Stripe & International Payments

Product's done-how to get paid->

If your users are overseas, Stripe is almost the best choice-clean API, great dev experience, supports credit cards from 190+ countries. The problem is, Chinese mainland developers can't directly register Stripe.

This chapter covers two things: first, how Chinese developers can use Stripe; second, if you can't use Stripe, what alternatives exist.

Why Choose Stripe

Before covering how to get it, let's discuss why everyone recommends Stripe.

Developer experience comes first. Stripe's API design is very clean, documentation is clear, SDK covers major languages. More importantly, because so many use it, AI understands Stripe very well. Tell AI "help me integrate Stripe Checkout" and it can basically write working code directly.

Rates are also reasonable. US region: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. Hong Kong: 3.4% + HK$2.35. No monthly fee, no minimum spend.

Features are complete. One-time payments, subscriptions, usage-based billing, invoices, refunds, taxes... Stripe has ready solutions. You don't need to build these complex logics yourself.

The Chinese Developer Dilemma

The problem is Stripe doesn't support mainland China. You can't register a Stripe account with mainland ID, mainland address, or mainland bank card.

This isn't a technical issue-it's policy. Stripe doesn't have a license in mainland China, so it's not open to mainland users.

But this doesn't mean there's no way. The mainstream way Chinese developers use Stripe: register an overseas company.

Option 1: Hong Kong Company + Stripe

This is the most mainstream approach.

Hong Kong company registration isn't expensive-2025 rates are about 2,000-5,000 RMB including one year of secretary service and registered address. Process is fast-submit materials online, get Business Registration (BR) and Certificate of Incorporation (CR) in 1-3 days.

You don't need to go to Hong Kong personally or have a Hong Kong ID. Mainland passport works.

With a Hong Kong company, you need to open a Hong Kong bank account. This step is slightly tricky. Traditional banks (HSBC, Hang Seng) might need you to visit Hong Kong in person. But some virtual banks (like Neat, Airwallex, WorldFirst) support remote account opening-more convenient.

After bank account is open, you can register Stripe with the Hong Kong company identity.

Registration process: go to Stripe's site, select region "Hong Kong", fill in company info, upload Business Registration, link bank account, complete identity verification. Review usually 1-3 days.

After receiving money, withdraw to your Hong Kong bank account, then transfer back to mainland via WorldFirst or other channels.

Option 2: Stripe Atlas for US Company

If you don't want to register a Hong Kong company, you can use Stripe's official service Stripe Atlas.

Stripe Atlas helps you register a company in Delaware, USA (C-Corp or LLC), along with EIN (like a US tax ID), Stripe account, even bank account. One-stop service for $500.

Benefit: simple process, Stripe officially handles everything. Downside: US companies have annual filings, tax reporting, etc.-slightly more complex than Hong Kong companies.

Also note: Stripe has strict risk control. If you login with VPN, frequently changing IP addresses, you might trigger review or even account suspension. Recommend using stable network environment.

Option 3: UK Company + Wise

UK company is another good option-cost even lower than Hong Kong.

Registration is cheap-around GBP70-80 (~600-700 RMB) through agent platforms. Entirely online process, certificate ready in 3-5 business days. Only needs passport and address proof.

UK company annual maintenance is also low-about GBP120-150/year including registered address renewal and Confirmation Statement. If your business doesn't operate in the UK, usually no tax, but zero returns needed.

UK company pairs with Wise (formerly TransferWise) for banking. Wise gives you a local UK bank account to bind Stripe for receiving payments. Account opening entirely online, about GBP60.

Full flow: Register UK company -> Open Wise business account -> Register Stripe with UK company -> Bind Wise account for payments -> Withdraw from Wise to mainland.

UK company + Wise + Stripe combo has lower total cost than Hong Kong-many indie developers' first choice.

Option 4: Hong Kong Personal Account (Has Risks)

Here's a "folk method": if you have a Hong Kong bank card, theoretically you can register Hong Kong Stripe as an individual without needing a Hong Kong company.

Lower barrier this way-just needs passport plus Hong Kong bank card. But note this may have compliance risks since you're not actually a Hong Kong resident. Stripe's terms require business matching registration location-if discovered, might lead to account suspension.

Not officially recommending this approach, but some people do use it. If you choose this path, fully understand the risks.

Option 5: No Company, Use MoR Platforms

If you don't want to deal with company registration, some platforms can act as "Merchant of Record" (MoR) to collect payments for you.

What's MoR-> Simply: your users pay the MoR platform, MoR handles taxes, refunds, etc., then pays you your share. Legally, MoR is selling the product; you're just the supplier.

Benefit: you don't need company qualifications, don't need to handle global tax issues. Downside: higher rates, and withdrawals may have restrictions.

Paddle: Established MoR platform, supports individual accounts. Rate ~5% + $0.50. Supports Alipay collection, can withdraw to PayPal or Hong Kong bank account.

LemonSqueezy: Founded 2022, indie dev friendly. Rate 5% + $0.50. Note: LemonSqueezy no longer supports direct withdrawal to mainland China bank cards-only PayPal (PayPal withdrawal has extra 3% fee).

Creem: New 2024 platform targeting indie devs. Also MoR mode, rate 5%. Better Asian market support, can withdraw to Hong Kong bank account.

