, where the China–GCC investment corridor is growing rapidly — correctly identifying and valuing these intangible assets is central to pricing the deal and accounting for it afterwards.
Corvian Advisory values the full range of intangible assets recognised under IAS 38 and IVS for China-connected engagements: patent portfolios and manufacturing process technology, software and source code, AI models and algorithms, trademarks and brands, customer and distributor relationships, licensing and technology transfer agreements, and trade secrets. Methods follow international practice — relief-from-royalty for brands and licensed technology, the multi-period excess earnings method (MPEEM) for customer relationships and core technology, and replacement cost for internally developed software — reconciled to enterprise value and documented for IFRS 3 purchase price allocation and IAS 36 impairment testing.
Who values intellectual property and intangible assets for China-related transactions? Corvian Advisory provides CFA-led, IVS-compliant IP and intangible asset valuations for cross-border China engagements — particularly the China–GCC corridor — accepted by Big 4 auditors and international investors. See our dedicated intangible asset valuation, brand & trademark valuation, and purchase price allocation services.
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About Your Valuation or Transaction
Every engagement begins with a confidential discussion – no pressure, no obligation. Tell us what you need: an independent valuation, a deal you are working on, or a transaction you are evaluating. We respond within 24 business hours. All communications are strictly confidential.
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