Complete Guide to WeChat Mini Program Service Categories for Overseas Entities
TL;DR
Overseas entities can access 15 major service categories on WeChat Mini Programs, including Cross-border E-commerce, Local Services, Tourism, Food & Beverages, Education, Tools, and more. Many sub-categories require no special qualifications, while others need specific documents with original + translation (English or Chinese). Some categories like milk powder and health products are in closed beta. Understanding your eligible categories before registration is essential.
Why Service Categories Matter
When registering a WeChat Mini Program as an overseas entity, the service category you select determines what your Mini Program can do. Choose the wrong category and your submission will be rejected. Choose a restricted category and you may need to provide additional qualifications you don't have.
WeChat classifies Mini Program operators into three entity types: Personal, Non-Personal (domestic), and Overseas Entities. Each type has access to a different set of service categories. This guide focuses exclusively on what's available to overseas entities, based on the official WeChat documentation.
Note: The open service categories may change with updates to policies, laws, and platform requirements. Always refer to the latest official documentation when submitting your application.
Available Categories for Overseas Entities
Below is the complete list of service categories currently open to overseas-registered entities, along with their sub-categories and required qualifications.
Logistics & Express Delivery Services
| Sub-category | Required Qualifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Express Delivery / Logistics — Search | None | For express delivery and logistics tracking services |
| Handling | None | For loading/unloading operations in logistics (e.g., ports, engineering) |
| Send / Receive | Company Registration Certificate original + translation (Chinese or English); Official website screenshots; Privacy Policy + Express Service License original + translation | Must not involve air traffic control or postal companies |
Education
| Sub-category | Required Qualifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Infant Education | None | For early childhood education services (ages 0–6). |
| Online Education | None | Web-based education and distance learning. Please note that live streaming of course content is not supported. |
| Educational Equipment | None | Educational tools, learning aids, and classroom facilities. |
| Education for Special Populations | None | Special education services and programs. |
| University | Business license original + translation (English or Chinese) | For school information display and enrollment services. Applications must not involve compulsory education (K-9 in China), military, police, or political academies. |
| Online Payment Platform | Complex multi-document requirement (see official docs) | For aggregated school tuition payment services |
Travel and Transportation
| Sub-category | Required Qualifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Service | None | Does not include carpooling or private ride-hailing services |
| Shared Bicycle | Land Transport Authority license (Singapore only) | Only for Singapore entities operating bike-sharing |
| Taxi | None | Online booking and itinerary display only. Does not include other ride-hailing services (private hire vehicles, carpooling) |
| Aviation | None | Flight info inquiry, booking, and check-in services |
Real Estate
| Sub-category | Required Qualifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate | Company Registration Certificate original + translation (English or Chinese); Real Estate Agent or Developer Registration Certificate original + translation | For rentals, new developments, and pre-owned property listings, consultation, and booking services. Direct online property transactions are not supported |
Life Services
| Sub-category | Required Qualifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photography / Printing | None | ID photos, art photography, photo printing services |
| Wedding Services | None | Wedding planning, photography, banquet hosting, videography, and honeymoon planning services |
| Housekeeping | None | Nannies, postpartum care, house cleaning, home appliance repairs, and online bookings |
| Ticketing | None | Ticketing display and sales for transportation and tourist attractions. Excludes theatrical/concert performance ticketing |
| Living Payment | None | Utility bill payments (water, electricity, TV, gas, etc.) |
| Delivery / Errands | None | On-demand delivery services and personal errand runners |
Food & Beverages
| Sub-category | Required Qualifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant Line Up | None | Online reservation queuing and waitlist management |
| Takeaway / Order | Option 1: Restaurant's business license original + translation, food service certificate original + translation, offline store photos. Option 2: Mini Program entity's documents original + translation, cooperation contracts with at least 3 restaurants + their food service certificates | For restaurant table ordering, food delivery, and collection services |
Tourism
| Sub-category | Required Qualifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outbound WiFi | None | International pocket WiFi rentals and sales |
| Travel Strategy | None | Travel guides, itineraries, and tips. Interactive social community features are not supported |
| Hotel Services | Business License original + translation (English or Chinese); Local hotel license original + translation | Requires a valid privacy policy; must not involve or promote gambling |
| Museum | Business License original + translation; Government website screenshot about the museum (with URL) or museum's official website (with URL) | Exhibits information display, ticket booking, and reservations. Souvenirs/merchandise sales are supported (excluding books) |
| Visa Processing | Registration documents + translation; Authorization from local visa authorities or cooperation agreement + translation | Outbound tourist visa processing services |
| Travel Agency | Local travel agency license original + translation; Business License original + translation; Cooperation contracts with service providers like hotels (at least 3) + translations | Overseas travel packages, hotel bookings, flight reservations, and car rentals |
| Tourist Office | Business license original + translation (English or Chinese) | Destinations information, attraction promotion, and local ticket sales |
| Tourist Tax Refund | Closed beta — Region-specific (France, Germany, Japan, etc.). Apply via miniprogram@tencent.com | Tax-free shopping refund services for tourists shopping abroad |
| Show Ticketing | Closed beta — Apply via miniprogram@tencent.com | Ticketing for commercial performances (concerts, theater, and local shows) |
Tools
Most tool sub-categories require no additional qualifications for overseas entities.
