Tapping into the vast and lucrative Chinese e-commerce market requires a strategic approach. And tailored to the unique characteristics and preferences of Chinese consumers. As China internet users are using the nation’s social media platforms such as WeChat and Douyin rather than Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok.
How to get into China E-Market?
All entrepreneur wants a profitable return when running a business. As the uniqueness of China E-Market, you have to well-prepared in advance.
Market Research and Understanding Consumer Behaviour
No matter what business you are doing, you have to identify your target customer segments based on demographics, preferences, and purchasing behaviour. With your knowledges of your target segment, then found out their preferences. For example, China is a huge country, from North to South, East to West, they have difference cultural and habits. Your product maybe 100% perfect match one area, but totally awful for other. Furthermore, you have to know your competitors including domestic and international. As you need to know what is your opportunities between them.
Establishing an Online Presence
You are nobody to the China E-market at the moment. So, you have to let your target customers know your products. It means you have to introduce your products properly to China market via difference platforms. If your products are in China already, then you can use the dominated platforms such as Alibaba’s Tmall, JD.com, Taobao, and Pinduoduo. If you want to enter from outside, then you can try Tmall Global and JD Worldwide to entry China. Otherwise, you can try the social commerce platform like WeChat and Little Red Book for influencer marketing and community engagement.
Localization and Cultural Adaption
Even thought you are doing online business for decades, you still need to make change to adapt the new environment. For instance, you have to proper translate your website to Chinese. Also, the payment gateway needs to modify as well. Since visa, stripe or PayPal are not the popular in China. You have to connect the checkout process via WeChat Pay or Alipay instead.
Building Trust and Credibility
If you want to step in the market, you have to built a brand awareness and credibility through positive reviews, endorsements and partnerships with reputable local brands. Also, building trust is also important. But how to gain trust from the consumers? The very first step is making your products align with all the compliance and regulations. The let your customers know your goods and services are in high quality and reliable delivery. Then loyalty and trust will be established.
Marketing and Promotion
China was the first to embed live streaming using influencer and Key Opinion Leader (KOL) marketing strategies to reach your target group. Besides KOL marketing, you have to create a localized content such as clips, articles and infographics to attract your groups. China has its unique shopping events such as double-eleven Single’s Day on 11th November and Chinese New Year, you can offer discounts and promotions to drive sales.
Logistics and Fulfillment
You have to consider how to delivery your products to your customers. The delivery must be reliable, fast and cost-effective. Imagine someone purchased a merchandise from your platform, but it takes weeks for delivery. Then, it will not be an option to the Chinese market. When we are saying logistics, it is not only talking delivery, but also the warehousing and customs clearance. Therefore, you have to decide to set up a local warehouse or utilizing fulfillment centers to streamline inventory management and reduce shipping times. If you are shipping abroad, then you have to go through every customs procedure and compliance requirements for smooth cross-border shipping and clearance.
Data Analytics and Iterative Optimization
You have to use the big data to analysis your customer data, sales trends and consumer feedback. Then you can refine marketing strategies. This is not a one-off strategy. You have to continuously iterate and adapt strategies based on to market dynamics, emerging trends, and feedback from Chinese consumers.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Last but not the least, you have to establish a legal entity. Or utilize cross-border e-commerce pilot zones for compliance with regulations on foreign businesses operating in China. Then you have to protect your Intellectual Property. Thus, register your trademarks and patents and prevent counterfeiting and infringement. Also, ensure compliance with China’s data protection laws and regulations, including the Cybersecurity Law and Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL).
The government just announced the 2024 Policy Address on 16 October. The theme of enhancing development and build the future together with the citizens. As a startup, an entrepreneur or a citizen, you must be concerned about what measures will have an impact on the operations of enterprises. Especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Therefore, Centre O is specially highlight to screen and integrate relevant important information for you.
Measures relevant to SMEs
Property
– The mortgage ratio for non-residential properties (including office buildings, shops and industrial buildings, etc.) will be adjusted to 70% regardless of the property value, whether it is self-occupied or owned by a company, and whether the buyer is a “first-time home buyer”
– The upper limit of contribution to income ratio will be adjusted to 50%
– Cancellation of the 10% mortgage factor deduction arrangement for existing loans or guarantees for other mortgage properties
SME Financing Guarantee Scheme (SFGS)
– The enterprises with exiting loans approved under 80%, 90% and 100% special guarantee products. As well as new loans under 80% and 90% credit guarantee products to apply for “interest-free repayment” for up to 12 months. “Repay the principal”
– Extend the maximum loan guarantee period of 80% and 90% credit guarantee products to ten and eight years respectively, and provide a “partial principal repayment” option for new loans under the two guarantee products
Digital Transformation Support Pilot Scheme
– In order to support SMEs in seizing e-commerce opportunities, the scope of coverage will be extended to the tourism and personal service industries, etc. Also including one-to-one funding will be provided for the digital transformation of SMEs.
