How to Receive Global Payments With a Hong Kong Company (2025 Guide)

Hong Kong offers a rare combination of global credibility, multi-currency banking, modern payment rails and a territorial tax regime—making it a powerful hub for collecting B2B and B2C payments worldwide. Opening the right mix of accounts (bank + virtual bank/fintech + gateway) and staying on top of KYC/AML and tax-sourcing rules lets entrepreneurs get paid faster, in more currencies, and with fewer hidden costs than many other jurisdictions.

How to Get Paid Globally With a Hong Kong Company: The Practical Playbook for Entrepreneurs

Hong Kong punches above its weight in global finance. For founders, freelancers and SMEs selling into multiple countries, it’s a rare jurisdiction where you can open multi-currency accounts, plug into modern payment rails, and still benefit from a territorial tax system that generally taxes only Hong Kong-sourced profits.

That mix—and the city’s deep banking stack—makes Hong Kong an efficient collection hub for almost any business model, from e-commerce and SaaS to consulting and trading.

Why Hong Kong is still a payments hub

Three structural advantages explain Hong Kong’s enduring appeal:

1. Territorial tax: Profits are taxable in Hong Kong only if they arise in or are derived from Hong Kong; offshore-sourced profits can be outside the net (documentation and substance matter). Corporate profits that are taxable enjoy a two-tier regime: 8.25% on the first HKD 2 million and 16.5% thereafter. This is policy-grade stability that entrepreneurs can plan around.

2. Banking depth + deposit protection: Licensed banks in Hong Kong are members of the Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS), which currently protects eligible deposits up to HK$800,000 per depositor per bank. For founders managing large receivables, that official backstop and the breadth of institutions matter.

3. Modern rails: The Faster Payment System (FPS) provides 24/7 instant HKD/CNH transfers locally; meanwhile, card networks, regional wallets and international wires all interoperate through a dense web of banks, virtual banks and payment service providers.

   
   

The five main ways to receive money (and when to use each)

Think of Hong Kong’s collection stack as five rails you can combine.

1) Traditional bank accounts (your operating core)

A corporate account with a major licensed bank (e.g., HSBC, Standard Chartered, Hang Seng, Bank of China (HK), Citi) is still your operating spine: SWIFT wires for high-value B2B invoices, multi-currency sub-accounts, trade finance, treasury, and FPS for instant local HKD/CNH. Deposits at licensed members are covered by the DPS limit above. The trade-off is onboarding friction: banks will push thorough KYC/AML, often with director interviews and evidence of real activity, counterparties and expected flows—especially for new or cross-border-heavy businesses.

Best for: Large B2B transfers, holding foreign-currency receivables, paying suppliers, running payroll, and accessing letters of credit or collections for trading businesses.

Watch-outs: Be ready with incorporation docs, ownership charts, business model write-ups, draft contracts/invoices and proof of address for controllers to avoid delays; expect periodic compliance reviews on unusual inflows.

2) Virtual banks (fast, app-first banking)

Hong Kong has a cohort of HKMA-licensed digital/virtual banks (e.g., ZA Bank, WeLab Bank, Livi, Mox, Ant Bank, Airstar, Fusion, PAOB). They offer branch-less onboarding, sleek apps, no minimum balance requirements and competitive day-to-day fees—built to serve retail and SMEs. Coverage of features for corporates is expanding, though not all virtual banks support full multi-currency functionality or advanced trade services yet. For startups and remote founders, the speed and UX are a big win.

Best for: Early-stage companies needing quick HKD accounts, local collections via FPS, and modern app UX.

Watch-outs: Check which currencies and inbound SWIFT corridors are supported, multi-user controls, and whether you need separate solutions for USD/EUR receivables or trade finance.

3) Fintech multi-currency accounts (global local-details + low FX)

Platforms such as Wise Business and Airwallex let a Hong Kong company spin up multi-currency wallets with local account details (e.g., US routing & account, EU IBAN, UK sort code) so overseas clients can pay you like a domestic transfer. That typically slashes correspondent banking fees and gives access to mid-market FX with a transparent spread. Wise’s Hong Kong business account launched in 2025 with local details in multiple major currencies and support for 40+ currencies; Airwallex similarly offers 20+ currency “Global Accounts” with local collection in 60+ markets.

