CentreO Blog

PREPARATION OF CHINA E-COMMERCE PLATFORM SETUP

Chinese Consumers are some of the most eager and forward-looking e-commerce participants. It is therefore not surprising that the Chinese ecommerce retail market is estimated to the world’s largest. Within China, clusters of firms have formed in distinct geographical locations. In fact, assisting by the common logistics platforms. It further assists to develop of ecommerce export business: both B2B & B2C. Domestically, the development of ecommerce has transformed the retail sector.

So, if you want to step into huge China ecommerce market. You better think deep about your business connecting, find out your target market, and then well prepare your e-platform.

How to start your e-commerce on the platform?

China Social Media Account Registration

Popular social media platform are effective for brand promotion and audience engagement. Wechat / Weibo / Tiktok / Red KOL Promotion / Taobao / JD.com are commonly used platforms in China.

China Social Media Account Setup

Need to register together with WFOE Business Registration as well as a china registered mobile number. With the business entities for the account verification. It further enhances the credibility of your company’s account as well as allowing to access additional marketing-related features.

Creative Content Writing & Broadcasting

Considering where your target audiences are. Following with creative content in the appropriate style and right platform. In order for you to reach your target easily.

KOL Promotion & Marketing

KOL and live streaming becomes most powerful marketing strategy nowadays. Recruitment of KOL that matches your brand. And liaise and arrange marketing promotion along with KOL Broadcast. In fact, the viewers can easy to spread your products to their friend. And then KOL broadcasting is the most direct strategy to boost sales.

Media Channel Advertising

If you are specialised on certain aspect. And you want to be unique from the crowds. There is an other platforms to support your marketing. Eg. BiliBili for animations.

Wechat Pay & Payment platform registry

E-shops are very common in China. It is one of the necessary for an entrepreneur to receive money from their customers. It is very important to get your Wechat Pay ready. The payment account must be registered with China Company Business Registration Certifications and a registered mobile number to connect with payment gateway in order to cater Chinese market.

Need our help on setting all these up? Contact us.

You may want to read: STEP BY STEP FOR WFO E-COMMERCE BUSINESS SETUP IN CHINA

外国人申请中国居留许可

什么是中国居留证？
居留许是指一个人的签证状态。表示允许在其不是公民的国家居住的持续时间。在中国的居留证看起来像香港的身份证，居住证上还显示了您的详细居住地址和基本个人信息，包括出生日期。尽管如此，它的功能就像签证一样，在有效期内允许多次出入境。它赋予您在中国居住的合法权利。

资格
香港，澳门或台湾居民
外籍人士在中国停留超过6个月
在中国的单位工作或学习
在中国合法居住

申请程序
首先，前往附近认可的证件照照相馆拍照。在那里，店员将指导您完成照片拍摄，其中大多数店铺在拍摄照片时都会提供白色衬衫。拍照后，商店将为您提供相片回执，其回执附有授权的印章，说明他们见证并确认这是您照片信息的真实副本。

其次，通过您的微信迷你计划安排提前预订。预订后，将显示一个移动应用程序表格。预约之前，请确保已填写。

前往居住地所属受理点。

工作人员将记录您的指纹，并收集您的移动应用程序表格以及收据证明。工作人员将提供在您领取居留证时需要的收据。

申请大约需要10个工作日；对于香港，澳门或台湾居民，许可证有效期至5年。如果您在中国停留更长的时间，则需要更新许可证。

需要的资料
有效旅行证件（适用于香港和澳门居民的有效大陆旅行证或适用于台湾居民的5年大陆旅行证）
近期的数码照片采集检验回执
6个月的居住证明
房屋租赁合同
房屋产权证明文件
购房合同
就读学校的宿舍证明
工作证明
劳动合同
工商营业执照
附有工作证明的公司信函
学习证明
学生证
就读学校证明

如想了解更多信息，请与我们联系。
您可能想要了解：自 2016 年以来，中国简化了公司注册流程

FOREIGN APPLYING FOR CHINA RESIDENCE PERMIT

What is a China Residence Permit?

A residence permit refers to a person’s visa status. It signifies the duration for which the person is allowed to reside within a country of which he or she is not a citizen. The residence permit in China do look like a Hong Kong Identity Card. On the Residence Permit it also shows your detailed residential address and basic personal information including date of birth. Nevertheless, it has functions just like a visa that it permits multiple exit and entry during its validity. It gives you the legal right to live in China.

