Offshore Company in Belize - Incorporate in Belize

Belize IBC Structure and Operation

RESTRICTIONS ON TRADING

Cannot trade within Belize or own real estate there. Cannot undertake the business of banking, insurance, assurance or reinsurance. However, the legislation does allow an IBC to carry on the following activities within Belize:

• make or maintain deposits with local banks in Belize;
• make or maintain professional contact with persons in Belize;
• prepare or maintain books and records within Belize;
• hold meetings of its directors or members within Belize;
• hold lease of property for use as an office in Belize;
• own a vessel (s) registered in Belize in accordance with the Registration of Merchant Ships Act, 1989;
• hold shares in another Belize IBC.

LANGUAGE OF LEGISLATION AND CORPORATE DOCUMENTS
English.

NAME RESTRICTIONS
Any name that has already been incorporated, 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 which suggests the patronage of Belize Government.

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. This will be provide by Fletcher Kennedy and is include in our fee.

NAMES REQUIRING CONSENT OR LICENCE
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, Sociètè Anonyme, Sociedad Anónima, Gesellschaft mit beshränkter Haftung or the relevant abbreviations (Ltd., Corp., Inc., S.A., GmbH)

AUTHORISED SHARE CAPITAL
The normal authorised share capital is US$ 50,000 divided in to shares with or without par value. The share capital may be expressed in any currency. The minimum issued capital may be one share of no par value or one share of par value.

CLASSES OF SHARES PERMITTED
Registered shares, bearer shares, shares of no par value, preference shares, redeemable shares and shares with or without voting rights. Nominee shareholders are permitted.

BEARER SHARES PERMITTED
Yes.

DISCLOSURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP TO AUTHORITIES
No. Disclosure of the beneficial owner(s) is not required; share register may be inspected only by a shareholder.

FILING REQUIREMENTS
Only the Memorandum and Articles are required for public records. The registration and deregistration of Registers of Directors, Members, and Mortgages and Charges are optional.

TAXATION
A Belize IBC is exempt from...

• the payment of all forms of local taxation;
• the payment of stamp duties for transactions in respect of its shares, debt obligations or other securities;
• the payment of stamp duties with respect to all instruments relating in any way to its assets or activities.

DOUBLE TAXATION AGREEMENTS
Belize is not a party to any double tax agreements.

LEGAL PROTECTION OF ASSETS
Assets are protected from confiscation or expropriation orders or similar actions by foreign governments.

LICENCE FEES
Companies with an authorised capital up to US$ 50,000 pay the sum of US$ 100 per year. This is included within our fee.

Companies with a share capital over US$ 50,000 pay the sum of US$ 1,000 per year.

Companies which have some or all of their shares with no par value pay the sum of US$ 350 per year.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS
Whilst there is no requirement to file audited accounts with the authorities, a company is required to keep financial records that reflect the financial position of a company. No filing of annual returns is required.

MEETINGS
No annual meeting is required. Any and all meetings may be held outside of Belize and may be by telephone or other electronic means;

DIRECTORS
The minimum number of directors is one. Directors may be natural persons or bodies corporate. They can be of any nationality and need not be Belize resident.

COMPANY SECRETARY
A company secretary is not a requirement under the Act, but a secretary can be appointed to facilitate signing obligations.

SHAREHOLDERS
The minimum number of shareholders is one. Shareholders may be natural persons or bodies corporate and of any nationality.

CAPITAL
No minimum capital is required. Shares may be issued with or without par value and in any currency as permitted by the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association.

Our fee to incorporate a Belize IBC (International Business Company) is £780. This includes all government fees and provides a fully configured Belize Company with all the necessary services for the first year.

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See Also:

Belize - Frequently asked Questions
Beize - Prices and Fees
Bank Account for Offshore Companies
Belize Key Features

If you would like further information or want to discuss any aspect of incorporating offshore please contact us