Selling software in China as a foreign entity: Market entry and legal issues.

China’s growing tech market and capabilities have become such to compete with the Silicon Valley making every digital software entrepreneur and organisation want to get in on the action and be part of the future. The digital software market is thus tantalisingly; however, before jumping into the market, foreign businesses have to consider the proper business structure, partners and the optimal tax structure.

Depending on the company size, goals, and software, there are different structures that decision-makers can cherry-pick to enter the market and make real headway in a highly competitive market. To show the various paths to success, Wirtschaftsjunioren Beijing, part of the German Chamber in North China, teamed up with Acclime China and R&P China Lawyers to explore and discover what’s possible.

The topics of this webinar will cover:

Market entry possibilities

Uncovering possible digital software activities and business structures in China:

• What business activities are possible in China?
• What are the legal structures and their benefits?
  • Understanding the complexities of selling from overseas
  • Selling through a subsidiary
  • Considerations for selling through partners

Tax implications and considerations

• What are the VAT implications for software?
• What is the extent of CIT on foreign business?
• How to manage withholding tax and reduce risk?

About the speakers

Fabian Knopf

Fabian has been supporting international business in China since 2010. Since then, he has witnessed the transformation of the country from an export-driven economy to one that embraces consumption and has advised companies on how to adapt to this change. His focus has been on industrial sectors such as the automotive industry and other transportation companies as well as their network of suppliers, but also consumer electronics and other durables, medical devices, services and NGOs.  In 2012, Fabian was a workshop leader for business with the Wirtschaftsjunioren in Shanghai.

Maxime Van ‘t Klooster

Maxime works for the Acclime Group as Partner and Director of Acclime’s Beijing office. Furthermore, he leads the Mainland China consulting department. With almost a decade of experience in China, Maxime has advised clients in various industries on their strategy, market entry, and local operations.