| Sub-category | Required Qualifications |
|---|---|
| Bookkeeping / Accounting | None |
| Calendar | None |
| Weather | None |
| Office Tools | None |
| Dictionaries | None |
| Image / Video Processing | None |
| Calculator | None |
| Quote / Price Comparison | None |
| Information Service | None |
| Efficiency Tools | None |
| Appointment / Registration | None |
| Health Management | None |
| Business Management | None |
| Portable Charger (Shared) | None |
Business Services
| Sub-category | Required Qualifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising / Design | None | Commercial advertising, product design |
| PR / Promotion | None | Commercial marketing, PR. Must not involve social investigation |
| Exhibition Service | None | Convention and exhibition center promotion |
| General Financial Services | None | Professional financial business solutions, planning and guidance |
Sports
| Sub-category | Required Qualifications |
|---|---|
| Sports Training | None |
| Online Fitness | None |
Automobile
| Sub-category | Required Qualifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance / Repair | None | Vehicle maintenance, repair, auto beauty, car wash |
| Car Quotes / Comparison | None | Car guide prices and offers |
| Auto Show Services | None | Car exhibition services |
| Car Dealerships / 4S Store | None | Services provided by car dealerships |
| Auto Manufacturers | None | Services provided by car manufacturers |
IT Technology
| Sub-category | Required Qualifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Telecom Operators | Business license original + translation (English or Chinese) | Phone card sales, phone/data recharge for overseas use |
Public Services
These categories are only available to Hong Kong and Macao SAR government entities.
| Sub-category | Required Qualifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Care | SAR government publicity documents (matching Mini Program entity) + written information statement letter (with official seal) | Government medical/health bureau services (appointment, reports, institution lookup). Online consultation and clinical trials not supported |
| Public Security / Entry and Exit | SAR government publicity documents + written information statement letter (with official seal) | Security, customs, fire, entry-exit services |
Local Services
Local Services covers the sale and delivery of goods within the overseas entity's local market (not cross-border to China). If cross-border sales are involved, you must also apply under the Cross-border E-commerce category.
| Sub-category | Required Qualifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing / Shoes / Bags | None | |
| Toys | None | Children's toys |
| Home Appliance / Digital / Phones | None | |
| Beauty / Skincare | None | |
| Jewelry / Accessories / Glasses / Watches | None | |
| Sports / Outdoor / Musical Instruments | None | |
| Flowers / Gardening / Arts & Crafts | None | |
| Home Furnishing / Decoration / Textiles | None | |
| Machinery / Electronic Devices | None | |
| Office / Stationery | None | |
| Alcohol / Liquor | Local liquor license original + translation (English or Chinese) | Does not support cross-border sales. Must comply with local age laws |
| Food | Local food sales permit original + translation (English or Chinese); Food categories and product listings | Packaged food, snacks, fresh produce, meat, etc. |
| Department Store / Supermarket / Convenience Store | Business license original + translation (Chinese or English); Offline store photos | Goods display, online booking, shopping guide, online sales |
| E-commerce Platform | Local e-commerce platform qualification original + translation (English or Chinese); Consumer protection mechanisms or programs | Platform-based Mini Programs for local goods trading |
| Milk Powder | Closed beta — Apply via miniprogram@tencent.com | Trademark + first-level trademark holder authorization + sales evidence on other platforms outside China |
| Health Products | Closed beta — Apply via miniprogram@tencent.com | Health food online sales and delivery |
| Drugs | Local drug license original + translation (English or Chinese) | Does not support cross-border sales |
| Pet Food / Supplies | Trademark + trademark holder authorization chain original + translation (Chinese or English); Commitment Letter | |
| Bank | Hong Kong banks only. Bank qualification certificate (including online banking license); Hong Kong Monetary Authority filing; Bank's Privacy Policy | Only debit card account opening for Hong Kong users. No credit cards, financial products, or other financial transactions |
Cross-border E-commerce
This is the most common category for overseas businesses looking to sell products to Chinese consumers. All products must fall within China's Cross-border E-commerce Retail Import Product List (2019 Edition).