Eligibility

Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan resident
Expats stay in China for more than 6 months
Working or studying in a legal entity in China
Living in a legal premise in China

Application Procedure

Firstly, head to your nearest Police Department approved ID photo taking studio. At the studio, the shop assistant will guide you through the photo taking process, most of them do provide white coloured shirt during photo shooting. After the photo has been taken, the shop will provide you with a digital photo official approval receipt with an authorised chop on stating that they witness and confirmed it’s a true copy of your photo information.

Secondly, arrange advanced booking from your wechat mini program. A mobile application form will be shown after you have made your reservation. Ensure this is filled out before you appointment.

Showing up at the police station or police department.

Officer will record your fingerprints and also collect your mobile application form as well as the proof of receipt. A confirmation receipt will be given by the officer, this receipt is needed when you are collecting your Residence Permit.

The application takes around 10 working days; For the Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan residents, the permit can be valid up till 5 years. If you are staying in China for longer period, renewing of the permit will be required.

Required Information

Valid travel document (Valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents or 5 Years Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents)
Recent digital photo official approval receipt
Proof of Living for 6 months
- Lease with Landlord, or
- Property ownership document, or
- Purchasing Property Contract, or
- School dormitory confirmation
Proof of stable work
- Employment Contract, or
- Business Registration, &
- Company letter with confirmation of work
Proof of Study
- Student ID card, or
- Confirmation letter from School

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: CHINA SIMPLIFIED ITS INCORPORATION PROCESS SINCE 2016

香港仍然是初创企业的中心

在过去的两年里，香港面临重重障碍。我们经历了中美贸易冲突、社会事件和疫情爆发。即使如此，香港政府尽全力分配更多资源给各公司及公众，以减轻企业和公众的压力，使得香港保持自己的中心地位。

几十年来，香港一直是亚洲，特别是中国的门户。直至今日，香港仍然是许多初创企业的的第一选择。

商业枢纽
与其他国家不同，对于许多企业家而言，创业的种子更容易在香港生根发芽。企业注册过程简单，成本较低是很多人考虑选择香港创业的因素。香港在亚洲中心的战略定位，使其成为一个开放且包容的城市，与其他亚洲国家相比，进入香港市场更加容易。它也是打通中国大陆的门户，这使香港成为开创事业和旅行的理想选址中心。

即使在疫情期间，国家之间禁止旅行，但Centre O仍提供持续可靠的私人有限公司注册服务，允许企业家在香港开始商业登记，而无需亲自过来。我们的团队可以处理所有的注册过程，包括银行账户的开立和在没有他们到香港的情况下设立注册办事处。

简单的低税收政策
香港的税制是直接而简单的，实际上，香港是世界上最低税率的国家之一。 200万美元以下的公司利润税仅为8.25％，200万美元以上的公司利润税为16.5％，这样的低税率减轻了初创企业的税收负担。

香港采用属地来源征税原则，只有在香港产生的利润才应纳税。此外，香港居民与非居民之间没有税收区别，以鼓励外籍人士和企业家留在香港创业。

此外，请注意，香港没有以下税收：

销售税/增值税
预扣税
资本利得税
股息税
遗产税

友好的商业环境
香港为企业提供多种货币的银行账户。除此之外，香港是银行业的全球领导者，能提供优良的银行设施。此外，商业资本可以自由进出，不受限制。同时，企业家可以出售他们的公司股票，无需繁琐程序，通过出售股票的现金以进一步扩大他们的业务。香港简化了整个出售或转让股份的过程，令在香港成立的公司可以很容易出售他们的商业股票，为公司获得资产。

此外，香港还拥有世界级的铁路、物流、机场、电信基础设施，这应该也是很多创业者的重要考虑因素。如您所见，您的业务与世界有着紧密相连。

香港的人才受过良好的教育，适应能力强，有较强的道德操守。而香港允许从海外聘请专业人士，香港的移民政策也允许这些家庭永久定居。

除了现有的硬件和软件，香港也从未给投资者带来失望，因为他们提供了一个友好的环境。

充满活力的城市
许多人选择香港创业的主要原因是香港十分活跃，各行各业齐头并进，而初创公司的不断增加也为香港这个地区的经济做出了贡献，
香港不断增加发展的行业有：

信息技术
电子商务
硬件
金融科技
专业服务
保健
数据分析
教育与学习

如想了解更多信息，请与我们联系。
您可能想要了解：为什么您需要通过香港进入亚洲市场？

HONG KONG IS STILL THE HUB FOR THE STARTUPS

For the past 2 years Hong Kong faces fraught with obstacles. We came across the US-China trade conflict, social incidents and outbreak of pandemic. Nevertheless, Hong Kong is distributing more resources to alleviate the pressure on companies and the general public, in order for Hong Kong to maintain itself as a hub and still is a good place to start a business.

