MOHO ECMOHO Limited

Table of Contents

​

​

​

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

☐   REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

☒   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021

OR

☐   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

☐   SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report

For the transition period from                to

Commission file number: 001-39121

ECMOHO Limited

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

N/A

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

​

​

Zoe Wang

Tel.: +86 21 5456 5223

Email: ir@ecmoho.com

Address:

5th Floor, 909 Tianyaoqiao Road

Xuhui District

Shanghai, 200030

The People’s Republic of China

(Name, Telephone, Email and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

​

*Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC of American depositary shares, each representing four (4) Class A ordinary Shares.

​

Table of Contents

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None

(Title of Class)

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

As of December 31, 2021, there were (i) 133,581,883 Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.00001 per share, including 106,037,596 Class A ordinary shares represented by 26,509,399 American depositary shares, and (ii) 59,355,616 Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.00001 per share. Each American depositary share represents four (4) Class A ordinary shares.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    ☐  Yes    ☒  No

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    ☐  Yes    ☒  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    ☒  Yes    ☐  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    ☒  Yes    ☐  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See the definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  ☐    Accelerated filer  ☐    Non-accelerated filer  ☒    Emerging growth company  ☒

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing.

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. Item 17  ☐    Item 18  ☐

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    ☐  Yes    ☒  No

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.   Yes  ☐    No  ☐

​

​

​

​

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

​

​

​

i

Table of Contents

Conventions that apply to this Annual Report on Form 20-F

In this annual report on Form 20-F, each of the following terms has the meaning ascribed to it below:

ii

Table of Contents

Names of certain companies provided in this annual report are translated or transliterated from their original Chinese legal names.

Discrepancies in any table between the amounts identified as total amounts and the sum of the amounts listed therein are due to rounding.

This annual report on Form 20-F includes our audited consolidated financial statements for 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. This annual report contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, the translation of Renminbi into U.S. dollars has been made at RMB6.3757 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set by the People’s Bank of China on December 31, 2021. We make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate, the rates stated below, or at all. The PRC government imposes controls over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of Renminbi into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. On May 6, 2022, the noon buying rate was RMB6.6651 to US$1.00.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This annual report on Form 20-F contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this annual report on Form 20-F are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “is/are likely to,” “may,” “plan,” “should,” “will” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to:

iii

Table of Contents

You should thoroughly read this annual report and the documents that we refer to in this annual report with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. Other sections of this annual report include additional factors which could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

​

​

iv

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Our Operations in China and Permissions Required from the PRC Authorities for Our Operations

We conduct our business operations primarily through our wholly-owned subsidiaries in China. We also control the VIE through certain contractual arrangements, which holds an Internet Content Provision (“ICP”) License and may develop e-commerce platforms in the future. We, together with the VIE, are subject to PRC laws relating to, among others, restrictions over foreign investments in value-added telecommunications business set out in the Negative List (2021 Version) promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce (“MOFCOM”), and the National Development and Reform Commission (“NDRC”). To the extent that we plan to develop e-commerce platforms in the future, we have to implement such business strategy through the VIE under our contractual arrangements.

We and the VIE face various legal and operational risks and uncertainties associated with being based in or having our operations primarily in China and the complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations. The PRC government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company, such as us and the VIE, to conduct its business, accept foreign investments or list on U.S. or other foreign exchanges. For example, we and the VIE face risks associated with regulatory approvals of offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy, as well as the PCAOB audit inspection requirements. Such risks could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of the ADSs or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer ADSs and/or other securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. The PRC government also has significant discretion over the conduct of the business of us and the VIE and may intervene with or influence our operations or the development of the health and wellness industry as it deems appropriate to further regulatory, political and societal goals. Furthermore, the PRC government has recently indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over overseas securities offerings and foreign investment in China-based companies like us. Any such action, once taken by the PRC government, could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or in extreme cases, become worthless. For a detailed description of risks related to doing business in China, “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors— Risks Related to Doing Business in China.”

Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. As of the date of this annual report, our subsidiaries in China and the VIE have obtained the requisite licenses and permits from the PRC government authorities that are material for the business operations of our holding company, our subsidiaries and the VIE in China, including, among others, food operation license. However, due to the uncertainties of interpretation and implementation of relevant laws and regulations, and the enforcement practice by government authorities in the PRC, we cannot assure you that we have obtained all the permits or licenses required for conducting our business in China, or that we will be able to renew our existing licenses and permits in the future. We may be required to obtain additional licenses, permits, filings or approvals for the functions and services of our platform in the future. For more detailed information, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We may be adversely affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in PRC regulation of healthcare industry and Internet-related businesses, and any lack of requisite approvals, licenses or permits applicable to our business may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.”

As of the date of this annual report, we, our PRC subsidiaries and the VIE are not required to obtain approval or permission from the CSRC, the CAC or any other regulatory entity for the operations of the VIE and our PRC subsidiaries, or for us to offer securities to foreign investors under any currently effective PRC laws, regulations, and regulatory rules. However, the PRC government has recently indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers. For more detailed information, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The approval of and the filing with the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our future offshore offerings under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval or complete such filing.”

Cash and Asset Flows through Our Organization

ECMOHO Limited transfers cash to ECMOHO (Hong Kong) Heath Technology Limited (“ECMOHO Hong Kong”), its wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, by making capital contributions or providing loans, and ECMOHO Hong Kong transfers cash to the subsidiaries in China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Korea by making capital contributions or providing loans to these entities. Because ECMOHO Limited and the WFOE control the VIE through contractual arrangements, they are not able to make direct capital contributions to the VIE. However, they may transfer cash to the VIE by loans or by making payments to the VIE for inter-group transactions.

2

Table of Contents

In 2019, 2020 and 2021, ECMOHO Limited provided working capital of US$14.6 million, US$16.5 million and US$17.9 million to its subsidiaries in China and overseas jurisdictions, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, the WFOE and its subsidiaries transferred US$1.8 million, US$0.9 million and US$96 thousand to Yang Infinity, our former variable interest entity, and the VIE, respectively.

The VIE may transfer cash to the WFOE and its subsidiaries by paying service fees according to exclusive technology consulting and service agreements. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, the total amount of service fees that Yang Infinity and the VIE paid to the WFOE and its subsidiaries under the exclusive technology consulting and service agreement was US$2.8 million, US$0.7 million and nil, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, no dividends or distributions were made to ECMOHO Limited by our subsidiaries. Under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries and the VIE are subject to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to us. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned enterprise out of China is also subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. The restricted amounts include the paid-up capital and the statutory reserve funds of our PRC subsidiaries and the VIE, and were US$18.7 million, US$14.4 million and US$14.3 million as of December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Furthermore, cash transfers from our PRC subsidiaries to entities outside of China are subject to PRC government control of currency conversion. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may temporarily delay the ability of our PRC subsidiaries and the VIE to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. For risks relating to the fund flows of our operations in China, see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us, or the tax implications of making payments to us, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business or our financial condition.”

In the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, no assets other than cash were transferred through our organization.

ECMOHO Limited has not declared or paid any cash dividends, nor does it have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on its ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividend Policy.” For the Cayman Islands, PRC and U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, see “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation.”

PCAOB’s Inspection over Financial Statements

Our financial statements contained in the annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 have been audited by Friedman LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm that is headquartered in the United States. Friedman LLP is a firm registered with the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”), and is required by the laws of the U.S. to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the U.S. and professional standards. Friedman LLP has been subject to PCAOB inspections, and is not among the PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in the PRC or Hong Kong that are subject to PCAOB’s determination on December 16, 2021 of having been unable to inspect or investigate completely by the PCAOB. Therefore, we have not been identified by the SEC as a commission-identified issuer under the Holding Foreign Company Accountable Act (“HFCAA”), as of the date of this annual report. If, in the future, we have been identified by the SEC for three consecutive years as a commission-identified issuer whose registered public accounting firm is determined by the PCAOB as not being inspected or investigated completely because of a position taken by one or more authorities in China, the SEC may prohibit our ordinary shares or ADSs from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counter trading market in the United States. Additionally, on June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed a bill which would reduce the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCAA from three years to two years. On February 4, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill which contained, among other things, an identical provision. If this provision is enacted into law and the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCAA is reduced from three years to two, then our ADSs could be prohibited from trading in the United States as early as 2023. If we fail to meet the listing standards specified in the HFCAA in the future, we could face possible delisting from the Nasdaq, cessation of trading in over the counter market, deregistration from the SEC and/or other risks, which may materially and adversely affect, or effectively terminate, our ADSs trading in the United States.

3

Table of Contents

A. [Reserved]

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

D. Risk Factors

This section describes the risks that we currently believe may materially affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The factors below should be considered in connection with any forward-looking statements in this annual report on Form 20-F. Although we will make reasonable efforts to mitigate or minimize these risks, one or more of a combination of these risks could materially and adversely impact our business, revenues, sales, net assets, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital resources and prospects. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe to be immaterial, may also become important factors that affect us.

Summary Risk Factors

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

4

Table of Contents

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

Risks Related to Our ADSs

5

Table of Contents

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

Our business, financial position, liquidity and results of operations have been, and are likely to continue to be, materially and adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique global and industry-wide challenges, including challenges to many aspects of our business. Since January 2020, the Chinese government has imposed a series of strict and protracted measures, including quarantines, travel restrictions, limitations on social or public gatherings, and the temporary closure of business venues and facilities across the country. Governments across the globe have responded to contain the spread and reduce the risk of exposure to infection through international travel restrictions, lockdowns of cities and wider regions, business closures and strict social distancing measures. Starting from March 2022, China has experienced a new round of regional COVID-19 outbreaks. In particular, we have been subject to quarantine measures imposed by regulatory authorities in Shanghai, where our headquarters are located, since March 2022. As of the date of this annual report, the impact of the quarantine measures was limited to work-from-home policy implemented at our offices in Shanghai. We face risks associated with decline in sales order and delay in delivery due to prolonged quarantine measures implemented in Shanghai, although currently the impact of quarantine measures has been limited, as we have not experienced disruption of logistics in all of our warehouses, which are not located in Shanghai. Relaxation of restrictions on economic and social activities in the future may also lead to new cases, which may lead to reimposition of travel restrictions and quarantine measures.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated efforts to contain the spread of the disease have caused unprecedented disruptions to the global economy, impacted business operations across many industries and geographies and created significant volatility and uncertainty, all of which have had a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and overall financial position. For example, during the implementation of quarantine measures in China, our operations were affected as many of our employees were unable to return to work following the Lunar New Year public holiday. We only resumed full operations and achieved full staffing levels in mid-March 2020. Moreover, during the first quarter of 2020, some of our third-party business partners in China, in particular, domestic logistics and transport service providers, experienced temporary shutdowns or worker absenteeism and were unable to meet their obligations to us. These events had an adverse impact on our ability to promptly provide our customers with the products they purchased, which, in turn, has affected our financial performance. Although domestic logistics and transport services providers have resumed their ordinary course of business, there has been and may continue to be a significant increase in international freight costs in light of the COVID-19 pandemic due to tight supply chain capacity, which has had and may continue to have an impact on our fulfillment expenses. Furthermore, we have experienced and expect to continue to experience disruptions to our supply chains if our brand partners, especially international brand partners based in the United States and Europe, are severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or government-imposed quarantines. If we are unable to procure products from our key brand partners when required, our operations, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely impacted in the foreseeable future and such impacts may be material. If we choose to increase the levels of inventory we hold, when possible, to minimize the risk of experiencing product shortages, we may be exposed to increased inventory risk due to accumulated excess inventory, which may have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition. See “—If we fail to effectively manage our inventory, our reputation, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.” Additionally, our ability to enter into agreements with new brand partners has been impacted by pandemic related restrictions on business travels, causing a decrease in the number of brand partners, which has affected and may continue to adversely affect our product sales and revenues. If we fail to find alternative brand partners or otherwise grow our brand partner base, our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. We have modified our business practices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and started to provide integrated solutions, including e-commerce business solutions, digital marketing services and e-commerce third- party operation management services to our brand partners. We have also terminated business relationships with some of our then existing brand partners with whom we had less favorable terms. However, the impact of our new initiatives in response to COVID-19 is uncertain and we may be subject to additional risks related to our new initiatives.

6

Table of Contents

The longer-term trajectory of COVID-19, the spread of virus variations, and effectiveness and availability of the vaccines, and their impact on our industry and the broader economy are still difficult to assess or predict and pose significant uncertainties that are difficult for us to quantify and beyond our control. For example, in July 2021 and March 2022, COVID-19 outbreaks began to spread to multiple locations in China. The new outbreaks were reported to be associated with the highly contagious Delta and Omicron variants, which raised concerns over the outlook of future quarantine measures that have been or may be adopted in response. As such, we are currently unable to predict with the ultimate long-term impact of COVID-19 pandemic on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. As a result of our brand optimization strategy and the impact of COVID-19 related supply-chain disruption, we experienced a 57.3% decrease in product sales revenues from US$300.2 million in 2020 to US$128.0 million in 2021 and a 43.4% decrease in service revenues from US$4.8 million in 2020 to US$2.7 million in 2021. The COVID-19 outbreak may continue to have an adverse impact on our results of operations in the foreseeable future.

Each of the following risk factors should be read in the context of the foregoing uncertain trends, events and developments as they affect us, whether or not we make specific reference to the COVID-19 pandemic, given the potentially materially adverse effect of the pandemic on our business.

If the e-commerce market or the health and wellness industry in China does not grow, or grows more slowly than we expect, the demand for our products and solutions could be materially and adversely affected.

Continued demand for our products and solutions depends on whether the e-commerce market and the health and wellness industry in China will continue to grow. The long-term viability and prospects of the online retail business in China remain relatively untested. Our future results of operations will depend on numerous factors affecting the development of the e-commerce industry in China, which may be beyond our control, including:

Additionally, our future results of operations will depend on numerous factors affecting the development of the health and wellness industry in China, including:

If consumer utilization of e-commerce channels in China does not grow, or grows more slowly than we expect, demand for our products and services would be adversely affected, our revenues would be negatively impacted and our ability to pursue our growth strategies would be compromised.

7

Table of Contents

We are subject to evolving regulatory requirements, non-compliance with which, or changes in which, may materially and adversely affect our business and prospects.

As a provider of an e-commerce platform for health and wellness products, we are subject to legal and regulatory requirements applicable to multiple industries in China. These industries primarily include the Internet and health and wellness industries. We have been subject to penalties by PRC regulatory authorities in the past due to our failure to comply with their requirements, including those in relation to pricing.

The regulations to which we are subject in this area are new and evolving. As a result, the interpretation of these laws and their enforcement is often uncertain. Predicting the application of these laws can be difficult, and unexpected outcomes in the interpretation and enforcement of the applicable regulations may have an adverse impact on our business and operations. Additionally, any future changes in regulation may render our business non-compliant or require changes to our business practices or licensing arrangements to ensure compliance. These changes may involve significant costs, which in turn may adversely affect our business and prospects.

Various regulatory authorities of the PRC government regulate value-added telecommunications services, food business, pharmaceutical operations and services, online drug and medical device operations and online trading and e-commerce. Violations of regulations may lead to the imposition of significant penalties which may affect our business, operations, reputation and financial prospects. In respect of the healthcare industry, in particular, any violation of the relevant laws, rules and regulations may result in harsh penalties and, under certain circumstances, lead to criminal prosecution.

As we introduce new products and services to our customers, we may be required to comply with additional laws and regulations that are yet to be determined. To comply with such additional laws and regulations, we may be required to obtain necessary certificates, licenses or permits, as well as expend additional resources to monitor regulatory and policy developments. Our failure to adequately comply with such additional laws and regulations may delay, or possibly prevent, some of our products or services from being offered to users, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Additionally, China has enacted laws and regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of products, services, news, information, audio-video programs and other content through the Internet. The PRC government has prohibited the distribution of information through the Internet that it deems to be in violation of PRC laws and regulations. If any of the information disseminated through our marketplaces and websites were deemed by the PRC government to violate any content restrictions, we would not be able to continue to display such content and could become subject to penalties, including confiscation of income, fines, suspension of business and revocation of required licenses, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

As our operations in China are subject to regulations over the Internet, health and wellness industries, value-added telecommunications services, food business, pharmaceutical operations and services, online drug and medical device operations and online trading and e-commerce, any industry-wide adverse regulatory development or policies adopted by the relevant authorities to influence the development of such industries may significantly change the demand for our products and services, impose additional restrictions over our business operations, and otherwise materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we fail to anticipate evolving consumer preferences for health and wellness products and/or fail to cater effectively to consumer demands, our ability to attract and retain customers may be materially and adversely affected.

Our ability to attract and retain our consumers depends largely on our ability to offer health and wellness products that they find attractive. The success of our business relies on our ability to anticipate changes in consumer preferences, demographic shifts in our consumer base and broader evolving trends in the industry, and to respond to such changes in a timely and cost-effective manner. If we rely on misleading industry intelligence or consistently misinterpret the consumer data we collect, we may fail to cater to the preferences of our consumers or fail to continue to retain our consumers. Consequently, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

8

Table of Contents

Our success depends on our ability to maintain relationships with existing brand partners and to develop relationships with new brand partners.

Our success is closely tied to our relationships with our existing brand partners, who supply the products that we sell through various platforms. We also identify and target potential new brand partners whose products complement our established inventory or that represent new opportunities for us to meet consumer demand. Many of our brand partners deal with us on a non-exclusive basis, and a number of our brand partner relationships are relatively recent, having been established over the last three to four years. Because of these factors, we face, and expect to continue to face, constant and intense competition for the business of our brand partners from other Chinese distributors in the health and wellness market. Our relationships with our brand partners may weaken and we may lose our market share if our competitors offer their services to them. The e-commerce market is characterized by rapid technological developments and frequent changes in regulation, specifications and other requirements for how our brand partners should sell their merchandise through particular channels. This could negatively affect our ability to retain existing brand partners and attract new brand partners, our future financial and operating results, and our potential for growth. If we are unable to maintain these relationships or enter into advantageous new arrangements through our targeted approaches to specific potential brand partners, our ability to attract new brand partners may decrease.

In addition, a small number of brand partners contribute a significant portion of our total revenues. For example, in 2021, the single largest brand partner in terms of the revenue contribution of its products accounted for 27.1% of our total net revenues. In the same period, the ten largest brand partners in terms of the revenue contribution of their products, in the aggregate, accounted for 90% of our total net revenues. Moreover, four of the ten largest brand partners in terms of revenue contribution in 2021 are under the common control of a global food and beverage company. While our relationships with these four brand partners were developed independently and they are each managed by a dedicated operations team, we cannot assure you that failure to maintain a satisfactory relationship with one of these brand partners in the future will not adversely affect our reputation with the other brand partners under common control. Furthermore, the loss of one or more of our largest brand partners may result in a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation. In addition, we may not be able to collect account receivables from our brand partners in a timely manner or at all. For example, we incurred allowance for doubtful accounts of US$5.5 million in 2021. The incurrence of significant allowance for doubtful accounts or bad debt provisions for our account receivables would adversely affect our financial condition.

In such a rapidly changing market, the needs of our brand partners are also constantly evolving to keep pace with consumer demands. If we fail to respond to the evolving needs of our brand partners, our continuing relationships with existing brand partners, our reputation and the demand for our services may be adversely affected. This may have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial position and results of operations.

We may be unable to compete effectively against stronger and better-resourced e-commerce companies, offline competitors or new entrants to the health and wellness market, and we may lose market share as a result.

The health and wellness market is intensely competitive in China. We may not be able to command the same price for our services and solutions or we may face a decrease in our market share, which may affect our future financial and operating results, and our ability to grow our business. In addition, competition may intensify if our competitors increase their resources and product range and if established companies in other market segments or geographic markets expand into our market segments or geographic markets. If we cannot compete successfully, our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially and adversely affected.

We face competition in a number of areas. We compete to attract, engage and retain consumers based on the variety, value and personalization of the products and services we offer, and overall user experience and convenience. We compete to attract and retain brand partners based on our scale of operation and the capability of engaging consumers, the sales and growth solutions offered to brand partners as a result of our consumer and industry analysis and the efficiency of our logistics infrastructure in facilitating the delivery of our brand partners’ products to consumers. We also compete for experienced and effective talent and personnel, who serve critical functions in the development of our products and our ecosystem.

Our ability to compete effectively depends on a number of factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including brand partners choosing to develop in-house e-commerce platforms or infrastructure, offline competitors with a broader product range, e-commerce channels deciding to directly compete with us and consolidations within the Chinese health and wellness industry that may result in stronger competitors.

9

Table of Contents

If we are not able to compete effectively, we may lose market share and face a decrease in consumer engagement and sales, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations as well as our reputation.

Some of our current or future competitors may have, or may develop, greater brand recognition, better supplier relationships, larger customer bases or greater financial, technical or marketing resources than us. Any smaller companies or potential new entrants to the Chinese health and wellness market may be acquired by, receive investment from or enter into strategic relationships with well-established and well-financed companies or investors which may enhance their competitive positions. Some of our competitors may be able to secure more favorable terms from suppliers, devote greater resources to marketing and promotional campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing or inventory policies and devote substantially more resources to their technology and infrastructure systems than us. We cannot be certain that we will be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors, and competitive pressures may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We incurred net losses in 2020 and 2021, and we may not achieve or maintain profitability.

We incurred a net loss of US$13.5 million in 2020 and US$55.7 million in 2021. We may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability in the future. Although we have strengthened our management ability and internal control in order to achieve profitability, including improving our inventory and working capital turnover rate, return on marketing and promotion investment, and expenditure on selling and administration activities, we still face the risks in relation to introducing new brand partner and achieving profit due to the weaker than expected consumer demand and downturns in macroeconomic in future.

Any failure to increase our revenues sufficiently to keep pace with our investments and other expenses could prevent us from achieving or maintaining profitability or positive operating cash flow on a consistent basis. If we are unable to successfully address these risks and challenges as we encounter them, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

We incurred net cash outflow in the past, and we may not be able to obtain additional capital when needed on acceptable terms, or at all.

In order for us to continue to grow, we need significant amount of working capital to fund our inventory. In addition, we may require additional capital in case of operating losses as well as any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. For example, net cash used in operating activities reached US$14.2 million in 2019 and net cash provided by operating activities was US$21.6 million and US$4.1 million in 2020 and 2021, respectively. However, we may incur operating cash outflows in the future due to the expansion of our business and the corresponding increase in inventory. See “—If we fail to effectively manage our inventory, our reputation, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.”

If our cash resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to issue additional equity or debt securities, including convertible notes, or obtain new or expanded credit facilities. Our ability to obtain external financing in the future is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including our future financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, share price performance, liquidity of international capital and lending markets, the PRC governmental regulations over foreign investment and the health and wellness industry and the PRC regulations over overseas offerings. Any debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants and could restrict our operational flexibility and reduce our profitability. In addition, incurring indebtedness would subject us to increased debt service obligations. There can be no assurance that financing would be available in a timely manner or in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, or at all, particularly in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Any such failure could severely restrict our liquidity as well as have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, any issuance of equity or equity-linked securities could result in significant dilution to the interests of our existing shareholders.

If we are unable to obtain increased financing, any resultant cash flow shortage may materially affect our ability to procure products from our brand partners and meet our financial obligations, which may damage our reputation and brand partner relationships. Such damage to our reputation or relationships would have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

10

Table of Contents

We depend on key management as well as experienced and capable personnel generally, and any failure to attract, motivate or retain our staff could hinder our ability to maintain and grow our business.

Our future success depends substantially upon the continued service of our key executives and other key employees, particularly our co-founders, Ms. Wang and Mr. Zeng. If we lose the services of any member of management or key personnel, we may not be able to locate suitable or qualified replacements, and we may incur additional expenses to recruit and train new staff, which could severely disrupt our business and growth.

The size and scope of our ecosystem also require us to hire and retain a wide range of experienced and capable personnel who can adapt to a dynamic, competitive and challenging business environment. We will need to continue to attract and retain experienced and capable personnel at all levels as we expand our business and operations. Competition for such talent is intense, and the availability of suitable and qualified candidates in the PRC is limited. This high level of competition could compel us to offer higher compensation and other benefits to attract and retain the right candidate. Even if we were to offer higher compensation and other benefits, there is no assurance that these individuals will choose to join us or continue to work for us. Any failure to attract or retain key management and personnel could severely disrupt our business and growth.

We may not be able to effectively manage the expansion of our business or optimally implement our business strategies.

To realize our mission of providing comprehensive health and wellness solutions to our consumers, we have implemented expansion strategy and have experienced rapid growth in recent years. However, there is no assurance that we will be able to maintain our historical growth rates in future periods. Our revenue growth may slow or even decline for many reasons, including competition, and industry and economy conditions. We have continued to widen our relationships with existing brand partners to include more offerings, procuring new brand partners with different products, improving our logistic and fulfillment capabilities to support our expanded offering and growing through acquisitions of complementary businesses. We have also continued to strengthen our multi-channel value proposition by leveraging new ways to market and distribute products, including social media platforms, short video platforms and offline promotions. Additionally, we are exploring new business opportunities in providing integrated solutions including e-commerce business solutions, digital marketing services and e-commerce third-party operation management services. In particular, we plan to put more emphasis on offering brand partners with technology-centric services to add value and therefore reinforce our relationship. To execute our business initiatives and promote service-oriented business model, we need to upgrade our technology infrastructure and recruit and train more technical staff, which will lead to increased costs and expenses. This expansion has contributed to a heightened level of complexity of our business, in terms of both the type and scale of our operations, which may place a significant strain on our operational, financial and technical resources and increase demands on our management and employees. We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to manage our growth, improve our profitability or execute our strategies effectively, and any failure to do so may materially and adversely affect our business and prospects.

We are also continuously executing a number of growth initiatives, strategies and operating plans designed to enhance our business, including launching various new services, such as offering strategy, marketing, products, digitalization, consumer insights, supply chain and SaaS solutions to assist our business partners deliver customized products and services to consumers. The anticipated benefits from these efforts are based on assumptions that may prove to be inaccurate. Moreover, we may not be able to successfully complete these growth initiatives, strategies and operating plans and realize all of the benefits that we expect to achieve, such as expanding our product and service offerings, or it may be more costly to do so than we anticipate. In addition, profitability, if any, in the new areas that we expand into may be lower than in our existing business, and we may not be successful enough in these newer areas to recoup our investments in them. If any of these circumstances were to occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

We may be subject to claims under consumer protection laws, including health and safety claims and product liability claims, if property or people are harmed by the products sold on our platform.

Due to several high-profile consumer complaint incidents that have occurred in China in recent years and attendant media and advocacy group attention, there has been increased governmental focus in the PRC on consumer protection. Operators of e-commerce marketplaces and platforms are subject to certain provisions of consumer protection laws even where such operator is not the seller of the product or service purchased by the consumer. In addition, if we do not take appropriate remedial action against sellers or service providers for actions they engage in that we know, or should have known, would infringe upon the rights and interests of consumers, we may be held jointly and severally liable with the seller or service provider for such infringement.

11

Table of Contents

Moreover, applicable PRC consumer protection laws hold that trading platforms will be held liable for failing to meet any undertakings such platforms make to consumers with regard to products listed on their websites. Furthermore, we are required to report to the State Administration for Market Regulation, or the SAMR, or its local branches any violation of applicable laws, regulations or SAMR rules by sellers or service providers, such as sales of goods without proper license or authorization, and to take appropriate remedial measures, including ceasing to provide services to such sellers or service providers. If claims are brought against us under any of these laws, we could be subject to damages and reputational damage as well as action by regulators, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We do not maintain product liability insurance for products and services transacted on our platform, and any other insurance policies may not cover us, adequately or at all, for any liability we may incur. Even unsuccessful claims could result in the expenditure of funds and management time and resources and could materially reduce our net income and profitability.

If counterfeit products are distributed by us, our reputation and financial results could be materially and adversely affected.

We source health and wellness products from reputable brand partners. However, their measures of safeguarding against counterfeit products may not be adequate. In addition, we engage third-party warehousing and logistics service providers and third-party couriers to conduct product fulfillment, and we may not be able to detect and prevent all potential instances of misconduct or negligence committed by them or by our employees involved in the fulfillment process. If counterfeit products are distributed by us, we may suffer reputational damage. If we are deemed to have participated or assisted in infringement activities associated with counterfeit products, we may be subject to sanctions under applicable laws and regulations, which may include injunctions to cease infringing activities, rectification, compensation, administrative penalties and even criminal liability, depending on the gravity of such misconduct. Furthermore, counterfeit products may be defective or inferior in quality as compared to authentic products and may pose safety risks to consumers. If consumers are injured by counterfeit products distributed by us, we may be subject to lawsuits, severe administrative penalties and criminal liability. See “—We may be subject to claims under consumer protection laws, including health and safety claims and product liability claims, if property or people are harmed by the products sold on our platform.”

If we fail to effectively manage our inventory, our reputation, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

In order to operate our business effectively and meet our consumers’ demands and expectations, we must maintain a certain level of inventory to ensure prompt deliveries when required. We determine the levels of inventory we hold on the basis of our experience, assessment of consumer demand in a certain period of time and the lead time required to have the inventory in our warehouse.

We forecast consumer demand by relying on a number of factors, including:

We use such metrics to forecast consumer demand more accurately and thereby optimize our inventory management in terms of product portfolio and volume.

However, forecasts are inherently uncertain, and demand for products can change significantly between the inventory order date and the projected sale date. In addition, the acquisition of certain types of inventory may require significant lead time and prepayment and they may not be returnable. Moreover, while we are in the process of negotiating with new suppliers to have them repurchase unsold items upon termination of agreements, we normally do not have the right to return the unsold items to our suppliers, save for in a limited range of circumstances, such as in the case of quality defects, as set out in our supply agreements.

