PANAMA

Panama 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*USD 1,600
Bank AccountUSD 750
*includes first year Company Secretary

Panama’s dollarised economy rests primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for four-fifths of GDP. Services include operating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A slump in Colon Free Zone and agricultural exports, the global slowdown, and the withdrawal of US military forces held back economic growth in 2000-03; growth picked up in 2004 led by export-oriented services and a construction boom stimulated by tax incentives. The government has been backing tax reforms, reform of the social security program, new regional trade agreements, and development of tourism.

Key Corporate Features
General
Type of EntityLimited
Type of lawCivil
Shelf Company AvailabilityNo
Minimum Government Fees (Excluding Taxation)USD 400
Corporate TaxationNone on Foreign Profits
Double Taxation Treaty AccessNo
Share Capital or Equivalent
Standard CurrencyUSD
Permitted CurrenciesAny
Usual AuthorizedUSD 10,000
Minimum Paid-up CapitalUSD 1.00
Directors or Managers
Minimum NumberThree
Local RequiredNo
Public Access to RecordsYes
Location of MeetingsAnywhere
Members
Minimum NumberOne
Public Access to RecordsOptional
Location of MeetingsAnywhere
Company Secretary RequiredYes
Local or QualifiedNot Required
Accounts
Requirement to PrepareYes
Audit RequirementsNo
Requirement to File accountsNo
Public Access to AccountsNo
Other
Requirement to File Annual ReturnNo
Change of Domicile PermittedYes
General Information

The Republic of Panama, with an area of approximately 76,900 sq km, is located between Costa Rica and Colombia, forms the narrowest and lowest portion of the isthmus that links North and South America. The population of Panama is approximately 3.4 million, about 52% of which reside in Panama City, consisting of mainly the Mestizos (70%) and a mix of West Indians, Caucasians and Indians. The dominant religion is Roman Catholicism.

Infrastructure & Economy

The Colon Free Zone is located on the Caribbean side of the Isthmus of Panama near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. This Free Trade Zone is the second largest in the world after Hong Kong.

Operations and transactions taking place in the Free Trade Zone are subject to a special tax treatment whereby imports from other parts of the world and re-exports to other countries are exempted from any import or export taxes imposed by Panama. Income earned from re-exports is taxed at specially reduced rates. Other areas of economic activity are in agriculture, manufacturing, construction, transport, tourism and financial services.

General Information
LanguageSpanish
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (US)
Exchange ControlNone
Type of LawCommon Law Based on English Common Law
Principal Corporate LegislationCorporation Law No. 32 of the 1927 Commercial Code, Decree Law 5 of 1997 and Executive Decree 296 of 1997
Company Information
Type of Company for International Trade and InvestmentGenerally, corporations are incorporated under the Corporation Statute Law 32 of the 1927 Commercial Code. Limited Liability Companies and Limited Partnerships are used also.
Restrictions on TradingCannot undertake the business of banking, trusteeship and trust administration, insurance, assurance, reinsurance, fund management, investment funds, collective investment schemes or any other activity that would suggest an association with the banking, finance, fiduciary or insurance businesses.
Powers of CompanyA company incorporated in Panama has the same powers as a natural person
Language of Legislation and Corporate DocumentsSpanish and certified English translations
Shelf Companies AvailableNo
Language of NameSpanish and certified English translations
Registered Office RequiredYes, must be maintained in Panama at the address of the Registered Agent
Name RestrictionsA name that is similar to or identical to an existing company. Names of well known companies incorporated elsewhere or a name that implies government patronage
Suffixes to Denote Limited LiabilityAll Panamanian corporations must end with the suffix Corporation, Incorporated, Sociedad Anónima or the abbreviations Corp, Inc or SA. They may not utilise the suffix Limited or Ltd.
Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership to AuthoritiesNo.
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