| Sub-category | Required Qualifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| E-commerce Platform | Local e-commerce platform qualification original + translation (English or Chinese); Entrustment agreement with a domestic Chinese company (must specify the domestic company bears joint liability); Consumer protection mechanisms | Platform-based cross-border goods trading |
| Clothing / Shoes / Bags | None | |
| Toys | None | |
| Home Appliance / Digital / Phones | None | |
| Beauty / Skincare | None | |
| Jewelry / Accessories / Glasses / Watches | None | |
| Sports / Outdoor / Musical Instruments | None | |
| Flowers / Gardening / Arts & Crafts | None | |
| Home Furnishing / Decoration / Textiles | None | |
| Machinery / Electronic Devices | None | |
| Office / Stationery | None | |
| Pet Food / Supplies | Trademark (Grade R); Trademark holder authorization chain original + translation (Chinese or English); Commitment Letter | |
| Mother and Baby Products | Trademark (Grade R); Trademark holder authorization chain original + translation (Chinese or English); Commitment Letter | Diapers, baby clothes, pacifiers, bottles, etc. Milk powder requires a separate category |
| Food | Trademark (Grade R); Trademark holder authorization chain original + translation (Chinese or English); Commitment Letter | Packaged food, snacks, fresh produce, etc. |
| Alcohol / Liquor | Trademark (Grade R); Trademark holder authorization chain original + translation (Chinese or English); Commitment Letter | |
| Adult Supplies | Product qualification certificate of the home country original + translation (Chinese or English); Entrustment agreement with domestic Chinese partner; Commitment Letter | |
| Milk Powder | Closed beta — Apply via miniprogram@tencent.com | Trademark (Grade R) + authorization + sales evidence in China + domestic company entrustment agreement |
| Health Products | Closed beta — Apply via miniprogram@tencent.com | Same requirements as Milk Powder |
Important notes for Cross-border E-commerce:
- All products must comply with China's Cross-border E-commerce Retail Import Product List (2019 Edition).
- Cross-border sales of drugs, medical devices, and prescription drugs are not supported.
- For platform-type services, the entrustment agreement with a domestic company must specify joint liability.
- Payment must be processed through approved cross-border payment channels (such as licensed Payment Service Providers).
Categories NOT Available to Overseas Entities
The following major categories are restricted to domestic (Chinese mainland) entities only:
- Finance — Banking, insurance, securities, funds, lending, credit, consumer finance, and all financial services
- Healthcare — Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, medical devices, internet hospitals, clinical trials
- Government Services & Public Utilities — All government e-services and civic platforms (traffic violations, social insurance, taxation, etc.)
- Current Political Information — News and political reporting
- Entertainment — Novels, publications, video streaming, music, audiobooks, anime, radio, micro-dramas, religious information
- Social Networking — Social networking platforms, online community forums, live streaming, dating, Q&A, and discussion boards
- E-commerce Platform (domestic) — General domestic e-commerce platforms, online bidding/auction platforms
- Merchant Self-operated (domestic) — All domestic self-operated retail categories
- Generative AI & Deep Synthesis — AI-powered chat and text generation services
- Public Welfare — Fundraising, charity information, network mutual aid
Practical Tips for Category Selection
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Apply for the narrowest applicable category. Broader categories often require more documentation. If "Restaurant Line Up" fits, don't apply under a general umbrella.
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Prepare original documents and translations. WeChat requires original documents with translations in English or Chinese. This applies to business licenses, permits, and any specialized qualifications.
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Distinguish between Local Services and Cross-border E-commerce. If you only sell within your local market, apply under Local Services. If you sell to Chinese consumers across borders, you need the Cross-border E-commerce category — or both.
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One Mini Program can span multiple categories, but each category requires its own set of qualifications. Start with your primary use case.
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Category changes after approval are possible but require a new review cycle. Plan your category strategy before submission.
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Watch for closed-beta categories. Some categories (milk powder, health products, tourist tax refund, show ticketing) are invite-only. You must email miniprogram@tencent.com with the format:
[Closed Beta - Category Name + "entity info" + "appid"]. -
Review timelines vary. Standard reviews take 7–14 business days. During peak periods (e.g., Singles' Day preparation season), expect longer waits.
Next Steps
Understanding your eligible service categories is the first step toward a successful WeChat Mini Program launch. If you're unsure which category best fits your business, our team can provide a free eligibility assessment and guide you through the application process.
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