Quick picks for e-commerce sellers (2026)
- If your primary market is the US (Amazon.com / Shopify US): start with a US LLC (often WY/DE) and build a payments + tax workflow early.
- If you sell mainly to the UK/EU: a UK Ltd can be a clean choice—plan VAT and multi-country filings if needed.
- If you want an Asia HQ + premium positioning: Singapore Pte Ltd is strong but admin-heavy.
- If you operate China trade lanes and want a common-law hub: Hong Kong Ltd can work—banking and substance proof matter most.
Important: this page is educational and not legal/tax advice. For high revenue or complex structures, consult a qualified professional.
Last updated: January 1, 2026
Choosing a jurisdiction is like choosing a foundation for a house. If you get it wrong, fixing it later is expensive and painful. If you are reading this, you are likely a non-resident entrepreneur looking for the ultimate guide to international registration.
This article provides a brutal, honest comparison of the four titans: USA, UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong. We assess them on three criteria: Banking Ease, Tax Efficiency, and Maintenance Cost.
1. The Comparison Matrix (2026 E-commerce Data)
| Metric | USA (Wyoming LLC) | UK (Ltd) | Singapore (Pte Ltd) | Hong Kong (Ltd) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Amazon/Walmart US focus, US buyers, Stripe-heavy stores | EU/UK clients, simple ops, reputation | Asia expansion, premium brand, investors | China trade + global commerce, Asia ops |
| Stripe availability (typical) | Strong | Strong | Strong | Limited/depends (often via partners) |
| Marketplace onboarding (Amazon) | Strong for US marketplace | Strong for UK/EU marketplaces | Good, but more paperwork | Good for HK-based sellers; varies by bank/payment stack |
| Corporate tax (headline) | Federal depends on structure; state varies | UK corporation tax applies | Corporate tax applies; incentives may exist | Profits tax on HK-sourced profits |
| Sales tax / VAT / GST complexity | Sales tax can be complex across states | VAT rules if selling to/within UK/EU | GST may apply; generally structured | No VAT; may face destination VAT/GST abroad |
| Banking difficulty (new, foreign owner) | Medium (often fintech-first) | Medium | Medium–High | Medium–High |
| Remote setup speed (typical) | 1–10 days | 1–5 days | 7–21 days | 7–21 days |
| Privacy | Medium–High (varies by state/filings) | Low (public register) | Medium | Medium |
| Ongoing maintenance | Annual report + bookkeeping; US tax filings | Accounts + confirmation statement | Annual return + accounting + local requirements | Annual return + accounting + local requirements |
| 2026 “gotcha” for sellers | Sales tax nexus, 1099-K / payment reporting, US tax compliance | VAT registration thresholds, payroll if hiring | Local director/corp secretary needs, higher admin | Banking scrutiny + proof of business substance |
2. United States: The E-Commerce King
The US is unique because it offers the prestige of a Tier-1 nation with the tax benefits of an offshore haven (for specific structures).
Why Choose US?
- Stripe/PayPal: The US has the lowest processing fees and highest acceptance rates.
- Venture Capital: If you want to raise money, you register in Delaware. Period.
The Downside
Tax compliance. As we detail in our remote banking guide, even if you pay $0 tax, filing Form 5472 is mandatory. The penalty for late filing is $25,000.
3. United Kingdom: The Freelancer's Best Friend
For consultants, digital marketers, and agencies, the UK is unbeatable.
Why Choose UK?
- Cost: You can form a company for £12.
- Banking: The UK fintech ecosystem is the most advanced in the world. Opening a Wise Business account for a UK Ltd is significantly easier than for a HK company.
4. Singapore: The Future of Asia
Singapore is for mature businesses. It is expensive ($2,000+ USD/year) because you must pay for a Nominee Director. However, it offers unmatched stability.
Why Choose Singapore?
- Tax Treaties: Singapore has over 80 Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs).
- Exemptions: New startups enjoy significant tax breaks for the first 3 years.
5. Hong Kong: Trade-friendly hub (when banking is solved)
Hong Kong can be a strong operational hub for cross-border e-commerce—especially when you pay suppliers in Asia and sell globally. The trade-off is that banking and ongoing reviews can be stricter unless your business looks “real” on paper and online.
Why choose Hong Kong for e-commerce?
- Trade and supplier payments: commonly used for Asia trade flows and paying manufacturers/3PLs.
- Common-law familiarity: contracts and corporate governance are easy for international teams to understand.
- Territorial tax concept: profits tax is generally linked to Hong Kong–sourced profits (classification can be nuanced).
- Operational flexibility: works well when your team, suppliers, and logistics partners are in Asia.
The downside (what sellers underestimate)
- Banking scrutiny: expect to provide supplier invoices, contracts, shipping/fulfillment evidence, and a working store—repeatedly.
- Substance signals matter: “paper companies” often face delays, account limits, or rejections.
- Payments stack may be different: depending on your model, you may rely on EMIs/alternative processors more than the default US/UK stack.
- Ongoing compliance workload: accounting and annual filings are non-trivial—budget time or hire support.
Fast pass: how to get banked faster (HK seller playbook)
Before applying, prepare: (1) live store URL with policies, (2) supplier invoices + POs, (3) logistics/3PL agreements or FBA evidence, (4) 3–6 months projections that match reality, (5) clean ownership chart and consistent KYC.
6. The Decision Framework: How to Choose?
Use this logic to decide:
👉 Are you raising VC money? Choose US (Delaware).
👉 Are you a solo freelancer/agency? Choose UK.
👉 Are you selling on Amazon US? Choose US (Wyoming).
👉 Are you targeting the SE Asia market? Choose Singapore.
Still undecided? Contact HSJGlobal for a personalized tax structure assessment.
References (official sources)
- IRS (US tax forms and guidance)
- Companies House (UK)
- ACRA (Singapore)
- Inland Revenue Department (Hong Kong)
- OECD – VAT/GST guidance and international tax
E-commerce readiness checklist (copy/paste)
Before you register anywhere, gather these items—this is what banks, payment processors, and marketplaces use to assess “real business” risk:
- Live store URL (no “coming soon”), policies (refund/shipping/privacy), and contact details
- Supplier invoices + purchase orders + logistics documents (or manufacturing agreements)
- Customer invoices/receipts (or marketplace statements)
- Business plan (1-page), expected monthly volume, and top geographies
- Proof of address + ID documents for all beneficial owners
- Brand assets (trademark filing if relevant), social profiles, and customer support workflow
Frequently Asked Questions (2026)
Do I need a company to sell on Amazon or Shopify?
You can start as an individual in some cases, but a company often improves payments, liability separation, and onboarding—especially as volume grows.
What is the #1 reason foreign-owned companies fail to get banked?
Lack of credible business evidence (no store, no invoices/contracts, inconsistent KYC, or high-risk product categories).
Will the “best country” be the same as the “best banking country”?
Not always. Many sellers choose a jurisdiction for marketplace/payments compatibility first, then optimize structure later.
Is a US LLC always the best for Stripe?
It’s common, but “best” depends on your customers, compliance capacity, and tax residency. Optimize for operational reality.
What about UAE or Estonia?
They can be viable for specific cases. If your business is payments- or marketplace-dependent, confirm processor availability and banking paths first.
Planning to Register a Company in Johor Bahru?
Get a free personalised setup assessment. We will tell you:
- Total estimated setup cost
- Bank account success rate
- Director & shareholder structure
- Timeline and compliance risks
Your information is strictly confidential. No spam.
About the Author
Elara Vance helps B2B SaaS companies scale through sustainable strategies. Formerly Head of Growth at TechCo.