Best for: E-commerce sellers with customers in multiple regions, SaaS billing in local currencies, consultants who want clients to pay locally (ACH/SEPA/BACS) instead of SWIFT.

Watch-outs: These are not “banks”; funds are safeguarded with partner banks but not covered by the DPS. Large idle balances are often better swept to a bank account; verify supported corridors and limits.

4) Payment gateways (cards, wallets, subscriptions)

For B2C (and smaller-ticket B2B), you’ll want a gateway. Stripe runs in Hong Kong and supports major cards plus Alipay and WeChat Pay through a single integration, with transparent pay-as-you-go pricing. It also handles invoicing and subscription billing for SaaS. Alternatives (Adyen, AsiaPay/PayDollar, Checkout.com, 2C2P) serve mid-to-enterprise merchants or those with specialized local methods. ]

Best for: Online checkouts, recurring subscriptions, mobile wallets, and capturing impulse purchases worldwide.

Watch-outs: Percentage fees make gateways pricey for big invoices; use bank transfer for large B2B. Monitor chargebacks and enable 3-D Secure where appropriate.

5) PayPal (global ubiquity, minimal setup)

PayPal Business remains the quick-start option for freelancers and small sellers who need instant global reach and easy invoicing. HK businesses can withdraw HKD to local bank accounts (fee-free above small thresholds); for other currencies and conversions, factor in PayPal’s fee schedule and FX markup. It’s convenient, familiar to buyers, and powerful as a backup method even if your primary rail is bank transfer.

Best for: One-off projects, small B2C baskets, or as a safety-net option clients recognize and trust.

Watch-outs: Higher effective fees on international and cross-currency payments; occasional reserves or holds as PayPal manages risk.

The setup process (what to prepare and in what order)

1) Incorporation & basic compliance. Incorporate your Hong Kong company and keep your statutory file clean (registers, articles, BR certificate). This is table stakes for any provider you approach.

2) Open your core bank account. Expect a front-loaded KYC lift: certified company documents; IDs and proof of address for directors/UBOs; a succinct but credible business case; sample invoices or draft contracts; and a forecast of monthly volumes and counterparty geographies. Plan for an interview (in-person or video). Approval timelines vary from days to several weeks depending on your profile.

3) Add speed and reach with a virtual bank and/or fintech wallet. If your bank account is pending—or you want cheaper FX and local details—apply in parallel to Wise Business or Airwallex. Both support Hong Kong entities and enable local collection in key markets, usually via fast, online onboarding.

4) Turn on your front-end acceptance. For card/wallet checkouts, create a Stripe account (or another gateway) and connect payouts to your bank/fintech account. For simple client invoices, spin up PayPal Business and test a small payment end-to-end. Keep method diversity: cards + a regional wallet + bank transfer instructions cover most buyers.

5) Local rails for local buyers. If you sell to Hong Kong customers or partners, publish an FPS QR or proxy (phone/email) for instant local HKD collections. It’s 24/7, fast, and now standard in the city’s retail economy.

Compliance: what Hong Kong actually cares about

• KYC/AML: Banks and payment providers will verify who owns and controls the company, what you sell, who pays you, and where money flows. Unusual spikes or large cross-border inflows may trigger requests for invoices/contracts—routine under AML obligations.

• Deposit protection & licensing: Only licensed banks are covered by the DPS (HK$800k). Virtual banks are fully licensed banks; fintech providers are typically payment institutions/stored-value facilities with safeguarding rules, not deposit insurance.

• Tax sourcing: Hong Kong taxes profits that arise in or are derived from Hong Kong; offshore claims demand evidence (where contracts are negotiated, where services are performed, where decisions are made). Keep contemporaneous documentation—emails, service logs, contracts, shipping and fulfillment trails for goods.

• Consumer data & PCI: Gateways like Stripe shoulder PCI DSS for card data if you use hosted elements/checkout. You still must protect customer PII and follow relevant privacy rules.