12

Table of Contents

If we overestimate demand for our products, we may be exposed to increased inventory risks due to accumulated excess inventory. Prolonged periods of excess inventory may lead to pressures on our warehousing system and fulfillment capabilities, increases in inventory holding costs and the risk of inventory obsolescence. In addition, if we fail to manage our inventory effectively, we may experience a decline in inventory values and significant inventory write-downs or write-offs due to product expiration. Moreover, we may be required to lower sale prices in order to reduce inventory levels, which may lead to lower gross margins. Conversely, if we underestimate demand for our products, or if our brand partners fail to supply quality products in a timely manner, we may experience inventory shortages, which might result in lost revenues and diminished consumer satisfaction, which could harm our business and reputation.

Any of the above may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. As we plan to continue to expand our product offerings, we may continue to face challenges in effectively managing our inventory.

Any interruption in our product inventory or fulfillment operations may have an adverse impact on our business.

Our ability to process and fulfill orders accurately depends on the efficient operation of our fulfillment and logistics network and our ability to accurately take orders through the various platforms on which we distribute products and our ability to fulfill such orders. Our fulfillment and logistics infrastructure, including our warehousing facilities and transportation services, may be vulnerable to damage or interruption caused by fire, flood, power outage, telecommunications failure, break-ins, earthquake, human error, transportation disruptions and other events. If any of our fulfillment and logistics infrastructures were to be rendered incapable of operations, then we may be unable to fulfill any orders. We do not carry business interruption insurance, and the occurrence of any of the foregoing risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our third-party couriers have been unable to consistently fulfill online orders to our customers in a timely manner. We also experienced delays in getting products from our suppliers and incurred higher shipping costs in inbound and outbound shipments, all of which have had an adverse impact on our business. Although domestic logistics and transport services providers have recovered and resumed their ordinary course of business, there has been and may continue to be a significant increase in international freight costs in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had and may continue to have an impact on our fulfillment expenses. See “—Our business, financial position, liquidity and results of operations have been, and are likely to continue to be, materially and adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Our results of operations are subject to fluctuations due to the seasonality of our business and other events.

We have experienced and expect to continue to experience seasonal fluctuations in our financial performance. These seasonal patterns have caused and will continue to cause fluctuations in our operating results. Historically, we have recorded stronger performance in the fourth quarter, primarily because consumers increase their purchases during e-commerce festivals in China, such as the periods around Singles Day (which is an online sales promotion event that falls on November 11 of each year) and Double Twelves (which is another online sales promotion event that falls on December 12 of each year). In addition, we generally experience a lower level of sales activity in the first quarter due to the Lunar New Year public holiday, during which the volumes of online purchases and logistical operations drop significantly due to vacations and business closures.

In anticipation of increased sales activity prior to shopping festivals, we increase our inventory levels and incur additional expenses such as procuring additional working capital and increasing the size of our workforce on a temporary basis. If our seasonal sales patterns become more pronounced in the future, this may strain our personnel, customer service operations, fulfillment operations and shipment activities and may cause a shortfall in revenues compared to expenses in a given period. As a result, our financial results may be materially and adversely affected. In addition to increasing our own inventory levels, we also rely on our brand partners to increase their inventory levels to match projected seasonal demand. If we and our brand partners do not increase inventory levels for popular products in sufficient amounts or if we are unable to restock popular products from our brand partners in a timely manner, we may fail to fulfill customer demand. This may harm our reputation and damage the trust that consumers have in our business, which is a key part of our business model. As a result, we may experience a material and adverse effect on our financial conditions and results of operations.

13

Table of Contents

Our dependence on a small number of e-commerce channels could materially and adversely affect our business or results of operations.

We depend on a small number of e-commerce channels to sell products to consumers. As a result, we derive a substantial portion of our revenue from activity on these channels. For example, in 2019, 2020 and 2021, sales on Alibaba’s Tmall platform contributed approximately 21%, 20% and 19% of our total net revenues, respectively.

If the sales on e-commerce channels in China do not grow or grow more slowly than we expect, demand for our products would be adversely affected, our revenues would be negatively impacted, and our ability to pursue our growth strategy would be compromised. Moreover, if the e-commerce channels that we rely on are not successful in attracting consumers or their reputations are adversely affected for any reason, we may experience reduced demand for our products.

Our business may be harmed if the e-commerce channels we rely upon decide to make significant changes to their respective business models, policies, systems or plans. Currently, large e-commerce channels influence to a certain extent terms that affect our profitability and financial condition, including the return policies we offer and the sharing of marketing expenses and payables or receivables between the e-commerce channels and us. We may not be able to negotiate such policies or agreements on terms most favorable to us in the future.

In addition, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to access such e-commerce channels in the long term. If we fail to maintain our relationships with such channels, they may decide at any time and for any reason to significantly limit our ability to integrate our solutions with their platforms. Given that online retail in China is dominated by a few large e-commerce channels, we may not be able to adapt or build new relationships on terms favorable to us with any other emerging channels.

Any of the above may adversely affect our revenue, financial condition and results of operations.

We use third-party couriers to deliver orders. If these couriers fail to provide reliable delivery services on commercially acceptable terms, our business and reputation may be materially and adversely affected.

We maintain cooperation arrangements with third-party couriers to deliver our products to our customers. We rely on a select number of third-party delivery services, for example Cainiao, the primary deliverer of cross-border sales through the Tmall platform. In 2019, 2020 and 2021, Cainiao was paid approximately 32%, 29% and 25%, respectively, of our third-party delivery fees, and the goods delivered by Cainiao accounted for approximately 11%, 13% and 16%, respectively, of our revenue in the same periods. As such, we may face adverse consequences if there are interruptions to, or failures in, these third parties’ delivery services. Such interruptions or failures could prevent the timely or proper delivery of our products to consumers, eroding consumer confidence and reducing repeat orders. These interruptions may be due to events that are beyond our control or the control of these delivery companies, such as inclement weather, natural disasters, transportation disruptions, including as a result of public health emergencies, or labor unrest. While we may claim compensation for disruptions under our standard agreements with third-party delivery services, such claims are subject to a complicated review process and we cannot provide assurance that any compensation payments would make up for the lost consumer goodwill. Also, any significant increase in delivery fees charged by these third parties may result in a significant increase in our online distribution expenses. If we fail to find other reliable third-party couriers on commercially acceptable terms, our profitability may be harmed.

In addition, if our third-party couriers fail to comply with applicable PRC rules and regulations, our delivery services may be materially and adversely affected. We may not be able to find alternative delivery companies to provide delivery services in a timely and reliable manner, or at all. Delivery of our products could also be affected or interrupted by the merger, acquisition, insolvency or government shut-down of the delivery companies we engage to make deliveries. If our products are not delivered in proper condition or on a timely basis, our reputation could suffer and we may experience a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

14

Table of Contents

We have adopted favorable return policies with certain customers and a higher-than-expected rate of returns could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

In certain instances, we sell the products of our brand partners to third-party e-commerce platforms, which in turn sell those products to consumers. We have adopted contractual product return policies with certain of these third-party e-commerce platforms. These return policies are generally favorable to the third-party e-commerce platforms, and provide in certain cases that products may be returned in unlimited quantities and without cause, albeit subject to a limited return period. If we experience a higher-than-expected rate of returns from these third-party e-commerce platforms, this may result in wastage, overstock and monetary loss, which may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, we may from time to time be required to amend our existing return policies or implement new return policies pursuant to changes in applicable laws and regulations, which may lead to a larger group of customers being able to take advantage of our return policies, potentially resulting in increased costs. If our return policy is misused, we may experience significantly increased costs, which may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. If we seek to set limits on such return policies in order to reduce costs, the reaction from our customers may be negative, which may materially and adversely affect our reputation and results of operations.

Any damage to our reputation, including negative publicity against us or our brand partners, may materially and adversely affect our business operations and prospects.

We have cultivated a reputation of trustworthiness and excellence among our brand partners and our consumers. We believe that our reputation is a key reason for consumers to make purchases, and for brand partners who choose us to distribute their products and provide them with market insights and strategies. As a result, we depend on our reputation for the continued success of our business operations and for generating revenue. However, we cannot be certain that we will be able to maintain our positive reputation in the future. Our reputation may be materially and adversely affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:

Any damage to our reputation as a result of these or other factors may cause our products to be perceived unfavorably by consumers, existing or potential brand partners or the Chinese health and wellness market in general, which may materially and adversely affect our reputation, results of operations and financial position.

If our brand partners develop sophisticated knowledge of the Chinese health and wellness market, or increase their in-house e-commerce capabilities, demand for our solutions and services may be materially and adversely affected.

Our brand partners value our solutions and services because of our ability to assist with marketing their products to the Chinese health and wellness market. This ability is founded on our extensive experience in, and local knowledge of, the Chinese health and wellness market, and our technical proficiency in connecting our brand partners to end-consumers in China. If our brand partners significantly develop their local expertise and market knowledge, or choose to sell their products directly through third-party e-commerce platforms, our solutions and services may become less important or attractive to our brand partners, and demand for our solutions and services may decline. This may cause a decrease in customer retention and revenue, materially and adversely affecting our business, financial condition and results of operations.

15

Table of Contents

We may be liable for any false or misleading statements or representations made by the healthcare experts on our platforms.

We partnered with healthcare experts and KOLs to generate health and wellness content. These content generators, who receive a fixed fee from us, provide general advice on trending health and wellness topics and, based on product information from our brand partners, combine such advice with product recommendations. We may be held liable for any false or misleading statements or representations made by the healthcare experts on our platforms. When these healthcare experts publish health management plans and make health and wellness recommendations, they may make false or misleading statements or representations in relation to the suitability, effectiveness, use or potential side effects of such plans or products. These healthcare experts may also be negligent in their observations or fail to specify that their recommendation is general in nature and may not apply to the circumstances of particular consumers. We may not always have appropriate disclaimers in place on our platforms.

We may be subject to legal proceedings and claims from time to time where these statements or representations are found to result in harm to our customers. These claims and legal proceedings may be expensive and time consuming to investigate and defend and may divert resources and management attention from the operation of our business. Although these claims may be unsuccessful, they may harm our reputation and reduce our ability to attract customers and users.

Changes in international trade policies and international barriers to trade, or the escalation of trade tensions, may have an adverse effect on our business and expansion plans.

Recent international trade disputes and the uncertainties created by such disputes may disrupt the transnational flow of goods and significantly undermine the stability of the global and Chinese economy, thereby harming our business.

Changes to trade policies, treaties and tariffs in the jurisdictions in which we operate, or are contemplating operating, or the perception that these changes could occur, could adversely affect the financial and economic conditions in such jurisdictions, as well as our international and cross-border operations, our financial condition and results of operations. The U.S. administration has advocated greater restrictions on trade generally, and has imposed and significantly increased tariffs on certain goods imported into the United States, particularly from China. Such trade developments could materially impact our business as certain of our brand partners are based in the United States, and thus may face increased difficulty in sourcing base ingredients for their products, or cost-effectively developing new products with restricted or more expensive base ingredients. As a result, we may face an increase in our operating costs as our suppliers raise their prices to absorb their increased costs, or an inability to meet the demands of the consumers who purchase from us, and a resulting decrease in our profits.

Increases in tariffs and the prolongation of uncertainty surrounding international trade between the United States and China could have an adverse effect on our ability to source products from certain of our United States-based partners, either at an acceptable cost or at all, to sell in China. If the products of our brand partners become subject to increased tariffs or other trade barriers, the resultant increase in cost or difficulty of importation may force us to find alternative providers of comparable products. We cannot be certain that these alternative providers would be acceptable to Chinese consumers, given that the level of trust in the brands that we supply is a primary driver of purchasing decisions made by Chinese consumers. As a result, we may experience a decrease in demand, and a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Therefore, any escalation in existing trade tensions or the advent of a trade war, or news and rumors of the escalation of a potential trade war, could affect the supply chains of participants within our ecosystem, increase their and our costs and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and, ultimately, the trading price of our ADSs.

Exchange rate fluctuations may negatively affect our results of operations.

We source our products from brand partners globally. We purchase these products primarily using U.S. dollars, and these products are ultimately sold to the Chinese domestic market, whose participants primarily make their purchases in Renminbi. There is ordinarily a temporal gap between the point at which we purchase products and the point at which we receive payment for the products sold. As a result, we are subject to the fluctuations of the currency exchange markets, particularly in the value of RMB to the U.S. dollar. If the value of Renminbi declines during the temporal gap relative to the U.S. dollar, we may face a lower profit margin, or in some cases a loss, on the products sold. For example, we had an exchange rate loss of US$393.0 thousand in 2019, an exchange rate gain of US$979.1 thousand in 2020, and an exchange rate loss of US$860.8 thousand in 2021.

16

Table of Contents

In addition, substantially all of our operating expenses are denominated in Renminbi, while our financial assets are denominated in U.S. dollars and a significant portion of our debt is denominated in U.S. dollars. We are a holding company and we rely on dividends paid by our operating subsidiaries in China for our cash needs. Any significant revaluation of the Renminbi may materially reduce any dividends payable on our ADSs in U.S. dollars. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount we would receive. As such, currency fluctuations may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We have incurred and expect to continue to incur substantial share-based compensation expenses.

We have adopted share incentive plans on September 30, 2018 and May 19, 2021. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees-B. Compensation-Share Incentive Plans” for a detailed discussion. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, we recorded US$1.6 million, US$474,559 and US$2.6 million, respectively, in share-based compensation expenses. We will continue to grant share-based compensation in the future in order to attract and retain key personnel and employees. Consequently, our share-based compensation expenses may be recurring and even significantly increase in absolute amount, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding advertising may subject us to civil claims, fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

PRC advertising laws and regulations require the content of advertisements to be fair, accurate, not misleading and in full compliance with applicable laws. Pursuant to the Interim Administrative Measures for the Examination of Advertisements for Drugs, Medical Devices, Health Food and Formula Food for Special Medical Purposes, promulgated by the SAMR on December 24, 2019, the content of healthcare food advertisements must follow the registration certificate or filing certificate approved by the administration for market regulation or the registered or filed specifications. We have made efforts to ensure our advertisements and related advertising practices are in compliance with applicable regulations. However, we cannot assure you that we have fully complied with the requirements of PRC regulatory authorities or will be able to fully comply with the requirements of PRC regulatory authorities regarding advertising. If we are found in violation of applicable advertising laws and regulations, we may face serious penalties, including fines, revocation of our business licenses and discontinuance of our advertising activities. As a result, we may not be able to publish new advertisements in a timely manner, and our turnover and reputation could be materially affected. Moreover, governmental actions and civil claims may be filed against us for misleading or inaccurate advertising. We may have to spend significant resources in defending against such actions, and these actions may damage our reputation, result in reduced turnover and negatively affect our results of operations.

We may not be able to conduct our marketing activities effectively, properly or at reasonable costs.

We conduct a variety of marketing and brand promotion efforts designed to enhance our brand recognition and increase sales of our products. However, our brand promotion and marketing activities may not be well received and may not result in the levels of sales that we anticipate. Additionally, marketing approaches and tools in the Chinese health and wellness market are continually evolving, which may further require us to experiment with new marketing methods to keep pace with industry developments. Failure to refine our existing marketing approaches or to introduce new marketing approaches in a cost-effective manner may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to limitations in promoting our products, which may have an impact on our business operations.

We are subject to certain limitations in promoting products. The healthcare experts we work with and other relevant parties in the provision of our health and wellness content may have to comply with rules and regulations that restrict the promotion or dissemination of certain healthcare-related information, such as information on the professional healthcare services and practice provided by licensed medical practitioners. Such restrictions may affect our ability to further enhance our brand recognition or secure new business opportunities in the future.

17

Table of Contents

There can be no assurance that our existing practices of monitoring our content dissemination process and publication would continue to be effective and would comply fully with laws and regulations. Should there be any change in the relevant rules and regulations, or change of interpretation thereof, we, the healthcare experts we work with and other relevant third parties may be regarded as breaching the relevant rules and regulations and may be subject to regulatory penalties or disciplinary actions, which may materially and adversely affect our business and reputation.

Our own information technology systems and infrastructure could fail or be subject to disruption.

Our platform depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our computer and communications systems. Substantially all of our computer hardware and our cloud computing services are currently located in China. In addition, we retain substantial quantities of data related to transactions, consumer information and other data that enables the operation and management of online stores. Although we have prepared for contingencies through redundancy measures and disaster recovery plans, such preparation may not be sufficient and we do not carry business interruption insurance.

Despite any precautions we take, the occurrence of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake, flood or wildfire, or other unanticipated problems at our facilities in China, including power outages, telecommunications delays or failures, break-ins to our systems or computer viruses, could result in delays or interruptions to our website or other portions of our platform, loss of data and significant business interruption. Any of these events could damage our reputation, significantly disrupt our operations and subject us to liability, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Security breaches and attacks against our systems and network, and any potentially resulting breach or failure to otherwise protect confidential and proprietary information could adversely affect our business, reputation, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business generates and processes a large amount of data, and the improper use or disclosure of such data could harm our reputation as well as have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects.

Our business collects and processes a large quantity of personal, transaction and behavioral data. We face risks in the handling and securing of these large volumes of data. In particular, we face a number of challenges relating to data from transactions and other activities on our platform, including:

Any systems failure or security breach or lapse that results in the release of user data could harm our reputation and brand and, consequently, our business, in addition to exposing us to potential legal liability.

As we expand our operations, we may be subject to additional laws in other jurisdictions where our brand partners, consumers and other participants are located. The laws, rules and regulations of other jurisdictions may impose requirements and penalties that are more stringent than, or conflict with, those under PRC law, compliance with which could require significant resources and costs. Our privacy policies and practices concerning the collection, use and disclosure of user data are located on our websites. Any failure, actual or perceived, by us to comply with our posted privacy policies or with any regulatory requirements or privacy protection-related laws, rules and regulations could result in proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others. These proceedings or actions may subject us to significant penalties and negative publicity and require us to change our business practices. Any such occurrence could increase our costs and materially and adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and results of operations.

18

Table of Contents

If the contents we distribute are deemed by the relevant authorities in the PRC to be medical in nature, we may be subject to additional regulations and incur substantial compliance cost, and our business prospects, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

The distribution of medical information and medical advertisements are subject to PRC regulations. Any website operator that provides medical information services must obtain certain licenses and approvals by relevant authorities before engaging in such businesses in China. As of December 31, 2021, we, together with certain healthcare experts and KOLs, generated health and wellness articles to address growing market demand, and we publish such contents on social media accounts we operate, and these contents are sometimes provided to news and information outlets with embedded links to our online stores. If information displayed on our social media accounts or otherwise distributed by us is considered medical information or medical advertisement by relevant authorities, we may be subject to additional regulations. As a health and wellness integrated solution provider, we do not possess the required licenses or approvals required for distribution of medical information and medical advertisements. Consequently, if required by relevant authorities, we may need to scale back, rearrange or alter the content or information displayed on our platforms and adjust our business model. We may also incur substantial compliance costs, and as a result, our business prospects, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

The successful operation of our business depends upon the performance and reliability of the Internet and telecommunications infrastructures in China.

Our business depends on the reliable performance of the Internet and telecommunications infrastructures in China. Almost all access to the Internet is maintained through state-owned telecommunication operators under the administrative control and regulatory supervision of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China. In addition, the national networks in China are connected to the Internet through state-owned international gateways, which are the only channels through which a domestic user can connect to the Internet outside China. We may not have access to equivalent or sufficient alternative networks in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with China’s Internet infrastructure. As this vital infrastructure is state-owned, we are subject to governmental policy which may disrupt supply, and may have fewer avenues of recourse to remedy any losses caused by disruption pursuant to governmental policy. In addition, the Internet infrastructure in China might not support the demands associated with continued growth in Internet usage.

The failure of telecommunications network operators to provide us with the requisite bandwidth could also interfere with the speed and availability of our websites. We have no control over the costs of the services provided by the national telecommunications operators. If the cost of telecommunications and Internet services rises significantly, or if the telecommunication network in China is disrupted or fails, our gross margins could be adversely affected. Technical limitations on Internet use could also be developed or implemented. For example, restrictions could be implemented on personal Internet use in the workplace in general or access to our platform in particular. This could lead to a reduction of consumer activity or a loss of consumers altogether, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations. In addition, if Internet access fees or other charges to Internet users increase, our user traffic might decrease, which in turn could significantly decrease our revenues and have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

A severe or prolonged downturn in the global or Chinese economy could materially and adversely affect our business and our financial condition.

The global macroeconomic environment is facing challenges, including, amongst other things:

19

Table of Contents

Our business and operations are primarily based in China and substantially all of our revenues are derived directly and indirectly from our operations in China. Accordingly, our financial results have been, and are expected to continue to be, affected by the economy in general and the health and wellness market in China in particular. Although the economy in China has grown significantly in the past decades, it is still facing difficulties and has experienced inconsistent growth in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and is expected to continue to have, an adverse impact on general economic conditions in China.

Economic conditions in China are sensitive to the global economic conditions described above, the ultimate duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in domestic economic and political circumstances and the expected or perceived overall economic growth rate in China. Any prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese economy may have an adverse impact on the levels of disposable income of Chinese consumers, and impede the growth of the rising Chinese middle class. As a result, demand for our products, which is strongly driven by members of the Chinese middle class, may be negatively affected. Such a decrease in demand may have a material and adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may be the subject of anti-competitive, harassing or other detrimental conduct by third parties, including complaints to regulatory agencies, negative blog postings, and the public dissemination of malicious assessments of our business that could harm our reputation and cause us to lose customers and revenues and materially and adversely affect the price of our ADSs.

We may be the target of anti-competitive, harassing or other detrimental conduct by third parties. Such conduct includes complaints, anonymous or otherwise, to regulatory agencies. We may be subject to government or regulatory investigation as a result of such third-party conduct and may be required to expend significant time and incur substantial costs to address such third-party conduct, and there is no assurance that we will be able to conclusively refute each of the allegations within a reasonable period of time, or at all. Additionally, allegations, directly or indirectly against us, may be posted in Internet chat rooms or on blogs or websites by anyone, whether or not associated with us, on an anonymous basis. Consumers value readily available information concerning retailers, manufacturers, and their goods and services and often act on such information without further investigation or authentication and without regard to its accuracy. The availability of information on social media platforms and devices is virtually immediate, as is its impact. Social media platforms and devices immediately publish the content their subscribers and participants post, often without filters or checks on the accuracy of the content posted. Information posted may be inaccurate and adverse to us, and it may harm our financial performance, prospects or business. The harm may be immediate without affording us an opportunity for redress or correction. Our reputation may be negatively affected as a result of the public dissemination of anonymous allegations or malicious statements about our business, which in turn may cause us to lose market share, customers and revenues and adversely affect the price of our ADSs.

Our business may be materially and adversely affected by adverse news, scandals or other incidents associated with the general health and wellness industry.

Incidents that inspire doubt as to the quality or safety of health and wellness products manufactured, distributed or sold by other participants in the general health and wellness industry in China or around the world, particularly those who primarily operate in the e-commerce space, have been, and may continue to be, subject to widespread media attention. Such incidents may damage the reputation of not only the parties involved, but also the health and wellness industry in general, even if such parties or incidents have no relation to us, our management, our employees, our brand partners, our platform or the third-party e-commerce websites through which we also market products. There may also be a decrease in consumer demand for healthcare-related products if these negative incidents diminish the trust of consumers in the Chinese health and wellness market. Such negative publicity, and any resultant decrease in demand for our products and services, may adversely affect our reputation and business operations. In addition, incidents not related to product quality or safety, or other negative publicity or scandals implicating us or our employees, regardless of merit, may also have an adverse impact on our reputation, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights.

We rely on a combination of trademark, fair trade practice, patent, copyright and trade secret protection laws in the PRC and other jurisdictions in which we hold intellectual property rights, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions with employees, suppliers and third parties, to protect our intellectual property rights.

20

Table of Contents

Intellectual property protection may not be sufficient in the PRC or in the other jurisdictions in which we hold intellectual property. Confidentiality agreements may be breached by counterparties, and there may not be adequate remedies available to us for any such breach. Accordingly, we may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights or to enforce our contractual rights in the PRC or elsewhere. In addition, policing any unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult, time-consuming and costly, and the steps we have taken may be inadequate to prevent the misappropriation of our intellectual property. In the event that we resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, such litigation could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our managerial and financial resources. We can provide no assurance that we will prevail in such litigation. In addition, our trade secrets may be leaked or otherwise become available to, or be independently discovered by, our competitors. Any failure in protecting or enforcing our intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be accused of infringing intellectual property rights of third parties and content restrictions of relevant laws.

Third parties may claim that the technology used in the operation of our platforms infringes upon their intellectual property rights. Although we have not previously faced material litigation involving direct claims of infringement by us, the possibility of intellectual property claims against us increases as we expand. Such claims, whether meritorious or not, may result in injunctions against us, payment of damages and expenditure of significant financial and management resources. If we are found to have infringed the intellectual property rights of third parties in the future, we may need to obtain licenses to continue to operate our platforms and such licenses may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. These risks are amplified by the increase in the number of third parties whose sole or primary business is to assert such claims.

We may from time to time become party to litigation, other legal or administrative disputes and proceedings that may materially and adversely affect us.

In the course of our ordinary business operations, we may become a party to litigation, legal proceedings, claims, disputes or arbitration proceedings from time to time. For example, in March 2016, we entered into a cooperation framework agreement to establish a joint venture with Shanghai Heng Shou Tang Health Food Co. Ltd., Shanghai Heng Shou Tang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Mr. Wei Song, or our joint venture partners. As part of the agreement, Shanghai Heng Shou Tang Health Food Co. Ltd. and Shanghai Heng Shou Tang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. agreed to contribute their ownership in a number of trademarks to the joint venture. However, only a portion of such trademarks were transferred to us. In October 2018, we filed a civil claim against the joint venture partners in the Shanghai Xuhui People’s Court to enforce the transfer of the remaining trademarks, claim damages in the amount of RMB7.19 million (US$1.05 million) and request that Shanghai Heng Shou Tang Health Food Co. Ltd. and Shanghai Heng Shou Tang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. be enjoined from using the brand name “Heng Shou Tang” in all categories. In January 2019, the joint venture partners filed a counterclaim to rescind the agreement and allege damages in the amount of RMB3.25 million (US$472.7 thousand). In July 2019, the Shanghai Xuhui People’s Court ruled that we shall pay damages in the amount of RMB3.25 million (US$472.7 thousand) to the joint venture partners for breaching our contractual obligation to contribute capital to our joint venture, and that the joint venture partners shall continue to perform their contractual obligations by transferring the remaining trademarks to the joint venture and cease to use the brand name “Heng Shou Tang” in all categories. Both we and our joint venture partners filed appeals with the Shanghai First Intermediate People’s Court. In November 2019, the Shanghai First Intermediate People’s Court delivered its judgment, which provides, amongst other matters, that we shall not pay damages to our joint venture partners and our joint venture partners shall continue to perform their contractual obligations by transferring the remaining trademarks to our joint venture.

In April 2022, we received a request for arbitration from Puritan’s Pride Inc., in connection with the alleged breach of the distribution agreement between Puritan’s Pride Inc., and a subsidiary of ours dated December 12, 2016, as amended on December 31, 2019 (the “Distribution Agreement”). Puritan’s Pride is seeking no less than approximately US$17.1 million in damages for the alleged breach of the Distribution Agreement. As of the date of this annual report, this arbitration claim remains in its preliminary stage, and we are unable to estimate the result of such claim. We are actively assessing our strategies to defend this claim.

Were any proceedings, claims, disputes or arbitration to arise, these may distract our senior management’s attention and consume our time and other resources. In addition, even if we ultimately succeed in such proceedings, there may be negative publicity created in the course of or surrounding that proceeding, which may materially and adversely affect our reputation. Any settlement or adverse determination may subject us to significant monetary damages or liabilities or suspend or terminate parts of our operations. As a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

21

Table of Contents

Future strategic alliances, acquisitions or divestments may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We regularly examine a range of corporate opportunities, including acquisitions and divestments, with a view to determining whether such opportunities will enhance our strategic position and financial performance. We plan to expand our business both geographically and in terms of the products and services that we offer to our customers and brand partners. In pursuit of this strategy, we may enter into strategic alliances, including joint ventures or equity investments, with various third parties to further our business purpose from time to time. For example, on July 23, 2020, we entered into an investment agreement with Anze Premium Health and Beauty Pte. Ltd., or Anze, a company involved in the research and development of Chinese herbal medicine-based health and wellness products. We are committed to paying Anze up to US$30 million, comprising of up to US$15 million for an equity interest in Anze and up to US$15 million for zero coupon notes issued by Anze. As of December 31, 2021, we made investment of US$7.4 million in Anze, representing approximately 14.6% of its equity interest. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we recorded impairment loss of US$7.3 million due to reduced profit projection of Anze as a result of negative impact of Covid-19. These alliances could subject us to a number of risks, including risks associated with sharing proprietary information, non-performance by a third party and increased expenses in establishing new strategic alliances, any of which may materially and adversely affect our business. We may have limited ability to monitor or control the actions of these third parties and, to the extent any of these strategic third parties suffers negative publicity or harm to their reputation from events relating to their business or experience declines in business performance, we may also suffer negative publicity or harm to our reputation by virtue of our association with any such third party.

In addition, when appropriate opportunities arise, we may acquire additional assets, products, technologies or businesses that are complementary to our existing business or we may divest certain of our assets. In addition to possible shareholder approval, any proposed acquisition may also require us to obtain approvals and licenses from relevant governmental authorities and to comply with any applicable PRC laws and regulations, which could result in increased delay and costs, and may derail our business strategy if we fail to do so. Any international operations that we absorb as part of any acquisitions may give rise to risks and challenges that could adversely affect our business, such as compliance with international legal and regulatory requirements, further management of fluctuations in currency exchange rates or competition from local incumbents with superior local market knowledge and competitive advantages. Moreover, we cannot be certain that any international expansion efforts can be completed as planned or achieve the intended results, or that any negative results from acquired interests would not affect our business as a whole. Any separation of a divested asset may be complex and costly, and may include separating relevant accounting and data processing systems and management controls, as well as managing relevant relationships with employees, customers, regulators, counterparties, suppliers and other business partners.

