Belize Offshore Company Incorporation Overview

(Prices below do not include Nominee Director. Please refer to our Nominee Service Price List for fees.)

Prices in USD
Incorporation* $1,410
Bank Account $800
*includes first year Company Secretary

 

 

Belize became a British Crown Colony in 1862 and became independent in 1981. Belize is now a parliamentary democracy.

 

The government of Belize is fully committed to the ongoing development of Belize as a leading offshore jurisdiction. Through regular consultations with the private sector, the government ensures that its policies and legislation continue to meet the needs and interests of the international financial community in an environment which engenders trust and confidence.

 

The Belize International Business Company (IBC) is the most popular form of offshore corporate structure. An IBC is formed under the International Business Company Act 1990 and generally must conduct its trading and business outside Belize. However, Belize's legislation also allows an IBC to carry on a number of activities within Belize. Belize offshore companies are used for a variety of tax planning and international investment purposes.

 

 

Key Corporate Features

 

General

Type of Entity IBC
Type of law Common
Shelf Company Availability No
Minimum Government Fees (Excluding Taxation) US$ 450
Corporate Taxation None on Foreign Profits
Double Taxation Treaty Access No

Share Capital or Equivalent

Standard Currency USD
Permitted Currencies Any
Usual Authorized US$ 50,000
Minimum Paid-up Capital US$1.00
Directors or Managers
Minimum Number One
Local Required No
Public Access to Records No
Location of Meetings Anywhere
Members
Minimum Number One
Public Access to Records No
Location of Meetings Anywhere
Company Secretary Required No
Local or Qualified Not Required
Accounts
Requirement to Prepare Yes
Audit Requirements No
Requirement to File accounts No
Public Access to Accounts No
Other
Requirement to File Annual Return No
Change of Domicile Permitted Yes

 

 

General Information

Belize (formerly British Honduras) is a scenically beautiful, independent country located on the Caribbean seaboard of Central America. Belize has an area of approximately 23,026 sq km, and is bounded by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south.

 

The administrative capital of Belize is Belmopan, but the major commercial centre is Belize City, which is located on the eastern coast close to the major international airport.

 

Infrastructure & Economy

Belize's unspoiled environment with cays and barrier reef make it a popular destination for eco-tourists, whilst its clear unpolluted waters are excellent for swimming, diving, fishing and other aqua sports. The country also offers a unique mix of unspoiled woodlands, caves, rivers, mountains, waterfalls and jungle, in addition to a wealth of Mayan archaeological sites. There are also forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, marine resort areas and the world's only jaguar reserve.

 

Major exports are sugar, bananas, citrus products, fishery products, garments and timber and wood products. The offshore finance industry is generating an increasing proportion of national income.

 

• Language

  • The official and spoken language is English.

 

• Currency

  • Belize Dollar (BZD)

 

• Exchange Control

  • Offshore activities are exempted from exchange control.

 

• Type of Law

  • Common Law based on English Company Law.

 

• Principal Corporate Legislation

  • International Business Companies Act, 2000.
  • Limited Life Companies Act, 1999

 

 

Company Information

 

• Type of Company for International Trade and Investment

  • Belize International Business Company (IBC) or the Belize Limited Life Company (LLC).

 

• Restrictions on Trading

  • Cannot trade within Belize or own real estate in Belize. Cannot undertake the business of banking, insurance, assurance or reinsurance.

 

• Powers of Company

  • A company incorporated in Belize has the same powers as a natural person.

 

• Language of Legislation and Corporate Documents

  • English

 

• Shelf Companies Available

  • Yes.

 

• Language of Name

  • A Belize IBC can be incorporated using any language. Chinese language incorporations with Chinese documentation are very popular.

 

• Registered Office Required

  • Yes, must be maintained in Belize at the address of a licensed management company.

 

• Name Restrictions

  • Any name that has already been incorporated in Belize, or is so similar as to cause confusion. Any name which in the opinion of the Registrar is considered undesirable, obscene or offensive. Names such as royal or imperial and any name that suggests the patronage of Belize Government.

 

• Names Requiring Consent or License

  • Bank, building society, savings, loans, insurance, assurance, reinsurance, trust, trustees, Chamber of Commerce, university, municipal or their foreign language equivalents or any name in English or a foreign language that may suggest association with the banking or insurance industries.

 

• Suffixes to Denote Limited Liability

  • Limited, Corporation, Incorporation, Société Anonyme, Sociedad Anónima, Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung or the relevant abbreviations.

 

• Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership to Authorities?

  • No

If you are a lawyer, accountant , tax advisor or financial consultant and require services for your clients, please contact us for further options.

 

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