Employee Protection
– On 1 May 2025, the arrangement for “offsetting” severance pay and long service payment accrued by employers’ mandatory contributions under the Mandatory Provident Fund System will be cancelled. The government will also launch a 25-year subsidy plan totaling more than HK$33 billion to share the burden. Employer expenses after cancellation of “offsetting”
– Amend the “continuous contract” requirements under the Employment Ordinance, relaxing from 4 consecutive weeks of 18 hours of work per week (i.e. 72 hours in total) to 4 weeks in total of 68 hours
Top Talent Pass Scheme
– The list of universities has been expanded to 198 by adding 13 top universities at home and abroad. And the first visa period for high-income talents in the plan has been extended from 2 years to 3 years.
Good news for non-Chinese Hong Kong and Macau Permanent Residents. Starting on 10 July 2024, they can apply for a 5-year permit to travel to the Mainland for short-term purposes, such as business or tourism. Permit holders no longer need to apply for a China Visa. Then, they can travel to the mainland within the 5-year validity period, with each stay not exceeding 90 days.
How to apply?
Step 1: Online Application
Applicants must complete an application e-form on the CTS (China Travel Service) Entry Permit Service Hong Kong Limited’s website. By providing their personal information and uploading images of their Hong Kong Permanent Resident Identity Card and copy of their passport data page.
Step 2: Email Notification
Applicants will receive an email if they pass a preliminary review. They can then make an appointment at a designated CTS service centre.
Step 3: Bring Original Documents
Applicants should bring all required original documents. Including a completed application form with a recent photo, Hong Kong Permanent Resident Identity Card, passport and nationality certificates. The nationality certificates can be appied from the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
Step 4: Appointment Date
During the appointment at the CTS service centre, applicants have to take a photo at the specific photo booth. Then obtain a qualified barcode receipt and a printout of the physical photo. Line up with an application ticket from the machine when you enter the service centre and wait for your turn to submit your application via the counter. The counter officer will process your application and compete the registration. The application fee is HKD260. Before you leave the service centre, the officer will give you an acceptance receipt that shows you when to get back to the service centre and collect the permit.
Step 5: Pick up
Applicants have to pick up their permit in person with the acceptance receipt within 12 months from the scheduled date of collection.
Where are the Designated Service Centres in Hong Kong?
There are 6 CTS Centre located in:
Hong Kong Island: Sheung Wan
Kowloon: Kowloon Bay and Mong Kok
New Territories: Kwai Chung, Shek Mun and Tuen Mun
Hong Kong is one of the best business hubs in Asia, and it consistently ranks as one of the world’s freest economies. Its strategic location, low taxes, and business-friendly policies draw many entrepreneurs globally to do business in Hong Kong. However, before you start the business, you should understand its legal requirements – one of which is appointing a company secretary.
What is a Company Secretary?
A company secretary acts as a company’s representative in the region, ensuring that a company’s operations are managed following the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, and plays a key role in the direction, and corporate governance.
What Does a Company Secretary in Hong Kong Do?
This is not your secretary in the office. A Company Secretary is your Compliance Manager for your business. That is, to ensure your Hong Kong company operations align with all local laws. Whether these legal entities are public companies or small private companies.
Also, the Company Secretary acts as the representative to ensure your company is updated of the legislative changes and files the proper paperwork and legal obligations. So, you see the role of a Company Secretary is the primary contact with the government.
Who can be appointed as a Company Secretary?
In Hong Kong, both natural persons and corporate entities can be appointed as a company secretary. Regardless of the type of company secretary, specific prerequisites must be met.
For a natural person to serve as a company secretary, they must be a Hong Kong resident.
For a corporation to be appointed as a company secretary,
Do ensure they are a licensed Hong Kong Trust and Corporate Service Provider (TCSP)
The Profit Tax Return Form is known as the “Profit Tax Return – Corporations (BIR51)”. BIR51 is used by corporations, including limited companies and other corporate entities. The purposes are to report their assessable profits and calculate the amount of profit tax payable to the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department (IRD).
