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Outbound Services

Legal support for cross-border investment, M&A, trade, compliance, data, tax, customs, and overseas disputes.

When You May Need This

These scenarios usually benefit from early legal assessment to control transaction, operational, or dispute risks.

Overseas entity setup, investment, or acquisition plans

International trade, supply chain, or cross-border e-commerce needs contract and compliance support

Tax, customs, foreign exchange, data, or ESG regulatory issues

Foreign contract performance, payment collection, or enforcement disputes

Services

We support clients from risk identification through document execution and implementation.

ODI and FDI
Cross-border M&A and restructuring
International trade contracts
Tax, customs, and foreign exchange compliance
ESG and data compliance
Cross-border dispute resolution

How We Work

We establish clear steps and communication points based on urgency and complexity.

  1. 01

    Confirm destination jurisdiction, transaction structure, and business model

  2. 02

    Identify domestic and overseas approval, compliance, and contract risks

  3. 03

    Coordinate transaction documents, filings, and dispute plans

  4. 04

    Support negotiation, performance management, and judicial remedies

Key Deliverables

  • Outbound compliance pathway advice
  • Cross-border transaction documents
  • Approval and filing checklist
  • Dispute resolution and enforcement plan

Who We Serve

  • Outbound companies
  • Cross-border e-commerce businesses
  • Investment institutions
  • Founders and management teams

Frequently Asked Questions

General information on common questions in this practice area. Advice on a specific matter depends on its facts and documents.

What approvals does a Chinese company need for outbound investment?

Outbound direct investment generally involves three steps: approval or filing of the project with the development and reform authority, approval or filing of the overseas enterprise with the commerce authority, and foreign exchange registration through a bank. Sensitive countries, regions and industries require approval. Funds may be remitted once these steps are completed.

What should be considered when structuring an overseas company?

Consider foreign investment access in the target market, tax treaties, future financing and exit routes, IP ownership, data localisation and PRC approval requirements. A common approach places an operating entity in the target market under an intermediate holding company. Assess transfer pricing and controlled foreign company rules before finalising the structure.

What compliance risks do Chinese companies face abroad?

Common risks include export controls and sanctions, anti-bribery, data and personal information protection, employment, product certification, IP infringement and local tax. Companies can build an overseas compliance programme, complete counterparty due diligence before transactions, and write key compliance requirements into contracts.

Where is it better to resolve a contract dispute with an overseas customer?

It depends on the dispute resolution clause and where the counterparty's assets are. International commercial arbitration awards can be recognised and enforced in more than 170 contracting states under the New York Convention, which usually makes cross-border enforcement easier than for foreign court judgments. Specify the institution, seat, governing law and language when signing.

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Research from Longan South China Institute

Long-form analysis by Longan lawyers, published on the Longan South China Institute site.

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