Hong Kong has been the gateway for setting up in Asia, and in particular China for decades. Furthermore, Hong Kong is still a favourable hub for startups.

A Hub for Businesses

Unlike other countries, entrepreneurs can easily start a business in Hong Kong. Since the business registration process is simple and less expensive. Hence, Hong Kong’s strategic positioning in the heart of Asia, it’s easily accessible among all Asian countries, it also a gateway to Mainland China, this makes Hong Kong to be the ideal location hub for businesses and travel.

Even during the pandemic, with travel bans between countries. Centre O is still providing continuous and reliable private limited company registration services. Allowing business owners to start their business registrations in Hong Kong without travel here. Our team can handle all the registration process, as well as bank account opening and setting up a local registered office without their presence in Hong Kong.

Excellent Tax Policies

Hong Kong’s tax system is direct and simple, In fact, Hong Kong is one of the lowest in the world. Corporate profit tax for under $2 million is 8.25% only, for over $2 million is 16.5%. The low taxes rate lessens the tax burden for the startups.

Hong Kong adopts a territorial source principle of taxation. Only profits which have a source in Hong Kong are taxable. Therefore, no distinction tax difference made between residents and non-residents. The act encourages expats and entrepreneurs to startup in Hong Long.

Furthermore, please noted Hong Kong doesn’t have taxes as below:

Sales Tax / Value Added Tax
Withholding Tax
Capital Gain Tax
Tax on Dividends
Estate Tax

Business-Friendly Environment

Hong Kong offers multi-currency bank accounts to businesses. In addition to this, Hong Kong is a global leader in banking sector that offers excellent banking facilities. Also, the business capital is free to flow in or out without restriction. Meanwhile, the entrepreneurs can easily sell their company shares to expand their business further through the cash that comes from the selling of the shares. Hong Kong has simplified the entire selling or the transfer of share process. Thus, the companies set up in Hong Kong can easily utilize the money by selling their business shares to attain assets for the company.

Moreover, Hong Kong has a world-class infrastructure for railways, logistics, airports, telecom. This is an essential consideration for starting a business. As you can see your business is well connected to the world.

The talent of Hong Kong is well-educated and adaptable with strong ethics. In addition, Hong Kong allows employment of professionals from overseas. The immigration policy of Hong Kong allows bringing the families for permanent settling as well.

Apart from the existing hardware and software. Hence, Hong Kong has never disappointed any of the investors by providing a business-friendly environment to them.

Dynamic City with a Wide Range of Sectors

The dynamic economy of Hong Kong is the principal reason to start a business in Hong Kong. Hence, many startups have come up in Hong Kong which is contribution to the economy of the region. The constant growing sectors of Hong Kong are:

Information Technology
E-Commerce
Hardware
Financial Technology
Professional Services
Healthcare
Data Analysis
Education and learning

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: WHY YOU NEED TO TAP INTO ASIAN MARKET THROUGH HONG KONG?

中国对企业银行账户审计实施更严格规定-第1部分

中国企业银行帐户中发生了什么？
为打击电信诈骗、洗钱等中国企业银行账户网络犯罪活动，中国人民银行对其监管体系进行了升级。
总的来说，中国公司银行帐户持有人应注意您公司银行的验证电话或电子邮件，当您拒绝接听或无法接听电话或回复他们的电子邮件时，银行很可能会将您列入无法联系的联系人名单中，银行可能会冻结您公司的银行账户。实际上，由于无法联系银行帐户用户，数千个银行帐户已被冻结。

银行对公司账户进行严格的调查
银行对客户身份和日常财务交易进行严格监控。调查主要集中在以下几个方面：
在其他国家/地区开设的账户
暂无活动
无法联络
巨大的资本过渡
夜间交易频繁
异常操作的可疑帐户
控制措施包括：
只允许资金流入，但不允许流出；
没有资金流入或流出；
网上银行活动金额超载

另外有以下情况的，公司可能会被列入黑名单：

同一人在一个地方拥有多个企业、银行帐户和多个公司许可证。
商业注册地址为“独立申报，住所申报”
3人中：无中国人
身份证，没有居留证和没有社保的身份。
公司法定代表人或为公司首次开立银行开户的年龄太大或太小。（25岁以下或65岁以上）
身份证上的地址是中国偏远的农村地区，手机号码来自不同的城市，公司名称也很古怪。