What information do you have to provide?
The BIR51 form not only requires details financial information about your company. For example, income, expenses, deductions, and tax liabilities for the relevant year. But also your corporation details such as postal address, contact number and principal business activity. If you have appointed an authorized representative. Then you have to fill in the form as well.
For the financial information, firstly, you have to state the accounting period, gross income and assessable profits. Secondly, you need to provide the details of deductible expenses, allowances and deductions claimed. And then fill in the computation of assessable profits and tax payable, including any tax credits or relief claimed.
Finally, you must sign the declaration of accuracy and completeness of the information provided. Please be aware any fault representation will cause heavy penalties.
When to submit the BIR51 Form?
You have to file your BIR51 within 1 month after the end of the company’s accounting period or depending on the company’s financial year-end date. For the startup, you can file within 3 months.
How to file the BIR51 form?
You can file your BIR51 paper form to the IRD’s office. Or you can file the form electronically via the IRD’s eTax portal.
Companies need to ensure accurate and timely completion of the profit tax return form to comply with Hong Kong’s tax laws and regulations and avoid penalties or legal consequences for non-compliance. Additionally, companies may seek professional advice from tax advisors or accountants to assist with the preparation and submission of their profit tax returns.
After setting up a Hong Kong Limited, the company filings do not end there. Yearly, you are required to arrange renewal of your company including annual return and profit tax return as well.
Annual Return
As per the rules in the Companies Ordinance, each of the Hong Kong companies has to file the Annual Return regularly every year in the prescribed form. The form that is used is called the NAR1 form. The contents of this form include the particulars of the issued share capital, registered capital, registered office, secretary(s), director(s), shareholder(s), etc.
The annual return has to be filed within 42 days of the anniversary date of the incorporation of the company every year, and it is a compulsory obligation. In case a person forgets to file the annual return, they would be liable to pay the late fines depending on how late the filing has been done.
Profit Tax Return
Submission the Profit Tax Return, it doesn’t mean you have to pay tax. As the tax amount will be computed by the profitability for the year. It is normal for a company to get its first profits tax return within the 18 months since the commencement date of the business. After that, the next tax return forms would usually be issued on the 1st of April each year (or the first working day of April every year.)
Along with this, an audit report has to be attached. In the next years, in case there is no tax representative to act on its behalf for submitting the form for an extension, the company has to file the tax return within a month.
Renewal of Documents
Each year, when renewing a company, it’s common for any Hong Kong Limited to keep a record of the below docunments.
Business Registration Certificate
NAR1 (Filled Annual Return Form)
Client Due Diligent Acknowledgement
ND2A (Notice of Change of Company Secretary) – if applicable
NR1 (Notice of Change of Address of Registered Office) – if applicable
How Centre O can assist you on the renewal?
Centre O provides one-year Registered Address Services including fax and telephone number. We can assist to handle government letters and phone calls. Also, Centre O is a licensed TCSP agent to provide qualified Company Secretary Service. And then we can assist to file Profit Tax, Employer’s Return and Personal Salary Tax. The one-stop service to help you sort out all the annual renewal matters.
With the increasingly connected world, financial crime is a growing global issue. The banking institutions will keep updating your company information regularly. The regular checking is called Know-Your-Client, you have to response the KYC properly and in a timely manner.
What is KYC?
KYC means Know Your Client and sometimes Know Your Customer. This check is the mandatory process of identifying and verifying the client’s identity when opening an account and periodically over time. In other words, banks must ensure that their clients are genuinely who they claim to be.
Why banks need to arrange this check?
The objective of KYC guidelines is to prevent banks from being used, by criminal elements for money laundering activities. It also enables banks to understand its customers and their financial dealings to serve them better and manage its risks prudently.
What documents are required by the bank?
Normally, the bank requires a certified ownership structure chart. The chart needs to certified by appropriate officer such as Director, Company Secretary or similar function. Also, the chart should with date and full name printed percentage shareholding, the country/territory of incorporation, the country/territory of business address of each Intermediate Owner up to the Beneficial Owners of the company.
Secondly, the bank may require a business proof, for example, the recent sales invoices and expense. If you are running a trading business, then you have to show your logistic arrangement such as a full set shipping document including shipping invoice, packing list, airway bill and so on.
Last but not the least, the bank may contact you again for additional information after reviewing.
