I have an internet photographic business and sell tutorial cd's and books and photographic equipment on this site.

i am the sole trader of the business set up with my Bank here in UK andhave credit card facilities in my home office and to take to clubs to enable me to take credit card payments.

How easy would this business be able to be transferred to Australia.
The web site and shop on the web site is easy enough but how would I go about getting my credit card facility up and running straight away.

Would Australian bank need letter from my UK bank?

Any help would be appreciated

Caz

Much will depend on the legal basis on which you are in business - ie sole trader, limited company, etc: I think you should address that issue first (as well as perhaps closing down your UK business insofar as the tax authorities are concerned) before you consider setting up retail and merchant banking arrangements in Australia.

Please send me an email or a Private Message from this Forum if you would like to pursue these issues.

Best regards.

Alan

I am a Sole Trader of my business and to close it down before setting up in Australia would be disastrous for our business what I would like to do is to transfer it. As it is internet based it can be taken worldwide but it is the merchant banking facilities that I will need straight awy to continue my business. We use Worldpay and Streamline.

I don't mean close down the business to the outside world ... rather cease trading insofar as the UK tax authorities are concerned (discuss with your accountant) and commence trading in Australia when you arrive.

Re accepting payments electronically - why not offer Paypal? I think this is likely to be your only solution that enables you to continue trading without a hiatus, as opening merchant banking arrangements in Australia will require you to be there.

Alternatively, have someone (trusted) in the UK process your credit card payments for you after you have moved.

Best regards.

quote:

Originally posted by cazbeckham:
Alan

I am a Sole Trader of my business and to close it down before setting up in Australia would be disastrous for our business what I would like to do is to transfer it. As it is internet based it can be taken worldwide but it is the merchant banking facilities that I will need straight awy to continue my business. We use Worldpay and Streamline.

Alan

Thaank you for your reply. Paypal is far too expensive to use. Have used this in the past.
Cannot let anyone else process credit card payments in Uk after we have moved as the machine is on rental purely for my business at my home address and cannot be transferred.

Do you know how long it would take to open a merchant banking account for my business once in Australia going down the route of CPV.

Thanks again

Caz

Am surprised Paypal is more expensive than accepting payments by credit card, but there we are ...

Suggest you might contact the Migrant Banking section of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (based in London) to discuss your requirements with them - see http://www.migrantbanking.co.uk/.

Hope this helps.

quote:

Originally posted by cazbeckham:
Alan

Thaank you for your reply. Paypal is far too expensive to use. Have used this in the past.
Cannot let anyone else process credit card payments in Uk after we have moved as the machine is on rental purely for my business at my home address and cannot be transferred.

Do you know how long it would take to open a merchant banking account for my business once in Australia going down the route of CPV.

Thanks again

Caz

Thanks Alan, I have sent a mail to the migrantbanking.co.uk

Caz

Have you looked at HSBC secure epayments. I haven't studied it in great depth but as they are in the UK and AUS, and you can open an account in AUS while in the UK you may be able to do a type of seamless transfer. Apparently it can be a little arkward to configure with some shopping cart software but it is possible. Of course it probably depends on who you bank with at present, but as you are going to switch anyway?

fly2hi

i have been told that the HSBC would be the bank to open with so maybe I will give that some though of perhaps changing the business account to that in the future although idon't know how that will affect me renting my Streamline credit card machine and manual machine that i rent via my bank at the present whichis National Westminster.

Thanks for the info

Caz

Hi Caz,

Your best bet would be to speak to the bank you are with here in the UK first and see if they have a relationship with any of the main banks in Australia.

We are looking at switching from Barclays business to Lloyds as they are partnered with ANZ bank in Aus who we want to bank with.

There shouldn't be too much hassle in opening a business account and merchant services with an Ausralian bank providing you have all the necessary requirements/documents etc.

The main question to ask is are you registered to operate a business within Australia as this will be the main barrier to getting merchant (credit card processing) services in Australia.

Also, WorldPay are excellent (as you probably already know) and also operate in Australia, see http://www.worldpay.com/aus/

There are a lot of differences between the merchant services in banks so be sure to check out a few of them before you decide. Some of the main banks are: Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac, National Australia Bank, Bendigo Bank just to name a few.

Good luck!