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E-Commerce Registration Services in the Philippines for Local and Foreign Enterprises
When establishing an e-commerce business in the Philippines, we ensure that clients experience a seamless company formation process through end-to-end assistance in business registration and corporate compliance services.
The E-Commerce Industry in the Philippines
The e-commerce industry in the Philippines has seen consistent growth over the years. In 2020, the sector garnered approximately US$3.5 billion in revenue from business-to-consumer and online selling transactions. With an estimated 76 million active online users per year, the Philippines is an attractive investment market for e-commerce businesses.
The Philippines also introduced innovative ways to spur online purchasing across its consuming public. Despite its low number of credit card owners compared to its neighboring countries, public and private companies provided an e-wallet system that allows holders to own a digital wallet account with only a phone number or email address.
Through such measures, consumers can easily purchase products online without acquiring credit cards from local banks. Companies such as G-Cash and PayMaya are a few examples of widely used digital wallet services in the Philippines.
Types of Business Entities for E-Commerce
Before starting an e-commerce business in the Philippines, you must decide on an appropriate business entity that caters to your business needs. There are three types of business entities investors can choose from:
- Corporation (Domestic Corporation, One Person Corporation or Branch Office)
- Partnership (General Partnership or Limited Partnership)
- Sole Proprietorship (Filipino-owned or Foreign-owned)
How to Register an E-Commerce Business in the Philippines
Under Philippine laws, local and foreign enterprises must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). For sole proprietorships, registration with the Department of Trade and Industry is required.
To give you an overview, we have provides a step-by-step guide on the business registration process in the Philippines:
- Commence the registration process by registering the proposed company’s key details in the online registration system of the SEC
- Prepare documents for physical submission to SEC and wait for approval
- Secure the following from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of your business address:
- Barangay Clearance
- Mayor’s Permit (or Business Permit)
- Register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
- Register as an employer with the following government agencies:
- Social Security System (SSS)
- Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)
- Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund)
- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
- Register a business name with DTI to acquire a DTI Certificate of Registration
- Register and secure the following permits with the LGU of your business address:
- Barangay Certificate of Business Registration
- Mayor’s Permit
- Register with BIR to acquire a Certificate of Registration.
Start Your Next E-Commerce Business in the Philippines
With a large number of online consumers along with strong government support for business digitization, the Philippines provides many opportunities to local and foreign entrepreneurs who wish to start an e-commerce company in the ASEAN market.
What is e-commerce?
Electronic Commerce, commonly known as e-commerce, is a business model that allows businesses and consumers to transact with one another through digital channels.
What are the requirements for starting an e-commerce business in the Philippines?
Generally, the requirements for starting an e-commerce business is as follows:
- Business Name Registration with SEC or DTI
- Barangay Clearance
- Mayor’s Permit
- BIR Certificate of Registration
How long does the business registration process for e-commerce take?
The E-commerce business registration process usually takes around six weeks to three months, depending on how long it will take the government to process your application.
Start Your E-Commerce Business in the Philippines With Ease
With a simplified approach to business registration and corporate compliance procedures, our team is dedicated to helping you achieve a seamless company formation process in the Philippines.