Do We Need to Register to ACRA when Starting an Home-based Online Shop?

insane23rd · 28-11-2012, 06:50 PM

Hi, I've just joined this forum and i have read alot of good tips.

1. Do we need to register to ACRA when starting an home-based Online Shop?

And I would just like to ask on
2. Where do you buy your products to sell? Is it from distributor outside Singapore?

3. And how do you import it in? If we buy in bulk, do we need to have a business license for it to get through SG customs? or we just simply pay the Import Tax Duties if its above $400.

I am talking about uncontrolled goods for my products to sell.

Thanks in Advance!

meinteel · 28-11-2012, 10:20 PM

1. All businesses needs to be registered with ACRA even if it is home based. For type of business activities, there is this category in ACRA that says "Internet Retailing".

2. There are local and overseas distributors. You need to find something that really suits you.

3. Uncontrolled goods do not need any license in import. It is probably just the GST.

4. Do research more via government/statutory board websites. Look up for contacts for manufacturers and distributors and talk to them. Don't expect too much information or "good leads" from your competitors.

insane23rd · 29-11-2012, 01:28 AM

thanks for the reply meinteel!
Most of the local Authorized Distributors for my products got their own Retail Shops here in Singapore, that's probably why they don't reply my emails. LOL

Actually, my plan is to purchase Discounted Price for my items from the US and then I will be selling it on a profitable price here in Singapore, around 20-30% lesser that those which are sold in the Retail Shop.

Is it considered illegal? Can the local Retail Shop sue me?
Although I've seen a lot of blogshops here in Singapore that are doing it that way (parallel imports), I just want to make sure the things that might happen.

meinteel · 29-11-2012, 12:54 PM

Parallel imports isn't illegal in Singapore. However, the problem lies with the marketing and authentication.

1. You cannot lie that you are an authorised distributor.
2. You cannot use their logos/marketing materials or you can be charged for infringing Intellectual Property (IP) and/or misleading consumers.

Most importantly, the distributor could just sue you for selling fake products. The onus would be on you to prove that they are authentic. As parallel imports tend to change many hands, it would be hard to prove so.

Even if you do manage to prove it, the lawsuit would have brought your business to a grinding halt for at least a year, not forgetting the legal fees incurred.

insane23rd · 29-11-2012, 01:21 PM

Thanks for the Heads Up man! i really appreciate it!

I'll keep those things in mind.

coralsecret · 21-01-2013, 07:11 PM

I sell online but the first thing that I did before setting up my website was to register my business.

insane23rd · 21-01-2013, 07:43 PM

thanks for the reply guys! and all the other information i have collected in this forum.

My Online Shop is almost up and running.
I have managed to register it in ACRA 2 months ago.

here's the link of my site: although the it will only be LIVE on february 1st.

web: www. indiewide.com

insane23rd · 21-01-2013, 07:54 PM

thanks for the reply guys! and thank for the information i have learn from this forum.

my online shop was successfully registered last 2 months ago, but i will only start or be LIVE on Feb 1st. 2013 for I am still updating my inventory.

anyway, heres my link to my site, hope you all will like it.

Wins_kiddy · 24-01-2013, 12:49 PM

Hi,

I have just joined this forum and found lots of useful info here.

I intend to start an online kids clothes but have no idea where to get the goods and how to start?

I hope thru this forum I could gain some information on it.

Much appreciate and thank you for sharing your info.

28-11-2012, 06:50 PM	#1
insane23rd Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Eunos Posts: 10 My Reputation: Points: 10/ Rep Power: 0	Do We Need to Register to ACRA when Starting an Home-based Online Shop? Hi, I've just joined this forum and i have read alot of good tips. 1. Do we need to register to ACRA when starting an home-based Online Shop? And I would just like to ask on 2. Where do you buy your products to sell? Is it from distributor outside Singapore? 3. And how do you import it in? If we buy in bulk, do we need to have a business license for it to get through SG customs? or we just simply pay the Import Tax Duties if its above $400. I am talking about uncontrolled goods for my products to sell. Thanks in Advance!