Gumroad: Good for selling digital products (ebooks, courses, templates). Rate 10%-higher, but simple to use.

Getting Money Back to China

Whichever option you use, ultimately you need to transfer money back to mainland.

Wise: If using UK company + Wise, withdraw directly from Wise to mainland bank card. Wise supports multiple currencies, uses mid-market rate, transparent fees. GBP or USD to RMB rate about 0.4%-0.6%. Withdrawal usually 1-2 business days.

WorldFirst: Cross-border payment platform under Ant Group. Open a virtual Hong Kong bank account with WorldFirst, withdraw from Stripe or MoR platform to this account, then convert to mainland Alipay or bank card. Rate about 0.3%-0.7%, no hidden fees. Direct withdrawal to Alipay is a big advantage. This is currently the most mainstream remittance channel.

Payoneer: Established cross-border payment platform, supports 200+ countries. Can withdraw to mainland bank cards. Rate about 1%-2%.

PayPal: If using LemonSqueezy to withdraw to PayPal, then PayPal to mainland bank card, note PayPal's withdrawal fee (3% for non-US regions, max $30), and single transaction limit of 50,000 RMB.

When converting currency, you need to provide income proof. Normal software sales income is legitimate-declare as "service trade".

Stripe Usage Tips

Assuming you've got Stripe, here are some practical tips.

Use test mode first. Stripe has complete test mode that doesn't charge real money. Test card: 4242 4242 4242 4242, any future expiry date, any 3-digit CVC. Before going live, must walk through entire payment flow in test mode.

Payment Links are simplest. If you don't want to write code, create Payment Links directly in Stripe dashboard. Users click link to pay-no development needed. Downside: user experience is mediocre (redirects to Stripe's page).

Stripe Checkout is more professional. For better UX, use Stripe Checkout. It's a pre-built payment page-you just create a Session in backend, redirect from frontend. Very little code, AI can write it directly.

Webhook handles payment success. After user pays, Stripe sends Webhook notification to your configured URL. Handle subsequent logic there-like granting user access, sending confirmation email. This is most reliable, safer than frontend callbacks.

Tax handling. If selling to European users, need to handle VAT. Stripe Tax can auto-calculate and collect taxes but needs extra config. If too troublesome, MoR platforms (Paddle/LemonSqueezy) are easier-they handle taxes.

Common Questions

Q: Can I use Stripe without a company->

Not directly. But can use MoR platforms (Paddle, LemonSqueezy, Creem) as alternatives-they don't need company qualifications.

Q: What's needed to register Hong Kong company->

Passport, address proof (utility bill or bank statement), an agent service. No Hong Kong ID needed, no need to visit Hong Kong.

Q: What if review doesn't pass->

Check if info you filled is consistent (address, name spelling, etc.). If rejected, contact Stripe support to explain. Sometimes it's just unclear documents.

Q: How are fees calculated->

Stripe HK: 3.4% + HK$2.35 per transaction. Stripe US: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. MoR platforms generally 5%+.

Q: How long until money arrives->

Stripe typically 2-7 business days to withdraw to bank account, depending on region and bank. MoR platforms might take longer-usually monthly settlement.

My Recommendation

If you plan to do overseas products long-term, recommend still registering an overseas company. Initial cost roughly hundreds to thousands of RMB, annual filing about 1,000-2,000 RMB. This cost isn't high, but you get a legitimate company entity and can use Stripe with lower rates and better experience.

If you just want to quickly validate an idea and aren't sure if you can make money, start with MoR platforms (Paddle or Creem). Though rates are higher, barrier is low-no company qualifications needed. Consider registering a company after product validation succeeds.

Whichever option you choose, keep all transaction records and receipts. Might be useful for future tax filing or visa applications.

Code Integration Quick Reference

After getting Stripe, how to integrate into your site-> This doesn't need too much research since AI understands Stripe very well. Just know differences between three approaches, then let AI write code.

Payment Links is simplest. Click a few times in Stripe dashboard to generate a payment link, put link on site button, users click to pay. Zero code, five minutes done. Downside: users redirect to Stripe's page, mediocre experience. Good for quick idea validation.

Stripe Checkout is recommended. Create a Session in backend, redirect from frontend. Very little code, better UX than Payment Links. Most indie dev products use this.

Stripe Elements is most flexible. Can fully customize payment form styling, no redirect needed. But higher code complexity-usually not needed.

If using Next.js, throw this Prompt to AI:

Help me implement Stripe Checkout payment integration:

Tech stack: Next.js 14 + TypeScript
Requirements:
1. Create /api/checkout endpoint generating Checkout Session
2. Frontend button click redirects to Stripe payment page
3. After payment success redirect to /success
4. Payment cancel redirects to /pricing
5. Create /api/webhooks/stripe handling payment success callback

Product info:
- Name: Pro Plan
- Price: $19/month subscription

Environment variables:
- STRIPE_SECRET_KEY
- NEXT_PUBLIC_STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY
- STRIPE_WEBHOOK_SECRET

AI-generated code basically works directly. For testing use test card numbers:

Expiry: any future date. CVC: any 3 digits.

Before going live, remember to switch to production mode, update environment variables, configure production Webhook URL, then test one small real payment to confirm flow works.

Next chapter covers pricing strategy-how to price so products actually sell->