[toephu2]

And let me guess, you went over on a 30-day (or 60 or 90 max) tourist visa? Try getting a Chinese work visa from a startup (or one you found). USCIS's new rule proposal allows entrepreneurs to stay legally in the U.S. an initial 2 years.

[gjkood]

I am not implying it is the best option for everybody trying to come and set up in the US, but for hardware companies there are better options than the US. In fact there are US based hardware accelerators[1] that encourage and facilitate setting up in Shenzhen for a short while so that you can be close to your eventual supply chain.

Coming and setting up in the US is no easy matter for people of Indian or Chinese origins.

1. https://hax.co

[seanmcdirmid]

Is setting up in she Shenzhen any easier for foreigners? I wouldn't be surprised if it was harder.

[gjkood]

I have been using a book called 'the Shenzhen insider's guide' [1] as a reference to help me understand what I need to do to setup something there. There is an entire chapter 'Business in Shenzhen' that lays out the groundwork needed to setup operations in Shenzhen and the different types of entities allowed to do business there. There may be advantages to having a Chinese partner in the setup.

I am currently only at the investigative stage. I will let you know as soon as I know more about bureaucratic obstacles.

1. https://www.amazon.com/Shenzhen-Insiders-Guide-Never-Ever/dp...

[seanmcdirmid]

In my experience, if something is hard to do in the USA, it is much harder to in China, which doesn't really acknowledge immigrants. Now, this is just "by the book", which the USA takes much more seriously than China. Often times, the book in China isn't even written and all they will say is "没办法", your only option is a tourist visa where they wink you'll probably be ok, unless you are unlucky enough to be caught in some crackdown, then it's 6 or so months in Chinese detention before being deported.

Only be in China if you REALLY need to be there, otherwise it's a whole lot of pain without corresponding upside.

[gjkood]

In the same vein, for those in the USA trying to do business elsewhere, please be aware of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act [1]. There is no upside to breaking those rules.

Sean, my Mandarin/Chinese is at below beginner's level. My google translate of your phrase is 'no way'. Was that what you were saying?

1. https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/foreign-corrupt-pract...

[seanmcdirmid]

Yes, 没办法 just means "what you want to do is impossible, though (often implied) should be possible."

FCPA applies not just to Americans, but anyone who does business in the USA, so even non Americans can be caught up in it, and many developed countries have their own versions of it.

I don't think bribes fly around so easily these days. At least nothing overt, though the Chinese partner they thrust on you is often just a backdoor bribe that looks legit on paper.