28-11-2012, 10:20 PM	#2
meinteel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Farrer Park Posts: 181 My Reputation: Points: 10/ Rep Power: 14	Re: Do We Need to Register to ACRA when Starting an Home-based Online Shop? 1. All businesses needs to be registered with ACRA even if it is home based. For type of business activities, there is this category in ACRA that says "Internet Retailing". 2. There are local and overseas distributors. You need to find something that really suits you. 3. Uncontrolled goods do not need any license in import. It is probably just the GST. 4. Do research more via government/statutory board websites. Look up for contacts for manufacturers and distributors and talk to them. Don't expect too much information or "good leads" from your competitors.

29-11-2012, 01:28 AM	#3
insane23rd Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Eunos Posts: 10 My Reputation: Points: 10/ Rep Power: 0	Re: Do We Need to Register to ACRA when Starting an Home-based Online Shop? thanks for the reply meinteel! Most of the local Authorized Distributors for my products got their own Retail Shops here in Singapore, that's probably why they don't reply my emails. LOL Actually, my plan is to purchase Discounted Price for my items from the US and then I will be selling it on a profitable price here in Singapore, around 20-30% lesser that those which are sold in the Retail Shop. Is it considered illegal? Can the local Retail Shop sue me? Although I've seen a lot of blogshops here in Singapore that are doing it that way (parallel imports), I just want to make sure the things that might happen.

29-11-2012, 12:54 PM	#4
meinteel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Farrer Park Posts: 181 My Reputation: Points: 10/ Rep Power: 14	Re: Do We Need to Register to ACRA when Starting an Home-based Online Shop? Parallel imports isn't illegal in Singapore. However, the problem lies with the marketing and authentication. 1. You cannot lie that you are an authorised distributor. 2. You cannot use their logos/marketing materials or you can be charged for infringing Intellectual Property (IP) and/or misleading consumers. Most importantly, the distributor could just sue you for selling fake products. The onus would be on you to prove that they are authentic. As parallel imports tend to change many hands, it would be hard to prove so. Even if you do manage to prove it, the lawsuit would have brought your business to a grinding halt for at least a year, not forgetting the legal fees incurred.

29-11-2012, 01:21 PM	#5
insane23rd Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Eunos Posts: 10 My Reputation: Points: 10/ Rep Power: 0	Re: Do We Need to Register to ACRA when Starting an Home-based Online Shop? Thanks for the Heads Up man! i really appreciate it! I'll keep those things in mind.

21-01-2013, 07:11 PM	#6
coralsecret Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: East Coast Posts: 6 My Reputation: Points: 10/ Rep Power: 0	Re: Do We Need to Register to ACRA when Starting an Home-based Online Shop? I sell online but the first thing that I did before setting up my website was to register my business.

21-01-2013, 07:43 PM	#7
insane23rd Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Eunos Posts: 10 My Reputation: Points: 10/ Rep Power: 0	Re: Do We Need to Register to ACRA when Starting an Home-based Online Shop? thanks for the reply guys! and all the other information i have collected in this forum. My Online Shop is almost up and running. I have managed to register it in ACRA 2 months ago. here's the link of my site: although the it will only be LIVE on february 1st. web: www. indiewide.com

21-01-2013, 07:54 PM	#8
insane23rd Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Eunos Posts: 10 My Reputation: Points: 10/ Rep Power: 0	Re: Do We Need to Register to ACRA when Starting an Home-based Online Shop? thanks for the reply guys! and thank for the information i have learn from this forum. my online shop was successfully registered last 2 months ago, but i will only start or be LIVE on Feb 1st. 2013 for I am still updating my inventory. anyway, heres my link to my site, hope you all will like it.

24-01-2013, 12:49 PM	#9
Wins_kiddy Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Woodlands Posts: 3 My Reputation: Points: 10/ Rep Power: 0	Re: Do We Need to Register to ACRA when Starting an Home-based Online Shop? Hi, I have just joined this forum and found lots of useful info here. I intend to start an online kids clothes but have no idea where to get the goods and how to start? I hope thru this forum I could gain some information on it. Much appreciate and thank you for sharing your info.

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