Quick answer: A DUNS number (Data Universal Numbering System) is a 9-digit global business identifier issued by the Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) corporation. Amazon doesn’t require a DUNS number for basic seller registration, but it becomes necessary when you want to enroll a trademark in Amazon Brand Registry or apply for FDA certification for food/cosmetic products.

When Is a DUNS Number Required?

• Enrolling a brand in Amazon Brand Registry (requires a granted trademark + sometimes a DUNS number for verification)
• Registering a facility with the FDA for food, cosmetics, or medical device businesses
• Bidding on US government contracts or working with large corporations that require D&B verification
• Applying for a loan or business line of credit at some US banks

How Long Does It Take to Register for a DUNS Number?

Usually 30 business days for a free application through D&B, or as fast as 8 business days with a paid expedited option. AWE Global helps register a DUNS number directly with D&B, with no intermediary, to shorten the wait.

Quick answer: Yes, a foreign-owned single-member LLC must still file Form 5472 along with a simplified Form 1120 annually with the IRS, even if the business has no revenue or activity in the US. This is an information-reporting obligation (not an income tax filing), in effect since 2017. Failing to file on time can result in a minimum penalty of $25,000 per form.

Why File If There’s “No Income”?

Form 5472 isn’t meant to calculate tax — it’s meant to let the IRS track transactions between the LLC and its foreign owner (capital contributions, withdrawals, loans). Even with no transactions, the LLC still needs to file the form with “0” entries to demonstrate compliance.

Other Reporting Obligations to Note

• Form 5472 + simplified Form 1120: Due April 15 of the following year, extendable to October 15
• State maintenance fees: Some states (like California) charge a minimum $800/year fee even with no revenue
• Personal income tax (Form 1040-NR): Only applies if there’s “effectively connected income” (ECI) with a US trade or business

AWE Global provides an annual Form 5472 filing service to ensure your LLC doesn’t get penalized for missing this obligation.

Quick answer: Copyright protects creative works such as literature, music, images, film, and software — protecting the actual content created. Trademark protects a name, logo, or slogan used to distinguish one business’s products/services from another’s — protecting brand identity in the market. A business usually needs both for different aspects of its products.

Quick Comparison Table

A Real-World Example

The Nike logo, name, and the slogan “Just Do It” are protected by Trademark. The content of an ad, a tutorial video, or an original product photo from Nike is protected by Copyright. When selling on Amazon, a seller needs to be mindful of both — avoiding infringing someone else’s trademark when naming a product, and avoiding copyright infringement when using images/content that isn’t their own.

Quick answer: In terms of initial formation cost, an LLC in a state like Wyoming or New Mexico is usually the cheapest, around $100–$300. Forming a company in Hong Kong usually costs $300–$500. Singapore usually has a higher initial cost, around $500–$800, due to mandatory company secretary requirements and stricter KYC procedures. However, annual maintenance cost is what really determines total long-term cost.

Comparing Annual Maintenance Costs

Which Location Should You Choose?

• US LLC: Best suited for selling on Amazon/Shopify, needing a US Stripe/PayPal account, lowest cost
• Hong Kong: Well suited for international trade with China/Asia, 0% tax on foreign-sourced income
• Singapore: Well suited for businesses wanting high credibility and access to Southeast Asia’s banking and investment fund ecosystem

AWE Global offers free consulting to help you choose the location that best fits your specific business model.

Quick answer: A Registered Agent is an individual or organization appointed to receive legal correspondence, tax notices, and court summonses on behalf of a business. This is a legal requirement in every US state for both LLCs and Corporations — no exceptions, even when the owner is a foreign national not residing in the US.

Why Does the Law Require This?

State governments need a real, fixed address within the state to officially contact a business (for example, when it’s sued, or when tax notices need to be sent). If the owner is abroad with no US address, the Registered Agent is this mandatory link.

What Happens Without a Valid Registered Agent?

• The business can lose its “good standing” status with the state
• It can face administrative penalties or even forced administrative dissolution
• Important legal documents can be missed, harming the business’s position in a dispute

How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost?

Usually $100–$300 per year for a professional service. An owner can act as their own Registered Agent if they have a real address in the state of registration, but this isn’t feasible for most foreign owners.

Quick answer: Yes, non-US residents can open a Stripe or Shopify Payments account, but three conditions must be met: (1) owning a valid US legal entity (LLC or Corporation), (2) having an EIN tax ID, and (3) having a linked US business bank account. Missing any one of these three makes the account prone to holds, repeated verification requests, or outright rejection.

Why Do You Need All Three Conditions?

Both Stripe and Shopify Payments require business identity verification (KYB — Know Your Business) under US anti-money-laundering regulations. An LLC with no real US business activity (no warehouse, no real address, no taxes filed) is often flagged as high-risk, leading to held funds or repeated document requests.

Checklist Before Registering

• A valid, current LLC/Corporation certificate of formation
• An EIN already issued by the IRS
• A US business bank account (not a personal account)
• A valid US business address and phone number
• An actually operating website/store matching the registration information

Alternatives If You’re Not Ready Yet

If you’re not ready for Stripe/Shopify Payments, gateways like Payoneer or PingPong usually have lighter verification requirements for beginners. In the long run, though, fully completing your US legal entity remains the most sustainable solution to avoid the risk of an account lockout.

