Operating a Global B2C Cross-Border E-commerce Business from Hong Kong

This thesis offers practical guidance and applicable information on operating a Hong Kong based cross-border b2c e-commerce business. The intended audience of the thesis are students and business people alike, as well as otherwise interested parties enticed by unique e-commerce business opportunities that Hong Kong presents. The research presented here includes an overview of global cross-border e-commerce, and current state of affairs in Hong Kong’s international business environment. It provides an overview of incorporation, local taxation, audit and accounting practices, insights on product sourcing, and an overview of third-party service providers to bundle a successful e-commerce business. The thesis covers essential aspects to be considered in e- commerce, from procurement of goods from China, to marketing and delivery globally, from the point of view of a Hong Kong entity. While the focal point of this research is on Hong Kong, some of the chapters are universal and could be applied to a global e-commerce business based in any other location. The main research methods were surveys, statistics and outlines by various consulting, digital service and logistics firms and subsequent official government sources for legal and tax information. Theoretical frameworks were introduced to fill the information gap in certain sections of the thesis and present it in a more holistic manner. Research of business cases of relevant companies as well as numerous studies on the subject were compiled as a single composition to be presented in this work. It must be noticed that this thesis relies on information as of 2019. Most of the subjects discussed here are very dynamic and are subject to change. The goal of this thesis is not to provide advice, but only general information and understanding of the fundamental aspects in cross-border e-commerce