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Hong Kong Ltd · via Osome (Singapore)·🌐Founder profile

HK Ltd via Osome SG — Korean E-commerce Sellers

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityEligible
Setup timeline10–24days
Year-1 total$1,650

Korean e-commerce sellers targeting Amazon US and Asia-Pacific marketplaces use HK Ltd for territorial taxation and regional USD/HKD banking. Osome runs the HK Ltd with company secretary, filings, and audit for HKD 9,800+/year.

Under HK's territorial system, IRD taxes only HK-source profits at two-tier 8.25% (first HKD 2M) / 16.5%. Offshore-source profits (Amazon US revenue, Korean domestic sales) may qualify for exemption if the operational activity is documented as non-HK.

Korea side: Income Tax Act Article 3 taxes worldwide personal income once distributions received; the KR-US treaty grants 10% treaty rate on royalties but does not shield HK-source income.

§ 01Cost of ownership

Model the full outlay, not just the setup fee

Renewal costs sneak up on non-resident founders. Compare year-1 filing against a 3-year total to see the real bill.
Currency · USD (live FX)
2-year cost of ownership
$2,730
$113.75/month amortized·USD @ live FX
Time horizon
Line items
Amount
  • SetupOsome (Singapore) setup
    $1,650
  • AnnualYear 2 renewal
    $1,080
Total$2,730
§ 02Tax residency · Korean E-commerce Sellers

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

Hong Kong Ltd applies territorial taxation: IRD taxes only HK-source profits at two-tier 8.25% (first HKD 2M) / 16.5%; offshore claims possible with operational substance evidence.

Home-country rule

National Tax Service; foreign-source income reporting per Income Tax Act Article 3; Korea has US tax treaty (10% treaty rate for royalties).

Editorial verdict

HK Ltd suits Korean e-commerce sellers targeting Amazon US and Asia; Korea-HK avoids the KR-US treaty complications and Article 3 worldwide income issues.

Key compliance risks
  • 01Korean Income Tax Act Article 3 taxes worldwide personal income once distributed
  • 02HK IRD two-tier 8.25%/16.5% on HK-source profits
  • 03Korea CFC rules apply if HK Ltd effective tax rate below 17.5%
  • 04IRD BEPS 2.0 enhanced substance rules from 2024 tighten offshore claims
§ 03Setup timeline

From filing to funded bank account

Setup timeline
10–24days total, 3 phases
Milestone check
Filing · Tax ID · Banking
d0
d6
d12
d18
d24
01FilingOsome (Singapore) submits formation docs
d0–d8
02Tax ID / EINLocal tax authority registration
d7–d18
03BankingBusiness account approved & funded
d14–d24
§ 04Head-to-head

Hong Kong Ltd vs UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN)

Hong Kong Ltd
Ltd
UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN)
Free Zone LLC
Entity
Ltd
Free Zone LLC
Setup cost
$64.00
$1,306
Annual
$384.00
$1,306
Local director
Remote OK
Remote OK
Physical presence
Remote OK
Remote OK
Tax regime
8.25% first HKD 2M profit; territorial system
9% CT above AED 375k; 0% VAT for out-of-UAE trade
§ 05Questions founders actually ask

FAQ

Korean Income Tax Act Article 3 taxes Korean residents on worldwide personal income. Retained profits in HK Ltd (HK bank balance) not immediately taxed in Korea. Distributions received in Korea trigger personal income tax at 6-45% progressive brackets.

Next step

Start filing with Osome (Singapore)

Formation typically completes in 2–3 weeks. Use the promo below, then click through to begin the checklist directly on the platform.