Furthermore, past and future acquisitions or divestments and the subsequent integration or separation of new assets and businesses require significant attention from our management and could result in a diversion of resources from our existing business, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business operations. Acquired assets or businesses may not generate the financial results we expect. Acquisitions could result in the use of substantial amounts of cash, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the occurrence of significant goodwill impairment charges, amortization expenses for other intangible assets and exposure to potential unknown liabilities of the acquired business. Moreover, the costs of identifying and consummating acquisitions may be significant. Furthermore, our equity investees may generate significant losses, a portion of which will be shared by us in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Any such negative developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

22

Table of Contents

Increases in labor costs in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

The Chinese economy has been experiencing increases in inflation and labor costs in recent years. As a result, average wages in China are expected to continue to grow. In addition, various PRC laws and regulations designed to enhance labor protection require us to pay certain statutory employee benefits, including pensions, housing funds, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to designated government agencies for the benefit of our employees. The relevant government agencies may examine whether an employer has made adequate payments of the requisite statutory employee benefits, and those employers who fail to make adequate payments could be subject to late payment fees, fines and/or other penalties. As the interpretation and implementation of these laws and regulations are still evolving, our employment practices may not at all times be deemed to be in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations. If the relevant authorities determine that we should make supplemental social insurance and housing fund contributions and that we are subject to fines and legal sanctions, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. Furthermore, the Labor Contract Law has reinforced the protection of employees who, under the Labor Contract Law, have the right, among others, to have written employment contracts, to enter into employment contracts with no fixed term under certain circumstances, to receive overtime wages and to terminate or alter terms in labor contracts under certain circumstances. The Labor Contract Law sets forth additional restrictions and increases the costs involved with dismissing employees. There can be no assurance that our employment practices will at all times be in full compliance, and we could be subject to penalties or incur significant liabilities in connection with labor disputes or investigations. We expect that our labor costs, including wages and employee benefits, will continue to increase. Unless we are able to pass on these increased labor costs to our customers by increasing the prices of our products and services, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

In addition, we may face labor unrest if our employees form the view that we do not pay them adequately or provide adequate working conditions. Such labor unrest may take the form of labor disputes, strike actions or protests against us. This may have an adverse impact on our reputation and cause a loss of public trust in our company. If this were to occur, such loss of trust may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis could be impaired.

As a result of the initial public offering, we have become subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting. Commencing with our fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, we must perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal controls over financial reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting in our Form 20-F filing for that year, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In addition, when we cease to be an “emerging growth company” as the term is defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. This will require that we incur substantial additional professional fees and internal costs to expand our accounting and finance functions and that we expend significant management efforts. We may experience difficulty in meeting these reporting requirements in a timely manner.

23

Table of Contents

In the course of preparing and auditing our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, we and our former independent registered public accounting firm identified one material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019. In accordance with U.S. GAAP and financial reporting requirements set forth by the SEC, a “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our company’s annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weakness, which was first identified in the course of preparing our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, relates to our lack of sufficient financial reporting and accounting personnel with appropriate knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements to formalize key controls over financial reporting and to prepare consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In the course of preparing and auditing our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021, we and our current independent registered public accounting firm identified the same material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively.To remedy this identified material weakness, we have started to undertake steps to strengthen our internal control over financial reporting, including: (1) implementing regular and continuous U.S. GAAP accounting and financial reporting training programs for our accounting and financial reporting personnel; (2) establishing effective oversight and clarifying reporting requirements for non-recurring and complex transactions to ensure consolidated financial statements and related disclosures are accurate, complete and in compliance with SEC reporting requirements; (3) preparing comprehensive accounting policies, manuals and closing procedures to improve the quality and accuracy of our period-end financial closing process; and (4) engaging an external consultant firm with experienced staff holding the CPA license with a solid understanding of U.S. GAAP to assist us in the preparation of the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021. We also plan to hire more qualified personnel equipped with relevant U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting experience and qualifications to strengthen the financial reporting function. However, these measures have not been fully implemented, and we concluded that the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting had not been fully remediated as of December 31, 2021. We will continue to implement measures to remediate the material weakness.

In the course of preparing and auditing our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, pursuant to new information technology methodology, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 relating to information technology control, in the areas of (1) data backup and recovery management, (2) system and data accesses, and (3) information, cybersecurity and vulnerability risk assessment and management. Following the identification of these material weaknesses, we plan to take measures to remedy our information technology control. For details, see “Item 15. Controls and Procedures—Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.”

However, we cannot assure you that all these measures will be sufficient to remediate our material weaknesses in time, or at all. Neither we nor our independent registered public accounting firm undertook a comprehensive assessment of our internal control under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for purposes of identifying and reporting any weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. Had we performed a formal assessment of our internal control over financial reporting or had our independent registered public accounting firm performed an audit of our internal control over financial reporting, additional control weaknesses may have been identified.

In addition, our internal control over financial reporting will not prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud will be detected.

An occurrence of a natural disaster, pandemic or other events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business could be materially and adversely affected by natural disasters, such as earthquakes, wildfires or floods or other events, such as pandemics, wars, acts of terrorism, states of emergency, environmental accidents, power shortages, labor unrest or communication interruptions. The occurrence of such an event in China or elsewhere could materially disrupt our business and operations. Such events could also cause a temporary closure of the facilities we use for our operations, which would severely disrupt our operations and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our operations could be disrupted if any of our employees were suspected of having any of the epidemic illnesses, since this could require us to quarantine some or all of such employees or disinfect the facilities used for our operations. In addition, our revenue and profitability could be materially reduced to the extent that a natural disaster or other outbreak harms the global or Chinese economy in general. Our operations could also be severely disrupted if our users or other participants were affected by such natural disasters, pandemics or other events.

24

Table of Contents

For example, the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated business uncertainty and volatility has had an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See “—Our business, financial position, liquidity and results of operations have been, and are likely to continue to be, materially and adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

We may not have sufficient insurance coverage.

We have obtained insurance to cover certain potential risks and liabilities, such as property damage. However, insurance companies in China offer limited business insurance products. As a result, we may not be able to acquire any insurance for certain types of risks such as business liability or service disruption insurance for our operations in China, and our coverage may not be adequate to compensate for all losses that may occur, particularly with respect to loss of business or operations. We do not maintain business interruption insurance or product liability insurance, nor do we maintain key-man life insurance. This could leave us exposed to potential claims and losses. Any business disruption, litigation, regulatory action, outbreak of epidemic disease or natural disaster could also expose us to substantial costs and diversion of resources. We cannot assure you that our insurance coverage is sufficient to prevent us from any loss or that we will be able to successfully claim our losses under our current insurance policy on a timely basis, or at all. If we incur any loss that is not covered by our insurance policies, or the compensated amount is significantly less than our actual loss, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Failure to renew our current leases or locate desirable alternatives for our leased properties could materially and adversely affect our business.

We lease properties for our offices and the warehousing facilities that we operate. We may not be able to successfully extend or renew such leases upon expiration of the current term on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, and may therefore be forced to relocate our affected operations. This could disrupt our operations and result in significant relocation expenses, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, we compete with other businesses for premises at certain locations or of desirable sizes. As a result, even though we could extend or renew our leases, rental payments may significantly increase as a result of the high demand for the leased properties. Moreover, we may not be able to locate desirable alternative sites for our current leased properties as our business continues to grow and failure in relocating our affected operations could adversely affect our business and operations.

Certain of our leasehold interests in leased properties have not been registered with the relevant PRC governmental authorities as required by relevant PRC laws and some of our leased properties have title defects.

We have not registered certain of our lease agreements with the relevant governmental authorities. Under the relevant PRC laws and regulations, we may be required to register and file with the relevant governmental authority executed leases. The failure to register the lease agreements for our leased properties will not affect the validity of these lease agreements, but the competent housing authorities may order us to register the lease agreements in a prescribed period of time and impose a fine ranging from RMB1,000 (US$153) to RMB10,000 (US$1,533) for each non-registered lease if we fail to complete the registration within the prescribed timeframe.

In addition, the actual use of some of our leased properties was inconsistent with the planned use on the property ownership certificates. If relevant governmental authorities require the lessor to correct such inconsistency or request land resumption, we may be unable to continue to lease such properties and as a result we may be forced to relocate the properties and incur additional expenses relating to such relocation. If we fail to find suitable replacement sites in a timely manner or on terms acceptable to us, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

The custodians or authorized users of our controlling non-tangible assets, including chops and seals, may fail to fulfill their responsibilities, or misappropriate or misuse these assets.

Under the PRC law, legal documents for corporate transactions, including agreements and contracts are executed using the chop or seal of the signing entity or with the signature of a legal representative whose designation is registered and filed with relevant PRC market regulation administrative authorities.

25

Table of Contents

In order to secure the use of our chops and seals, we have established internal control procedures and rules for using these chops and seals. In any event that the chops and seals are intended to be used, the responsible personnel will submit a formal application, which will be verified and approved by authorized employees in accordance with our internal control procedures and rules. In addition, in order to maintain the physical security of our chops, we generally have them stored in secured locations accessible only to authorized employees. Although we monitor such authorized employees, the procedures may not be sufficient to prevent all instances of abuse or negligence. There is a risk that our employees could abuse their authority, for example, by entering into a contract not approved by us or seeking to gain control of one of our subsidiaries or our affiliated entities or their subsidiaries. If any employee obtains, misuses or misappropriates our chops and seals or other controlling non-tangible assets for whatever reason, we could experience disruption to our normal business operations. We may have to take corporate or legal action, which could involve significant time and resources to resolve and divert management from our operations, and we may not be able to recover our loss due to such misuse or misappropriation if the third party relies on the apparent authority of such employees and acts in good faith.

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, which may result in public investors having less protection than they would if we were not a controlled company.

Our co-founders, Ms. Zoe Wang, who serves as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Leo Zeng, who serves as our Chief Operating Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer, collectively held 81.1% of the total voting rights in our company as of May 11, 2022, and we are, and expect to continue to be, a “controlled company” as defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules. As a controlled company, we rely on certain exemptions that are available to controlled companies from the Nasdaq corporate governance requirements. Examples of the requirements from which we are exempt include the requirements that:

We are not required to and do not voluntarily meet these requirements. As a result of our use of the “controlled company” exemption, our investors do not have the same protection as they would if we were not a controlled company.

In addition, Ms. Wang and Mr. Zeng have decisive influence in determining the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matter submitted to the shareholders for approval, including mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors and other significant corporate actions. Without the consent of Ms. Wang and Mr. Zeng, we may be prevented from entering into transactions that could be beneficial to us. The interests of Ms. Wang and Mr. Zeng may differ from the interests of our other shareholders.

If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the operating structure for some of our operations in China do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our control over the VIE.

Under current PRC laws and regulations, foreign investors are generally not allowed to own more than 50% of the equity interests in a value-added telecommunications services provider (subject to several exceptions).

We are a Cayman Islands holding company and our PRC subsidiaries are considered foreign-invested enterprises, directly or indirectly. Accordingly, none of these PRC subsidiaries is eligible to provide value-added telecommunications services in China. We do not currently provide value-added telecommunications services because our sales of goods purchased by us does not constitute providing value-added telecommunications services. The variable interest entity, Shanghai Yibo, however, holds an ICP license and may develop e-commerce platforms for other trading parties.

We entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Shanghai Yibo and its shareholders, which enable us to:

26

Table of Contents

Because of these contractual arrangements, we are the primary beneficiary of Shanghai Yibo and hence consolidate its financial results as the VIE. In 2021, revenue attributable to the VIE was nil.

In the opinion of Commerce & Finance Law Offices, our PRC counsel, the ownership structure of the VIE, currently does not result in any violation of the applicable PRC laws or regulations currently in effect; and the agreements under the contractual arrangements among ECMOHO Shanghai, the VIE and VIE’s shareholders, are governed by PRC laws or regulations, and are currently valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with the applicable PRC laws and regulations currently in effect.

However, our PRC counsel also advised us that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules and there can be no assurance that the PRC government will ultimately take a view that is consistent with the opinion of our PRC counsel. If the PRC government finds the agreements that establish our Internet-based business do not comply with PRC government restrictions on foreign investment in the aforesaid business we engage in, we could be subject to severe penalties, including being prohibited from continuing operations.

If we or the VIE is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fails to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures, including:

The imposition of any of these penalties may result in an adverse effect on our ability to develop e-commerce business in the future. In addition, it is unclear what impact the PRC government actions would have on us and on our ability to consolidate the financial results of the VIE in our consolidated financial statements, if the PRC governmental authorities were to find our legal structure and contractual arrangements to be in violation of PRC laws and regulations. If the imposition of any of these government actions causes us to lose our right to direct the activities of the VIE or our right to receive substantially all the economic benefits and residual returns from the VIE and we are not able to restructure our ownership structure and operations in a satisfactory manner, we would no longer be able to consolidate the financial results of the VIE in our consolidated financial statements. Either of these results, or any other significant penalties that might be imposed on us in this event, would have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

27

Table of Contents

Any failure by the VIE or its shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business.

Although substantially all of our revenues are generated by our PRC and Hong Kong subsidiaries, and substantially all of our assets are held by our PRC and Hong Kong subsidiaries, we have relied and expect to continue to rely on contractual arrangements with Shanghai Yibo and its shareholders to hold our ICP license, which will enable us to develop value-added telecommunication business. These contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over the VIE.

If the VIE or its shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. We may also have to rely on legal remedies under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages. We cannot assure you such remedies will be effective. For example, if the shareholders of the VIE were to refuse to transfer their equity interest in the VIE to us or our designee when we exercise the purchase option pursuant to these contractual arrangements, or if they were otherwise to act in bad faith toward us, we may have to take legal actions to compel them to perform their contractual obligations.

All the agreements under our contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in China. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal system in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such as the United States. See “— Risks Related to Doing Business in China—There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations.” Meanwhile, there are very few precedents and little formal guidance as to how contractual arrangements in the context of a VIE should be interpreted or enforced under PRC law, and as a result it may be difficult to predict how an arbitration panel would view such contractual arrangements. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. Additionally, under PRC law, rulings by arbitrators are final, parties cannot appeal the arbitration results in courts, and if the losing parties fail to carry out the arbitration awards within a prescribed time limit, the prevailing parties may only enforce the arbitration awards in PRC courts through arbitration award recognition proceedings, which would require additional expenses and delay.

In the event we are unable to enforce our contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over the VIE or to develop relevant businesses. As a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects would be adversely affected.

The shareholders of the VIE may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

The shareholders of the VIE, Ms. Zoe Wang and Mr. Leo Zeng, may have potential conflicts of interest with us. These shareholders may breach, or cause the VIE to breach, or refuse to renew, the existing contractual arrangements we have with them and the VIE, which would have a material adverse effect on our ability to effectively control the VIE and receive substantially all the economic benefits from them. For example, the shareholders may be able to cause our agreements with the VIE to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things, failing to remit payments due under the contractual arrangements to us on a timely basis. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, any or all of these shareholders will act in the best interests of our company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor.

Contractual arrangements in relation to the VIE may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or the VIE owes additional taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and the value of your investment.

Under applicable PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities. We could face adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements among ECMOHO Shanghai, Shanghai Yibo and the shareholders of Shanghai Yibo were not entered into on an arm’s-length basis in such a way as to result in an impermissible reduction in taxes under applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, and adjust Shanghai Yibo’s income in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in a reduction of expense deductions recorded by Shanghai Yibo for PRC tax purposes, which could in turn increase their tax liabilities. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose punitive interest on Shanghai Yibo for the adjusted but unpaid taxes at the rate of 5% over the basic RMB lending rate published by the People’s Bank of China for a period according to the applicable regulations. Our financial position could be adversely affected if the VIE’s tax liabilities increase or if it is required to pay punitive interest.

28

Table of Contents

Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.

The National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law on March 15, 2019 and the State Council approved the Regulation on Implementing the Foreign Investment Law (the “Implementation Regulations”) on December 26, 2019, effective from January 1, 2020, which replaced the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Supreme People’s Court of China issued the Interpretation on the Application of the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC on December 26, 2019, effective from January 1, 2020, to ensure fair and efficient implementation of the Foreign Investment Law. According to the judicial interpretation, courts in China shall not, among other things, support contracted parties to claim foreign investment contracts in sectors not on the Special Administrative Measures for Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List) as void because the contracts have not been approved or registered by administrative authorities. The Foreign Investment Law and Implementation Regulations embody an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments.

However, since these rules are relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to their interpretation. For instance, under the Foreign Investment Law, “foreign investment” refers to the investment activities directly or indirectly conducted by foreign individuals, enterprises or other entities in China. Though it does not explicitly classify contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment, there is no assurance that foreign investment via contractual arrangement would not be interpreted as a type of indirect foreign investment activities under the definition in the future. In addition, the definition contains a catch-all provision which includes investments made by foreign investors through means stipulated in laws or administrative regulations or other methods prescribed by the State Council. Therefore, it still leaves leeway for future laws, administrative regulations or provisions promulgated by the Stale Council to provide for contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment. In any of these cases, it will be uncertain whether our contractual arrangements will be deemed to be in violation of the market access requirements for foreign investment under the PRC laws and regulations, or whether they may be invalid in whole or in part. Furthermore, if future laws, administrative regulations or provisions prescribed by the State Council mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual arrangements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. Failure to take timely and appropriate measures to cope with any of these or similar regulatory compliance challenges could adversely affect our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of cybersecurity related regulations and cybersecurity review as well as any impact these may have on our business operations.

The cybersecurity legal regime in China is relatively new and evolving rapidly, and their interpretation and enforcement involve significant uncertainties. As a result, it may be difficult to determine what actions or omissions may be deemed to be in violations of applicable laws and regulations in certain circumstances.

Network operators in China are subject to numerous laws and regulations, and have the obligations to, among others, (1) establish internal security management systems that meet the requirements of the classified protection system for cybersecurity, (2) implement technical measures to monitor and record network operation status and cybersecurity incidents, (3) implement data security measures such as data classification, backups and encryption, and (4) submit for cybersecurity review under certain circumstances.

On November 7, 2016, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress issued the Cyber Security Law, which imposes more stringent requirements on operators of “critical information infrastructure,” especially in data storage and cross-border data transfer.

29

Table of Contents

On December 28, 2021, the CAC, the NDRC, the MIIT, and several other administrations jointly published the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, effective on February 15, 2022, which provides that certain operators of critical information infrastructure purchasing network products and services or network platform operators carrying out data processing activities, which affect or may affect national security, must apply with the Cybersecurity Review Office for a cybersecurity review. However, the scope of operators of “critical information infrastructure” under the current regulatory regime remains unclear and is subject to the decisions of competent PRC regulatory authorities. As advised by our PRC counsel, Commerce & Finance Law Offices, the exact scope of operators of “critical information infrastructure” under the Measures for Cybersecurity Review and current PRC regulatory regime remains unclear, and is subject to the decisions of the relevant PRC government authorities that have been delegated the authority to identify operators of “critical information infrastructure” in their respective jurisdictions (including regions and industries). PRC government authorities have wide discretion in the interpretation and enforcement of these laws, including the identification of operators of “critical information infrastructure” and the interpretation and enforcement of requirements potentially applicable to such operators of “critical information infrastructure.”

Although we do not believe we are at risk of being deemed to be an operator of “critical information infrastructure” or a network platform operator meeting the above criteria under PRC cybersecurity laws, the relevant regulatory authority may not agree with our assessment. If we are identified as an operator of “critical information infrastructure,” we would be required to fulfill various obligations as required under PRC cybersecurity laws and other applicable laws for such operators of “critical information infrastructure” that currently not applicable to us, including, among others, setting up a special security management organization, organizing regular cybersecurity education and training, formulating emergency plans for cyber security incidents and conducting regular emergency drills, and although the internet products and services we purchase are primarily bandwidth and marketing services, we may need to follow cybersecurity review procedure and apply with Cybersecurity Review Office before making certain purchases of network products and services. If we are subject to the cybersecurity review, we may be required to suspend the provision of any existing or new services to our customers and consumers, and we may experience other disruptions of our operations, which could cause us to lose users and customers therefore leading to adverse impacts on our business. The cybersecurity review could also lead to negative publicity and a diversion of time and attention of our management and our other resources. It could be costly and time-consuming for us to prepare application materials and make the applications. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that we will obtain the clearance or approval for these applications from the Cybersecurity Review Office and the relevant regulatory authorities in a timely manner, or at all. If we are found to be in violation of cybersecurity requirements in China, the relevant governmental authorities may, at their discretion, conduct investigations, levy fines, request app stores to take down our apps and cease to provide viewing and downloading services related to our apps, prohibit the registration of new users on our platform, or require us to change our business practices in a manner materially adverse to our business. Any of these actions may disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

On November 14, 2021, the CAC published a discussion draft of the Administrative Measures for Internet Data Security, or the Draft Measures for Internet Data Security, which provides that data processors conducting the following activities shall apply for cybersecurity review: (1) merger, reorganization or division of Internet platform operators that have acquired a large number of data resources related to national security, economic development or public interests affects or may affect national security; (2) listing abroad of data processors processing over one million users’ personal information; (3) listing in Hong Kong which affects or may affect national security; or (4) other data processing activities that affect or may affect national security. There have been no clarifications from the authorities as of the date of this annual report as to the standards for determining such activities that “affects or may affect national security.” The CAC has solicited comments on this draft until December 13, 2021, but there is no timetable as to when it will be enacted. As such, substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the enactment timetable, final content, interpretation and implementation. The Draft Measures for Internet Data Security, if enacted as proposed, may materially impact our capital raising activities. Any failure to obtain such approval or clearance from the regulatory authorities could materially constrain our liquidity and have a material adverse impact on our business operations and financial results, especially if we need additional capital or financing.

The interpretation and application of these cybersecurity laws, regulations and standards are still uncertain and evolving, especially the Draft Measures for Internet Data Security. We cannot assure you that relevant governmental authorities will not interpret or implement these and other laws or regulations in ways that may negatively affect us.

30

Table of Contents

Adverse changes in China’s or global economic and political policies could have a material and adverse effect on overall economic growth in China, which could materially and adversely affect our business.

Substantially all of our operations are conducted in China and substantially all of our revenues are generated from China. Accordingly, our results of operations, financial condition and prospects are influenced by economic, political and legal developments in China. Economic reforms begun in the late 1970s have resulted in significant economic growth. However, any economic reform policies or measures in China may from time to time be modified or revised. China’s economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the extent of the government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. The PRC government exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through strategically allocating resources, controlling the payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. The PRC government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company, such as us, to conduct its business. Therefore, investors of our company and our business face potential uncertainties from the PRC government.

While the PRC economy has experienced significant growth in the past decades, growth has been uneven across different regions and between economic sectors, and the growth rate of the Chinese economy has gradually slowed since 2010, which trend may continue. Furthermore, China’s GDP growth turned negative in the first quarter of 2020. Any adverse changes in economic conditions in China, in the policies of the Chinese government or in the laws and regulations in China could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China. Such developments could adversely affect our business and operating results, lead to reduction in demand for our products and services and adversely affect our competitive position. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations.

COVID-19 had a severe and negative impact on the Chinese and the global economy in the first quarter of 2020. Whether this will lead to a prolonged downturn in the economy is still unknown. Even before the outbreak of COVID-19, the global macroeconomic environment was facing numerous challenges. The growth rate of the Chinese economy has gradually slowed in recent years and the trend may continue. There is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies which had been adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world’s leading economies, including the United States and China, even before 2020. Unrest, terrorist threats and the potential for war in the Middle East and elsewhere may increase market volatility across the globe. There have also been concerns about the relationship between China and other countries, including the surrounding Asian countries, which may potentially have economic effects. In particular, there is significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States and China with respect to trade policies, treaties, government regulations and tariffs. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions, as well as changes in domestic economic and political policies and the expected or perceived overall economic growth rate in China. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the global and Chinese economy severely in 2020. Our results of operations and financial condition have been affected negatively by the spread of COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. Any severe or prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese economy may further materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

31

Table of Contents

The PRC government’s significant oversight and discretion over our business operations could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our listed securities.

We conduct our operations in China through our PRC subsidiaries and the VIE, with which we have maintained contractual arrangements. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. The PRC government has significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business, and it may influence our operations, which could result in a material adverse change in our operation and/or the value of our Class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs. The PRC government has recently indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers. For example, on July 6, 2021, the relevant PRC government authorities made public the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law. These opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on overseas listings by China-based companies and proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks and incidents faced by China-based overseas-listed companies. On December 28, 2021, the NDRC, the MIIT, and several other administrations jointly published the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, effective on February 15, 2022, which required that, among others, operators of “critical information infrastructure” purchasing network products and services or network platform operators carrying out data processing activities, that affect or may affect national security, shall apply with the Cybersecurity Review Office for a cybersecurity review. In addition, a network platform operator holding over one million users’ personal information shall apply with the Cybersecurity Review Office for a cybersecurity review when it seeks to list overseas. On November 14, 2021, the CAC released the draft Administrative Measures for Internet Data Security, or the Draft Measures for Internet Data Security, for public comments, which requires, among others, that a prior cybersecurity review should be required for listing abroad of data processors which process over one million users’ personal information, and the listing of data processors in Hong Kong which affects or may affect national security. Since the Draft Measures for Internet Data Security is in the process of being formulated and the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law remain unclear on how it will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant PRC governmental authorities, it remains uncertain how PRC governmental authorities will regulate overseas listing in general and whether we are required to obtain any specific regulatory approvals from the CSRC, CAC or any other PRC governmental authorities for our offshore offerings. If the CSRC, CAC or other regulatory agencies later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals for our future offshore offerings, we may be unable to obtain such approvals in a timely manner, or at all, and such approvals may be rescinded even if obtained. Any such circumstance could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. In addition, implementation of industry-wide regulations directly targeting our operations could cause the value of our securities to significantly decline. Therefore, investors of our company and our business face potential uncertainty from actions taken by the PRC government affecting our business.

Recent joint statement by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or the PCAOB, the newly enacted Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors who are not inspected by the PCAOB. These developments could add uncertainties to the trading of our ADSs on U.S. stock exchanges.

As part of a continued regulatory focus in the United States on access to audit and other information currently protected by national law, in particular China’s, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCAA, has been signed into law on December 18, 2020. The HFCAA states if the SEC determines that a company has filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspection for the PCAOB for three consecutive years beginning in 2021, the SEC shall prohibit the shares or ADS of such company from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the U.S.

On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed a bill known as the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, to amend Section 104(i) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. 7214(i)) to prohibit securities of any registrant from being listed on any of the U.S. securities exchanges or traded over-the-counter if the auditor of the registrant’s financial statements is not subject to PCAOB inspection for two consecutive years, instead of three consecutive years as currently enacted in the HFCAA.

32

Table of Contents

On December 2, 2021, the SEC adopted final amendments to its rules implementing the HFCAA (the “Final Amendments”). The Final Amendments include requirements to disclose information, including the auditor name and location, the percentage of shares of the issuer owned by governmental entities, whether governmental entities in the applicable foreign jurisdiction with respect to the auditor has a controlling financial interest with respect to the issuer, the name of each official of the Chinese Communist Party who is a member of the board of the issuer, and whether the articles of incorporation of the issuer contains any charter of the Chinese Communist Party. The Final Amendments also establish procedures the SEC will follow in identifying issuers and prohibiting trading by certain issuers under the HFCAA. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB determined that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, and indicated that it will reassess its determinations at least annually.

On February 4, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the America Competes Act of 2022 which includes the exact same amendments as the bill passed by the Senate. The America Competes Act however includes a broader range of legislation not related to the HFCAA in response to the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act passed by the Senate in 2021. The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate will need to agree on amendments to these respective bills to align the legislation and pass their amended bills before the U.S. President can sign into law. It is unclear when the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives will resolve the differences in the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act and the America Competes Act of 2022 bills currently passed, or when the U.S. President will sign on the bill to make the amendment into law, or at all.

Our financial statements contained in the annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 have been audited by Friedman LLP. Friedman LLP, is registered with the PCAOB and is subject to laws in the United States, pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. Our auditor is headquartered in Manhattan, New York, and has been inspected by the PCAOB on a regular basis. However, the recent developments would add uncertainties to the trading of our ADSs on U.S. stock exchanges, and we cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or other regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and training, or sufficiency of resources, geographic reach, or experience as it relates to our audit.

As of the date of this annual report, we have not been identified as a “Commission-Identified Issuer,” which is an issuer identified by the SEC as having filed an annual report containing an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that the PCAOB has determined it is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in the foreign jurisdiction. PCAOB may in the future determine that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditor, and we may become a “Commission-Identified Issuer” as a result, which will cause the delisting of our securities in the Nasdaq and the cease of trading of our securities in over-the-counter market in the United States.

There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations.

Most of our operations are conducted in the PRC, and are governed by PRC laws, rules and regulations. Our PRC subsidiaries are subject to laws, rules and regulations applicable to foreign investment in China. The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.

In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws, rules and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect of legislation over the past four decades has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investment in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system, and recently enacted laws, rules and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China or may be subject to significant degrees of interpretation by PRC regulatory agencies. In particular, because these laws, rules and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited number of published decisions and the nonbinding nature of such decisions, and because the laws, rules and regulations often give the relevant regulator significant discretion in how to enforce them, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws, rules and regulations involve uncertainties and can be inconsistent and unpredictable. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all, and which may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until after the occurrence of the violation.

Any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems. These uncertainties may impede our ability to enforce the contracts we have entered into and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

33

Table of Contents

The approval of and the filing with the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our future offshore offerings under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval or complete such filing.

Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, requires an overseas special purpose vehicle formed for listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC persons or entities to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. The interpretation and application of the regulations remain unclear, and our offshore offerings may ultimately require approval of the CSRC. If the CSRC approval is required, it is uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to obtain the approval and, even if we obtain such CSRC approval, the approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining the CSRC approval for any of our offshore offerings, or a rescission of such approval, would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities, which could include fines and penalties on our operations in China, restrictions or limitations on our ability to pay dividends outside of China, and other forms of sanctions that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

On July 6, 2021, the relevant PRC government authorities issued Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law. These opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on overseas listings by China-based companies and proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks and incidents faced by China-based overseas-listed companies. On December 24, 2021, the State Council issued a draft of the Provisions of the State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, and the CSRC issued a draft of Administration Measures for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies for public comments. These draft measures propose to establish a new filing-based regime to regulate overseas offerings and listings by domestic companies. Specifically, an overseas offering and listing by a PRC company, whether directly or indirectly, an initial or follow-on offering, must be filed with the CSRC. The examination and determination of an indirect offering and listing will be conducted on a substance-over-form basis, and an offering and listing shall be deemed as a PRC company’s indirect overseas offering and listing if the issuer meets the following conditions: (1) any of the operating income, gross profit, total assets, or net assets of the PRC enterprise in the most recent fiscal year was more than 50% of the relevant line item in the issuer’s audited consolidated financial statement for that year; and (2) senior management personnel responsible for business operations and management are mostly PRC citizens or are ordinarily resident in the PRC, and the principal place of business is in the PRC or carried out in the PRC. The issuer or its affiliated PRC entity, as the case may be, shall complete the filing procedures required by and submit relevant information to the CSRC. Failure to comply with the filing requirements may result in fines to the relevant PRC companies, suspension of their businesses, revocation of their business licenses and operation permits and fines on the controlling shareholder and other responsible persons. Theses draft measures also set forth certain regulatory red lines for overseas offerings and listings by PRC enterprises.

There are substantial uncertainties as to whether these draft measures to regulate direct or indirect overseas offering and listing would be further amended, revised or updated, their enactment timetable and final content. As the CSRC may formulate and publish guidelines for filings in the future, these draft measures did not provide for detailed requirements of the substance and form of the filing documents. In a Q&A released on CSRC’s official website on December 24, 2021, the respondent CSRC official indicated that the proposed new filing requirement will start with new issuers and listed companies seeking follow-on financing and other financing activities. As for the filings for other listed companies, the regulator will grant adequate transition period and apply separate arrangements. The Q&A also pointed out that, if compliant with relevant PRC laws and regulations, companies with compliant VIE structure may seek overseas listing after completion of the CSRC filings. Nevertheless, the Q&A did not specify what would qualify as a “compliant VIE structure” and what relevant PRC laws and regulations are required to be complied with. Given the substantial uncertainties surrounding the latest CSRC filing requirements at this stage, we cannot assure you that, if ever required, we would be able to complete the filings and fully comply with the relevant new rules on a timely basis, if at all.

34

Table of Contents

On December 27, 2021, the NDRC and the Ministry of Commerce jointly issued the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access (2021 Version), or the 2021 Negative List, which became effective on January 1, 2022. Pursuant to the Special Administrative Measures, if a PRC company engaging in the prohibited business stipulated in the 2021 Negative List seeks an overseas offering and listing, it shall obtain the approval from the competent governmental authorities. Besides, the foreign investors of the issuer shall not be involved in the company’s operation and management, and their shareholding percentages shall be subject, mutatis mutandis, to the relevant regulations on the domestic securities investments by foreign investors. As the 2021 Negative List is relatively new, there remain substantial uncertainties as to the interpretation and implementation of these new requirements, and it is unclear as to whether and to what extent listed companies like us will be subject to these new requirements. If we are required to comply with these requirements and fail to do so on a timely basis, if at all, our business operation, financial conditions and business prospect may be adversely and materially affected.

In addition, we cannot assure you that any new rules or regulations promulgated in the future will not impose additional requirements on us. If it is determined in the future that approval and filing from the CSRC or other regulatory authorities or other procedures, including the cybersecurity review under the Measures for Cybersecurity Review and the Draft Measures for Internet Data Security, are required for our offshore offerings, it is uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to obtain such approval or complete such filing procedures and any such approval or filing could be rescinded or rejected. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining such approval or completing such filing procedures for our offshore offerings, or a rescission of any such approval or filing if obtained by us, would subject us to sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities for failure to seek CSRC approval or filing or other government authorization for our offshore offerings. These regulatory authorities may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from our offshore offerings into China or take other actions that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, as well as the trading price of our listed securities. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt our offshore offerings before settlement and delivery of the shares offered. Consequently, if investors engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, they do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC or other regulatory authorities later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals or accomplish the required filing or other regulatory procedures for our prior offshore offerings, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties or negative publicity regarding such approval requirement could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, reputation, and the trading price of our listed securities.

PRC regulations of loans to PRC entities and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of offshore financing activities, including follow-on offerings, to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries.

We may transfer funds to our PRC subsidiaries or finance our PRC subsidiaries by means of shareholder loans or capital contributions. Any loans from us to our PRC subsidiaries, which is a foreign-invested enterprise, cannot exceed statutory limits based on the difference between the registered capital and the investment amount of such subsidiaries or 200% of its net assets, and shall be registered with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, or its local counterparts. Any capital contributions we make to our PRC subsidiaries is subject to the requirement of necessary filings in the Foreign Investment Comprehensive Management Information System and registration with other governmental authorities. We may not be able to obtain these government registrations or approvals on a timely basis, if at all. If we fail to receive such registrations or approvals, our ability to provide loans or capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries in a timely manner may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

On March 30, 2015, SAFE issued the Circular on Reform of the Administrative Rules of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Exchange Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, which became effective on June 1, 2015. SAFE Circular 19 adopts a concept of “discretionary conversion,” which is defined as the conversion of a foreign-invested enterprise’s foreign currency registered capital in accordance with the enterprise’s actual business needs. No review of the purpose of the funds is required at the time of conversion under SAFE Circular 19. However, use of any RMB funds converted from its registered capital shall be based on true transactions. In addition, equity investments using converted registered capital are no longer prohibited under SAFE Circular 19.

35

Table of Contents

SAFE issued the Circular on Reforming and Regulating Policies on the Control over Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital Accounts, or SAFE Circular 16, on June 9, 2016, which became effective on the same day. Pursuant to SAFE Circular 16, enterprises registered in the PRC may also convert their foreign debts from foreign currency to RMB on self-discretionary basis. SAFE Circular 16 provides an integrated standard for conversion of foreign exchange under capital account items (including but not limited to foreign currency capital and foreign debts) on self-discretionary basis which applies to all enterprises registered in the PRC. SAFE Circular 16 reiterates the principle that RMB converted from foreign currency-denominated capital of a company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope or prohibited by PRC laws or regulations, while such converted RMB shall not be provided as loans to its non-affiliated entities, or used for construction and purchase of non-self-used real estate (excluding real estate enterprises) or unless otherwise expressly provided in law, directly or indirectly used in securities investment or other financial management excluding the bank capital preservation products.

Violations of SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer any foreign currency we hold, including the net proceeds from our equity offering and notes offering, to our PRC subsidiaries, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in China.

On October 23, 2019, SAFE issued the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Promoting the Facilitation of Cross-border Trade and Investment, or SAFE Circular 28. SAFE Circular 28 allows non-investment foreign-invested enterprises to use their capital funds to make equity investments in China, provided that such investments do not violate the Negative List and that the target investment projects are genuine and in compliance with PRC laws.

In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans by us to our PRC subsidiaries or with respect to future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds we received from our offshore financing activities, including equity offerings, and to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

36

Table of Contents

We may be adversely affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in PRC regulation of healthcare industry and Internet-related businesses, and any lack of requisite approvals, licenses or permits applicable to our business may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Our business is subject to governmental supervision and regulation by the relevant PRC governmental authorities, including but not limited to the MOFCOM, the MIIT, the National Medical Products Administration of the PRC, or the NMPA, the NHC and SAMR and their counterparts. Together, these governmental authorities promulgate and enforce regulations that cover many aspects of the operation of food and pharmaceutical businesses, medical and healthcare services and Internet-related businesses, including foreign ownership of, and the licensing and permit requirements pertaining to, companies in such business. The laws and regulations related to medical and healthcare services and Internet-related businesses are evolving rapidly, and their interpretation and enforcement involve significant uncertainties. As a result, in certain circumstances it may be difficult to determine what actions or omissions may be deemed to be in violation of applicable laws and regulations. Under PRC laws, an entity must obtain the food operation license from SAMR or its counterpart for conducting healthcare-related products wholesale and retail business, the pharmaceutical operation license from the NMPA or its counterpart for conducting pharmaceutical wholesale and retail business, and the value-added telecommunications services operating licenses from the MIIT or its counterpart for either online information services or third-party e-commerce platforms. We have made great efforts to obtain all applicable licenses and permits necessary to our main business. However, the interpretation and application of existing PRC laws, regulations and policies and possible new laws, regulations or policies relating to the pharmaceutical operation, medical and healthcare services, and Internet-related businesses have created substantial uncertainties regarding the legality of existing and future foreign investments in, and the businesses and activities of, pharmaceutical operation and Internet-related business industry in China, including our business, we cannot assure you that we have obtained all the permits or licenses required for conducting our business or will be able to maintain our existing licenses or obtain new ones. For example, the address on some of our Food Operation Permits is inconsistent with our actual operating address. If the PRC government considers that we were operating without the proper approvals, licenses or permits or promulgates new laws and regulations that require additional approvals or licenses or imposes additional restrictions on the operation of any part of our business, it has the power, among other things, to levy fines, confiscate our income, revoke our business licenses, and require us to discontinue our relevant business or impose restrictions on the affected portion of our business. Any of these actions by the PRC government may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

PRC regulations regarding acquisitions impose significant regulatory approval and review requirements, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions.

Under the PRC Anti-Monopoly Law, companies undertaking acquisitions relating to businesses in China must notify MOFCOM in advance of any transaction where the parties’ revenues in the China market exceed certain thresholds and the buyer would obtain control of, or decisive influence over, the target, while under the M&A Rules, the approval of MOFCOM must be obtained in circumstances where overseas companies established or controlled by PRC enterprises or residents acquire domestic companies affiliated with such PRC enterprises or residents. Applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations also require certain merger and acquisition transactions to be subject to security review. Due to the level of our revenues, our proposed acquisition of control of, or decisive influence over, any company with revenues within China of more than RMB400 million in the year prior to any proposed acquisition would be subject to MOFCOM merger control review. As a result, many of the transactions we may undertake could be subject to MOFCOM merger review. Complying with the requirements of the relevant regulations to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including approval from MOFCOM, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share. In addition, MOFCOM has not accepted antitrust filings for any transaction involving parties that adopt a variable interest entity structure. If MOFCOM’s practice remains unchanged, our ability to carry out our investment and acquisition strategy may be materially and adversely affected and there may be significant uncertainty as to whether we will be able to complete large acquisitions in the future in a timely manner or at all.

37

Table of Contents

PRC regulations relating to investments in offshore companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC-resident beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiaries to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries or limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits.

SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or the SAFE Circular 37, on July 4, 2014, which replaced the former circular commonly known as “SAFE Circular 75” promulgated by SAFE on October 21, 2005. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose of overseas investment and financing, with such PRC residents’ legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests, referred to in SAFE Circular 37 as a “special purpose vehicle.” SAFE Circular 37 further requires amendment to the registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. In the event that a PRC shareholder holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to fulfill the required SAFE registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that special purpose vehicle may be prohibited from making profit distributions to the offshore parent and from carrying out subsequent cross-border foreign exchange activities, and the special purpose vehicle may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital into its PRC subsidiary. Moreover, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange controls.

We have notified substantial beneficial owners of ordinary shares who we know are PRC residents of their filing obligation, and are aware that Ms. Zoe Wang and Mr. Leo Zeng have each completed the necessary registration with the local SAFE branch or qualified banks as required by SAFE Circular 37. However, we may not at all times be aware of the identities of all of our beneficial owners who are PRC residents. To our knowledge, some of our beneficial owners who are PRC residents have not completed the necessary registration as required by SAFE Circular 37. We do not have control over our beneficial owners and cannot assure you that all of our PRC-resident beneficial owners will comply with SAFE Circular 37 and subsequent implementation rules. The failure of our beneficial owners who are PRC residents to register or amend their SAFE registrations in a timely manner pursuant to SAFE Circular 37 and subsequent implementation rules, or the failure of future beneficial owners of our company who are PRC residents to comply with the registration procedures set forth in SAFE Circular 37 and subsequent implementation rules, may subject such beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiaries to fines and legal sanctions. Furthermore, since SAFE Circular 37 was recently promulgated and it is unclear how this regulation, and any future regulation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions, will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant PRC governmental authorities, we cannot predict how these regulations will affect our business operations or future strategy. Failure to register or comply with relevant requirements may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiaries and limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends to our company. These risks may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding our employee equity incentive plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

Pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who participate in share incentive plans in overseas non-publicly listed companies may submit applications to SAFE or its local branches for the foreign exchange registration with respect to offshore special purpose companies. Our directors, executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens or who have resided in the PRC for a continuous period of not less than one year and who have been granted restricted shares, RSUs or options may follow SAFE Circular 37 to apply for the foreign exchange registration before our company becomes an overseas listed company. We and our directors, executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens or who have resided in the PRC for a continuous period of not less than one year and who have been granted restricted shares, RSUs or options will be subject to the Notice on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly Listed Company, issued by SAFE in February 2012, according to which, employees, directors, supervisors and other management members participating in any stock incentive plan of an overseas publicly listed company who are PRC citizens or who are non-PRC citizens residing in China for a continuous period of not less than one year, subject to limited exceptions, are required to register with SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. Failure to complete the SAFE registrations may subject them to fines and legal sanctions and may also limit their ability to make payment under our equity incentive plans or receive dividends or sales proceeds related thereto, or our ability to contribute additional capital into our wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China and limit our wholly foreign-owned enterprises’ ability to distribute dividends to us. We also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional equity incentive plans for our directors and employees under PRC law.

38

Table of Contents

In addition, the State Administration for Taxation has issued circulars concerning employee share options or restricted shares. Under these circulars, employees working in the PRC who exercise share options, or whose restricted shares or RSUs vest, will be subject to PRC individual income tax. The PRC subsidiaries of an overseas listed company have obligations to file documents related to employee share options or restricted shares with relevant tax authorities and to withhold individual income taxes of those employees related to their share options, restricted shares or RSUs. Although we currently withhold income tax from our PRC employees in connection with their exercise of options and the vesting of their restricted shares and RSUs, if the employees fail to pay, or the PRC subsidiaries fail to withhold, their income taxes according to relevant laws, rules and regulations, the PRC subsidiaries may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC governmental authorities.

Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us, or the tax implications of making payments to us, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business or our financial condition.

We are a holding company, and we rely principally on dividends and other distributions from our PRC subsidiaries for our cash needs, including the funds necessary to pay dividends to our shareholders or service any debt we may incur. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends only out of its accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, our PRC subsidiaries are required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds until the aggregate amount of such reserve funds reaches 50% of its registered capital. Apart from these reserves, our PRC subsidiaries may allocate discretionary portion of their after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to a discretionary surplus fund. These reserves and funds are not distributable as cash dividends. Furthermore, if our PRC subsidiaries incur debt, the debt instruments may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. We cannot assure you that our PRC subsidiaries will generate sufficient earnings and cash flows in the near future to pay dividends or otherwise distribute sufficient funds to enable us to meet our obligations, pay interest and expenses or declare dividends.

Distributions made by PRC companies to their offshore parents are generally subject to a 10% withholding tax under the Enterprise Income Tax Law. Pursuant to the Enterprise Income Tax Law and the Arrangement between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income, the withholding tax rate on dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries to our Hong Kong subsidiary would generally be reduced to 5%, provided that our Hong Kong subsidiary is the beneficial owner of the PRC sourced income. Further, the State Taxation Administration promulgated the Announcement of the Certain Issues with Respect to the “Beneficial Owner” in Tax Treaties in 2018, which sets forth certain detailed factors in determining “beneficial owner” status, and specifically, if an applicant’s business activities do not constitute substantive business activities, the applicant will not qualify as a “beneficial owner.” Although our PRC subsidiary is wholly owned by our Hong Kong subsidiary, we will not be able to enjoy the 5% withholding tax rate with respect to any dividends or distributions made by our PRC subsidiary to its parent company in Hong Kong if our Hong Kong subsidiary is not regarded as a “beneficial owner.”

Limitations on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us could limit our ability to access cash generated by the operations of our PRC subsidiaries and the VIE, including to make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our businesses, pay dividends to our shareholders or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

39

Table of Contents

We may be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, and we may therefore be subject to PRC income tax on our global income.

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementing rules, enterprises established under the laws of jurisdictions outside China with “de facto management bodies” located in China may be considered PRC tax resident enterprises for tax purposes and may be subject to the PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on their global income. “De facto management body” refers to a managing body that exercises substantive and overall management and control over the production and business, personnel, accounting books and assets of an enterprise. The SAT issued the Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Offshore-Incorporated Enterprises as PRC Tax Resident Enterprises on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies, or the Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a Chinese-controlled offshore-incorporated enterprise is located in China. Although Circular 82 only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises, not those controlled by individuals or foreign enterprises, the determining criteria set forth in Circular 82 may reflect the SAT’s general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of offshore enterprises, regardless of whether they are controlled by PRC enterprises. If we were to be considered a PRC resident enterprise, we would be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on our global income, and our profitability and cash flow may be materially reduced as a result of our global income being taxed under the Enterprise Income Tax Law. We believe that none of our entities outside China is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body.”

Dividends payable to our foreign investors and gains on the sale of our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares by our foreign investors may be subject to PRC tax.

Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation regulations issued by the State Council, a 10% PRC withholding tax is applicable to dividends payable to investors that are non-resident enterprises, which do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC or which have such establishment or place of business but the dividends are not effectively connected with such establishment or place of business, to the extent such dividends are derived from sources within the PRC. Any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or Class A ordinary shares by such investors is also subject to PRC tax at a current rate of 10% which in the case of dividends will be withheld at source if such gain is regarded as income derived from sources within the PRC. If we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid on our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs, and any gain realized from the transfer of our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs, may be treated as income derived from sources within the PRC and may as a result be subject to PRC taxation. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends payable to individual investors who are non-PRC residents and any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or Class A ordinary shares by such investors may be subject to PRC tax at a current rate of 20%. Any PRC tax liability may be reduced under applicable tax treaties. However, it is unclear whether holders of our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares would be able to claim the benefit of income tax treaties or agreements entered into between China and other countries or areas if we are considered a PRC resident enterprise. If dividends payable to our non-PRC investors or gains from the transfer of our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares by such investors are subject to PRC tax, the value of your investment in our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares may decline significantly.

We and our shareholders face uncertainties with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.

On February 3, 2015, the SAT issued the Announcement on Several Issues Concerning the Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Transfer of Assets by Non-Resident Enterprises, or the SAT Circular 7. The SAT Circular 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to transactions involving the transfer of taxable assets through offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, SAT Circular 7 has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. SAT Circular 7 also brings challenges to both foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of taxable assets. On October 17, 2017, the SAT issued the Announcement on Issues Relating to Withholding at Source of Income Tax of Non-resident Enterprises, or the SAT Circular 37, which came into effect on December 1, 2017. The SAT Circular 37 further clarifies the practice and procedure of the withholding of non-resident enterprise income tax.

40

Table of Contents

Where a non-resident enterprise transfers taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, which is an Indirect Transfer, the non-resident enterprise as either transferor or transferee, or the PRC entity that directly owns the taxable assets, may report such Indirect Transfer to the relevant tax authority. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such Indirect Transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. Both the transferor and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes.

We face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of certain past and future transactions where PRC taxable assets are involved, such as offshore restructuring, sale of the shares in our offshore subsidiaries and investments. Our company may be subject to filing obligations or taxed if our company is transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company is transferee in such transactions, under SAT Circular 7 and/or SAT Circular 37. For transfer of shares in our company that do not qualify for the public securities market safe harbor by investors who are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under SAT Circular 7 and/or SAT Circular 37. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Circular 7 and/or SAT Circular 37 or to request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that our company should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to utilize our revenue effectively.

A portion of our revenue is denominated in Renminbi. The Renminbi is currently convertible under the “current account,” which includes dividends, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not under the “capital account,” which includes foreign direct investment and loans, including loans we may secure from our onshore subsidiaries or variable interest entity. Currently, our PRC subsidiaries, which are wholly foreign-owned enterprises, may purchase foreign currency for settlement of “current account transactions,” including payment of dividends to us, without the approval of SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, the relevant PRC governmental authorities may limit or eliminate our ability to purchase foreign currencies in the future for current account transactions. Since a portion of our future revenue will be denominated in Renminbi, any existing and future restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to utilize revenue generated in Renminbi to fund our business activities outside of the PRC or pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our ADSs. Foreign exchange transactions under the capital account remain subject to limitations and require approvals from, or registration with, SAFE and other relevant PRC governmental authorities. This could affect our ability to obtain foreign currency through debt or equity financing for our subsidiaries and the VIE.

It may be difficult for overseas regulators to conduct investigation or collect evidence within China.

Shareholder claims or regulatory investigation that are common in the United States generally are difficult to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to providing information needed for regulatory investigations or litigation initiated outside China. Although the authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration, such cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the Unities States may not be efficient in the absence of mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. Furthermore, according to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law, or Article 177, which became effective in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. While detailed interpretation of or implementation rules under Article 177 have yet to be promulgated, the inability for an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within China may further increase difficulties faced by you in protecting your interests.

41

Table of Contents

Failure to make adequate contributions to various employee benefit plans and withhold individual income tax on employees’ salaries as required by PRC regulations may subject us to penalties.

Companies operating in China are required to participate in various government-mandated employee benefit contribution plans, including certain social insurance, housing funds and other welfare-oriented payment obligations, and to contribute to the plans in amounts equal to certain percentages of salaries, including bonuses and allowances, of our employees up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time at locations where we operate our businesses. The requirement of employee benefit contribution plans has not been implemented consistently by the local governments in China given the different levels of economic development in different locations. Companies operating in China are also required to withhold individual income tax on employees’ salaries based on the actual salary of each employee upon payment. We may be subject to late fees and fines in relation to the underpaid employee benefits and under-withheld individual income tax, and, if so, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

Risks Related to Our ADSs

The trading price of our ADSs may be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to you.

The trading price of our ADSs is volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, like the performance and fluctuation in the market prices or the underperformance or deteriorating financial results of other listed companies based in China. The securities of some of these companies have experienced significant volatility since their initial public offerings, including, in some cases, substantial price declines in the trading prices of their securities. The trading performances of other Chinese companies’ securities after their offerings, including technology companies and transaction service platforms, may affect the attitudes of investors toward Chinese companies listed in the United States, which consequently may impact the trading performance of our ADSs, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, any negative news or perceptions about inadequate corporate governance practices or fraudulent accounting, corporate structure or matters of other Chinese companies may also negatively affect the attitudes of investors towards Chinese companies in general, including us, regardless of whether we have conducted any inappropriate activities. Furthermore, securities markets may from time to time experience significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to our operating performance, such as the large decline in share prices in the United States, China and other jurisdictions in late 2008, early 2009, the second half of 2011 and in 2015, including as a result of concerns over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our ADSs.

In addition to the above factors, the price and trading volume of our ADSs may be highly volatile due to multiple factors, including the following:

42

Table of Contents

Substantial future sales or perceived potential sales of our ADSs, Class A ordinary shares or other equity securities in the public market could cause the price of our ADSs to decline significantly.

Sales of our ADSs, Class A ordinary shares or other equity securities in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our ADSs to decline significantly. As of May 11, 2022, we had 138,581,883 Class A ordinary shares outstanding, including 115,037,596 Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs. All of our ADSs are freely transferable by persons other than our “affiliates” without restriction or additional registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.

If we fail to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement, the ADSs could be subject to delisting.

For the period from November 8, 2019 to March 17, 2022, the ADSs were listed on the Nasdaq Global Market. The Nasdaq Listing Rules has minimum requirements that a company must meet for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Market. These requirements include maintaining a minimum closing bid price of US$1.00 per ADS for a period of 30 consecutive trading days. On September 16, 2021, we received a notice from Nasdaq that we failed to comply with the minimum closing bid price requirement set forth in Rule 5450(a)(1) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules as the closing bid price per ADS had been below US$1.00 for a period of 30 consecutive business days. The Nasdaq notification letter does not result in the immediate delisting of our securities. Pursuant to Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules, we had a compliance period of 180 calendar days, or until March 15, 2022 to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement. In response, we submitted an application to transfer the listing the ADSs from the Nasdaq Global Market to the Nasdaq Capital Market. On March 16, 2022, the Nasdaq’s Listing Qualifications department approved our request to transfer the listing of the ADSs from the Nasdaq Global Market to the Nasdaq Capital Market, which took effect on March 17, 2022, and the ADSs are currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. As a result of the transfer to the Nasdaq Capital Market, Nasdaq granted us a second period of 180 calendar days, or until September 12, 2022, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing. To regain compliance, the closing bid price per ADS must meet or exceed US$1.00 per ADS for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days on or prior to September 12, 2022.

The transfer of our listing to the Nasdaq Capital Market is not expected to have any impact on trading in the ADSs. The ADSs will continue to trade under the symbol “MOHO.” The Nasdaq Capital Market operates in substantially the same manner as the Nasdaq Global Market, and companies on the Nasdaq Capital Market must meet certain financial and corporate governance requirements to qualify for continued listing, including the minimum bid price requirement of at least US$1.00 per ADS pursuant to Rule 5550(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. However, the transfer of listing may reduce the liquidity of the ADSs and cause further declines in the market price of the ADSs.

We have not regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement as of the date of annual report. We are closely monitoring the bid price of our ADSs, and may consider available options, such as an adjustment of our ADS-to-Class A ordinary share ratio, to increase the per ADS price of our ADSs. As required by Nasdaq, we confirmed that we would implement a reverse stock split or ADS ratio change, if necessary, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement in a timely manner. If we fail to regain compliance by September 12, 2022, or if we fail to meet the other continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market, we may be subject to delisting. The delisting of the ADSs may significantly reduce the liquidity of the ADSs, cause further declines to the market price of the ADSs, and make it more difficult for us to obtain adequate financing to support our continued operation.

43

Table of Contents

The issuance of additional shares in the future may impact the price of our ADSs and our ability to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement.

We had 197,937,499 ordinary shares issued and outstanding shares as of May 11, 2022, representing (1) 138,581,883 Class A ordinary shares, among which 115,037,596 Class A ordinary shares were in the form of 28,759,399 ADSs, and (2) 59,355,616 Class B ordinary shares, which can be converted into equal number of Class A ordinary shares at the discretion of the holders thereof. On August 5, 2021, we completed an underwritten public offering of an aggregate of 10,000,000 ADSs of the Company, at a public offering price of US$0.90 per ADS. The issuance and sale of any securities in the future may be dilutive to our existing shareholders and may cause the price of our ADSs to decline. The issuance of additional shares by us that has the effect of reducing the price of the trading price of the ADSs may also prevent us from being able to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) prior to September 12, 2022, which may result in our ADSs being suspended from trading or delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market. If a suspension of trading or delisting of the ADSs were to occur, there would be significantly less liquidity in our securities. In addition, our ability to raise additional capital through equity or debt financing would be greatly impaired.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ADSs and trading volume could decline.

It is our policy not to offer guidance on earnings. The trading market for our ADSs depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If research analysts do not establish and maintain adequate research coverage or if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our ADSs or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price or trading volume for our ADSs to decline significantly.

Our dual-class share structure with different voting rights limits our investors’ ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and holders of our ADSs may view as beneficial.

We have a dual-class share structure such that our ordinary shares consist of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. In respect of matters requiring the votes of shareholders, holders of Class A ordinary shares are entitled to one vote per share, while holders of Class B ordinary shares are entitled to 10 votes per share. One (1) of our ADSs represents four (4) of our Class A ordinary shares. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof, while Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances.

As of May 11, 2022, Ms. Zoe Wang and Mr. Leo Zeng beneficially own all of our issued and outstanding Class B ordinary shares. These Class B ordinary shares constitute approximately 30.0% of our total issued and outstanding share capital and 81.1% of the aggregate voting power of our total issued and outstanding share capital as of May 11, 2022, due to the disparate voting powers associated with our dual-class share structure. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — E. Share Ownership.” As a result of the dual-class share structure and the concentration of ownership, holders of Class B ordinary shares have considerable influence over matters such as decisions regarding mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors and other significant corporate actions. Such holders may take actions that are not in the best interest of us or our other shareholders. This concentration of ownership may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could have the effect of depriving our other shareholders of the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and may reduce the price of our ADSs. This concentrated control limits our investors’ ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transactions that holders of Class A ordinary shares and holders of our ADSs may view as beneficial.

44

Table of Contents

There can be no assurance that we will not be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders of our ADSs or ordinary shares.

A non-U.S. corporation will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for any taxable year if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for such year consists of certain types of “passive” income; or (2) at least 50% of the value of its assets (generally determined on the basis of a quarterly average) during such year is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income, or the asset test. Assuming that we are the owner of the VIE for U.S. federal income tax purposes, based upon the composition of our income and assets, we do not believe that we were a PFIC for our taxable year ended December 31, 2021. However, no assurance can be given as to whether we will be a PFIC in the current taxable year or the foreseeable future because the determination of whether we are or will become a PFIC is a fact-intensive inquiry made on an annual basis that depends, in part, upon the composition of our income and assets. If the market price of our ADSs does not increase or declines, we may become a PFIC for the current or subsequent taxable years because the value of our assets for the purpose of the asset test may be determined by reference to the market price of our ADSs (which may be volatile). The composition of our income and assets may also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets.

If we were to be or become a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to such U.S. Holder. See “Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Taxation—PFIC Rules.”