Quick answer: Registering a trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) usually takes 8 to 14 months under favorable conditions (no opposition, no request for additional documentation). If the USPTO issues an “office action” requiring changes, or a third party files an opposition, the timeline can stretch to over a year, sometimes 18–24 months.

Main Stages of the Process

• Search and filing: 1–2 weeks to prepare the application
• Initial review: About 3–4 months after filing, the USPTO assigns an examining attorney
• Publication for Opposition: Published for 30 days so third parties can object
• Certificate issuance: If there’s no opposition, the certificate is usually issued 2–3 months after the publication period

How Can You Speed It Up?

Thoroughly searching before filing (avoiding conflicts with existing registered trademarks) is the most effective way to reduce the risk of an office action or opposition — the two main causes of delay. AWE Global provides a full-service trademark search and registration package to optimize your chances of success on the first filing.

7 REASONS WHY FORMING AN LLC COULD BE A SMART DECISION FOR YOUR BUSINESS

When it comes to expanding internationally, the United States has always been one of the most appealing markets for entrepreneurs worldwide. With the largest economy in the world and a business-friendly environment, forming a company in the US can bring huge opportunities and benefits. Among the available legal structures, forming an LLC is a popular and flexible choice. Here are 7 reasons why forming an LLC is a smart decision for your business.

Separating Business Activity From the Owner’s Personal Assets

One of an LLC’s biggest advantages is its ability to separate the owner’s personal assets from business assets. This means that if the company runs into legal or financial trouble, your personal assets won’t be affected. This separation helps protect personal assets and minimize risk for the owner.

While sole proprietorships often face the risk of having personal assets seized to pay off debts, an LLC owner can feel more at ease since only the company’s assets are bound up in lawsuits or debt.

Automatic Tax Filing and Easy Financial Management

When you form an LLC, you’ll receive a business tax ID (EIN) from the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS). An EIN doesn’t just help an LLC fulfill its tax obligations — it also lets the business open a bank account under the company’s name, making financial management and business transactions more convenient.

An LLC is usually considered a “pass-through entity,” meaning the company’s profit and loss pass directly to the owner and are reported on their personal tax return. This helps avoid double taxation, a common issue for corporations.

Proving Income and Improving Loan Eligibility

Owning an LLC helps a business prove income clearly and transparently, which is very useful when applying for a credit loan or purchasing high-value assets. Banks and financial institutions usually value transparency and clarity in a business’s financial activities, and an LLC can easily meet this requirement.

In addition, having a clear financial record also helps an LLC build a better credit history, which can also increase access to loan sources with preferential interest rates.

Easy, Flexible Operational Conveniences

An LLC can easily rent a virtual address, virtual office, and use mailbox services to receive verification codes from e-commerce platforms and Google Maps. This is very important for businesses operating online or without a fixed office in the United States.

These services help a business save on office and staffing costs, while also creating favorable conditions for remote management and operation.

Building Professionalism and Credibility

An LLC can register a company phone number and create a professional image when communicating with customers and partners. This professionalism doesn’t just strengthen a business’s reputation — it also makes a good impression on business partners.

Reducing Personal Income Tax and Optimizing Taxes

An LLC can benefit from tax incentives, including the ability to apply for tax exemptions from retail suppliers. This helps reduce the personal income tax burden for the owner and optimize profit.

In addition, an LLC can also take advantage of tax deductions related to business expenses, such as office rent, advertising, and travel costs, maximizing financial benefit.

Supporting Legal-Entity Account Opening and Market Access

Forming an LLC is very important when selling on platforms like Amazon or Walmart, where retailers need a legal-entity identity account in the United States. An LLC lets a business access many products and items that only US entities can sell, expanding business capability and increasing revenue.

This is especially important given the strong growth of the e-commerce market, and having an official presence in the United States helps a business easily reach customers and new markets.

Conclusion

Forming an LLC in the United States brings a business many legal, financial, and business benefits. From protecting personal assets and optimizing taxes to building professionalism and credibility, an LLC is a powerful tool that helps entrepreneurs grow and expand their business operations.

If you’re considering expanding your business in the United States, consider forming an LLC to take advantage of the outstanding benefits this legal structure brings. Contact the AWE Legal team for detailed consulting and guidance on the process of forming a company in the US.

THE HISTORY OF TRADEMARKS: WHY DID THEY COME TO BE?

A trademark is an indispensable part of the modern business world, helping businesses build and protect their brand. The history of trademarks is a long and complex journey, beginning in ancient times and developing through many historical periods. In this article, let’s explore the trademark’s development journey through history with AWE Legal.

Ancient Times

The concept of marking products to distinguish them has existed since ancient times. Ancient Egyptians were one of the first civilizations to use marks to identify their products. Egyptian merchants often carved symbols or letters onto their goods to prove their origin and quality.

