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Legal perspective on imported food business in China, China Coaching Event, Helsinki
Doing Business in China
11 March 2019
Jack Cai
Managing Partner, ShanghaiEversheds Sutherland
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Eversheds Sutherland | 11 March 2019 | China Coaching Day, Business Finland, Helsinki
Common business models to sell products in China
2
• Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprises (“WFOE”) (100% owned subsidiary)
• Joint Ventures (“JV”) (with Chinese partners)
• IPR Protection
• Distribution Agreements/Contractual Arrangements
• E-Commerce
• Discussions on the “Best Model”
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Eversheds Sutherland | 11 March 2019 | China Coaching Day, Business Finland, Helsinki
WFOEs
3
• Separate legal entity in China 100% owned by foreign investor
• Typically takes ~4-6 months to set up
• No mandatory minimum capital requirements but need to cover cash flow
• Need to have a lease for the registered address
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Eversheds Sutherland | 11 March 2019 | China Coaching Day, Business Finland, Helsinki
WFOEs (continued)
4
• Advantages• 100% control
• Chinese customers and suppliers may prefer to deal with a local entity
• Able to issue local invoices
• Disadvantages• Set up time and deregistration time
• Set up and running costs
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Eversheds Sutherland | 11 March 2019 | China Coaching Day, Business Finland, Helsinki
JVs
5
• Separate legal entity in China jointly owned by foreign investor and Chinese party
• Typically takes 6+ months to set up
• The JV partners to agree on their respective contributions to the JV
• Enter into a JVC setting out rights and obligations of the JV partners
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Eversheds Sutherland | 11 March 2019 | China Coaching Day, Business Finland, Helsinki
JVs (continued)
6
• Advantages• Leverage the local know-how and connections of the Chinese
partners
• Aligned interests between the JV partners / sharing of risk of failure
• Disadvantages• Disputes – messy separation
• Set up time and deregistration time
• Set up and running costs
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Eversheds Sutherland | 11 March 2019 | China Coaching Day, Business Finland, Helsinki
Protect and Register Your Intellectual Property Rights!
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Eversheds Sutherland | 11 March 2019 | China Coaching Day, Business Finland, Helsinki
Distribution Agreements/Contractual Arrangements
8
• Appoint a Chinese distributor through contracts
• Do your due diligence!
• Governing law/dispute resolution
• “Foreign style” vs “Chinese style” documentation
• Foreign exchange issues
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Eversheds Sutherland | 11 March 2019 | China Coaching Day, Business Finland, Helsinki
E-Commerce
9
• Direct shipment model
• International platforms (“cross-border e-commerce”)• Tmall Global• JD Worldwide• Amazon • Kaola (NetEase)• Suning• Vipshop• Redbook
• Domestic platforms (“domestic e-commerce”)• Tmall• JD.com• Yihaodian• Fresh Hippo• Suning• Jumei• XiaoHongShu
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Eversheds Sutherland | 11 March 2019 | China Coaching Day, Business Finland, Helsinki
E-Commerce (continued)
10
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Eversheds Sutherland | 11 March 2019 | China Coaching Day, Business Finland, Helsinki
E-Commerce (continued)
11
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Eversheds Sutherland | 11 March 2019 | China Coaching Day, Business Finland, Helsinki
What is the “best” model?
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Eversheds Sutherland | 11 March 2019 | Finland Food Seminar, Helsinki, Finland
Questions?
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eversheds-sutherland.comThis information pack is intended as a guide only. Whilst the information it contains is believed to be correct, it is not a substitute for appropriate legal advice. Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP can take no responsibility for actions taken based on the information contained in this pack.
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Contact Details
Jack Cai
Managing Partner, Shanghai [email protected]: +86 21 6137 1088D: +86 21 6137 1007
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, Shanghai Representative OfficeUnit 2805A 5 Corporate Avenue150 Hubin RdHuangpu DistrictShanghai 200021China
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