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to, and we will continue to, rely on exemptions from certain Nasdaq corporate governance standards applicable to domestic U.S. issuers. This may afford less protection to holders of our Class A ordinary shares and holders of the ADSs than they would enjoy if we were a domestic U.S. company.

We are exempted from certain corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq by virtue of being a foreign private issuer. We are required to provide a brief description of the significant differences between our corporate governance practices and the corporate governance practices required to be followed by domestic U.S. companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The standards applicable to us are considerably different than the standards applied to domestic U.S. issuers. We have relied on and plan to continue to rely on home country practice with respect to our corporate governance. Specifically, we do not (i) have a majority of the board be independent; (ii) have a compensation committee or a nominating and corporate governance committee consisting entirely of independent directors; (iii) have an audit committee be composed of at least three members; or (iv) hold annual general shareholder meeting. These practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the Nasdaq corporate governance requirements.

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain disclosure requirements under the Exchange Act, which may afford less protection to our shareholders than they would enjoy if we were a domestic U.S. company.

Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:

45

Table of Contents

We intend to continue to publish our results on a quarterly basis as press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC is less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, our investors may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to our investors were they investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.

As an emerging growth company, we are exempt from certain reporting requirements.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, most significantly, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act so long as we are an emerging growth company.

The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. We have elected not to “opt out” of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we will adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard and will do so until such time that we either (i) irrevocably elect to “opt out” of such extended transition period or (ii) no longer qualify as an emerging growth company. As a result, our operating results and financial statements may not be comparable to the operating results and financial statements of other companies who have adopted the new or revised accounting standards.

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law, we conduct substantially all of our operations in China and most of our directors and all of our executive officers reside outside the United States.

We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands and conduct substantially all of our operations in China through our wholly foreign-owned enterprises and the VIE. Most of our directors and all of our executive officers reside outside the United States and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the Cayman Islands or in China in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the securities laws of the United States or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. There is no statutory recognition in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States or China, although the courts of the Cayman Islands will generally recognize and enforce a non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits.

Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, and by the Companies Act (2021 Revision) (as amended) and common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take legal action against us and our directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, which provides persuasive, but not binding, authority in a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States and provides significantly less protection to investors. In addition, shareholders in Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in U.S. federal courts.

46

Table of Contents

In addition, we conduct substantially all of our business operations in China, and most of our directors and all of our executive officers reside outside the United State. The SEC, U.S. Department of Justice, or the DOJ, and other authorities often have substantial difficulties in bringing and enforcing actions against non-U.S. companies and non-U.S. persons, including company directors and officers, in certain emerging markets, including China. Additionally, our public shareholders may have limited rights and few practical remedies in emerging markets where we operate, as shareholder claims that are common in the United States, including class action based on securities law and fraud claims, generally are difficult or impossible to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in many emerging markets, including China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles for the SEC, the DOJ and other U.S. authorities to obtaining information needed for shareholder investigations or litigation. Although the competent authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration, the regulatory cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the United States has not been efficient in the absence of a mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. According to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law which became effective in March 2020, no foreign securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. Accordingly, without the consent of the PRC securities regulator and the other competent governmental authorities, no organization or individual may provide the documents and materials relating to securities business activities to foreign securities regulators.

As a result, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against us, our management, our directors or our major shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States.

You, as holders of our ADSs, may have fewer rights than holders of our Class A ordinary shares and must act through the depositary to exercise those rights.

Holders of ADSs do not have the same rights of our shareholders and may only exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under our memorandum and articles of association, the minimum notice period required to convene a general meeting is seven days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient notice of a shareholders’ meeting to permit you to withdraw your Class A ordinary shares to allow you to cast your vote with respect to any specific matter. In addition, the depositary and its agents may not be able to send voting instructions to you or carry out your voting instructions in a timely manner. We will make all reasonable efforts to cause the depositary to extend voting rights to you in a timely manner, but we cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your ADSs. Furthermore, the depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may lack recourse if your ADSs are not voted as you requested. In addition, in your capacity as an ADS holder, you will not be able to call a shareholders’ meeting.

You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs.

Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deems it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.

47

Table of Contents

You may not receive distributions on our Class A ordinary shares or any value for such Class A ordinary shares if it is illegal or impractical to make them available to you.

The depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian for our ADSs receives on our Class A ordinary shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of our Class A ordinary shares that your ADSs represent. However, the depositary is not responsible for making such payments or distributions if it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, it would be unlawful to make a distribution to a holder of ADSs if it consists of securities that require registration under the Securities Act but that are not properly registered or distributed pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. The depositary is not responsible for making a distribution available to any holders of ADSs if any government approval or registration required for such distribution cannot be obtained after reasonable efforts made by the depositary. We have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of our ADSs, Class A ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of our ADSs. This means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our Class A ordinary shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you. These restrictions may materially reduce the value of your ADSs.

Your rights to pursue claims against the depositary as a holder of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement and the deposit agreement may be amended or terminated without your consent.

Under the deposit agreement, any action or proceeding against or involving us or the depositary, arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby or by virtue of owning the ADSs (including any such action or proceeding that may arise under the U.S. federal securities laws), may only be instituted in a state or federal court in the city of New York, and you, as a holder of our ADSs, will have irrevocably waived any objection which you may have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such action or proceeding. Such exclusive jurisdiction may, among other things, discourage lawsuits against or involving us or the depositary, lead to increased costs to bring a claim or limit your ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum you find favorable. Also, we may amend or terminate the deposit agreement without your consent. If you continue to hold your ADSs after an amendment to the deposit agreement, you will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended, unless such amendment is found to be invalid under any applicable laws, including the U.S. federal securities laws.

ADSs holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiffs in any such action.

The deposit agreement governing the ADSs representing our Class A Ordinary Shares provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, ADSs holders waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws. The waiver to right to a jury trial of the deposit agreement is not intended to be deemed a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs of our or the depositary’s compliance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

If we or the depositary oppose a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with the applicable state and federal law. The enforceability of a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver in connection with claims arising under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by the United States Supreme Court. However, we believe that a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement. In determining whether to enforce a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision, courts will generally consider whether a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial. We believe that this is the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. It is advisable that you consult legal counsel regarding the jury waiver provision before investing in the ADSs.

48

Table of Contents

If you or any other holders or beneficial owners of ADSs bring a claim against us or the depositary in connection with matters arising under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including claims under federal securities laws, you or such other holder or beneficial owner may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us and/or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us and/or the depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in a different outcome than a trial by jury would have had, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiffs in any such action.

Nevertheless, if this jury trial waiver is not permitted by applicable law, an action could proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or our ADSs serves as a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs or by us or the depositary of compliance with any provision of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Cayman Islands economic substance requirements may have an effect on our business and operations.

Pursuant to the International Tax Cooperation (Economic Substance) Act (2020 Revision) (as amended) of the Cayman Islands, or the ES Act, that came into force on January 1, 2019, a “relevant entity” is required to satisfy the economic substance test set out in the ES Act. A “relevant entity” includes an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands as is our company. Based on the current interpretation of the ES Act, we believe that our company, ECMOHO Limited, is a pure equity holding company since it only holds equity participation in other entities and only earns dividends and capital gains. Accordingly, for so long as our company, ECMOHO Limited. is a “pure equity holding company,” it is only subject to the minimum substance requirements, which require us to (1) comply with all applicable filing requirements under the Companies Act, Cap. 22 (Act 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of the Cayman Islands; and (2) has adequate human resources and adequate premises in the Cayman Islands for holding and managing equity participations in other entities. However, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to more requirements under the ES Act. Uncertainties over the interpretation and implementation of the ES Act may have an adverse impact on our business and operations.

We will continue to incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, particularly when we cease to qualify as an “emerging growth company,” which may strain our resources.

As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market, imposes various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies. We qualify as an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting and permission to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have elected not to “opt out” of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we will adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard and will do so until such time that we either (1) irrevocably elect to “opt out” of such extended transition period or (2) no longer qualify as an emerging growth company.

Compliance with these rules and regulations has increased and will continue to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and has made and will continue to make some corporate activities more time-consuming and costly. When we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the other rules and regulations of the SEC. In addition, we have incurred additional costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. It may also be more difficult for us to find qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs, but we cannot predict or estimate the additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.

In the past, shareholders of a public company often brought securities class action suits against the company following periods of instability in the market price of that company’s securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management’s attention and other resources from our business and operations, which could harm our results of operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

​

49

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Divestment of our interest in the XG Health platform

We developed XG Health, an integrated family health management and service platform that connects consumers and specialty offline retailers with our brand partners and healthcare experts and offers health management plans such as blood pressure control and weight management programs. These health management plans, prepared by the doctors and nutritionists, contain detailed guidelines on dietary plans and other daily routines and, where relevant, include product recommendations. Consumers may reach out to these healthcare experts for further inquiries and receive customized health and wellness recommendations. XG Health also provides a rich array of carefully selected health and wellness products. Consumers may purchase these products for themselves or promote these products on social media and earn commissions on an actual sale. In addition, in mid-2019, we launched an XG Health mobile app for retailers, enabling them to source health and wellness products from us and we rolled out a pilot program to invite owners of specialty stores in “lower-tier” cities, townships and rural area in Anhui Province in China to register on this app, and we plan to expand our offline coverage nationwide.

We operated XG Health through our PRC-incorporated subsidiary Xianggui Shanghai. In 2019, sales through our XG Health platform accounted for less than 1.0% of our total net revenues. In early 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as cities, towns and municipalities across China, including Anhui province, began implementing lockdown and virus containment measures, some specialty stores that had registered on our XG Health app were experiencing financial difficulties and were unable to engage in e-commerce with us. In April 2020, we divested 60% of our equity interests in Xianggui Shanghai to Shanghai Xianggui Health Technology Co. Ltd., an entity then controlled by our co-founders, for a consideration of RMB3.4 million.

Divestment of equity interest in Shanghai Juyi Information Technology Co., Ltd.

Shanghai Juyi Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Juyi”) was our wholly-owned subsidiary in China that primarily engaged in technology development for intelligent system. In September 2021, we divested 90% of our equity interests in Shanghai Juyi to Mr. Wei WANG, a director of our board of director, and an employee of our company for nil consideration due to the accumulated deficit and recurring losses incurred by Shanghai Juyi. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions-B. Related Party Transactions—Divestment of equity interest in Shanghai Juyi” for more information.

Follow-on public offering

On August 5, 2021, we completed an underwritten public offering of an aggregate of 10,000,000 ADSs at a public offering price of US$0.90 per ADS. After deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, the net proceeds of the Public Offering were approximately US$8.1 million.

Nasdaq Listing Standards Compliance

On September 16, 2021, Nasdaq notified us that we failed to comply with the minimum closing bid price requirement set forth in Rule 5450(a)(1) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules as the closing bid price per ADS had been below US$1.00 for a period of 30 consecutive business days. Pursuant to Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules, we had a compliance period of 180 calendar days, or until March 15, 2022 to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement. In response, we submitted an application to transfer the listing the ADSs from the Nasdaq Global Market to the Nasdaq Capital Market, and on March 16, 2022, the Nasdaq’s Listing Qualifications department approved our request to transfer the listing of the ADSs from the Nasdaq Global Market to the Nasdaq Capital Market, which took effect on March 17, 2022. As a result of the transfer to the Nasdaq Capital Market, Nasdaq granted us a second period of 180 calendar days, or until September 12, 2022, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing. To regain compliance, the closing bid price per ADS must meet or exceed US$1.00 per ADS for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days on or prior to September 12, 2022.

The transfer of our listing to the Nasdaq Capital Market is not expected to have any impact on trading in the ADSs. As of the date of this annual report, our ADSs continue to trade under the symbol “MOHO” on Nasdaq Capital Market, which operates in substantially the same manner as the Nasdaq Global Market. Companies on the Nasdaq Capital Market must meet certain financial and corporate governance requirements to qualify for continued listing, including the minimum bid price requirement of at least US$1.00 per ADS pursuant to Rule 5550(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules.

51

Table of Contents

We have not regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement as of the date of this annual report. We are closely monitoring the bid price of our ADSs, and may consider available options, such as an adjustment of our ADS-to-Class A ordinary share ratio, to increase the per ADS price of our ADSs. As required by Nasdaq, we confirmed that we would implement a reverse stock split or ADS ratio change, if necessary, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our ADSs — If we fail to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement, the ADSs could be subject to delisting.”

Additional Information

Cogency Global Inc. is acting as our company’s authorized representative in the United States. The address of Cogency Global Inc. is 122 E. 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168, the United States of America.

Our principal executive offices are located at 5^th Floor, 909 Tianyaoqiao Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200030, the People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86 21 5456 5223. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is at the offices of Walkers Corporate Limited, 190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-9008, Cayman Islands. Our website can be found at www.ecmoho.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of this annual report on Form 20-F.

The SEC maintains a website, www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants, including ECMOHO Limited, that file electronically with the SEC.

See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — B. Liquidity and Capital Resources — Capital Expenditures” for a discussion of our capital expenditures.

B.Business Overview

We are an integrated solution provider in China’s rapidly growing health and wellness market. As an integrated solution provider, we have connected the supply chain of our industry, including upstream brand partners and midstream channels with consumers in China. Leveraging our operational experiences, technologies and data analytics capabilities, we empower market participants in China’s health and wellness market with a comprehensive suite of value propositions, including (1) the provision of strategies, consumer insights, inventory and channel management services, (2) a platform for experts and KOLs to reach and monetize their fan base, (3) the supply of consistent and reliable products and expert-curated content to small and mid-sized businesses, and (4) quality products and trustworthy content to consumers.

Product Sales

Utilizing our data analytics capabilities, we carefully select products that suit consumer needs from upstream brand partners and offer these products to consumers through a variety of channels, including authorized flagship stores of our brand partners and self-operated branded stores on third-party e-commerce platforms, such as Tmall and JD.com. As live streaming has become increasingly popular as a sales method, we set up a new department to sell products directly to consumers through live streaming on Tmall, Douyin and Kuaishou.

52

Table of Contents

We also sell our brand partners’ products to third-party e-commerce platforms and other small and medium-sized online and offline retailers. We typically enter into supply agreements with such e-commerce platforms and other retailers with a term of 12 months or more, during which the e-commerce platforms or other retailers place orders with us from time to time for specified products based on a pre-determined price or based on price negotiated at the time of the order. Some of these agreements set forth the purchase price for the specified products; others provide that such price shall be set forth in each purchase order following consultation between the retailer and us.

In addition, we enter into consignment arrangements with certain e-commerce platforms, pursuant to which the title to the products we deliver to these e-commerce platforms remains with us until these products are sold to end-consumers. These e-commerce platforms pay us the purchase price of the underlying products according to pre-determined billing cycles, but they have the right to return to us for a full refund any product that is returned by end-consumers or has remained unsold for a specified period of time.

Services

We offer our brand and retail partners solutions on strategy, marketing, products, digitalization, consumer insights, supply chain and SaaS tailored to their needs and charge fixed project-based service fees or commissions. We also regularly conduct research on China’s health and wellness market and provide the analysis to our brand partners. As live streaming has become increasingly popular as a sales method, we started to provide livestreaming services for our customers to facilitate their product sales, such as conducting livestream sales sessions and introducing to them livestreaming celebrities.

The table below sets forth a breakdown of our product sales revenue by product category:

53

Table of Contents

Our product sales revenues in 2021 decreased significantly as compared to 2020, with a decrease in the sales of health supplements and food from US$138.3 million in 2020 to US$71.4 million in 2021, a decrease in the sales of mother and child care products from US$118.7 million to US$49.7 million in 2021, and a decrease in the sales of personal care products from RMB25.6 million to RMB1.0 million in 2021, as a result of our strategic adjustment of our brand portfolio.

We typically enter into annual supply agreements with our brand partners and, in some cases, act as the sole online exclusive strategic partner or sole cross-border e-commerce strategic partner in China. We purchase products from our brand partners at a discount to retail price by placing orders on an as-needed basis based on the projected sales cycle of the underlying product. We typically commit to sales targets and sometimes minimum inventory requirements with our brand partners. In return, we often receive sales rebates from our brand partners. Toward the end of the term, we assess the underlying products’ performance and negotiate with the brand partners on the renewal of the agreement. We constantly optimize our brand partner and product portfolio based on our consumer data and analytics derived from the traffic and interactions on the online stores we operate, on third-party e-commerce platforms and the social media accounts operated by us.

We also provide value-added services to some of our brand partners under the service fee model. See “—Our Business Model and Services -Services” for details. We enter into separate service agreements with those brand partners for such services.

Brand Partner Development and Services

Brand partner screening and acquisition

We are highly selective in screening and choosing brand partners. We primarily focus on brands with global recognition, long and proven track records or leading positions in their respective market segments. We further screen potential brand partners by analyzing consumer behaviors, including their searches, inquiries and purchases, in the online flagship stores we operate on third-party e-commerce platforms. Such records reveal the latest trends in consumer demand, allowing us to constantly review and from time to time strategically select brands with products that address the needs of consumers in China. In addition, we identify brands with significant market potential based on our market insights with a view to developing them into our major brand partners. Brands are generally willing to consider partnering with us because of our valuable insights into consumer demand, which enables targeted marketing efforts that are more effective and efficient than conventional marketing efforts without the support of consumer data analytics. To optimize the use of our resources, we also from time to time terminate our partnership with certain brands whose products do not perform as expected.

Brand partner services

Each of our brand partners is assigned an operations team led by an experienced operations expert, who is responsible for managing our relationship with the brand partner and provides consultation on the brand partner’s needs. Based on such needs, we provide our brand partners with comprehensive tailored solutions that encompass growth strategies, marketing strategies, design and operation of online stores, online and offline marketing campaigns, consumer management, channel management and supply chain management.

Content Generation and Promotional Activities

Content Generation

As of December 31, 2021, we partnered with approximately 2,061 healthcare experts and KOLs to generate health and wellness content. These content generators, who receive a fixed fee from us, provide general advice on trending health and wellness topics and, based on product information from our brand partners, combine such advice with product recommendations. The generated content is then vetted by the relevant brand partner and processed by our 43-person contents team, comprising specialists in editing and website design and in-house licensed nutritionists, for publication. Such content is published as articles and short videos on various social media accounts we operate, and sometimes is provided to news and information outlets with embedded links to our online stores. Our contents team receives ongoing training from and supervision by our legal team, ensuring that the content generated complies with the relevant PRC laws and regulations.

54

Table of Contents

Online Promotional Activities

We operate online flagship stores on multiple e-commerce platforms. See “—Our Business Model and Services” for details. Our online presence is a crucial component of our sales and marketing strategy and consumer-centric ecosystem, and we use a number of methods to increase site traffic, including conducting sales promotions through the online flagship stores, paying for advertisements tied to certain health and wellness-related keywords on search engines and generating blogs and videos that increase our exposure to target consumers. In addition, we leverage our data analytics capabilities to conduct targeted marketing. See “—Technology Infrastructure” for details.

Offline Promotional Activities

We regularly engage in a range of offline promotional activities. To attract consumers, we host free healthcare presentations given by medical practitioners that are open to the public, and where samples of health and wellness products related to the presentation’s topic are given out for free. We also collaborate with brand partners to host pop-up stores. To attract more retailers, we host promotional presentations for our brand partners that are attended by their senior executives.

Fulfillment and Payment

From our years of experience in the cross-border and domestic e-commerce business, we have acquired significant know-how in managing the entire fulfillment process. We engage third-party warehousing and logistics service providers to ship the products we source from our brand partners to the warehouses we designate. We store our inventory in facilities occupying an aggregate floor area of approximately 46,000 square meters, comprising one self-operated warehouse in Wuhu, one warehouse that we lease and operate in Hangzhou and facilities operated by third-party warehousing and logistics service providers located in different cities in China and different countries, such as the United States. We monitor and adjust our inventory level on an ongoing basis based on our sales projections and the shipment schedule of our brand partners. In the case of cross-border e-commerce, we arrange bulk shipment from our brand partners’ overseas warehouses to cross-border bonded zones in China pending customs clearance. Once a consumer places an order and makes payment, we clear the products through customs, including making the necessary tax payment, and deliver the products to the consumer.

We deliver products purchased by consumers and retailers nationwide through 14 third-party couriers. We typically enter into annual service agreements with warehousing and logistics service providers and third-party couriers and assume risks of damage and loss not attributable to the service provider’s fault.

Technology Infrastructure

Our technology infrastructure is critical to our ability to serve consumers, including our data analytics capabilities. As of December 31, 2021, our technology and information technology team consisted of 19 employees, including core team members with extensive experience with e-commerce and Internet companies in China.

Central to our data analytics capabilities is our enterprise customer resource planning, or ECRP, system. The ECRP system retrieves orders placed by consumers directly with us and creates a profile for each consumer. To remove duplicate profiles across different channels, the ECRP system runs a check on IP addresses and contact information, such as mobile number and delivery address. Based on the order placed, each consumer profile is automatically assigned labels that enable targeted marketing.

Based on our consumers’ historical purchases and responses to our marketing messages, the ECRP system may assign each consumer numerous labels that differentiate their health and wellness needs, brand preferences, purchasing power and level of interest in our promotional activities. In addition, our data analysts monitor the sales data gathered by the ECRP system on an ongoing basis and identify trends in consumer demand.

We also license from third parties software programs that provide support for other aspects of our operations, including supply chain management, warehousing management and financial accounting. In addition, we are committed to ensuring the security and reliability of our technology infrastructure and safeguarding our data. We have adopted comprehensive cybersecurity and system back-up policies and regularly conduct internal audits on compliance with these policies. We intend to further invest in our technology infrastructure to support the growth of our business.

55

Table of Contents

Intellectual Property

We regard our trademarks, copyright, service marks, domain names, trade secrets, proprietary technologies and other intellectual property as critical to our success. To protect our proprietary rights in content, services and technology, we rely on trademark, copyright and trade secret protection laws in China. As of December 31, 2021, we owned 361 registered trademarks, including those relating to our “ECMOHO” brand name. As of the same date, we also owned 41 copyrights and six domain names in China and Hong Kong.

We use our brand partners’ names, logos and other marks in connection with marketing and selling their products. Some of our agreements with our brand partners provide us with licenses, typically coterminous with the agreement, to use their intellectual property for the said purposes; others require that we obtain the brand partner’s consent for specific uses of the brand partner’s intellectual property. We do not register our brand partners’ trademarks in China on their behalf.

Insurance

We provide social security insurance, including pension insurance, unemployment insurance, work-related injury insurance and medical insurance, for our employees. We have also obtained insurance to cover certain potential risks and liabilities, such as property damage. We do not maintain business interruption insurance, product liability insurance or key-man life insurance. We consider our insurance coverage sufficient for our business operations in China.

56

Table of Contents

Regulations Relating to Foreign Investment

Investment activities in the PRC by foreign investors and foreign-owned enterprises are principally governed by the Guidance Catalog of Industries for Foreign Investment, or the Catalog, which was first issued in 1995 and amended from time to time. The latest Catalog was promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, or the MOFCOM, and the National Development and Reform Commission, or the NDRC, on June 28, 2017 and became effective on July 28, 2017, and contains specific provisions governing market access of foreign capital and stipulates in details the areas of entry pertaining to the categories of encouraged industries for foreign investment, restricted industries for foreign investment and prohibited industries for foreign investment. The Special Administrative Measures for Access of Foreign Investments (2021 Edition) promulgated on December 27, 2021 and became effective on January 1, 2022, or the Negative List 2021, and the Catalog of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment (2020 Edition) promulgated on December 27, 2020 and became effective January 27, 2021, replaced the Catalog in its entirety. According to the current regulation, any industry not listed in the Negative List 2021 is a permitted industry and is generally open to foreign investment unless specifically prohibited or restricted by PRC laws and regulations. According to the Negative List 2021, foreign investment in value-added telecommunications service providers shall not exceed 50% (excluding e-commerce, domestic multi-party telecommunication, storage and forwarding business, and call center).

In order to coincide the implementation of the Foreign Investment Law (as defined below) and the Implementation Regulations (as defined below), the MOFCOM and the SAMR promulgated the Measures for Reporting of Information on Foreign Investment on December 30, 2019, which became effective from January 1, 2020. The Measures for Reporting of Information on Foreign Investment stipulates that foreign investors or foreign-invested enterprises, or the FIEs, shall submit investment information by submitting initial reports, change reports, cancellation reports, annual reports etc. through enterprise registration system and national enterprise credit information publicity system. The Announcement of the MOFCOM [2019] No. 62—Announcement on Matters Concerning the Reporting of Information on Foreign Investment promulgated by the MOFCOM on December 31, 2019 and the Circular of the SAMR on Effective Work on Registration of Foreign-invested Enterprises for the Implementation of the Foreign Investment Law promulgated by SAMR on December 28, 2019 further refine the related rules.

Foreign Investment Law

On March 15, 2019, the NPC promulgated the Foreign Investment Law, which became effective on January 1, 2020 and replaced the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Foreign Owned Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The organizational form, organization and activities of foreign-invested enterprises shall be governed, among others, by the PRC Company Law and the PRC Partnership Enterprise Law. Foreign-invested enterprises established before the implementation of the Foreign Investment Law may retain the original business organization within five years after the implementation of the Foreign Investment Law. The Foreign Investment Law mainly stipulates four forms of foreign investments: (1) a foreign investor, individually or collectively with other investors, establishes a foreign-invested enterprise within PRC; (2) a foreign investor acquires stock shares, equity shares, interests in assets, or other like rights and interests of an enterprise within PRC; (3) a foreign investor, individually or collectively with other investors, invests in a new project within the PRC; and (4) foreign investors invest in the PRC through any other methods under laws, administrative regulations, or provisions prescribed by the State Council of the PRC. It does not mention the relevant concept and regulatory regime of VIE structures, and uncertainties still exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation

On December 26, 2019, the State Council promulgated the Implementation Regulations on the Foreign Investment Law, or the Implementation Regulations, which became effective on January 1, 2020. The Implementation Regulations strictly implements the legislative principles and purpose of the Foreign Investment Law, emphasizes on the promotion and protection of the foreign investment and refines the specific measures. On the same date, the Supreme People’s Court issued the Interpretation on the Application of the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, which also came into effect on January 1, 2020. This interpretation shall apply to any contractual dispute arising from the acquisition of the relevant rights and interests by a foreign investor by way of gift, division of property, merger of enterprises, division of enterprises, etc.

57

Table of Contents

Regulations Relating to Value-added Telecommunications Services

Foreign Investment in Value-Added Telecommunications

Foreign direct investment in telecommunications companies in China is regulated by the Administrative Provisions of Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises, or the FITE Regulations, which were issued by the State Council on December 11, 2001 and amended on September 10, 2008 and February 6, 2016. The FITE Regulations stipulate that a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise in the PRC, or the FITE, must be established as a Sino-foreign equity joint venture for operations in the PRC. Under the FITE Regulations and in accordance with WTO-related agreements, the foreign party investing in a FITE engaging in value-added telecommunications services may hold up to 50% of the ultimate equity interests of the FITE. In addition, the major foreign party to be the shareholder of the FITE must satisfy a number of stringent performance and operational experience requirements, including demonstrating a good track record and experience in operating a value-added telecommunications business. The FITE that meets these requirements must obtain approvals from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT, and the MOFCOM or their authorized local branches, which retain considerable discretion in granting approvals. Furthermore, the foreign party investing in e-commerce business, as a type of value-added telecommunications services, has been allowed to hold up to 100% of the ultimate equity interests of the FITE based on the Circular of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Removing the Restrictions on Shareholding Ratio Held by Foreign Investors in Online Data Processing and Transaction Processing (Operating E-commerce) Business issued on June 19, 2015 and the current effective Catalog of Telecommunications Services, or the Telecom Catalog.

On July 13, 2006, the Ministry of Information Industry of the PRC, or the MII, which is the predecessor of the MIIT, promulgated the Notice of the Ministry of Information Industry on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in Value-added Telecommunications Services, or the MII Notice, which reiterates certain requirements of the FITE Regulations and strengthens the administration by the MII. Under the MII Notice, if a foreign investor intends to invest in PRC value-added telecommunications business, the FITE must be established to apply for the relevant telecommunications business licenses. In addition, a domestic company that holds a license for the provision of value-added telecommunications services is prohibited from leasing, transferring or selling the license to foreign investors in any form, and from providing any assistance, including providing resources, sites or facilities, to foreign investors to conduct value-added telecommunications businesses illegally in China. Trademarks and domain names that are used under the provision of value-added telecommunications services must be owned by the license holder or its shareholders. The MII Notice also requires that each value-added telecommunications services license holder have appropriate facilities for its approved business operations and to maintain such facilities in the business regions covered by its license. The value-added telecommunications services license holder shall perfect relevant measures for safeguarding the network and information, establish relevant administrative system for information safety, set up the procedures for handling emergencies of network and information safety and implement the liabilities of information safety.

Telecommunications Regulations

The Telecommunications Regulations of the People’s Republic of China, or the Telecom Regulations, promulgated on September 25, 2000 and amended on July 29, 2014 and February 6, 2016, are the primary PRC laws governing telecommunications services, and set out the general framework for the provision of telecommunications services by domestic PRC companies. The Telecom Regulations require that telecommunications services providers shall obtain operating licenses prior to commencing operations. The Telecom Regulations draw a distinction between basic telecommunications services and value-added telecommunications services. The Telecom Catalog, issued by the MII, as an attachment to the Telecom Regulations, and amended by the MIIT on December 28, 2015 and June 6, 2019, identifies Internet information services and online data processing and transaction processing as value-added telecommunications services.

On July 3, 2017, the MIIT issued the revised Administrative Measures for the Licensing of Telecommunications Business, or the Telecom License Measures, which became effective in September 1, 2017, to supplement the Telecom Regulations. The Telecom License Measures require that an operator of value-added telecommunications services obtain a value-added telecommunications business operating license from the MIIT or its provincial level counterparts. The term of a value-added telecommunications business license is five years and subject to annual inspection.

