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Can I continue my online business as a foreigner in Singapore?

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rabbitsblind
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Can I continue my online business as a foreigner in Singapore?

Post by rabbitsblind » Tue, 16 Jul 2019 11:34 pm

Hi there, I've come on here because I'm having trouble finding answers anywhere else on the net. I am an incoming student at SMU university. Back home in Canada, I own a couple of online businesses and ideally, I would like to maintain them while I am abroad. The majority of my sales are within North America and I normally send out product which I have imported from China to my home in Canada.
I have two questions:
1) Is it possible for me to import goods into Singapore as a foreigner?
2) Is it legal for me to send out orders if I am making online sales to North America?
I would appreciate any advice and any resource recommendations.
Thanks a lot.

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Strong Eagle
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Re: Can I continue my online business as a foreigner in Singapore?

Post by Strong Eagle » Wed, 17 Jul 2019 12:21 am

I cannot comment on any regulations regarding employment and any student pass you may have in coming to Singapore.

Otherwise, if you own a business in Canada, and it provides no goods or services to Singapore and has no legal presence here, you can operate your business without requiring a work permit. The income you earn is taxable in Singapore, to the extent of the agreements Singapore and Canada have with respect to double taxation of personal income.

You cannot import goods into Singapore and then send them back out. To do so would require the formation of a business entity in Singapore and the acquisition of an employment permit. This is not easy and would most assuredly conflict with your student status. You would have to work out some sort of a direct drop ship arrangement with your suppliers, or continue to figure out how you ship from Canada.

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PNGMK
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Re: Can I continue my online business as a foreigner in Singapore?

Post by PNGMK » Wed, 17 Jul 2019 1:09 pm

I would try to put someone in place before you leave Canada.
I not lawyer/teacher/CPA.
You've been arrested? Law Society of Singapore can provide referrals.
You want an International School job? School website or http://www.ISS.edu
Your rugrat needs a School? Avoid for profit schools
You need Tax advice? Ask a CPA
You ran away without doing NS? Shame on you!

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