如想了解更多信息，请与我们联系。
您可能想要了解：香港金融管理局香港银行开户

中国企业银行帐户新规定–第2部分

关于对中国企业银行账户实施更严格的规定。公司账户持有人或企业家必须注意银行验证电话和电子邮件。因为银行将通过电话、电子邮件或现场访问与您联系，日常错过电话似乎问题不大，但如果您错过了银行打来的电话，您可能会遇到麻烦，您在中国的公司银行账户有可能会被冻结。

您应该为通话做哪些准备？
为了保持您的公司银行账户正常运行。我们建议您推荐公司账户持有人熟悉公司注册信息，例如：正式的公司全名、公司税号、主要业务范围、最近的银行账户交易是什么以及法定代表人的信息。另外，将银行联系电话号码保存在手机电话簿中有助于识别来电者。

如何知道银行是否冻结了您的公司账户？
无法通过电子银行或移动应用程序登录到您的账户
无法接收或转移资金
无法转移资金

公司银行帐户被冻结该怎么办？
公司应始终保证银行账户的合法，正式和真实运作；根据公司在开户期间向银行报告的活动，公司不能使用公司账户代表他人结帐或接收款项。

当发现您的账户不能使用时，请您立即与银行联系。根据要求提供所有相关的业务运营信息以申请解冻。银行可能会要求提供最近的发票，业务费用，办公室租赁合同，最新的经审计的报告，公司社会保险或任何运输单据（包括航空费用）。这些文件必须是可证明银行交易与您的公司业务有关。

如果我想开一个新的公司银行账户怎么办？
对有关公司银行帐户开立的新规定，银行职员需要安排一次客户尽职调查，您需要提供以下信息：

租赁合同或场地证明书（包括权属证明书）
最近一个月的水电费账单或租金收据
营业执照的正本、公章、财务印章和法人专用印章。
法人需要出示身份证原件及公司相关证件。
法人亲自到银行进行业务面试。
最后，如果不是租赁，一旦银行接受了您的申请，银行职员不仅会安排现场检查，还会检查您的办公室、办公室的大小、员工人数、业务设备、营业执照和公司门牌，以确保所有内容都是真实的。

如想了解更多信息，请与我们联系。
您可能想要了解：哦，我的上帝！我的商业银行帐户已关闭！

CHINA ENFORCE A STRICTER RULE ON THE AUDIT OF CORPORATE BANK ACCOUNT – PART 1

What is happening in China’s Corporate Bank Account?

In order to combat network criminal activities in China’s Corporate Bank Account such as telecommunications fraud and money laundering. Therefore, the People’s Bank of China has recently upgraded its supervision system.

On the whole, the China corporate bank account holder should pay attention to the verification call or email from your corporate bank. However, if you are refusing to answer or unable to answer the call or to reply their email. It’s likely that the bank will put you under the un-reachable contact list. Probably the bank will freeze your company bank account. In fact, thousands of bank account were frozen due to unable to contact the bank account user.

Bank undergoes a strict investigation to the corporate accounts

Banks are strictly monitoring to the customer identification and daily financial transaction. The investigations are focusing on below areas:

Opening the account in difference countries
Dormant with no activities
Inability to contact
Huge capital transition
Frequent night transactions
Suspicious account with unusual operations
The control measures activities including
- Allow money inflow only, but no outflow;
- No money inflow nor outflow;
- Online banking activities amount overload

Furthermore, companies may fall into the focus list with the following conditions

Same owner has multiple enterprises, bank accounts and multiple company licenses in a single site.
The business registered address is “Independent declaration, domicile declaration”
3-Non person: No China
ID, No residence permit and No social security identity.
The age of the corporate legal representative the initial bank account opening for company is too old or too young. (Below 25 or over 65 years old)
The address on ID card is a remote rural area in China, the mobile phone number is from difference city, and the company name is quirky.

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY HONG KONG BANK ACCOUNT OPENING

NEW RULE ON CHINA CORPORATE BANK ACCOUNT – PART 2

Regarding to the stricter rule imposes on the corporate bank account in China. The corporate account holder or business owner have to pay attention to the bank verification calls and emails. As the bank will contact you by phone, email or on-site visits. Missing a phone call seems not a big deal. However, if you missed that call from bank. you may get into trouble and have your company bank account in China frozen up.

