SOUTHEAST ASIAN FIRMS URGED TO PREPARE FOR 2026 US ENTRY

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 (Bernama) -- Southeast Asian companies are being urged to begin preparations now to capitalise on a widening window of opportunity for entry into the United States (US) market in 2026, as firms across the region move to diversify supply chains and sustain growth momentum.

Industry forecasts, including research from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, project Southeast Asia’s business-to-business digital commerce market to reach US$130 billion by 2026, driven by rising demand for consumer electronics, home furnishings and cross-border trade with overseas buyers. (US$1=RM4.07)

Dmitry Shubov Consulting founder, Dmitry Shubov said the most successful expansions treat the US market as a multi-layered project, addressing legal entity structure, tax exposure and local logistics simultaneously.

“We are helping them move beyond the simple manufacturing and business models to a sophisticated, sustainable American market strategy,” he said in a statement.

Market entry, however, requires more than competitive products. Companies expanding in the US must address complex legal, tax and operational frameworks to avoid costly delays and compliance risks, industry experts said.

Key challenges include structuring the appropriate US legal entity and managing tax nexus requirements, navigating customs classifications and tariffs, complying with product safety regulations such as those enforced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and securing US intellectual property protections.

Operational readiness is also critical, with companies increasingly expected to localise supply chains through US-based warehousing, third-party logistics providers and faster delivery standards, while complying with a growing patchwork of state-level data privacy laws.

Experts say companies that address these legal and logistical requirements in late 2025 and early 2026 are better positioned to capture short-term market momentum and ensure long-term stability.

Consulting firms and online resources are increasingly supporting Southeast Asian founders, particularly at the pre-seed and seed stages, as companies prepare to establish compliant and scalable operations in the US. Dmitry Shubov remains committed to guiding these businesses, helping them hit the ground running when they launch into the US market.

-- BERNAMA