58

Table of Contents

Internet Information Services

On September 25, 2000, the State Council promulgated the Measures for the Administration of Internet Information Services, or the ICP Measures, as amended on January 8, 2011. Under the ICP Measures, the Internet information service is categorized into commercial Internet information services and non-commercial Internet services. The operators of non-commercial Internet information services must file with relevant governmental authorities and operators of commercial Internet information services in China must obtain a license for Internet information provision, or the ICP License, from the relevant governmental authorities, and the provision of particular information services, such as news, publishing, education, healthcare, medicine and medical device, and must also comply with relevant laws and regulations and obtain the approval from competent governmental authorities.

Internet information service providers are required to monitor their websites. They may not post or disseminate any content that falls within prohibited categories provided by laws or administrative regulations and must stop providing any such content on their websites. The PRC government may order ICP License holders that violate the content restrictions to correct those violations and revoke their ICP Licenses under serious conditions.

The MIIT released the Circular on Regulating the Use of Domain Names in Internet Information Services on November 27, 2017, effective from January 1, 2018, which provides that the domain names used by the Internet information service provider in providing Internet information services shall be registered and owned by such Internet information service provider, and if the Internet information service provider is a legal entity, the domain name registrant shall be the legal entity (or any of its shareholders), or its principal or senior manager.

Mobile Internet Applications Information Services

On June 28, 2016, the Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC, promulgated the Administrative Provisions on Mobile Internet Applications Information Services, or the APP Provisions, which became effective on August 1, 2016. Under the APP Provisions, mobile application providers are prohibited from engaging in any activity that may endanger national security, disturb the social order, or infringe the legal rights of third parties, and may not produce, copy, issue or disseminate through Internet mobile applications any content prohibited by laws and regulations. The APP Provisions also require application providers to procure relevant qualifications required by laws and regulations to provide services through such applications and require application store service providers to file with local branches of the CAC within 30 days after they start providing application store services. On January 5, 2022, the CAC further promulgated the Circular of the Cyberspace Administration of China on Seeking Public Comments on the Administrative Provisions on Mobile Internet Applications Information Services (Draft for Comment), or the Draft APP Provisions. Under the Draft APP Provisions, the application distribution platform shall file with local branches of the CAC within 30 days after they start providing application distribution services. For the purpose of the Draft APP Provisions, engaging in application distribution services refers to activities that provide users with services such as application release, download, and dynamic loading through the Internet, including application stores, quick applications, Internet applets, browser plug-ins and other platform distribution services.

Furthermore, on December 16, 2016, the MIIT promulgated the Interim Measures on the Administration of Pre-installation and Distribution of Applications for Mobile Smart Terminals, which took effect on July 1, 2017. It requires, among others, that Internet information service providers should ensure that a mobile application, as well as its ancillary resource files, configuration files and user data can be uninstalled by a user on a convenient basis, unless it is a basic function software, which refers to a software that supports the normal functioning of hardware and operating system of a mobile smart device.

59

Table of Contents

Regulations Relating to Medical Devices Operation and Service

Medical Devices Operation

According to the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Medical Devices, which was promulgated by the State Council on January 4, 2000 and most recently amended on February 9, 2021, and the Measures on the Supervision and Administration of the Business Operations of Medical Devices, which was promulgated by the State Food and Drug Administration, or the SFDA, the predecessor of the China Food and Drug Administration, or the CFDA (the predecessor of the NMPA), on July 30, 2014 and amended on November 17, 2017 and other relevant laws and regulations, business operations of medical devices are regulated based on the degree of risks involving the medical devices, which are divided into three categories. Operation of Class I medical devices does not require a license or record-filing, while operations of Class II medical devices and Class III medical devices are subject to record-filing and licensing requirements, respectively. An entity engaging in the operation of medical devices shall meet certain requirements with respect to its management system, personnel, facilities, etc., and shall apply for approval to operate Class III medical devices and make record-filing with relevant governmental authority to operate Class II medical devices. The valid term of a medical devices operation permit is five years.

On March 10, 2022, the SAMR promulgated the revised Measures on the Supervision and Administration of the Business Operations of Medical Devices, or the New Measures of Medical Devices Operation, which will become effective on May 1, 2022. The New Measures of Medical Devices Operation further strengthens the responsibility of the enterprise regarding medical device quality and pays more attention to the quality management of the entire process of operation.

Regulations Relating to Online Operation of Drugs and Medical Devices

Internet Drug Information Service

The Administrative Measures for Internet Drug Information Service, or the Internet Drug Measures, was promulgated by the SFDA on July 8, 2004 and amended by the CFDA on November 17, 2017, pursuant to which the Internet drug information service means service activities of providing online users with drug (including medical device) information via Internet and is divided into commercial Internet drug information services and non-commercial Internet drug information services. The website operator that provides drugs (including medical devices) information services must obtain an Internet Drug Information Service Qualification Certificate from the competent counterpart of the CFDA. The valid term for an Internet Drug Information Service Qualification Certificate is five years and may be renewed at least six months prior to its expiration date upon a re-examination by the relevant governmental authorities.

Furthermore, as requested by Internet Drug Measures, the information relating to drugs shall be accurate and scientific in nature, and its provision shall comply with the relevant laws and regulations. No product information of narcotic drugs, psychotropic drugs, medicinal toxic drugs, radiopharmaceutical, detoxification drugs and pharmaceutics made by medical institutes shall be published on the website. In addition, advertisements relating to drugs (including medical devices) shall be approved by the CFDA or its competent counterparts.

Online Sales of Medical Device

Under PRC laws and regulations, the medical devices are allowed to be sold online in general.

On December 20, 2017, the CFDA promulgated the Measures for the Administration and Supervision of Online Sales of Medical Devices, or the Online Medical Devices Sales Measures, which became effective on March 1, 2018. According to the Online Medical Devices Sales Measures, enterprises engaged in online sales of medical devices must be medical device manufacture and operation enterprises that have obtained a medical devices production license or operation license or have been filed for record, unless such licenses or record-filing is not required by laws and regulations, and the third-party platform for provision of online medical devices transaction services shall obtain an Internet Drug Information Service Qualification Certificate. Enterprises engaged in online sales of medical devices and providers of third-party platforms providing online trading service for medical devices shall take technical measures to ensure that the data and materials of online sales of medical devices are authentic, complete and traceable, for example, the records of sales information of medical devices shall be kept for two years after the lifetime of the medical devices, and for no less than five years in case of no lifetime limit, or be kept permanently in case of implanted medical devices.

60

Table of Contents

Regulations Relating to Online Trading and E-Commerce

On January 26, 2014, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or the SAIC, the predecessor of the General Office of the SAMR, promulgated the Administrative Measures for Online Trading, or the Online Trading Measures, which became effective on March 15, 2014, to regulate all operating activities for product sales and services provision via the Internet (including mobile Internet). It stipulates the obligations of online products operators and services providers and certain special requirements applicable to third-party platform operators. On March 15, 2021, the SAMR promulgated the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Online Transactions, or the Online Transactions Measures, which became effective on May 1, 2021 and replaced the Online Trading Measures. The Online Transactions Measures regulates business activities of selling commodities or providing services through the network and the supervision and administration activities of the market supervision and administration departments. The business activities of selling commodities or providing services in information network activities such as online social networking and online live broadcasting also apply to the Online Transactions Measures. Furthermore, the MOFCOM promulgated the Provisions on the Procedures for Formulating Transaction Rules of Third-Party Online Retail Platforms (Trial) on December 24, 2014, which became effective on April 1, 2015, to guide and regulate the formulation, revision and enforcement of transaction rules by online retail third-party platform operators. These measures impose more stringent requirements and obligations on third-party platform operators. For example, third-party platform operators are obligated to make public and file their transaction rules with MOFCOM or their respective provincial counterparts, examine and register the legal status of each third-party merchant selling products or services on their platforms and display on a prominent location on a merchant’s webpage the information stated in the merchant’s business license or a link to its business license. Where third-party platform operators also conduct self-operation of products or services on the platform, these third-party platform operators must make a clear distinction between their online direct sales and sales of third-party merchant products on their third-party platforms to avoid misleading the consumers.

After the issuance of Online Trading Measures, relevant authorities have issued a number of guidelines and implementing rules aimed at adding greater specificity to these regulations and continues to consider and issue guidelines and implementing rules in this industry.

For example, the Ministry of Finance, or the MOF, the General Administration of Customs, or the GAC, and the SAT issued the Circular on Tax Policy for Cross-Border E-commerce Retail Imports on March 24, 2016, which became effective on April 8, 2016 and the Circular on Improving Tax Policies for Cross-Border E-commerce Retail Imports on November 29, 2018, which became effective on January 1, 2019, to regulate cross-border e-commerce trading and introduced the concept of the List of Imported Commodities Retailed through Cross-Border E-commerce, or the Cross-Border E-Commerce Goods List, which has been issued and updated by the three authorities together with other relevant authorities from time to time. The Cross-Border E-Commerce Goods List has been recently updated on March 1, 2022. The Circular on Improving the Regulation of Cross-border E-commerce Retail Imports was issued by the MOFCOM, the NDRC, the MOF, the GAC, the SAT and the SAMR on November 28, 2018 to further implement the rules and pursuant to which, qualified retail imported goods on cross-border e-commerce platforms shall be treated as personal items which are not subject to stricter regulations and higher tax rates applicable to normal imported goods in 37 cross-border e-commerce trial cities.

On August 31, 2018, the SCNPC promulgated the E-Commerce Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the E-Commerce Law, which took effect on January 1, 2019. The promulgation of the E-Commerce Law established the basic legal framework for the development of China’s E-Commerce business and clarified the obligations of the operators of E-Commerce platforms and the possible legal consequences if operators of E-commerce platforms are found to be in violation of legally prescribed obligations. For example, pursuant to the E-Commerce Law, an operator of an E-commerce platform shall give appropriate reminders to and provide convenience for the operators on its platform who have not completed the formalities for the registration of market entities to complete such formalities. Also, an operator of an E-commerce platform is legally obligated to verify and register the information of the business operators on its platform, prepare emergency plans in response to possible cyber security incidents, keep the transaction information for no less than three years from the date on which the transaction has been completed, establish rules on the protection of intellectual property rights and conform to the principle of openness, fairness and justice. Violation of the provisions of the E-Commerce Law may entail being ordered to make corrections within a prescribed period of time, confiscation of gains illegally obtained, fines, suspension of business, inclusion of such violations in the credit records and possible civil liabilities.

61

Table of Contents

Regulations Relating to Food Business

The Food Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China, which was effective as from June 1, 2009 and amended by the SCNPC on April 24, 2015, December 29, 2018, April 29, 2021 and became effective on the same date, and the Implementation Regulations of the Food Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China, which took effect as from July 20, 2009 and were amended by the State Council on February 6, 2016 and October 11, 2019, regulate food safety and set up a system of the supervision and administration of food safety and adopt food safety standards. The State Council implements a licensing system for the food production and transaction. To engage in food production, sale or catering services, the business operator shall obtain a license in accordance with the laws. Furthermore, the State Council implements strict supervision and administration for special categories of foods such as healthcare foods, formula foods for special medical purposes and infant formula foods.

The Administrative Measures for Food Operation Licensing, promulgated by the CFDA on August 31, 2015 and amended on November 17, 2017, regulates the food business licensing activities, strengthens the supervision and management of food business and ensures food safety. Food business operators shall obtain one Food Business License for one business venue where they engage in food business activities. The valid term of a food business license is five years.

According to the Administration Measures of Health-care Food Products issued by the Ministry of Health, or the MOH, on March 15, 1996, any food claimed to have the effect of healthcare must be identified by the MOH.

Regulations Relating to Product Quality and Consumers’ Protection

According to the Product Quality Law of the People’s Republic of China, which was effective as from September 1, 1993 and amended by the SCNPC on July 8, 2000, August 27, 2009 and December 29, 2018, products for sale must satisfy relevant safety standards and sellers shall adopt measures to maintain the quality of products for sale. Sellers may not mix impurities or imitations into products, or pass counterfeit goods off as genuine ones, or defective products as good ones or substandard products as standard ones. For sellers, any violation of state or industrial standards for health and safety or other requirements may result in civil liabilities and administrative penalties, such as compensation for damages, fines, confiscation of products illegally manufactured or sold and the proceeds from the sales of such products illegally manufactured or sold and even revoking business license; in addition, severe violations may subject the responsible individual or enterprise to criminal liabilities.

According to the Consumers Rights and Interests Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Consumers Rights and Interests Protection Law, which became effective on January 1, 1994 and was amended by the SCNPC on August 27, 2009 and October 25, 2013, business operators should guarantee that the products and services they provide satisfy the requirements for personal or property safety, and provide consumers with authentic information about the quality, function, usage and term of validity of the products or services. The consumers whose interests have been damaged due to the products or services that they purchase or accept on the Internet trading platforms may claim damages to sellers or service providers. Where the operators of the online trading platforms are unable to provide the real names, addresses and valid contact details of the sellers or service providers, the consumers may also claim damages to the operators of the online trading platforms. Operators of online trading platforms that clearly knew or should have known that sellers or service providers use their platforms to infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of consumers but fail to take necessary measures, must bear joint and several liabilities with the sellers or service providers. Moreover, if business operators deceive consumers or knowingly sell substandard or defective products, they should not only compensate consumers for their losses, but also pay additional damages equal to three times the price of the goods or services.

On January 6, 2017, the SAIC issued the Interim Measures for Seven-day Unconditional Return of Online Purchased Goods, which became effective on March 15, 2017 and amended by the SAMR on October 23, 2020, further clarifying the scope of consumers’ rights to make returns without a reason, including exceptions, return procedures and online trading platform operators’ responsibility to formulate seven-day unconditional return rules and related consumer protection systems, and supervise the merchants for compliance with these rules.

62

Table of Contents

Regulations Relating to Pricing

In China, the prices of a very small number of products and services are guided or fixed by the government. According to the Pricing Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Pricing Law, promulgated by the SCNPC on December 29, 1997 and became effective on May 1, 1998, business operators must, as required by the government departments in charge of pricing, mark the prices explicitly and indicate the name, origin of production, specifications and other related particulars clearly. Business operators may not sell products at a premium or charge any fees that are not explicitly indicated. Business operators must not commit the specified unlawful pricing activities, such as colluding with others to manipulate the market price, using false or misleading prices to deceive consumers to transact, or conducting price discrimination against other business operators. Failure to comply with the Pricing Law may subject business operators to administrative sanctions such as warning, ceasing unlawful activities, compensation, confiscating illegal gains and fines. The business operators may be ordered to suspend business for rectification or have their business licenses revoked under severe circumstances.

Regulations Relating to Management of Importing Goods

According to the Customs Law of the People’s Republic of China, promulgated by the SCNPC on January 22, 1987, most recently amended on April 29, 2021, and became effective on the same date, unless otherwise provided for, the declaration of import or export commodities and the payment of duties may be made by the consignees or consigners themselves, and such formalities may also be completed by their entrusted customs brokers that have registered with the Customs. The consignees and consignors for imported or exported commodities and the customs brokers engaged in customs declaration shall register with the Customs for their declaration activities in accordance with the laws. The declaration of inward and outward articles and payment of duties on them may be made by the owners of the articles themselves or by the persons they have entrusted with the work.

According to the Foreign Trade Law of the People’s Republic of China, promulgated by the SCNPC on May 12, 1994, amended on April 6, 2004 and November 7, 2016, and effective as from November 7, 2016, and the Measures for the Archival Filing and Registration of Foreign Trade Business Operators, promulgated by the MOFCOM on June 25, 2004 and became effective on July 1, 2004 and further revised on August 18, 2016, November 30, 2019, and May 10, 2021, foreign trade operators engaged in goods or technology import and export shall go through the registration for record formalities with the MOFCOM or its entrusted institutions, except for those that are exempted from the registration for record formalities in accordance with the laws, administrative regulations and the rules of the MOFCOM. Customs will decline to carry out customs clearance and inspection procedures for the import and export of goods for operators that fail to go through the registration for record formalities.

Pursuant to the Notice of the Ministry of Commerce on Relevant Issues Concerning the Filing and Registration of Right to Foreign Trade of Foreign-invested Enterprises issued by the MOFCOM on August 17, 2004 and effective as of the same date, any FIEs established after July 1, 2004 that engage in import or export of self-use or self-produced goods and technologies of this enterprise need not go through the registration for record formalities for foreign trade operators.

The principal regulations on the inspection of import and export of commodities are set out in the Import and Export Commodity Inspection Law of the People’s Republic of China promulgated by the SCNPC on February 21, 1989 and amended on April 28, 2002, June 29, 2013, April 27, 2018, December 29, 2018, and April 29, 2021, and its implementation rules. According to the aforesaid laws and regulations, the imported and exported commodities that are subject to compulsory inspection listed in the catalog compiled by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the PRC shall be inspected by the commodity inspection authorities, and the imported and exported commodities that are not subject to statutory inspection shall be subject to random inspection. Consignees and consignors or their entrusted agents shall apply for inspection to the commodity inspection authorities.

Pursuant to the Administrative Measures for the Import and Export of Goods of the People’s Republic of China which were issued by the State Council on December 10, 2001 and became effective on January 1, 2002, the PRC government implements a unified administrative system for the import and export of goods, which allows free import and export of goods and maintains the fairness and orderliness of the import and export of goods according to law. Unless clearly provided in laws and administrative regulations that the import or export of goods is forbidden or restricted, no entity or individual may establish or maintain prohibitive or restrictive measures over the import and export of goods.

63

Table of Contents

Regulations Relating to Leasing

Pursuant to the Law on Administration of Urban Real Estate of the People’s Republic of China promulgated by the SCNPC on July 5, 1994, amended on August 30, 2007, August 27, 2009 and August 26, 2019, and which took effect on January 1, 2020, when leasing premises, the lessor and lessee are required to enter into a written lease contract, containing such provisions as the leasing term, use of the premises, rental and repair liabilities, and other rights and obligations of both parties. Both lessor and lessee are also required to register the lease with the real estate administration department. If the lessor and lessee fail to go through the registration procedures, both lessor and lessee may be subject to fines.

According to the PRC Civil Code promulgated by the NPC on May 28, 2020 and effective from January 1, 2021, the lessee may sublease the leased premises to a third party, subject to the consent of the lessor. Where the lessee subleases the premises, the lease contract between the lessee and the lessor remains valid. The lessor is entitled to terminate the lease contract if the lessee subleases the premises without the consent of the lessor. In addition, if the lessor transfers the premises, the lease contract between the lessee and the lessor will still remain valid.

Meanwhile, pursuant to the PRC Civil Code, if a mortgagor leases the mortgaged property before the mortgage contract is executed, the previously established leasehold interest will not be affected by the subsequent mortgage, and where a mortgagor leases the mortgaged property after the creation and registration of the mortgage interest, the leasehold interest will be subordinated to the registered mortgage.

Regulations Relating to Advertising

In 1994, the SCNPC promulgated the Advertising Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Advertising Law, which was most recently revised on April 29, 2021 and became effective on the same date. The Advertising Law regulates commercial advertising activities in the PRC and sets out the obligations of advertisers, advertising operators, advertising publishers and advertisement endorser, and prohibits any advertisement from containing any obscenity, pornography, gambling, superstition, terrorism or violence-related content. Any advertiser in violation of such requirements on advertisement content will be ordered to cease publishing such advertisements and imposed a fine ranging from RMB200,000 to RMB1,000,000; in severe circumstances, the business license of such advertiser may be revoked, and the relevant authorities may revoke the approval document for advertisement examination and refuse to accept applications submitted by such advertiser for one year. In addition, any advertising operator or advertising publisher in violation of such requirements will be imposed a fine ranging from RMB200,000 to RMB1,000,000, and the advertisement fee received will be confiscated; in severe circumstances, the business license of such advertising operator or advertising publisher may be revoked.

The Interim Measures for the Administration of Internet Advertising, or the Internet Advertising Measures, regulating the Internet-based advertising activities, were adopted by the SAIC on July 4, 2016 and became effective on September 1, 2016. According to the Internet Advertising Measures, Internet advertisers are responsible for the authenticity of the advertisements content and all online advertisements must be marked “Advertisement” so that viewers can easily identify them as such. Publishing and circulating advertisements through the Internet shall not affect the normal use of the Internet by users. It is not allowed to induce users to click on the content of advertisements by any fraudulent means, or to attach advertisements or advertising links in the emails without permission.

The Interim Administrative Measures for the Examination of Advertisements for Drugs, Medical Devices, Health Food and Formula Food for Special Medical Purposes, released by the SAMR on December 24, 2019 and which became effective on March 1, 2020, stipulates that advertisements for drugs, medical devices, health food and formula food for special medical purposes shall be examined and approved by market regulation departments or drug administrative departments at provincial level.

64

Table of Contents

Regulations Relating to Internet Information Security and Privacy Protection

PRC governmental authorities have enacted laws and regulations with respect to Internet information security and protection of personal information from any abuse or unauthorized disclosure, and which includes the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on Internet Security Protection enacted and amended by the SCNPC on December 28, 2000 and August 27, 2009, respectively, the Provisions on the Technical Measures for Internet Security Protection issued by the Ministry of Public Security on December 13, 2005 and took effect on March 1, 2006, the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on Strengthening Network Information Protection promulgated by the SCNPC on December 28, 2012, the Several Provisions on Regulating the Market Order of Internet Information Services promulgated by the MIIT on December 29, 2011, and the Provisions on Protection of Personal Information of Telecommunication and Internet Users, or the Personal Information Provisions, released by the MIIT on July 16, 2013. Internet information in China is regulated and restricted from a national security standpoint.

The Personal Information Provisions regulate the collection and use of users’ personal information in the provision of telecommunications services and Internet information services in the PRC. Telecommunication business operators and Internet service providers are required to institute and disclose their own rules for the collecting and use of users’ information. Telecommunication business operators and Internet service providers must specify the purposes, manners and scopes of information collection and uses, obtain consent of the relevant citizens, and keep the collected personal information confidential. Telecommunication business operators and Internet service providers are prohibited from disclosing, tampering with, damaging, selling or illegally providing others with, collected personal information. Telecommunication business operators and Internet service providers are required to take technical and other measures to prevent the collected personal information from any unauthorized disclosure, damage or loss. Once users terminate the use of telecommunications services or Internet information services, telecommunications business operators and Internet information service providers shall stop the collection and use of the personal information of users and provide the users with services for deregistering their account numbers.

The Personal Information Provisions further define the personal information of user to include user name, birth date, identification number, address, phone number, account number, passcode, and other information that may be used to identify the user independently or in combination with other information and the timing, places, etc. of the use of services by the users. Furthermore, according to the Interpretations on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in the Handling of Criminal Cases Involving Infringement of Citizens’ Personal Information, or the Interpretations, issued by the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate on May 8, 2017 and which took effect on June 1, 2017, personal information means various information recorded electronically or through other manners, which may be used to identify individuals or activities of individuals, including, but not limited to, the name, identification number, contact information, address, user account number and passcode, property ownership and whereabouts.

On November 1, 2015, the Ninth Amendment to the Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China issued by the SCNPC became effective, pursuant to which, any Internet service provider that fails to comply with obligations related to Internet information security administration as required by applicable laws and refuses to rectify upon order is subject to criminal penalty for (i) any large-scale dissemination of illegal information; (ii) any severe consequences due to the leakage of the user information; (iii) any serious loss of criminal evidence; or (iv) other severe circumstances. Furthermore, any individual or entity that (i) sells or distributes personal information in a manner which violates relevant regulations, or (ii) steals or illegally obtains any personal information is subject to criminal penalty in severe circumstances.

65

Table of Contents

Cyber Security Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Cyber Security Law, was promulgated by SCNPC on November 7, 2016 and took effect on June 1, 2017, which is formulated to maintain the network security, safeguard the cyberspace sovereignty, national security and public interests, protect the lawful rights and interests of citizens, legal persons and other organizations, and requires that a network operator, which includes, among others, Internet information services providers, take technical measures and other necessary measures to safeguard the safe and stable operation of the networks, effectively respond to the network security incidents, prevent illegal and criminal activities, and maintain the integrity, confidentiality and availability of network data. The Cyber Security Law reaffirms the basic principles and requirements set forth in other existing laws and regulations on personal information protections and strengthens the obligations and requirements of Internet service providers, which include, but are not limited to: (i) keeping all user information collected strictly confidential and setting up a comprehensive user information protection system; (ii) abiding by the principles of legality, rationality and necessity in the collection and use of user information and disclosure of the rules, purposes, methods and scopes of collection and use of user information; and (iii) protecting users’ personal information from being leaked, tampered with, destroyed or provided to third parties. Any violation of the provisions and requirements under the Cyber Security Law and other related regulations and rules may result in administrative liabilities such as warnings, fines, confiscation of illegal gains, revocation of licenses, suspension of business, and shutting down of websites, or, in severe cases, criminal liabilities. After the release of the Cyber Security Law, on May 2, 2017, the CAC issued the Measures for Security Reviews of Network Products and Services (Trial), which was later replaced by the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, or the Review Measures, which was promulgated by the CAC and other relevant authorities on April 13, 2020, amended on December 28, 2021 and became effective on February 15, 2022. The Review Measures establish the basic framework and principle for national security reviews of network products and services. Pursuant to the current Review Measures, the scope of review under the Review Measures extends to critical information infrastructure operators that intend to purchase internet products and services and data processing operators engaging in data processing activities, which affect or may affect national security.

On August 22, 2019, the CAC promulgated the Provisions on the Cyber Protection of Children’s Personal Information, which became effective on October 1, 2019, requiring that before collecting, using, transferring or disclosing the personal information of a child, the Internet service operator should inform the child’s guardians in a noticeable and clear manner and obtain their consents. Meanwhile, Internet service operators should take measures like encryption when storing children’s personal information.

The recommended national standard, the Information Security Technology Personal Information Security Specification, puts forward specific refinement requirements on the collection, preservation, use and commission processing, sharing, transfer, public disclosure, etc. Although it is not mandatory, in the absence of clear implementation rules and standards for the law on cybersecurity and other personal information protection, it will be used as the basis for judging and making determinations. On November 28, 2019, the Notice of Identification Method of Application Illegal Collection and Use of Personal Information was issued, which provides a reference for the identification of App’s illegal collection and use of personal information, and provides guidance for App operators’ self-inspection and self-correction and netizens’ social supervision.

On November 14, 2021, the CAC released the Regulations on the Network Data Security (Draft for Comments), or the Draft Regulations. The Draft Regulations provide that data processors refer to individuals or organizations that determine the purpose and the manner of processing data. In accordance with the Draft Regulations, data processors shall apply for a cybersecurity review for the following activities: (1) merger, reorganization or division of Internet platform operators that have acquired a large number of data resources related to national security, economic development or public interests to the extent that affects or may affect national security; (2) overseas listing of data processors which process over one million users’ personal information; (3) listing in Hong Kong which affects or may affect national security; or (4) other data processing activities that affect or may affect national security. Besides, data processors that are listed overseas shall carry out an annual data security assessment.

On August 20, 2021, the SCNPC promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law which took effect on November 1, 2021. The Personal Information Protection Law requires, among others, that (1) the processing of personal information should have a clear and reasonable purpose which should be directly related to the processing, in a method that has the least impact on personal rights and interests, and (2) the collection of personal information should be limited to the minimum scope necessary to achieve the processing purpose to avoid the excessive collection of personal information. Different types of personal information and personal information processing will be subject to various rules on consent, transfer, and security. Entities handling personal information shall bear responsibilities for their personal information handling activities and adopt necessary measures to safeguard the security of the personal information that they handle. The entities failing to comply could be ordered to correct, or suspend or terminate the provision of services, and face confiscation of illegal income, fines or other penalties.

66

Table of Contents

Regulations Relating to Intellectual Property

China has adopted comprehensive legislation governing intellectual property rights, including copyrights, trademarks, patents and domain names. China is a signatory to the primary international conventions on intellectual property rights and has been a member of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights since its accession to the World Trade Organization in December 2001.

Copyright

On September 7, 1990, the SCNPC promulgated the Copyright Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Copyright Law, effective on June 1, 1991, which was amended on October 27, 2001, February 26, 2010, and November 11, 2020, respectively, with the latest amendment took effect on June 1, 2021. The amended Copyright Law extends copyright protection to Internet activities, products disseminated over the Internet and software products. In addition, there is a voluntary registration system administered by the Copyright Protection Center of China.

Under the Regulations on the Protection of the Right to Network Dissemination of Information which was promulgated by the State Council on May 18, 2006, amended on January 30, 2013 and became effective on March 1, 2013, it is further provided that an Internet information service provider may be held liable under various situations, including that if it knows or should reasonably have known a copyright infringement through the Internet and the service provider fails to take measures to remove or block or disconnect links to the relevant content, or, although not aware of the infringement, the Internet information service provider fails to take such measures upon receipt of the copyright holder’s notice of such infringement.

In order to further implement the Regulations on Computer Software Protection, promulgated by the State Council on December 20, 2001 and amended on January 8, 2011 and January 30, 2013, respectively, the National Copyright Administration issued the Measures for the Registration of Computer Software Copyright on February 20, 2002, which specify detailed procedures and requirements with respect to the registration of software copyrights.

Trademark

According to the Trademark Law of the People’s Republic of China promulgated by the SCNPC on August 23, 1982, and amended on February 22, 1993, October 27, 2001, August 30, 2013 and April 23, 2019, respectively, the Trademark Office of the China National Intellectual Property Administration is responsible for the registration and administration of trademarks in China. The China National Intellectual Property Administration is responsible for resolving trademark disputes. Registered trademarks are valid for ten years from the date the registration is approved. A registrant may apply to renew a registration within twelve months before the expiration date of the registration. If the registrant fails to apply in a timely manner, a grace period of six additional months may be granted. If the registrant fails to apply before the grace period expires, the registered trademark shall be deregistered. Renewed registrations are valid for ten years. On April 29, 2014, the State Council issued the revised Implementing Regulations of the Trademark Law of the People’s Republic of China, which specified the requirements of applying for trademark registration and renewal.

