Limited Partnership in Hong Kong — Drop Servicing Formation Guide
Choose a jurisdiction with strong payment gateway support (Stripe, PayPal) and low withholding taxes on foreign contractor payments, as you will be paying freelancers globally.
Last verified: June 13, 2026
Corporate Tax
15.0%
State Tax
0.0%
Formation Cost
$345
Annual Fee
$301
Forming a Limited Partnership in Hong Kong as a Drop Servicing means a total tax burden of 15.0% and an official formation cost of $345. This guide covers the steps, tax breakdown, banking options, and compliance requirements — all from verified data.
First-year total cost
≈ $845
Ongoing (per year)
≈ $801
Why Limited Partnership for Drop Servicing?
Drop servicing (or service arbitrage) involves selling digital services to clients and outsourcing the fulfillment to freelancers or white-label agencies. As a founder, your main focus is on marketing, sales, and client relationship management, while the actual work is handled by third parties.
Ideal for
- Marketers and sales professionals
- Entrepreneurs with strong networking skills
- Founders looking for location-independent businesses
- Those wanting to start an agency without technical skills
Challenges to watch
- Maintaining quality control over outsourced work
- Managing cash flow between client payments and freelancer fees
- Handling cross-border contractor tax compliance
- Building trust and brand reputation
Key decision criteria
- Access to global payment processors (e.g., US LLC or UK LTD)
- Tax implications of hiring international contractors (W-8BEN for US)
- Clear B2B contracts and terms of service
- VAT/Sales tax rules for digital services in your clients' countries
Estimated breakdown (based on avg. $80,000 revenue)
Simulate with your own revenue →
VAT / Sales Tax
Standard rate 0%. Hong Kong does not levy any Value Added Tax (VAT), Goods and Services Tax (GST), or sales tax on goods or digital services.
Banking & payments for Drop Servicing
Opening a traditional bank account in Hong Kong as a non-resident can be challenging and often requires a physical visit or extensive documentation due to strict AML/KYC regulations. However, fintech platforms like Statrys, Currenxie, and Airwallex offer fully remote, fast onboarding tailored for non-resident founders and limited partnerships.
Supported payment gateways
Remote-friendly accounts
Statrys
Top choice for non-resident founders in Hong Kong, offering fast remote onboarding, multi-currency accounts, and local HKD rails.
Currenxie
Hong Kong-native fintech providing zero monthly fee multi-currency business accounts and global payment networks.
Airwallex
Excellent for global e-commerce and tech startups needing virtual cards, low FX rates, and integrated payment gateways.
Limited Partnership formation steps
Choose a partnership name: Ensure the name complies with the Companies Registry guidelines and does not infringe on existing trademarks.
Draft the Limited Partnership Agreement (LPA): Define the roles, profit-sharing, capital contributions, and terms between the GP and LPs.
Appoint a General Partner and Limited Partner(s): Identify who will take on unlimited liability (GP) and who will be passive investors (LPs).
Secure a Hong Kong registered office: Obtain a physical address in Hong Kong to serve as the official registered office (PO boxes are not allowed).
Submit Form 1 to the Companies Registry: File the Application for Registration of a Limited Partnership and pay the HK$340 fee plus capital duty.
Apply for a Business Registration Certificate (BRC): Register with the Inland Revenue Department within 30 days of commencing business and pay the HK$2,350 fee.
Open a corporate bank account: Present the Certificate of Registration, BRC, and LPA to a Hong Kong or international bank to open the partnership's account.
Drop Servicing FAQ
Which country is best for a drop servicing company?
The US (LLC) and UK (LTD) are highly popular due to easy access to Stripe/PayPal, global credibility, and straightforward rules for paying international contractors.
Do I need to pay withholding tax when paying freelancers?
It depends on your company's jurisdiction and the freelancer's tax residency. For a US LLC, collecting a W-8BEN form from non-US contractors usually exempts you from withholding tax.
How do I handle VAT or Sales Tax?
You must track where your clients are located. If selling B2B, the reverse charge mechanism often applies. For B2C, you may need to register for VAT/Sales Tax in the client's jurisdiction once you cross specific revenue thresholds.
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Related guides
Complete Limited Partnership guide
Taxes, requirements, banking, compliance
Limited Partnership cost calculator
One-time and annual cost breakdown
🇧🇬 Drop Servicing — Single-Member Limited Liability Company (EOOD)
Tax 10.0% · formation $30
🇨🇾 Drop Servicing — Variable Capital Investment Company (VCIC)
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🇨🇾 Drop Servicing — Company Limited by Guarantee
Tax 15.0% · formation $265
🇨🇾 Drop Servicing — Sole Proprietorship
Tax 0.0% · formation $100
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