The Inevitable Path of Cross-Border Business: My Journey to Registering an Overseas Company
From Stripe payment requirements to US company registration - sharing the complete experience and comparing three registration methods to help cross-border entrepreneurs avoid pitfalls
Anyone doing cross-border business will eventually face an unavoidable issue: payment collection.
Especially when you want to use Stripe to process online payments from overseas users, you'll discover that you must have an overseas company that meets Stripe's account opening requirements. This is ultimately why I embarked on the path of "registering a US company."
Why Register an Overseas Company?
My business targets international clients. They're accustomed to paying with credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and other methods, all of which require integration with compliant payment channels.
In the global SaaS and cross-border e-commerce space, Stripe is essentially the go-to choice. But here's the problem: Stripe doesn't support individuals opening accounts directly with Chinese ID cards - you must have an overseas company + EIN (Employer Identification Number) to successfully apply.
In other words, if you want to collect payments compliantly and expand internationally, registering an overseas company is almost a necessary step.
How to Register an Overseas Company?
There are several ways to register an overseas company, but the waters run deep, with many pitfalls that newcomers step into. Based on my experience, there are three common approaches:
1. Domestic Taobao Registration Services
My first US company registration went through Taobao services - cheap and seemingly convenient, but subsequent issues included:
- Virtual office addresses → repeatedly failed bank account openings
- High maintenance fees, tax filing costs, dissolution fees
- Inconsistent service quality, basically relying on luck
I ultimately abandoned my first company because I couldn't stand the "high annual fees + virtual address" situation.
Conclusion: Not recommended, too many pitfalls.
2. Stripe Atlas
This is Stripe's official startup service package that helps you solve company registration, bank account opening, and Stripe integration all at once.
Pros:
- Hassle-free, basically smooth sailing
- Official service with high reliability
Cons:
- Expensive (one-time $500+)
- Limited flexibility
Suitable for those with sufficient budget who prioritize convenience. Actually, Atlas has some promotional activities - currently I can find ways to save $200 on registration fees, which I'll discuss in future articles for interested readers.
3. Overseas Registration Companies
Overseas registration agencies seem similar to domestic ones, but the quality is completely different:
Pros:
- Provide real, valid US business addresses (crucial for banking and compliance)
- Reasonable registration costs, much cheaper than Stripe Atlas
- Flexible - you can choose to handle some services yourself, saving significant costs
Cons:
- Need to vet service provider quality yourself
- Relatively higher communication costs
My Choice and Recommendations
After all the hassle, I ultimately chose the overseas registration company approach, mainly because:
- Cost control: Total fees 40%+ cheaper than Atlas
- Real address: Provided real business address, smooth bank account opening
- Flexibility: Can choose different service packages based on needs
Practical Advice
If you're also considering registering an overseas company, my recommendations are:
Sufficient budget + prioritize convenience → Stripe Atlas Limited budget + willing to put in effort → Reliable overseas registration services Pure testing waters → Never choose Taobao registration services
Summary
Registering an overseas company isn't "formalism" - it's critical infrastructure for compliant payment collection in cross-border business.
It helps you:
- Gain legal status to integrate with Stripe
- Essential for bank account opening
- Standardize payments, avoid gray channel risks
- Gain more credibility in customers' eyes
While you'll encounter various pitfalls in the process, as long as you choose the right path, these are worthwhile investments. After all, compliant operations are the way forward.
If you're also doing cross-border business, feel free to share your experiences in the comments or ask any questions for discussion!
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