In ancient Rome, silver marks were used to identify the origin and quality of goods, especially metal products and pottery. These marks not only helped consumers recognize products but also protected manufacturers’ reputations.

The Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages in Europe, the guild system developed strongly. These guilds began using exclusive marks to identify products made by their craft. This didn’t just help protect the quality and reputation of the product — it also prevented counterfeiting and protected craftsmen’s interests.

Using marks was also part of a quality-control process, ensuring that only products meeting the standard were allowed to carry the guild’s mark.

The Industrial Revolutions and the Emergence of the Modern Brand

With the explosion of the industrial revolutions in the 18th and 19th centuries, the world witnessed the growth of large industrial businesses. Companies began mass production, and the need to distinguish their products in an increasingly competitive market became urgent.

This is when the modern brand was born, using special symbols like logos and brand names to identify products. Early brands like Coca-Cola and Levi’s established strong brand symbols to build reputation and attract customers.

Trademark Protection Law

As brands developed, countries began to recognize the importance of protecting intellectual property rights. Trademark protection laws were enacted to protect the interests of businesses and consumers.

Trademark registration became an important process to ensure ownership and prevent unauthorized copying. These laws not only helped protect brands — they also promoted healthy competition in the market.

Modernization and the Global Brand

With the growth of technology and telecommunications, brands became an indispensable part of modern life. Major brands like Coca-Cola, Nike, and Apple became global icons and built massive brand value.

A brand is no longer just an identifying symbol — it has also become part of popular culture, influencing the lifestyle and consumer habits of millions of people around the world.

The Rise of the Digital Brand

With the growth of the internet and e-commerce, the digital brand has become more important than ever. Brands use online channels to make an impression and engage with customers.

Social media and online platforms have opened up new opportunities for brands to reach customers globally. Companies like Amazon and Alibaba have built powerful digital brands, changing how consumers shop and interact with products.

International Trademark Law

In the context of globalization, international agreements and treaties like the Madrid Agreement and domain-name agreements play an important role in protecting and managing a brand from abuse or copying in other countries, while also driving the growth of international trade.

Conclusion

The history of trademarks reflects the development of industry and commerce through the ages. From simple marks in ancient times to complex digital brands today, trademarks have proven their important role in protecting the interests of businesses and consumers.

In the modern world, a brand isn’t just a marketing tool — it’s also a valuable asset, helping a business build trust and reputation globally. As technology and the market continue to develop, trademarks will continue to play a key role in a business’s long-term success and sustainable growth.

WHAT IS A DUNS NUMBER? WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR A BUSINESS?

In today’s era of growth, businesses are increasingly developing and diversifying. However, to grow, domestic and foreign businesses need to connect with each other. To do that, domestic businesses, especially import-export businesses, usually need to register for a number sequence called a DUNS number. So what is a DUNS number? Let’s find out with AWE Legal!

What Is a DUNS Number?

A DUNS number (short for Data Universal Numbering System) is a unique 9-digit number sequence used to verify a business’s information. This number is issued to businesses by the Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) corporation, after the business’s information has been reliably verified.

What Does a DUNS Number Include?

A DUNS number includes the following components:

DUNS number: A unique 9-digit number sequence used to verify a business’s information. Each company usually has a different DUNS number.

The D-U-N-S® Registered™ seal: A seal displayed on a company’s website to prove high reliability and credibility, helping a business gain more business opportunities in the international market.

The D-U-N-S® Registered™ certificate from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B): This certificate confirms that a business’s DUNS number and DUNS seal are reliable.

How Does DUNS Work?

Once issued to a business, a DUNS number is used to check that business’s identity and legal-entity status. This is part of the verification process.

The DUNS number is then directly linked to your company’s credit profile and plays an important role in your company’s search for credit and financing. Owning a DUNS number helps suppliers, investors, and the business owner see the company’s business credit report and more easily assess your company’s credit standing.

What Does a DUNS Number Mean for a Business?

– Ensuring authenticity for a business: Owning a D-U-N-S® Registered™ number is proof that your business information has been verified and confirmed through many strict rounds by the D&B Corporation. This brings more peace of mind to partners and cooperating suppliers.

– Raising a business’s trust and credibility: The D-U-N-S® Registered™ number is a globally recognized certification, helping a business establish trust and raise its own credibility.

– Increasing cooperation and business opportunities: Having a D-U-N-S® number helps your business become known to more people and gain more international cooperation opportunities, working with other businesses both domestically and internationally, as well as government organizations worldwide.

– Helping verify and evaluate information about partners and suppliers: If a partner has already registered for a DUNS number, you can feel more confident when deciding to cooperate, and the partner-vetting stage can be shortened, minimizing costs for the business.

– In addition, businesses manufacturing food or cosmetics that want FDA approval to sell in the US market need to register for a DUNS number to complete the procedure.

Conclusion

Now we understand the meaning of a DUNS number and its importance to a business. We hope this information helps you on your future growth journey.

In addition, the AWE Legal team is ready to answer any questions you have about the registration process as well as the necessary procedures.

Come to AWE Legal for a fast procedure, a professional team, quick turnaround, and safe transactions.