Patent

According to the Patent Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Patent Law, promulgated by the SCNPC on March 12, 1984 and amended on September 4, 1992, August 25, 2000, December 27, 2008 and October 17, 2020, respectively, and the Implementation Rules of the Patent Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Implementation Rules of the Patent Law, promulgated by the State Council on June 15, 2001 and revised on December 28, 2002 and January 9, 2010, the patent administrative department under the State Council is responsible for the administration of patent-related work nationwide and the patent administration departments of provincial or autonomous regions or municipal governments are responsible for administering patents within their respective administrative areas. The Patent Law and Implementation Rules of the Patent Law provide for three types of patents, namely “inventions,” “utility models” and “designs”. Invention patents are valid for twenty years, while utility model patents and design patents are valid for ten years, from the date of application. The Chinese patent system adopts a “first come, first file” principle, which means that where more than one person files a patent application for the same invention, a patent will be granted to the person who files the application first. An invention or a utility model must possess novelty, inventiveness and practical applicability to be patentable. Third Parties must obtain consent or a proper license from the patent owner to use the patent. Otherwise, the unauthorized use constitutes an infringement on the patent rights.

67

Table of Contents

Domain Names

On August 24, 2017, the MIIT promulgated the Administrative Measures for Internet Domain Names, or the Domain Name Measures, which became effective on November 1, 2017. Under the Domain Name Measures, any entity that engages in internet information services shall use its domain name in compliance with laws and regulations and in line with relevant provisions of the telecommunications authority, but shall not use its domain name to commit any act of violation of laws, regulations and provisions.

Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange

The principal regulations governing foreign currency exchange in China are the Administrative Regulations on Foreign Exchange of the People’s Republic of China, or the Foreign Exchange Administrative Regulation, which was promulgated by the State Council on January 29, 1996, which became effective on April 1, 1996 and was subsequently amended on January 14, 1997 and August 5, 2008, respectively, and the Administrative Regulations on Foreign Exchange Settlement, Sales and Payment which was promulgated by the People’s Bank of China, or the PBOC, on June 20, 1996 and became effective on July 1, 1996. Under these regulations, payments of current account items, such as profit distributions and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from State Foreign Exchange Administration of the People’s Republic of China, or the SAFE, by complying with certain procedural requirements. By contrast, approval from or registration with appropriate governmental authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital account items such as the repayment of foreign currency-denominated loans, direct investment overseas and investments in securities or derivative products outside of the PRC. FIEs are permitted to convert their after-tax dividends into foreign exchange and to remit such foreign exchange out of their foreign exchange bank accounts in the PRC.

On March 30, 2015, SAFE promulgated the Notice on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or the SAFE Circular 19, which took effect on June 1, 2015. According to SAFE Circular 19, the foreign currency capital contribution to an FIE in its capital account may be converted into RMB on a discretional basis.

On June 9, 2016, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on Reforming and Regulating Policies on the Management of the Settlement of Foreign Exchange of Capital Accounts, or the SAFE Circular 16. The SAFE Circular 16 unifies the discretional foreign exchange settlement for all the domestic institutions. The Discretional Foreign Exchange Settlement refers to the foreign exchange capital in the capital account which has been confirmed by the relevant policies subject to the discretional foreign exchange settlement (including foreign exchange capital, foreign loans and funds remitted from the proceeds from the overseas listing) that can be settled at the banks based on the actual operational needs of the domestic institutions. The proportion of Discretional Foreign Exchange Settlement of the foreign exchange capital is temporarily determined as 100%. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 or SAFE Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties in accordance with the Foreign Exchange Administrative Regulation and relevant provisions.

Furthermore, SAFE Circular 16 stipulates that the use of foreign exchange incomes of capital accounts by FIEs shall follow the principles of authenticity and self-use within the business scope of the enterprises. The foreign exchange incomes of capital accounts and capital in RMB obtained by the FIE from foreign exchange settlement shall not be used for the following purposes: (i) directly or indirectly for the payment beyond the business scope of the enterprises or the payment prohibited by relevant laws and regulations; (ii) directly or indirectly for investment in securities or financial schemes other than bank guaranteed products unless otherwise provided by relevant laws and regulations; (iii) for granting loans to non-affiliated enterprises, unless otherwise permitted by its business scope; and (iv) for the construction or purchase of real estate that is not for self-use (except for the real estate enterprises).

On October 23, 2019, SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Promoting the Facilitation of Cross-border Trade and Investment, or the SAFE Circular 28, which stipulates that non-investment FIEs may use capital to carry out domestic equity investment in accordance with the law under the premises of not violating the Negative List and that the projects invested are true and in compliance with laws and regulations.

On April 10, 2020, SAFE promulgated the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Optimizing Administration of Foreign Exchange to Support the Development of Foreign-related Business, or the SAFE Circular 8, which became effective on the same date. Under the SAFE Circular 8, on condition that the use of funds is true and compliant with the administration regulations on the use of capital account income, eligible enterprises are allowed to use capital project income, such as those from capital funds, foreign debts and overseas listings, for domestic payment without providing the bank in advance with proof of authenticity in terms of each payment.

68

Table of Contents

Regulations Relating to Dividend Distributions

The principal regulations governing the distribution of dividends paid by wholly foreign-owned enterprises, or WFOEs, include the Company Law of the PRC. Under these regulations, WFOEs in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, an FIE in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards each year to its general reserves until its cumulative total reserve funds reaches 50% of its registered capital. These reserve funds, however, may not be distributed as cash dividends.

Regulations Relating to Offshore Special Purpose Companies Held by PRC Residents

SAFE promulgated the Circular on Printing and Distributing the Provisions on Foreign Exchange Administration over Domestic Direct Investment by Foreign Investors and the Supporting Documents on May 11, 2013, amended on October 10, 2018 and December 30, 2019, respectively, which specifies that the administration by SAFE or its local branches over direct investment by foreign investors in the PRC shall be conducted by way of registration and banks shall process foreign exchange business relating to the direct investment in the PRC based on the registration information provided by SAFE and its branches.

SAFE promulgated Notice on Issues Relating to Foreign Exchange Administration over the Overseas Investment and Financing and Round-trip Investment by Domestic Residents via Special Purpose Vehicles, or the SAFE Circular 37, on July 4, 2014 that requires PRC residents or entities to register with SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. In addition, such PRC residents or entities must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose vehicle undergoes material events relating to any change of basic information (including change of such PRC citizens or residents, name and term of operation), capital increase or capital reduction, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions. SAFE Circular 37 was issued to replace the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents Engaging in Financing and Roundtrip Investments via Overseas Special Purposes Vehicles.

SAFE further enacted the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Simplifying and Improving the Foreign Exchange Management Policies for Direct Investment, or the SAFE Circular 13, which allows PRC residents or entities to register with qualified banks in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. However, remedial registration applications made by PRC residents that previously failed to comply with the SAFE Circular 37 continue to fall under the jurisdiction of the relevant local branch of SAFE. In the event that a PRC shareholder holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to fulfill the required SAFE registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that special purpose vehicle may be prohibited from distributing profits to the offshore parent and from carrying out subsequent cross-border foreign exchange activities, and the special purpose vehicle may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital into its PRC subsidiary.

On January 26, 2017, SAFE issued the Notice on Improving the Check of Authenticity and Compliance to Further Promote Foreign Exchange Control, or the SAFE Circular 3, which stipulates several capital control measures with respect to the outbound remittance of profit from domestic entities to offshore entities, including (i) under the principle of genuine transaction, banks shall check board resolutions regarding profit distribution, the original version of tax filing records and audited financial statements; and (ii) domestic entities shall hold income to account for previous years’ losses before remitting the profits. Moreover, pursuant to SAFE Circular 3, domestic entities shall make detailed explanations of the sources of capital and utilization arrangements, and provide board resolutions, contracts and other proof when completing the registration procedures in connection with an outbound investment.

Regulations Relating to Stock Incentive Plans

According to the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issues Relating to the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Listed Company, or the Share Incentive Rules, which was issued on February 15, 2012 and other regulations, directors, supervisors, senior management and other employees participating in any share incentive plan of an overseas publicly listed company who are PRC citizens or non-PRC citizens residing in China for a continuous period of not less than one year, subject to certain exceptions, are required to register with the SAFE. All such participants need to authorize a qualified PRC agent, such as a PRC subsidiary of the overseas publicly listed company to register with the SAFE and handle foreign exchange matters such as opening accounts, transferring and settlement of the relevant proceeds. The Share Incentive Rules further require an offshore agent to be designated to handle matters in connection with the exercise of share options and sales of proceeds for the participants of the share incentive plans. Failure to complete the said SAFE registrations may subject its participating directors, supervisors, senior management and other employees to fines and legal sanctions.

69

Table of Contents

In addition, the SAT has issued certain circulars concerning employee stock options and restricted shares. Under these circulars, employees working in the PRC who exercise stock options or are granted restricted shares will be subject to PRC individual income tax. The PRC subsidiaries of an overseas listed company are required to file documents related to employee stock options and restricted shares with relevant tax authorities and to withhold individual income taxes for employees who exercise their stock option or purchase restricted shares. If the employees fail to pay or the PRC subsidiaries fail to withhold income tax in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, the PRC subsidiaries may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC governmental authorities.

Regulations Relating to Taxation

Income tax

According to the Enterprise Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the EIT Law, which was promulgated by the NPC on March 16, 2007, became effective as from January 1, 2008 and amended by the SCNPC on February 24, 2017 and December 29, 2018, an enterprise established outside the PRC with de facto management bodies within the PRC is considered as a resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes and is generally subject to a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate on its worldwide income. The Implementing Rules of the Enterprise Income Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Implementing Rules of the EIT Law, defines a de facto management body as a managing body that in practice exercises “substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise. Non-PRC resident enterprises without any branches in the PRC pay an enterprise income tax in connection with their income originating from the PRC at the tax rate of 10%.

Enterprises that are recognized as high and new technology enterprises in accordance with the Administrative Measures for the Determination of High and New Tech Enterprises issued by the Ministry of Science, the MOF and the SAT are entitled to enjoy a preferential enterprise income tax rate of 15%. The validity period of the high and new technology enterprise qualification shall be three years from the date of issuance of the certificate. An enterprise can re-apply for such recognition as a high and new technology enterprise before or after the previous certificate expires.

On February 3, 2015, the SAT, issued the Announcement on Several Issues Concerning the Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Transfer of Assets by Non-Resident Enterprises, or the SAT Circular 7. The SAT Circular 7 repeals certain provisions in the Notice of the State Administration of Taxation on Strengthening the Administration of Enterprise Income Tax on Income from Equity Transfer by Non-Resident Enterprises, or the SAT Circular 698, issued by SAT on December 10, 2009 and the Announcement on Several Issues Relating to the Administration of Income Tax on Non-resident Enterprises issued by SAT on March 28, 2011 and clarifies certain provisions in the SAT Circular 698. The SAT Circular 7 provides comprehensive guidelines relating to, and heightening the Chinese tax authorities’ scrutiny on, indirect transfers by a non-resident enterprise of assets (including assets of organizations and premises in PRC, immovable property in the PRC, equity investments in PRC resident enterprises), or the PRC Taxable Assets. For instance, when a non-resident enterprise transfers equity interests in an overseas holding company that directly or indirectly holds certain PRC Taxable Assets and if the transfer is believed by the Chinese tax authorities to have no reasonable commercial purpose other than to evade enterprise income tax, the SAT Circular 7 allows the Chinese tax authorities to reclassify the indirect transfer of PRC Taxable Assets into a direct transfer and therefore impose a 10% rate of PRC enterprise income tax on the non-resident enterprise. The SAT Circular 7 lists several factors to be taken into consideration by tax authorities in determining if an indirect transfer has a reasonable commercial purpose. However, regardless of these factors, the overall arrangements in relation to an indirect transfer satisfying all the following criteria will be deemed to lack a reasonable commercial purpose: (i) 75% or more of the equity value of the intermediary enterprise being transferred is derived directly or indirectly from PRC Taxable Assets; (ii) at any time during the one-year period before the indirect transfer, 90% or more of the asset value of the intermediary enterprise (excluding cash) is comprised directly or indirectly of investments in the PRC, or during the one-year period before the indirect transfer, 90% or more of its income is derived directly or indirectly from the PRC; (iii) the functions performed and risks assumed by the intermediary enterprise and any of its subsidiaries and branches that directly or indirectly hold the PRC Taxable Assets are limited and are insufficient to prove their economic substance; and (iv) the foreign tax payable on the gain derived from the indirect transfer of the PRC Taxable Assets is lower than the potential PRC tax on the direct transfer of those assets. On the other hand, indirect transfers falling into the scope of the safe harbors under the SAT Circular 7 will not be subject to PRC tax under the SAT Circular 7. The safe harbors include qualified group restructurings, public market trades and exemptions under tax treaties or arrangements.

70

Table of Contents

On October 17, 2017, SAT issued the Announcement on Issues Relating to Withholding at Source of Income Tax of Non-resident Enterprises, or the SAT Circular 37, which took effect on December 1, 2017. Certain provisions of the SAT Circular 37 were repealed by the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Revising Certain Taxation Normative Documents issued on June 15, 2018. According to the SAT Circular 37, the balance after deducting the equity net value from the equity transfer income shall be the taxable income amount for equity transfer income. Equity transfer income shall mean the consideration collected by the equity transferor from the equity transfer, including various income in monetary form and non-monetary form. Equity net value shall mean the tax computation basis for obtaining the said equity. The tax computation basis for equity shall be: (i) the capital contribution costs actually paid by the equity transferor to a Chinese resident enterprise at the time of investment and equity participation, or (ii) the equity transfer costs actually paid at the time of acquisition of such equity to the original transferor of the said equity. Where there is reduction or appreciation of value during the equity holding period, and the gains or losses may be confirmed pursuant to the rules of the finance and tax authorities of the State Council, the equity net value shall be adjusted accordingly. When an enterprise computes equity transfer income, it shall not deduct the amount in the shareholders’ retained earnings such as undistributed profits, etc. of the investee enterprise, which may be distributed in accordance with the said equity. In the event of partial transfer of equity under multiple investments or acquisitions, the enterprise shall determine the costs corresponding to the transferred equity in accordance with the transfer ratio, out of all costs of the equity.

Under the SAT Circular 7 and the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration of Tax Collection promulgated by the SCNPC on September 4, 1992 and newly amended on April 24, 2015, in the case of an indirect transfer, entities or individuals obligated to pay the transfer price to the transferor shall act as withholding agents. If they fail to make withholding or withhold the full amount of tax payable, the transferor of equity shall declare and pay tax to the relevant tax authorities within seven days from the occurrence of tax payment obligation. Where the withholding agent does not make the withholding, and the transferor of the equity does not pay the tax payable amount, the tax authority may impose late payment interest on the transferor. In addition, the tax authority may also hold the withholding agents liable and impose a penalty ranging from 50% to 300% of the unpaid tax on them. The penalty imposed on the withholding agents may be reduced or waived if the withholding agents have submitted the relevant materials in connection with the indirect transfer to the PRC tax authorities in accordance with the SAT Circular 7.

Withholding tax on dividend distribution

The EIT Law prescribes a standard withholding tax rate of 20% on dividends and other China-sourced income of non-PRC resident enterprises which have no establishment or place of business in the PRC, or if established, the relevant dividends or other China-sourced income are in fact not associated with such establishment or place of business in the PRC. However, the Implementing Rules of the EIT Law reduced the rate from 20% to 10%. However, a lower withholding tax rate might be applied if there is a tax treaty between China and the jurisdiction of the foreign holding companies, for example, pursuant to the Arrangement Between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation on Income, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, and other applicable PRC laws, if a Hong Kong resident enterprise is determined by the competent PRC tax authority to have satisfied the relevant conditions and requirements under the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement and other applicable laws, the 10% withholding tax on the dividends that the Hong Kong resident enterprise receives from a PRC resident enterprise may be reduced to 5% upon receiving approval from the tax authority in charge.

Based on the Notice on Relevant Issues Relating to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties issued on February 20, 2009 by the SAT, if the relevant PRC tax authorities determine, at their discretion, that a company benefits from such reduced income tax rate due to a structure or an arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, such PRC tax authorities may adjust the preferential tax treatment; and based on the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Concerning “Beneficial Owners” in Tax Treaties, which was promulgated on February 3, 2018 and came into effect on April 1, 2018. If the company’s activities do not constitute substantive business activities, it will be analyzed according to the actual situation of the specific case, which may not be conducive to the determination of its “beneficiary owner” capacity, and thus may not enjoy the concessions under the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement.

71

Table of Contents

Value-added tax

Pursuant to the Interim Regulations on Value-Added Tax of the People’s Republic of China, which was promulgated by the State Council on December 13, 1993 and amended on November 10, 2008, February 6, 2016 and November 19, 2017, and the Implementation Rules for the Interim Regulations on Value-Added Tax of the People’s Republic of China, which was promulgated by the MOF on December 25, 1993 and amended by the MOF and the SAT on December 15, 2008 and October 28, 2011, entities or individuals engaging in sale of goods, provision of processing services, repairs and replacement services or import of goods within the territory of the PRC shall pay value-added tax, or the VAT. Unless provided otherwise, the rate of VAT is 17% on sales and 6% on the services. On April 4, 2018, MOF and SAT jointly promulgated the Circular of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation on Adjustment of Value-Added Tax Rates, or the Circular 32, according to which (i) for VAT taxable sales acts or import of goods originally subject to VAT rates of 17% and 11% respectively, such tax rates shall be adjusted to 16% and 10%, respectively; (ii) for purchase of agricultural products originally subject to tax rate of 11%, such tax rate shall be adjusted to 10%; (iii) for purchase of agricultural products for the purpose of production and sales or consigned processing of goods subject to tax rate of 16%, such tax shall be calculated at the tax rate of 12%; (iv) for exported goods originally subject to tax rate of 17% and export tax refund rate of 17%, the export tax refund rate shall be adjusted to 16%; and (v) for exported goods and cross-border taxable acts originally subject to tax rate of 11% and export tax refund rate of 11%, the export tax refund rate shall be adjusted to 10%. Circular 32 became effective on May 1, 2018 and shall supersede existing provisions which are inconsistent with Circular 32.

On November 16, 2011, the MOF and the SAT jointly promulgated the Pilot Plan for Imposition of Value-Added Tax to Replace Business Tax, or the VAT Pilot Plan, which imposes VAT in lieu of business tax for certain “modern service industries” in certain regions and eventually expanded to nationwide application in 2013. According to the Implementation Rules for the Pilot Plan for Imposition of Value-Added Tax to Replace Business Tax released by the MOF and the SAT on the VAT Pilot Program, the “modern service industries” include research, development and technology services, information technology services, cultural innovation services, logistics support, lease of corporeal properties, attestation and consulting services. The Notice on Comprehensively promoting the Pilot Plan of the Conversion of Business Tax to Value-Added Tax, promulgated by the MOF and the SAT on March 23, 2016 and as amended, sets out that VAT in lieu of business tax be collected in all regions and industries.

On March 20, 2019, MOF, SAT and GAC jointly promulgated the Announcement on Relevant Policies for Deepening Value-Added Tax Reform, which became effective on April 1, 2019, provides that (i) with respect to VAT taxable sales acts or import of goods originally subject to VAT rates of 16% and 10%, respectively, such tax rates shall be adjusted to 13% and 9%, respectively; (ii) with respect to purchase of agricultural products originally subject to tax rate of 10%, such tax rate shall be adjusted to 9%; (iii) with respect to purchase of agricultural products for the purpose of production or consigned processing of goods subject to tax rate of 13%, such tax shall be calculated at the tax rate of 10%; (iv) with respect to export of goods and services originally subject to tax rate of 16% and export tax refund rate of 16%, the export tax refund rate shall be adjusted to 13%; and (v) with respect to export of goods and cross-border taxable acts originally subject to tax rate of 10% and export tax refund rate of 10%, the export tax refund rate shall be adjusted to 9%.

Regulations Relating to Employment

The Labor Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Labor Contract Law was promulgated on June 29, 2007 by the SCNPC and amended on December 28, 2021. The Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules provide requirements concerning employment contracts between an employer and its employees. If an employer fails to enter into a written employment contract with an employee within one year from the date on which the employment relationship is established, the employer must rectify the situation by entering into a written employment contract with the employee and pay the employee twice the employee’s salary for the period from the day following the lapse of one month from the date of establishment of the employment relationship to the day prior to the execution of the written employment contract. The Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules also require compensation to be paid upon certain terminations. In addition, if an employer intends to enforce a non-compete provision in an employment contract or non-competition agreement with an employee, it has to compensate the employee on a monthly basis during the term of the restriction period after the termination or expiry of the labor contract. Employers in most cases are also required to provide severance payment to their employees after their employment relationships are terminated.

72

Table of Contents

Enterprises in China are required by PRC laws and regulations to participate in certain employee benefit plans, including social insurance funds, namely a pension plan, a medical insurance plan, an unemployment insurance plan, a work-related injury insurance plan and a maternity insurance plan, and a housing provident fund, and contribute to the plans or funds in amounts equal to certain percentages of salaries, including bonuses and allowances, of the employees as specified by the local government from time to time at locations where they operate their businesses or where they are located.

On December 28, 2012, the Labor Contract Law was amended to impose more stringent requirements on labor dispatch which became effective on July 1, 2013. Pursuant to the amended Labor Contract Law, the dispatched contract workers shall be entitled to equal pay for equal work as a full-time employee of an employer, and they shall only be engaged to perform temporary, ancillary or substitute works, and an employer shall strictly control the number of dispatched contract workers so that they do not exceed a certain percentage of total number of employees. “Temporary work” means a position with a term of less than six months; “auxiliary work” means a non-core business position that provides services for the core business of the employer; and “substitute worker” means a position that can be temporarily replaced with a dispatched contract worker for the period that a regular employee is away from work for vacation, study or for other reasons. According to the Interim Provisions on Labor Dispatch, or the Labor Dispatch Provisions, promulgated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People’s Republic of China on January 24, 2014, which became effective on March 1, 2014, (i) the number of dispatched contract workers hired by an employer should not exceed 10% of the total number of its employees (including both directly hired employees and dispatched contract workers); (ii) in the case that the number of dispatched contract workers exceeds 10% of the total number of its employees at the time when the Labor Dispatch Provisions became effective (i.e., March 1, 2014), the employer shall formulate a plan to reduce the number of its dispatched contract workers to below the statutory cap prior to March 1, 2016, and (iii) such plan shall be filed with the local bureau of human resources and social security. Nevertheless, the Labor Dispatch Provisions do not invalidate the labor contracts and dispatch agreements entered into prior to December 28, 2012. In addition, the employer shall not hire any new dispatched contract worker before the number of its dispatched contract workers is reduced to below 10% of the total number of its employees.

Regulations Relating to M&A

On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the CSRC, promulgated the Rules on the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, which became effective on September 8, 2006 and were amended on June 22, 2009. The M&A Rules and other regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. For example, the M&A Rules require that MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise, if (i) any important industry is concerned, (ii) such transaction involves factors that impact or may impact national economic security, or (iii) such transaction will lead to a change in control of a domestic enterprise which holds a famous trademark or PRC time-honored brand.

In addition, according to the Notice on Establishing the Security Review System for Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors issued by the General Office of the State Council on February 3, 2011 and which became effective 30 days thereafter, the Rules on Implementation of Security Review System for the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors issued by the MOFCOM on August 25, 2011 and which became effective on September 1, 2011, mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise “national defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise “national security” concerns are subject to strict review by the MOFCOM, and the regulations prohibit any activities attempting to bypass such security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement.

73

Table of Contents

C. Organizational Structure.

We conduct our business in China through our various subsidiaries and the VIE. The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure and the place of incorporation of each of our company, significant subsidiaries, and variable interest entity as of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F.

74

Table of Contents

The following table sets out the details of our subsidiaries and the variable interest entity that are significant to us.

Contractual Arrangements with the Variable Interest Entity

PRC laws and regulations impose restrictions on foreign ownership and investment in, among other areas, Internet-based businesses such as provision of online information and other value-added telecommunications services. Similar to all other entities with foreign-incorporated holding company structures in our industry in China, we operated our Internet-based business in the PRC through our subsidiaries and the VIE, Shanghai Yibo. To comply with PRC laws and regulations, we have entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Shanghai Yibo, which is wholly owned by PRC citizens. In 2021, the VIE held the ICP license and other regulated licenses, although it did not operate any Internet-based business in which foreign investment is restricted or prohibited in 2021.

Based on these contractual arrangements, we are able to:

As a result of these contractual arrangements, we have become the primary beneficiary of the VIE under U.S. GAAP in 2021. We have consolidated the financial results of the VIE in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. As of December 31, 2021, the operations of the VIE were still in a preliminary stage and had immaterial impact on the consolidated financials of our business.

As described in “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company—Divestment of our interest in the XG Health platform,” in April 2020, we divested 60% of our equity interests in Xianggui Shanghai and, thereby, terminated the contractual arrangements with Yang Infinity, which was a variable interest entity prior to the divestment, and its wholly owned subsidiary Yinchuan Xianggui.

The following is a summary of our contractual arrangements with Shanghai Yibo and its shareholders.

75

Table of Contents

Agreements That Allow Us to Receive Substantially All Economic Benefits from the Variable Interest Entity

Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Agreements. Under the exclusive technology consulting and service agreement between ECMOHO Shanghai and Shanghai Yibo, ECMOHO Shanghai has the exclusive right to provide to Shanghai Yibo consulting and services related to, among other things, research and development, system operation, advertising, internal training and technical support. ECMOHO Shanghai has the exclusive ownership of intellectual property rights created as a result of the performance of this agreement. In exchange, Shanghai Yibo agrees to pay ECMOHO Shanghai an annual service fee, at an amount that is agreed by ECMOHO Shanghai. Unless ECMOHO Shanghai provides valid notice of termination 90 days prior to the term of agreement ending, this agreement will remain effective for 10 years to be automatically renewed for another 10 years thereafter.

Agreements That Provide Us with Effective Control over the Variable Interest Entity

Powers of Attorney. Each of the shareholders of Shanghai Yibo has executed a power of attorney to irrevocably appoint ECMOHO Shanghai or its designated person as its attorney-in-fact to exercise all of its rights as a shareholder of Shanghai Yibo, including, but not limited to, the right to convene and attend shareholder meetings, vote on any resolution that requires a shareholder vote, such as the appointment or removal of directors and executive officers, and other voting rights pursuant to the then-effective articles of association of Shanghai Yibo. Each power of attorney will remain in force for so long as the controlling shareholders remain the shareholders of Shanghai Yibo.

Equity Pledge Agreements. Pursuant to the equity pledge agreement among ECMOHO Shanghai, Shanghai Yibo, and the shareholders of Shanghai Yibo, the shareholders pledged all of their equity interests in Shanghai Yibo to guarantee their and Shanghai Yibo’s performance of their obligations under the contractual arrangements including the exclusive technology consulting and service agreement, the exclusive option agreement and the power of attorney. In the event of a breach by Shanghai Yibo or its shareholders of contractual obligations under these agreements, ECMOHO Shanghai, as pledgee, will have the right to dispose of the pledged equity interests in Shanghai Yibo. The shareholders of Shanghai Yibo also undertake that, during the term of the equity pledge agreement, they will not dispose of the pledged equity interests or create or allow any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests. During the term of the equity pledge agreement, ECMOHO Shanghai has the right to receive all of the dividends and profits distributed on the pledged equity interests. The equity pledge for the VIE has been registered with local PRC authorities.

Spousal Consent Letters. Pursuant to the spousal consent letter, each of the respective spouse of the shareholders of Shanghai Yibo, unconditionally and irrevocably agreed that the equity interest in Shanghai Yibo held by and registered in the name of his/her spouse will be disposed of pursuant to the equity pledge agreement, the exclusive call option agreement and the power of attorney. The spouse agreed not to assert any rights over the equity interest in Shanghai Yibo held by his/her spouse. In addition, in the event that the spouse obtains any equity interest in Shanghai Yibo held by his/her spouse for any reason, the spouse agreed to be bound by the contractual arrangements.

Agreements That Provide Us with the Option to Purchase the Equity Interests in the Variable Interest Entity

Exclusive Call Option Agreements. Pursuant to the exclusive call option agreement between ECMOHO Shanghai, Shanghai Yibo and its shareholders, the shareholders of Shanghai Yibo irrevocably grant ECMOHO Shanghai an exclusive option to purchase, at its discretion, or have its designated person to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of the equity interests in Shanghai Yibo. The purchase price shall be the lowest price permitted by applicable PRC law. In addition, Shanghai Yibo has granted ECMOHO Shanghai an exclusive option to purchase, at its discretion, or have its designated person to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of Shanghai Yibo’s assets at the book value of such assets, or at the lowest price permitted by applicable PRC law, whichever is higher. The shareholders of Shanghai Yibo undertake that, without our prior written consent or the prior written consent of ECMOHO Shanghai, they may not increase or decrease the registered capital, dispose of its assets, incur any debt or guarantee liabilities, enter into any material purchase agreements, conduct any merger, acquisition or investments, amend its articles of association or provide any loans to third parties. The exclusive call option agreement will remain effective until all equity interest in Shanghai Yibo held by its shareholders and all assets of Shanghai Yibo are transferred or assigned to ECMOHO Shanghai or its designated representatives.

76

Table of Contents

In the opinion of Commerce & Finance Law Offices, our PRC counsel, the ownership structure of the VIE currently does not result in any violation of the applicable PRC laws or regulations currently in effect, and the agreements under the contractual arrangements among us, the VIE and its shareholders are governed by PRC laws or regulations, and are currently valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with the applicable PRC laws and regulations currently in effect, and do not result in any violation of the applicable PRC laws or regulations currently in effect.

