Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Last call for online businesses to register by July 1st

Last call for online businesses to register by July 1st

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
A customer looks for product on an online shopping website. Hong Menea

Last call for online businesses to register by July 1st

The government has reiterated a call for online business owners to properly register their businesses before July 1 to avoid fines, aside from the six categories of e-commerce businesses that are exempt from registration requirements.

Ministry of Commerce undersecretary of state and spokesman Penn Sovicheat stressed that his ministry will start fining online businesses that do not have the proper permits, based on the provisions of the Law on E-commerce.

“We want all businesspeople to understand that business registration is an obligation that must be fulfilled, for our society,” Sovicheat said, explaining that the deadline had been extended twice, with no order issued for an additional extension.

“The Ministry of Commerce has been working closely with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications to monitor sales activities and use of online networks to do business. So far the ministry has just received over 300 licence applications. Before being able to apply for a licence, businesses must first be registered,” he said.

Mak Chamroeun, co-founder of local business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce platform Smile Shop, called for online traders to register their businesses and obtain the relevant licences, to embark on an entrepreneurial journey with standards, and the ability to successfully expand to international markets.

He suggested the commerce ministry offer new online businesses a crucial window of time to grow, develop and gain footing before being required to register and apply for licences.

According to Sovicheat, the six categories of e-commerce businesses exempt from the registration requirements are – firstly, advertisers that do not list prices of, or directly sell goods to services to consumers, and are not subject to a contract.

Secondly are information providers involved in interactions such as negotiations that do not take deposits for their services or directly create sales contracts, such as booking services.

Thirdly are operations of individuals or sole proprietorships with revenue from the sale of goods or services below the lower income threshold of the lowest tax bracket; and fourthly are family-owned, temporary or seasonal businesses, such as those in agriculture.

Fifthly are vendors who sell their own artworks; and sixthly are providers of online private tutoring, training, workshops or similar education services.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • After three deferrals, Capital Gains Tax to take effect Jan 1, 2024

    The General Department of Taxation (GDT) will implement the Capital Gains Tax starting January 1, 2024 to after being deferred three times as industrial players warn that the implementation might have some negative impact on the property market growth, which is down due to the economic downturn.