Thinking of going global? Starting with a Singapore company registration is actually easy

Recently, a seemingly minor piece of financial news quietly made waves in China’s startup circles a small cross-border e-commerce company from Zhejiang managed to break into Southeast Asia-tripling its monthly sales within just three months-by registering a company in Singapore. Even more surprising? Their entire overseas expansion cost less than 100,000 RMB. The key move that unlocked it all? Setting up a business entity in Singapore.

And honestly, this isn’t new anymore. Over the past few years, more and more Chinese SMEs, freelancers, and even solo entrepreneurs have been turning their eyes toward Singapore. Unlike Western countries with complicated paperwork and complex tax systems, or offshore islands that lack real business infrastructure, Singapore offers something different stability, efficiency, transparent laws, and a strategic location-all making it the go-to first stop for Chinese entrepreneurs going global.

So here's the big question Is setting up a company in Singapore really that hard?

The short answer? Not at all. Once you understand the process and prepare properly, taking this step is much easier than most people think.

First off, Singapore is incredibly foreigner-friendly when it comes to business registration. You don’t need to be a resident to serve as a director or shareholder. Most people opt for a Private Limited Company Pte Ltd, which is legally separate from its owners-limiting personal liability-and is also more likely to get approved for bank accounts and funding.

The whole registration process can now be done online through ACRA-the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority-Singapore’s official corporate registry. Here’s what you’ll need

- A company name subject to approval

- Your company’s constitution Memorandum Articles of Association

- At least one local director-this is often where people get stuck

- And a company secretary, which is legally required. This role must be filled by a licensed professional, usually provided by a local service provider.

Ah yes-the local director requirement. That’s typically the biggest concern for Chinese founders. But here’s the reality there are plenty of compliant third-party agencies offering “nominee director” services to help foreign entrepreneurs meet this rule. Just make sure you choose carefully. Work only with reputable providers who have solid credentials-otherwise, you could face compliance issues down the road.

Timeline-wise, it’s fast. With everything ready, you can wrap up registration in 3 to 5 working days and receive your Unique Entity Number UEN. After that, you can start applying for a corporate bank account.

Granted, banks in Singapore have tightened their scrutiny lately-especially for companies linked to mainland China. Background checks are deeper, documentation needs to be spot-on. But if your business is legitimate and your paperwork is clean-with support from an experienced advisor-your chances of success remain high.

Then there’s the tax advantage-a major draw for many businesses. Singapore’s corporate income tax rate is a flat 17%, and there are generous tax exemptions on the first 300,000 SGD of taxable income. Even better? Singapore has signed Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements DTAs with over 80 countries and regions-including China-making international profit repatriation smoother and far more efficient.

Beyond taxes, let’s not forget Singapore’s role as Asia’s financial hub and logistics gateway. Whether you’re integrating with regional platforms like Shopee or Lazada, signing contracts with global clients, or handling cross-border payments, everything runs smoothly. Many Chinese companies use their Singapore entity as a springboard into Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and beyond-building a model that looks like this Made in China → Operated via Singapore → Sold worldwide.

Of course, registering the company is just the beginning. What really determines success is the strength of your business strategy and execution.

Take that Shenzhen-based tech startup recently featured in the media they used their Singapore entity to bid on a smart city project in an ASEAN country-and won. They admitted openly without the credibility that comes with a Singapore-registered company, gaining trust during the bidding process would’ve been nearly impossible.

Meanwhile, with remote work becoming mainstream, more freelancers are using Singapore companies to take on international clients. One independent UI designer shared “Before, I used my personal account to collect payments from overseas clients. High exchange fees, constant risk of being frozen. Now I sign contracts and issue invoices under my Singapore company. Clients feel more confident, and I pay lower taxes.”

But here’s a word of caution easy doesn’t mean careless. While entry barriers are low, ongoing compliance matters. You’re required to file annual returns, submit financial statements, and keep a registered office address and company secretary active. Skipping these steps can lead to fines-or worse, having your company struck off.

That’s why partnering with a reliable local agency makes sense. It saves time, reduces stress, and keeps you on the right side of the law.

Today, registering a company in Singapore has become a standard move for Chinese businesses going global. It’s lighter than setting up a full-fledged overseas subsidiary, safer than receiving payments personally, and offers a flexible, compliant, and sustainable path to internationalization.

For resource-constrained SMEs and individual founders, the cost and complexity are becoming increasingly manageable. But perhaps the biggest benefit isn’t just legal-it’s mental. It shifts your mindset from thinking only about the domestic market to operating by global rules.

When you have a Singapore company, you’re no longer just another “seller from China.” You become part of the global business ecosystem.

Is this route right for everyone? No. But for those eager to expand internationally-without jumping straight into deep water-it might just be the perfect starting point.