Asked this before but still looking for answers regarding legalities

Hey Shopify community,

I would like to know what can I do if I want to sell products in the US or UK but from my own country which is obviously not these two? Should I form an LLC on these countries or should I just register a business/LLC here in my country and as long as I can receive payments through card payment I’m good to go?

Any advice is highly appreciated. I wanted to know this because I don’t want to market here in my country because of supplier issues and purchasing power of people because of the currency difference when I import my COGS from China or other international suppliers.

So, basically I need to sign up to a payment gateway for me to receive card payments right? and they will require business documents from me, that is why I need to register a business or an LLC, correct?

Im from the Philippines and wanting to sell in the United states, is my problem solved by just HAVING A PAYMENT GATEWAY THAT ACCEPTS CARD PAYMENT even if I’m here in my country? Or do I need to open an LLC or something in the United states itself for me to accept international payments?

Hope this makes sense. Thank you!

If you want to sell products in the US or UK from your own country, you generally don’t need to form an LLC or register a business in those countries. Here are some recommendations to consider:

  1. Establish a business entity in your home country: Registering a business or forming an LLC in your own country is typically the first step. This will provide you with a legal entity and enable you to operate as a business. Consult with local authorities or a business attorney to understand the requirements and procedures for registering a business in the Philippines.

  2. Set up a payment gateway: To accept card payments, you’ll need to sign up with a payment gateway that supports international transactions. Shopify integrates with various payment gateways that accept card payments globally. You can choose a payment gateway that is available in the Philippines and also supports transactions in the US. Some popular payment gateways include PayPal, Stripe, or 2Checkout. Ensure that the chosen payment gateway allows cross-border transactions and complies with the necessary security and legal requirements.

  3. Obtain necessary business documents: Depending on the payment gateway and their requirements, you may need to provide certain business documents during the registration process. These documents may include proof of business registration, identification documents, and bank account information. Review the specific requirements of the payment gateway you choose to ensure you have the necessary documents ready.

  4. Compliance with international regulations: Selling products internationally may require you to comply with certain regulations and legal obligations. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations in the countries where you plan to sell, such as tax obligations, import/export regulations, and consumer protection laws. Consider consulting with legal professionals or business advisors who are familiar with international trade regulations to ensure compliance.

By following these steps, you should be able to sell products in the US and UK from the Philippines without the need to open an LLC or register a business in those countries. However, it’s always advisable to consult with professionals who specialize in international business or e-commerce to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of the legal and operational requirements specific to your situation.

Very detailed answer. This is much appreciated. Thank you!