B2B vs. B2C: match the rail to the transaction

B2B (high-value, low-frequency): Default to bank transfer (SWIFT) or local details via fintech for major currencies. You’ll pay a fixed transfer fee or modest FX spread instead of a percentage-of-amount card fee. For trade businesses, keep a bank that can issue/receive L/Cs and collections.

B2C (low-value, high-frequency): Default to cards and wallets through a gateway; add PayPal for recognition and trust, and FPS if you sell locally. Use gateway risk tools (e.g., 3-D Secure, velocity rules) to reduce chargebacks.

Hybrid sellers (SaaS + enterprise, agencies, online retailers serving wholesalers): Offer both: bank transfer for invoices over a threshold; card/wallet/pay-link for everyone else. This “barbell” pricing of rails is how you protect margin without losing convenience.

Costs: where fees hide—and how to cut them

• FX markups: Traditional banks often embed spreads in their FX rates. Fintech accounts like Wise/Airwallex display mid-market rates plus a transparent fee, which is usually cheaper for day-to-day conversions. Move large or frequent conversions to these platforms, and time FX when cash-flow allows.

• Correspondent banking fees: SWIFT chains can clip $15–$40 at intermediaries. Local collection via fintech local details (ACH/SEPA/BACS) often avoids that entirely.

• Percentage vs. fixed fees: Put large invoices through bank rails (fixed fees) and small baskets through gateways (percentage). If many customers are in Mainland China or use Chinese wallets, enabling Alipay/WeChat Pay via Stripe often improves conversion while keeping wallet fees competitive.

• PayPal convenience premium: Great reach, but model your net after fees and conversions. Keep HKD withdrawals to a local HKD account; be deliberate about when you convert non-HKD balances to avoid extra markup.

Ease of use (by business model)

• E-commerce/marketplaces: Gateway first (Stripe), plus a fintech account for multi-currency settlement and cheaper FX, and a bank account for operating expenses. If you have HK customers, add FPS QR at checkout or post-checkout.

  
  

• SaaS/subscriptions: Stripe for recurring billing; offer bank transfer for enterprise plans. Use fintech local details to collect ACH/SEPA transfers where procurement forbids cards.

• Consulting/agencies/freelancers: Publish bank details on invoices; offer PayPal and Stripe payment links for new clients or smaller retainers. Use Wise/Airwallex to receive like-local payments from the US/EU/UK without SWIFT friction.

• Trading/import-export: Keep a relationship bank for L/Cs and collections; use fintech for FX cost control and receiving smaller deposits in local currency. FPS is handy for local vendor/warehouse payments.

Risk & resilience

• Single-provider risk: Don’t rely on one provider. A lightweight “stack” (bank + fintech + one gateway + PayPal) gives redundancy if any account is reviewed or paused.

• Policy drift: Keep an eye on regulatory updates (e.g., DPS enhancements, SVF rules, sanction lists). Deposit protection limits and FPS scope evolve; staying current prevents surprises.

• Documentation discipline: Offshore tax claims rise or fall on evidence; so do AML inquiries. Create a simple foldering habit: invoices, contracts, statements, fulfillment proofs, engagement emails, and board resolutions on major decisions.

A simple build-out in 30 days

Week 1: Incorporate (if not already). Start bank onboarding; prepare KYC pack (docs + business model memo + pipeline proof).

Week 2: Open Wise Business/Airwallex for immediate local details and low-cost FX; test inbound payments from a friendly counterparty.

Week 3: Stand up Stripe checkout and/or invoicing; add Alipay/WeChat Pay if relevant; enable PayPal invoices.

Week 4: Go live; monitor success/decline rates and settlement timing; document tax sourcing (where services happen, contract loci) and set calendar reminders for annual filings.

Bottom line

For global entrepreneurs, a Hong Kong company remains one of the most practical and flexible vehicles for getting paid worldwide. The winning pattern is straightforward: anchor with a licensed bank for stability and trade services; layer a fintech account for local collection and cheaper FX; turn on a gateway for cards and wallets (and PayPal for ubiquity); and use FPS to knit local HKD flows together. Combine that with disciplined KYC/tax documentation and you’ll collect faster, lose less to friction, and keep optionality as you scale.