What should you prepare for the call?

In order to keep your corporate bank account function properly. We would like to recommend the company account holder to be familiar with the company registration information. For example, the official company full name, company tax number, main business scope, what are the recent bank account transactions and information of the legal representative. Also, saving the bank contact number on your mobile phone book will help identifying the incoming calls.

How to know if the bank freeze up your company account?

Not able to log into your account via e-banking or mobile apps
Unable to receive or transferring funds
Unable to transfer funds

What to do when the company bank account is frozen?

Undoubtedly, the company should always guarantee the bank account is operating legally, formally and truthfully; accordingly to the activities that the company reported to the bank during the setup of account. The company should not be settling payment or receiving payments on behalf of others using the corporate account.

As soon as you found out the account is no longer activate, please reach out to your bank branch immediately. Provide all relevant business operation information as per requested to apply for unfreezing. Banks are likely to ask for recent invoices, business expenses, office lease contracts, latest audited report, company social insurance or any shipping documents including airway bills. These documents has to be able to proof the bank transactions are your company business related.

What to do if I prefer to open a new company bank account?

In particular to the new regulation on company bank account opening. The bank officer will need to arrange a Customer Due Diligent (CDD) check on you. You need to provide information including the below:

Lease contract or site certificate (including the ownership certificate)
Latest month utility bill or rental receipt
The original business license, official seal, financial seal and the private seal of the legal person.
The legal person needs to present the original ID card and company-related documents.
Legal person to visit the bank in person for the business interview.

Last but not the lease, once the bank accepted your application. The bank officer will not only arrange an on-site inspect your office, but also checking the size of office, number of staff, business equipments, business licenses and company door signs to ensure everything is true and real.

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: OH MY GOD! MY BUSINESS BANK ACCOUNT IS CLOSED!

Step by step for WFO E-Commerce Business Setup in China

What is a WFO E-commerce Business ?

WFO E-commerce business stands for Wholly Foreign Owned E-commerce business. Either a foreign individual or corporate wholly owned and registered entity in China. In fact, WFOE is a common business setup by which non-Chinese nationals or non-Chinese corporate entities, when they need to incorporate a foreign-owned limited liability company in Mainland China. Indeed, many more expats are looking into the China consumer market for the past 2 years. Admittedly, comparing with a traditional retail shop business, it is much more cost effective and easier to manage when it is a e-commerce based. Additionally, with all the travel limits, e-commerce business allows owners to be running the business in any part of the world.

In 2020, Singles Day shopping topped a new record of RMB498.3 billion of sales in 1 day. A huge increase from last year, with reasons to the pandemic, more consumers are familiar with shopping online as well as the special offers and bargain you get from the online shops. During the sales event’s peak period, there are around 583,000 orders placed each seconds. Furthermore, from Midnight onwards there were hundreds of millions of shoppers logging on to the receive extra discounts.

How to setup a WFO E-commerce Business in China?

Recently, many of our clients are asking how they can setup a e-commerce business. They noticed many e-commerce are setup via platforms like Taobao and Alibaba. Business owners also need to setup a China payment gateway accounts to cater the Chinese market. Herein below, we are listing out the steps for setup process on a Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise

Check Company Name if usable or not
Check and sign agreement to lease office space
Translation of director / Shareholder names with notarised by CHINA APPROVED PUBLIC NATARY
Incorporation (Obtain the 5-in-1 business license)
Company Bank Account Opening
Personal Bank Account Opening
Setup WECHAT China Company Account
Register for Website displayed publicly in China with the China WFOE Certificate.
Register for Taobao, Alibaba, JD, etc…

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: WHAT IS THE REQUIREMENT FOR A WFOE REGISTERED OFFICE?

How to start your e-commerce on the platform?

China Social Media Account Registration

China Social Media Account Setup

Creative Content Writing & Broadcasting

KOL Promotion & Marketing

Media Channel Advertising

Wechat Pay & Payment platform registry

What is a China Residence Permit?

Eligibility

Application Procedure

Required Information

A Hub for Businesses

Excellent Tax Policies

Business-Friendly Environment

Dynamic City with a Wide Range of Sectors

What is happening in China’s Corporate Bank Account?

Bank undergoes a strict investigation to the corporate accounts

What should you prepare for the call?

How to know if the bank freeze up your company account?

What to do when the company bank account is frozen?

What to do if I prefer to open a new company bank account?

What is a WFO E-commerce Business ?

How to setup a WFO E-commerce Business in China?