Electronic Seals in China: What You Need to Know

In China, the company seal (公章) has long carried more practical authority than a signature — a stamped document is often what makes an agreement real. As business moves online, the question becomes: how does that translate to electronic seals?

This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and apply differently to each situation; consult a qualified professional for your specific case.

The legal foundation

China's Electronic Signature Law (electronic signature 电子签名法) is the basis for recognizing electronic forms of signing, including electronic seals. The core idea is that an electronic signature has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature or a physical seal when it qualifies as a "reliable" electronic signature.

The law's reliability conditions broadly require that:

• the signature creation data is uniquely linked to and controlled by the signatory,
• any alteration to the signature or the document after signing is detectable, and
• the parties have agreed to use electronic signing.

In practice, meeting these conditions means using a qualified e-signature/e-seal service, often involving a certificate authority.

Reliable e-seal vs. a picture

This distinction is the whole point. A "reliable" electronic seal is backed by cryptographic credentials that tie it to a verified identity and detect tampering. A seal image — a PNG or SVG — has none of that. It reproduces the look of a 公章 but carries no verified identity, no tamper detection, and no audit trail.

So pasting a seal image into a contract does not produce a reliable electronic signature under the law. For the general principle, see are image seals legally valid? and electronic seal vs. electronic signature.

When you need a compliant platform

For contracts, filings, and other documents that must hold up legally, use a qualified electronic signature / e-seal platform that provides verified identity, tamper protection, and an audit trail. That's what turns an electronic seal into a reliable one in the eyes of the law.

Where this tool fits

The seal generator produces seal graphics for design, mockups, presentations, learning, and lawful personal use. It is not a signing system and does not create reliable electronic signatures. Use it to design and visualize a seal; use a compliant platform whenever a document needs legal effect — and never use a generated seal to forge documents or impersonate an organization.

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Comparing jurisdictions? Company seal requirements by country puts this country next to eleven others in one dated, sourced table.

Sources: National Database of Laws and Regulations: Electronic Signature Law (in Chinese)