However, our PRC counsel, Commerce & Finance Law Offices, advised us that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules and there can be no assurance that the PRC government will ultimately take a view that is consistent with the opinion of our PRC counsel. If the PRC government finds the agreements that establish our Internet-based business do not comply with PRC government restrictions on foreign investment in the aforesaid business we engage in, we could be subject to severe penalties, including being prohibited from continuing operations. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China.”

In addition, the shareholders of the VIE, Ms. Zoe Wang and Mr. Leo Zeng, may have potential conflicts of interest with us. These shareholders may breach, or cause the VIE to breach, or refuse to renew, the existing contractual arrangements we have with them and the VIE, which would have a material adverse effect on our ability to effectively control the VIE and receive substantially all the economic benefits from it. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure.”

D.Property, Plants and Equipment

Our corporate headquarters are located in Shanghai. We also lease warehouse space in Wuhu and Hangzhou. As of December 31, 2021, we leased an aggregate of approximately 1,000 square meters of office space and an aggregate of approximately 46,000 square meters of warehouse space. We believe that our existing properties and facilities are generally adequate for our current needs.

77

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Key Components of Results of Operations

Net Revenues

We generate revenues from product sales and services. Product sales revenues are generated through sales to consumers and retailers, such as third-party e-commerce platforms as well as sales from consignment arrangements with certain e-commerce platforms. Services revenues primarily consist of the fixed project-based service fees we charge our brand partners for our value-added services, such as designing and running online stores and organizing offline marketing activities. We recorded revenues net of return allowances, value-added tax and sales incentives, if any. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Our Business Model and Services” for additional information.

The following table sets forth the components of our net revenues for the periods indicated:

​

We expect to optimize net revenues mix as we continue to promote brand portfolio optimization and expand our channel coverage and service offerings, along with the recovery of China’s economy in the post-COVID-19 era in 2021. Product sales revenues, as a percentage of our total net revenues, increased from 91.7% in 2019 to 98.4% in 2020, primarily due to a decrease in revenue generated from our service offerings, and decreased to 97.9% in 2021 due to our quality-driven growth strategy to selectively cooperate with brands demonstrating higher profit margin, which led to a decrease in product sales revenues. Services revenues, as a percentage of our total net revenues, decreased from 8.3% in 2019 to 1.6% in 2020 due to a slowdown in the growth of our service revenues during our service department restructuring and upgrade process and increased from 1.6% in 2020 to 2.1% in 2021.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues consists of cost of product sales and cost of services. Cost of product sales is comprised of the purchase price of the products sourced from our brand partners, purchase rebates and inventory write-downs. Cost of services consists of (1) advertising and promotion fees paid to third parties, and (2) employee wages and benefits, both attributable to the provision of value-added services to our brand partners.

The following table sets forth a breakdown of our cost of revenues:

​

79

Table of Contents

Our cost of revenues slightly decreased from US$257.4 million in 2019 to US$246.3 million in 2020, which was primarily attributable to a decrease in cost of services, generally in line with the decrease in our service revenues. Our cost of revenues sharply decreased from US$246.3 million in 2020 to US$122.7 million in 2021, generally in line with the decrease in our net revenues.

A key factor affecting our gross margin is the relative revenue contribution of product sales to certain major e-commerce platforms.  Products sold to these e-commerce platforms generate a lower gross margin due to the volume discount we offer.  Our operating margin, however, is not affected by this factor to the same degree because products sold to these e-commerce platforms incur a smaller amount of sales and marketing expenses and fulfillment expenses per unit than products sold to other customers, which offsets the difference in unit price. Another factor affecting our gross margin is the relative contribution of each product in our total revenue mix. We generated a larger portion of revenue from product sales through distributors that had lower gross margins than from product sales to platforms and consumers that had higher gross margins.

Fulfillment expenses primarily consist of warehousing, shipping and handling costs for dispatching and delivering products to consumers, employee wages and benefits for the relevant personnel, and customs clearance expenses.

Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of advertising costs for the products we offer, employee wages and benefits for our sales and marketing staff, storefront fees paid to e-commerce platforms on which we operate and represent a pre-determined percentage of our sales revenues on these platforms, and travel and entertainment expenses.

General and administrative expenses mainly consist of employee wages and benefits for corporate employees, rental expenses, audit and legal fees, amortization of both intangible assets and leasehold improvement, and other corporate overhead costs.

Research and development expenses principally consist of employee wages and benefits for research and development personnel, general expenses and depreciation expenses associated with research and development activities.

Impairment loss on long-term investment consists of impairment loss on long-term investment of Anze, a company involved in the research and development of Chinese herbal medicine-based health and wellness products, due to reduced profit projection of Anze as a result of negative impact of Covid-19.

80

Table of Contents

Net Income/(Loss) Attributable to ECMOHO Limited

Our net income attributable to ECMOHO Limited consists of our net income less our net income/(loss) attributable to the non-controlling interest shareholders and redeemable non-controlling interest shareholders. Our net income/(loss) attributable to ECMOHO Limited was US$2.3 million, US$(13.3) million and US$(55.7) million in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Taxation

Cayman Islands

We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current tax laws of the Cayman Islands, we are not subject to income, corporation or capital gains tax, and no withholding tax is imposed upon the payment of dividends.

Hong Kong

Before 2019, our subsidiaries incorporated in Hong Kong were subject to Hong Kong profit tax at a rate of 16.5% on their taxable income generated from operations in Hong Kong. Effective 2019, the applicable income tax rate was changed to 8.25% for profits of up to HK$2.0 million and 16.5% for the remainder of the taxable income. Dividends income received from subsidiaries in China are not subject to Hong Kong profits tax.

China

Income Tax. According to the EIT Law, which was promulgated on March 16, 2007 and amended in 2017, and its implementing rules, an income tax rate of 25% generally applies to all enterprises incorporated in the PRC. Under the EIT Law, an enterprise established outside the PRC with “de facto management bodies” within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes and is generally subject to a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate on its worldwide income. Although we believe that none of our entities outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes, PRC income tax at a rate of 25% would generally be applicable to our worldwide income if we were to be considered a PRC resident enterprise.

Dividend Withholding Tax. According to the EIT Law and its implementation rules, the profits of a foreign-invested enterprise arising in 2008 and thereafter that are distributed to its immediate holding company outside the PRC are subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10%, but a lower withholding tax rate may be applied if there is a beneficial tax treaty between the PRC and the jurisdiction of the foreign holding company. A holding company in Hong Kong, for example, will be eligible, with approval of the PRC local tax authority, to a 5% withholding tax rate under the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, if such holding company is considered a non-PRC resident enterprise and holds at least 25% of the equity interests in the PRC foreign-invested enterprise distributing the dividends. However, the PRC tax authorities will review preferential tax treatment and grant such treatment on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, if such Hong Kong holding company is not considered the beneficial owner of such dividends under applicable PRC tax regulations, such dividend will remain subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10%.

Value-Added Tax. Since April 1, 2019, our product sales revenues have been subject to value-added tax at a rate ranging from 9% to 13%. Our services revenues are subject to value-added tax at a rate of 6%. We are also subject to surcharges on value-added tax payments in accordance with PRC law. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations Relating to Taxation—Value-added tax” for details.

Non-GAAP Measures

We use the following non-GAAP performance indicators to monitor financial performance: adjusted operating income/(loss) and adjusted net income/(loss).  

We use adjusted operating income/(loss) and adjusted net income/(loss), each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. Adjusted operating income/(loss) represents operating income/(loss) excluding share-based compensation expenses, severance expenses and impairment loss on long-term investment.  Adjusted net income/(loss) represents net income/(loss) excluding share-based compensation expenses, severance expenses and impairment loss on long-term investment. These adjustments have no impact on income tax.  

81

Table of Contents

We believe that adjusted operating income/(loss) and adjusted net income/(loss) help identify underlying trends in our business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that we include in operating income and net income. We also believe that adjusted operating income and adjusted net income provide useful information about our operating results, enhance the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making.

​

The non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. They should not be considered in isolation or construed as alternatives to net loss or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of our operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review the historical non-GAAP financial measures in light of the most directly comparable GAAP measures, as shown below. The non-GAAP financial measures presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to our data. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

The table sets forth a reconciliation of our adjusted operating income/(loss) and adjusted net income/(loss) in the years presented to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which are operating income/(loss) and net income/(loss):

​

82

Table of Contents

Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020

Net Revenues

Our net revenues were US$130.7 million in 2021, representing a decrease of 57.1% from US$304.9 million in 2020. The decrease in total net revenues was primarily due to a 57.3% decrease in products revenues from US$300.2 million in 2020 to US$128.0 million in 2021, representing a decrease in the revenues from sales of mother and child care products from US$118.7 million in 2020 to US$49.7 million in 2021, and a decrease in the revenues from sales of health supplements and food products from US$138.3 million in 2020 to US$71.4 million in 2021. The decrease in product sales revenues was mainly due to (1) our quality-driven growth strategy to optimize our brand portfolio and (2) a weakened demand for mother and child care products partly due to the negative news coverage regarding Gerber in 2021. The decrease in total net revenues was also attributable to a 43.4% decrease in services revenues from US$4.8 million in 2020 to US$2.7 million in 2021, primarily due to the decline of services provided for outbound brands.

Cost of Revenues

Our cost of revenues decreased by 50.2% from US$246.3 million in 2020 to US$122.7 million in 2021, primarily representing a decrease in cost of products sales from US$242.7 million in 2020 to US$121.5 million in 2021, in line with the decrease in our product sales revenues, partially offset by an increase in inventories write-down recorded in cost of product sales from US$0.5 million in 2020 to US$4.6 million in 2021, primarily due to a larger amount of inventories expiring in 2021 as compared to those in 2020.

83

Table of Contents

Gross Profit

As a result of the foregoing, our gross profit declined by 86.4% from US$58.6 million in 2020 to US$8.0 million in 2021. Our gross margin declined from 19.2% in 2020 to 6.1% in 2021, primarily due to the higher revenue contribution of product sales through distributors that had lower gross margins than the revenue contribution of product sales to platforms and consumers that had higher gross margins.

Operating Expenses

Our total operating expenses decreased by 11.2% from US$72.3 million in 2020 to US$64.2 million in 2021, generally in line with the decrease in our net revenues. Our operating expenses as a percentage of total net revenues increased from 23.7% in 2020 to 49.1% in 2021.

Fulfillment Expenses. Our fulfillment expenses decreased by 35.8% from US$14.4 million in 2020 to US$9.2 million in 2021, primarily due to a decrease in warehouse expenses and logistics expenses as a result of lower product sales volume in 2021. As a percentage of total net revenues, our fulfillment expenses increased from 4.7% in 2020 to 7.1% in 2021, primarily due to the decline of sales revenue.

Sales and Marketing Expenses. Our sales and marketing expenses decreased by 39.1% from US$45.8 million in 2020 to US$27.9 million in 2021. The decrease was primarily due to (1) a 39.4% decrease in advertising costs from US$24.2 million in 2020 to US$14.7 million in 2021 as a result of the decrease in the number of brand partners and the resulting decrease in our promotional events, and (2) a 65.9% decrease in storefront fees paid to e-commerce platforms from US$5.1 million in 2020 to US$1.7 million in 2021 in line with the decline of our sales revenues generated from these platforms and (3) a 26.6% decrease in employee-related expenses from US$13.6 million in 2020 to US$10.0 million in 2021 due to our efforts to optimize workforce. As a percentage of total net revenues, our sales and marketing expenses increased from 15.0% in 2020 to 21.3% in 2021, primarily due to the decline of sales revenue.

General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses increased by 70.0% from US$11.0 million in 2020 to US$18.8 million in 2021. The increase was primarily due to (1) an increase in bad debt expenses from US$(0.05) million in 2020 to US$8.0 million in 2021 in relation to our account receivables, other receivables, advance payment, and impairment of long-term fixed assets, and (2) an increase in share based compensation expenses from US$0.2 million in 2020 to US$0.9 million in 2021, primarily due to the increased shares granted to our employees for their outstanding performance, partially offset by a decrease in other miscellaneous expenses, such as professional fees and liability insurances. As a percentage of total net revenues, our general and administrative expenses increased from 3.6% in 2020 to 14.3% in 2021.

Research and Development Expenses. Our research and development expenses remained relatively stable at US$1.1 million in 2020 and 2021, respectively. As a percentage of total net revenues, our research and development expenses increased from 0.4% in 2020 to 0.8% in 2021.

Impairment loss on long-term investment. Our impairment of long-term investment increased from nil in 2020 to US$7.3 million in 2021. The increase was due to the record of full impairment on long-term investment of Anze in 2021. Our impairment loss on long-term investment accounted for 5.6% of our total net revenues in 2021.

Other Operating Income. We did not have other operating income in 2020 and 2021.

Operating Loss

As a result of the foregoing, we recorded operating loss of US$56.2 million in 2021 as compared to operating loss of US$13.7 million in 2020.

Our operating margin, defined as our operating loss divided by our total net revenues, decreased from (4.5)% in 2020 to (43.0)% in 2021. The decrease in our operating margin was primarily due to the decrease in gross profit and an increase in operating expenses as a percentage of total net revenues.

84

Table of Contents

Finance Expenses, Net

Our finance expenses decreased from US$2.6 million in 2020 to US$1.9 million in 2021 primarily due to a decrease in our interest expenses. We incurred lower interest expenses in 2021 due to the decrease in loans that we borrowed from financial institutions in 2021. Our outstanding loans were repaid as of December 31, 2021, leading to lower loan balance as of December 31, 2021 than that as of December 31, 2020.

Foreign Exchange Gains/(Loss), Net

We recorded foreign exchange loss of US$0.9 million in 2021, as compared to foreign exchange gain of US$1.0 million in 2020, due to depreciation of Renminbi against U.S. dollar in 2021 as opposed to appreciation of Renminbi against U.S. dollar in 2020.

Other Income, Net

Our other income decreased to US$0.3 million in 2021 from US$1.8 million in 2020, primarily due to the decrease in government grant received in 2021 as we received government grants of US$1.8 million in connection with our successful listing in the U.S. in 2020.

Income Tax Benefits

Our income tax benefits increased significantly from US$6.5 thousand in 2020 to US$2.9 million in 2021, primarily due to an increase in deferred tax benefit as result of increase in net operating losses.

Net Loss

As a result of the foregoing, we recorded net loss of US$55.7 million in 2021 as compared to net loss of US$13.5 million in 2020.

Net Loss attributable to ECMOHO Limited

We recorded net loss attributable to ECMOHO Limited of US$55.7 million in 2021 as compared to net loss attributable to ECMOHO Limited of US$13.3 million in 2020.

Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019

Net Revenues

Our net revenues totaled US$304.9 million in 2020, representing a decrease of 7.4% from US$329.5 million in 2019. The decrease in total net revenues was primarily due to an 82.6% decrease in service revenues from US$27.4 million in 2019 to US$4.8 million in 2020. Our net revenues generated from product sales remained relatively stable in 2020 as compared to 2019, with a decrease in the sales of mother and child care products from US$131.9 million in 2019 to US$118.7 million in 2020, offset by an increase in the sales of health supplements and food products from US$117.0 million in 2019 and to US$138.3 million in 2020. The decrease in our net revenues generated from services was mainly due to a slowdown in the growth of our service revenues during our service department restructuring and upgrade process.

Cost of Revenues

Our cost of revenues decreased by 4.3% from US$257.4 million in 2019 to US$246.3 million in 2020. The decrease was in-line with the decrease of our net revenues, and was mainly driven by a decrease in cost of services from US$14.5 million in 2019 to US$3.6 million in 2020, in line with the decrease in our service revenues.

85

Table of Contents

Gross Profit

As a result of the foregoing, our gross profit declined by 18.6% from US$72.1 million in 2019 to US$58.6 million in 2020. Our gross margin declined from 21.9% in 2019 to 19.2% in 2020, primarily as a result of (1) lower-margin products, including food and personal care products, representing a larger proportion of our total net revenues, and (2) the higher contribution of product sales through platforms and distributors that had lower gross margins compared with product sales to consumers.

Operating Expenses

Our total operating expenses increased by 7.2% from US$67.5 million in 2019 to US$72.3 million in 2020. Our operating expenses as a percentage of total net revenues increased from 20.5% in 2019 to 23.7% in 2020.

Fulfillment Expenses. Our fulfillment expenses decreased by 15.1% from US$17.0 million in 2019 to US$14.4 million in 2020. The decrease was primarily due to a 19.3% decrease in logistic expense as we experienced (1 a decrease in the number of product shipments in line with our decreased revenues in 2020, and (2) lower unit expenses that we paid to third-party logistics providers. As a percentage of total net revenues, our fulfillment expenses decreased from 5.2% in 2019 to 4.7% in 2020.

Sales and Marketing Expenses. Our sales and marketing expenses increased by 13.8% from US$40.2 million in 2019 to US$45.8 million in 2020. The increase was primarily due to (1) a 34.8% increase in advertising costs from US$18.0 million in 2019 to US$24.2 million in 2020 as we launched more promotional events to market our products, and (2) a 12.8% increase in storefront fees paid to e-commerce platforms from US$4.5 million in 2019 to US$5.1 million in 2020 in line with the growth of our sales revenues on these platforms. As a percentage of total net revenues, our sales and marketing expenses increased from 12.2% in 2019 to 15.0% in 2020.

General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses increased by 29.9% from US$8.5 million in 2019 to US$11.0 million in 2020. The increase was primarily due to (1) a significant increase in professional service fees from US$2.6 million in 2019 to US$5.7 million in 2020 in relation to our consulting, audit and legal service expenses, and (2) insurance expense of US$0.9 million in 2020 as we purchased liability insurances for our directors and officers, offset by an 82.3% decrease in share-based compensation from US$1.2 million in 2019 to US$0.2 million in 2020, as an increasing amount of the vesting value of our employees’ restricted shares unit was amortized in 2019 as compared to 2020. As a percentage of total net revenues, our general and administrative expenses increased from 2.6% in 2019 to 3.6% in 2020.

Research and Development Expenses. Our research and development expenses decreased by 38.9% from US$1.8 million in 2019 to US$1.0 million in 2020. The decrease was primarily due to a 41.1% decrease in employee wages and benefits for our research and development personnel from US$1.7 million in 2019 to US$1.1 million in 2020 as we cut down our spending on research and development projects due to the COVID-19 in 2020. As a percentage of total net revenues, our research and development expenses decreased from 0.5% in 2019 to 0.4% in 2020.

Other Operating Income. We recorded nil in other operating income in 2020.

Operating Income/(Loss)

As a result of the foregoing, we recorded operating loss of US$13.7 million in 2020 as compared to operating income of US$4.6 million in 2019.

Our operating margin, defined as our operating income/(loss) divided by our total net revenues, decreased from 1.4% in 2019 to (4.5)% in 2020. The decrease in our operating margin was primarily due to the decrease in gross profit and an increase in operating expenses as a percentage of total net revenues.

Finance Expenses, Net

Our finance expenses slightly increased from US$2.5 million in 2019 to US$2.6 million in 2020 primarily due to an increase in our interest expenses. We incurred higher interest expenses in 2020 due to increased loans we borrowed from financial institutions in 2020. Our outstanding loans were repaid as of December 31, 2020, leading to lower loan balance as of December 31, 2020 than that as of December 31, 2019.

86

Table of Contents

Foreign Exchange Gains/(Loss), Net

We recorded foreign exchange gain of US$1.0 million in 2020, as compared to foreign exchange losses of US$0.4 million in 2019, due to appreciation of RMB against U.S. dollar when paying our vendors in U.S. dollar in 2020 as opposed to depreciation of RMB against U.S. dollar in 2019.

Other Income, Net

Our other income increased significantly to US$1.8 million in 2020, to US$475.2 thousand in 2019. The increase was primarily due to government grants of US$1.8 million that we received in connection with our successful listing in the U.S.

Income Tax (Expenses)/Benefits

We recorded income tax benefits of US$6.5 thousand in 2020 as compared to income tax expenses of US$250.0 thousand in 2019, primarily due to a decrease in the profits recorded by our subsidiaries.

Net Income/(Loss)

As a result of the foregoing, we recorded net loss of US$13.5 million in 2020 as compared to net income of US$1.9 million in 2019.

Net Income/(Loss) attributable to ECMOHO Limited

We recorded net loss attributable to ECMOHO Limited of US$13.3 million in 2020 as compared to net income attributable to ECMOHO Limited of US$2.3 million in 2019.

87

Table of Contents

In utilizing the cash that we hold offshore, we may (1) make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, (2) establish new PRC subsidiaries and make capital contributions to these new PRC subsidiaries, (4) make loans to our PRC subsidiaries, or (4) acquire/invest in offshore entities with business operations in China in offshore transactions. However, most of these uses are subject to PRC regulations and/or approvals. For example, loans by us to our PRC subsidiaries, which are foreign-invested enterprise, to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with SAFE or its local branches. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations— Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange.”

A substantial portion of our future revenues are likely to continue to be in the form of RMB. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior SAFE approval as long as certain routine procedural requirements are fulfilled. Therefore, our PRC subsidiaries are allowed to pay dividends in foreign currencies to us without prior SAFE approval by following certain routine procedural requirements. However, approval from or registration with competent government authorities is required where the RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may at its discretion restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions in the future. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China— Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to utilize our revenue effectively.”

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:

​

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2021 was US$4.1 million, which reflects our net loss of US$55.7 million, as adjusted for the effects of the changes in operating assets and liabilities, and non-cash items. In 2021, the principal items accounting for changes in operating assets and liabilities were (1) a decrease of US$6.9 million in inventories as a result of better inventory management, (2) a decrease of US$2.7 million in prepayments and other current assets as we realized more of prepayments and current assets, (3) a decrease of US$21.8 million in our accounts receivable primarily due to the collection of outstanding balances, (4) an increase of US$10.3 million in accounts payable primarily due to increased purchases from vendors, and (5) an increase of US$0.2 million in advance from customers, partially offset by (i) a decrease of US$0.5 million in tax payable, (ii) a decrease of US$0.9 million in operating lease liabilities as we made regular our lease payment, (iii) a decrease of US$1.9 million in accrued liabilities and other current liabilities primarily due to the decreased payables for service procurement in connection with service revenue , (iv) a decrease of US$0.9 million in amounts due to related parties, and (v) a decrease of US$68 thousand in salary and welfare payable. Adjustment for non-cash items primarily consisted of (a) amortization of right-of-use asset and interest of lease liabilities of US$1.1 million, (b) depreciation and amortization expense of US$1.1 million, (c) inventory write-down of US$4.6 million, (d) share-based compensation of US$2.6 million, (e) impairment loss on long-term investments of US$7.3 million, (f) impairment loss on fixed assets of US$0.5 million, (g) provision for allowance of doubtful accounts of US$7.6 million, and (h) deferred tax benefits of 3.1 million.

88

Table of Contents

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2020 was US$21.6 million, which reflects our net loss of US$13.5 million, as adjusted for the effects of the changes in operating assets and liabilities, and non-cash items. In 2020, the principal items accounting for changes in operating assets and liabilities were (1) a decrease of US$15.2 million in inventories as a result of better inventory management, (2) a decrease of US$13.1 million in prepayments and other current assets as we realized more of prepayments and current assets, (3) a decrease of US$10.0 million in our accounts receivable primarily due to the collection of outstanding balances, (4) an increase of US$0.4 million in tax payable, and (5) an increase of US$0.2 million in salary and welfare payable, partially offset by (i) a decrease of US$2.4 million in accounts payable primarily due to the better management of our business, (ii) a decrease of US$1.9 million in operating lease liabilities as we paid off our lease payment regularly, (iii) a decrease of US$1.7 million in accrued liabilities and other current liabilities, (iv) a decrease of US$0.7 million in amounts due to related parties, and (v) a decrease of US$0.3 million in advance from customers. Adjustment for non-cash items primarily consisted of (a) amortization of right-of-use asset and interest of lease liabilities of US$1.5 million, (b) depreciation and amortization expense of US$0.8 million, (c) inventory write-down of US$0.5 million and (d) share-based compensation of US$0.5 million.

Net cash used in operating activities in 2019 was US$14.2 million, which reflects our net income of US$1.9 million, as adjusted for the effects of the changes in operating assets and liabilities and non-cash items. In 2019, the principal items accounting for changes in operating assets and liabilities were (1) an increase of US$17.2 million in our accounts receivable primarily due to the growth of sales to platforms and distributors and (2) an increase of US$11.0 million in prepayments and other current assets and partially, offset by (i) an increase of US$4.5 million in accrued liabilities and other current liabilities, (ii) a decrease of US$2.5 million in inventory as a result of better inventory management, and (iii) an increase of US$3.6 million in accounts payable primarily due to the growth of our business. Adjustment for non-cash items primarily consisted of (a) amortization of right-of-use asset and interest of lease liabilities of US$1.6 million, (b) share-based compensation of US$1.6 million, (c) inventory write-down of US$1.2 million and (d) depreciation and amortization expense of US$996.7 thousand.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities in 2021 was US$1.1 million, primarily consisting of (1) US$1.5 million incurred in purchases of long-term investments, (2) releases of US$6 thousand cash held at disposal entities, and (3) US$0.2 million in payments for software procurement, and (4) US$0.1 million in purchases of property and equipment, partially offset by (i) proceeds from disposal of property and equipment of US$7.7 thousand, (ii) US$0.6 million for repayment from long-term investments investee, and (iii) US$1.5 thousand for loss from sale of equity interests in subsidiaries.

Net cash used in investing activities in 2020 was US$6.6 million, primarily consisting of (1) US$5.9 million incurred in purchases of long-term investments, (2) US$0.6 million for loan to long-term investments investee, (3) releases of US$0.6 million cash held at disposal entities, (4) US$0.1 million in payments for software procurement, and (5) US$0.1 million in purchases of property and equipment, partially offset by, (i) proceeds from sale of equity interests in subsidiaries of US$0.7 million and (ii) proceeds from disposal of property and equipment of US$0.1 million.

Net cash used in investing activities in 2019 was US$813.0 thousand, consisting of (1) US$557.6 thousand incurred in purchases of property and equipment and (2) payments of US$255.4 thousand for software procurement.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities in 2021 was US$0.7 million, primarily consisting of (1) repayments of borrowings of US$37.3 million, (2) repayment of advances to related parties of US$3.2 million, and (3) repayment of borrowings from related parties of US$1.0 million, partially offset by (i) proceeds from borrowings of US$30.6 million, (ii) proceeds from advances from related parties of US$2.2 million, and (iii) proceed from offering, net of US$8.1 million.

Net cash used in financing activities in 2020 was US$22.8 million, primarily consisting of (1) repayments of borrowings of US$122.7 million, (2) repayment of advances to related parties of US$5.2 million, (3) cash payments of US$3.1 million for acquisition of redeemable non-controlling interests , and (4) repayment of borrowings from related parties of US$0.6 million, partially offset by (i) proceeds from borrowings of US$105.0 million, and (ii) proceeds from advances from related parties of US$3.4 million.

89

Table of Contents

Net cash provided by financing activities in 2019 was US$54.3 million, primarily consisting of (1) proceeds from borrowings of US$50.4 million, (2) net proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares of US$35.0 million, (3) advances from related parties of US$9.4 million, representing interest-free advances form Ms. Zoe Wang and Mr. Leo Zeng and their immediate family members and (4) cash consideration of US$9.3 million for subscription of shares in our company from the shareholders of ECMOHO Shanghai in connection with our corporate restructuring and (5) proceeds from borrowings of US$4.0 million from related parties, partially offset by (i) repayments of borrowings of US$37.3 million, (ii) repayment of advances to related parties of US$10.6 million and (iii) cash payments of US$4.3 million for acquisition of equity interests of ECMOHO Shanghai from Ms. Zoe Wang and Mr. Leo Zeng in connection with our corporate restructuring. For details of our corporate restructuring, see Note 1(b) to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F.

For details of our related party transactions, see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions-B. Related Party Transactions” and Note 27 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.

Capital Expenditures

We made capital expenditures of US$813.0 thousand, US$260.0 thousand and US$274.0 thousand in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively, primarily in relation to purchases of office and warehouse equipment, leasehold improvement and software.

Holding Company Structure

ECMOHO Limited is a holding company with no material operations of its own. ECMOHO Limited is a Cayman Islands holding company, which does not have any substantive operations other than (1) directly controlling our subsidiaries in Hong Kong and China, which conduct our health and wellness business operations in China, and (2) indirectly controlling Shanghai Yibo, the variable interest entity, which holds an ICP license but does not have any substantial operations in China. As a result, ECMOHO Limited’s ability to pay dividends or otherwise fund and conduct its business depends upon dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries. If our existing PRC subsidiaries or any newly formed ones incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us.

In addition, our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in China are permitted to pay dividends to us only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with their articles of association and PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law, each of our subsidiaries and the VIE in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds until such reserve funds reach 50% of its registered capital. In addition, our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in China and the VIE may allocate a portion of their after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to a discretionary surplus fund at their discretion. The statutory reserve funds and the discretionary funds are not distributable as cash dividends. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned company out of China is subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. Our PRC subsidiaries have not paid dividends and will not be able to pay dividends until they generate accumulated profits and meet the requirements for statutory reserve funds.

Under PRC laws and regulations, as an offshore holding company, we are only permitted to provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries through loans or capital contributions, and to the VIE through loans, and such funding is subject to applicable government registration and approval requirements in China. As a result, there is uncertainty with respect to our ability to provide prompt financial support to our PRC subsidiaries and VIE, when needed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our PRC subsidiaries may use their own retained earnings (rather than Renminbi converted from foreign currency denominated capital) to provide financial support to the VIE either through entrustment loans from our PRC subsidiaries or direct loans to the VIE’s nominee shareholders, which would be contributed to the VIE as capital injections. Such direct loans to the nominee shareholders would be eliminated in our consolidated financial statements against the VIE’s share capital.

Financial Information Related to the VIE

The following tables present the condensed consolidating schedule of financial information for ECMOHO Limited, or the Parent, the VIE and the non-variable interest entities for the periods and as of the dates presented.

90

Table of Contents