International Business Structuring Expert — PH Company Needs Foreign Subsidiary for USD Payment Processing (Shopify)
Budget: $750 – $1,500 USD
Description:
We operate an e-commerce business with our parent company registered in the Philippines, selling to international customers in USD via Shopify. We've hit a structural wall: PH-domiciled merchants cannot access Shopify Payments or most first-tier processors that collect in USD and settle in USD. Local gateway options force PHP conversion or impose foreign-card restrictions, and the FX costs are unacceptable.
We are hiring an expert — not a researcher — who has personally structured this exact solution before.
Scope of Engagement:
Structure recommendation: Advise on the optimal jurisdiction for a subsidiary or affiliated entity (US LLC/C-Corp, Singapore Pte Ltd, Hong Kong, UK LTD, or other) to serve as merchant of record, considering:
- Shopify Payments eligibility (or equivalent first-tier processor: Stripe, etc.)
- USD collection → USD settlement with zero forced conversions
- Banking access for a foreign-owned entity (physical presence requirements, EIN/ITIN, remote account opening)
- Tax exposure in both jurisdictions (US ECI/branch profits, SG territorial taxation, PH CFC implications, transfer pricing between parent and subsidiary)
- Ongoing compliance cost and complexity
Implementation roadmap:
Step-by-step plan covering entity formation, registered agent, EIN/tax registration, business bank account (USD), Shopify Payments onboarding, and inter-company agreements between the PH parent and the new entity.
Execution support (preferred): Hands-on assistance or direct referrals to formation agents, banks, and accountants you have actually used — not generic lists.
Timeline: We need the structure finalized and payments live by end of July 2026. Please only apply if you can commit to this timeline.
Required Qualifications:
- Demonstrable experience structuring foreign subsidiaries specifically for payment processing access (describe at least one prior engagement in your proposal)
- Working knowledge of Shopify Payments / Stripe underwriting requirements for foreign-owned entities
- Familiarity with US or Singapore entity formation, banking, and tax obligations for non-resident owners
- Understanding of Philippine outbound investment rules and intercompany fund flows (BIR, BSP considerations)
Not Required, but a Plus:
- CPA, tax attorney, or corporate services background
- Experience with Mercury, Relay, Wise Business, or similar fintech banking for foreign-owned US entities
- Experience with dual-warehouse / cross-border fulfillment operations
To Apply — answer these in your proposal (applications without answers will be rejected):
1. Describe a prior engagement where you set up a foreign entity for a client specifically to unlock
2. USD payment processing. What jurisdiction did you choose and why?
3. What banking solution did you use, and did the client face any account-opening or underwriting issues?
4. What is the realistic timeline from engagement start to first live USD transaction?
5. What are the tax pitfalls between a PH parent and the subsidiary structure you'd recommend?
6. Your fee structure (fixed-fee preferred for the advisory phase).
Budget: Open — quote based on scope. We value expertise over low bids.
We operate an e-commerce business with our parent company registered in the Philippines, selling to international customers in USD via Shopify. We've hit a structural wall: PH-domiciled merchants cannot access Shopify Payments or most first-tier processors that collect in USD and settle in USD. Local gateway options force PHP conversion or impose foreign-card restrictions, and the FX costs are unacceptable.
We are hiring an expert — not a researcher — who has personally structured this exact solution before.
Scope of Engagement:
Structure recommendation: Advise on the optimal jurisdiction for a subsidiary or affiliated entity (US LLC/C-Corp, Singapore Pte Ltd, Hong Kong, UK LTD, or other) to serve as merchant of record, considering:
- Shopify Payments eligibility (or equivalent first-tier processor: Stripe, etc.)
- USD collection → USD settlement with zero forced conversions
- Banking access for a foreign-owned entity (physical presence requirements, EIN/ITIN, remote account opening)
- Tax exposure in both jurisdictions (US ECI/branch profits, SG territorial taxation, PH CFC implications, transfer pricing between parent and subsidiary)
- Ongoing compliance cost and complexity
Implementation roadmap:
Step-by-step plan covering entity formation, registered agent, EIN/tax registration, business bank account (USD), Shopify Payments onboarding, and inter-company agreements between the PH parent and the new entity.
Execution support (preferred): Hands-on assistance or direct referrals to formation agents, banks, and accountants you have actually used — not generic lists.
Timeline: We need the structure finalized and payments live by end of July 2026. Please only apply if you can commit to this timeline.
Required Qualifications:
- Demonstrable experience structuring foreign subsidiaries specifically for payment processing access (describe at least one prior engagement in your proposal)
- Working knowledge of Shopify Payments / Stripe underwriting requirements for foreign-owned entities
- Familiarity with US or Singapore entity formation, banking, and tax obligations for non-resident owners
- Understanding of Philippine outbound investment rules and intercompany fund flows (BIR, BSP considerations)
Not Required, but a Plus:
- CPA, tax attorney, or corporate services background
- Experience with Mercury, Relay, Wise Business, or similar fintech banking for foreign-owned US entities
- Experience with dual-warehouse / cross-border fulfillment operations
To Apply — answer these in your proposal (applications without answers will be rejected):
1. Describe a prior engagement where you set up a foreign entity for a client specifically to unlock
2. USD payment processing. What jurisdiction did you choose and why?
3. What banking solution did you use, and did the client face any account-opening or underwriting issues?
4. What is the realistic timeline from engagement start to first live USD transaction?
5. What are the tax pitfalls between a PH parent and the subsidiary structure you'd recommend?
6. Your fee structure (fixed-fee preferred for the advisory phase).
Budget: Open — quote based on scope. We value expertise over low bids.