Question about doing business in the US
 

I'm starting to develop a website that will target the US. I am not a US citizen and I do not have a company in the US. I do have an investment account with Merrill Lynch (don't make fun of me) and in order to have it I have to sign documents stating that I do not do business in the US.

I just called the US embassy to get advice and they have no clue as they only promote US exports into the country I live in and not exports from the country I live in to the US.

How can I sell ad space to American companies and keep things legit while looking like we're a US company?

congrats to the winners

Bump, bump!

Anyone???

You could incorp in the US, like a branch of your existing company etc.

Even if your website targets the US ( as most do ...), you are not " doing business "in the US...

So as long as I have a server outside of the US and use non-US methods of payment, I'm good to roll?

Don't even need that ...

As long as your ass is not in the USA.you are OK.

Payment processor will need to be non-american, since you need a corp to use most US merchant account provider.
Servers are not an issue in your case.

You could use www.ero-advertising.com to sell your adspaces in any country:2 cents:
Where you are incorporated is not so important as long as your services & products are great.
You don't need to "look" like a US company to get more sales IMHO

I'm kind of curious why Merrill Lynch made you sign papers stating that you are not "doing business in the United States"? Also as mentioned, I don't think that doing business with Americans or American companies would be considered "doing business in the United States"... though you may want to speak with Merrill Lynch or preferably a lawyer just to make sure things are kosher.

and I like your design works :) Did we not order something from you in 2007 ?

I have to sign them because that money doesn't pay taxes. If I generated that money by doing business in the US, then it would have to pay taxes. Long story...

I will speak to my financial advisor in ML about this on monday to see what's up.

I have no affiliation with Blue Design Studio. I, just like you, am a fan of their work and use them often.

I've been thinking about that, but I think that for this particular case it might be a slight advantage.

Have you tried calling your country's embassy to the US? Or commerce department? I expect they'd be interested in promoting exports to other countries.

That was in the agenda for tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestion.