Starting-Up an Offshore Business: Same Day Company Formation In Belize & Open an Offshore Bank Account in Belize - Forming Company in Belize
: The majority of incorporations for offshore purposes in Belize take the form of an international business company. Offshore Trusts are another popular option in Belize and can be used as a stand alone entity or in conjunction with an international business company. Belize has become popular jurisdiction for the offshore companies' incorporation due to its English-based legal system. The Belize offshore legislation was based on the British Virgin Islands model. In addition, full-ranged, high-tech and international offshore banking services empower Belize as an ideal jurisdiction, so that Belize has been experiencing a fast growth in the formation of offshore international business companies. Offshore companies enjoy a flexible corporate structure making Belize a dynamic leader globally in the offshore company formation. We have been involved with offshore business start-up for many years. We offer a wide scope of unparalleled professional services, which, in addition to the traditional Belize offshore company formation services, include auditing, accounting, legal, shipping, and trust administration and taxation services. For clients requiring confidentiality, professional nominee directors and nominee shareholders are provided. We provide different offshore Belize incorporation packages with the different options depending on your business needs; each package offers the complete formation of a Belize offshore limited company, which is usually ready to commence trading within couple of days. Our Belize offshore registration packages offer the perfect results for those people who are taking the first step into the business or smaller companies whose budget won't stretch to bespoke business solutions, there are no dumbfounds and no hidden charges, - what you see is what you pay!
Belize Company Formations Agent - Companies Registrar New IBC Company & Belize Offshore Banking
: We provide offshore business registration services in Belize and the subsequent support required for the smooth operation and legal maintenance of Belize offshore companies - such as provision of the registered address and registered agent, provision of nominee directors, nominee secretary and shareholders, preparation and filing of the necessary returns and a range of further offshore services. The formation of your Belize international business company usually takes as little as two to five working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan. We can incorporate offshore Belize company within few days may help you with the opening of the corporate bank account operated by an Belize offshore or UK banks. This is exactly what you will get if you choose to incorporate in Belize with Coddan. We are the real company, not a dot.co.uk or a bargain-basement internet company, our offshore knowledgebase and practical with thousands of registered companies, offshore trusts, and partnerships has shown us that many new business owners want the fastest and easiest route to get their new business started.
Belize Business Company Name Registration & Small Belize Business Start-Up Advice
: In addition, full-ranged, high-tech and international offshore banking services empower Belize as an ideal jurisdiction, so that Belize has been experiencing a fast growth in the formation of offshore international business companies. Offshore companies enjoy a flexible corporate structure making Belize a dynamic leader globally in the offshore Belize company formation. We provide offshore business registration services in Belize and the subsequent support required for the smooth operation and legal maintenance of Belize offshore companies - such as provision of the registered address and registered agent, provision of nominee directors, nominee secretary and shareholders, preparation and filing of the necessary returns and a range of further offshore services. The registration of your Belize international business company usually takes as little as fifteen to twenty days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan. Coddan holds a portfolio of Belize ready-made offshore companies which are all ready to trade and can be transferred to you within hours.
Forming or Registering a Company in Belize Online or Visiting Our Office in London
: The Belize is an attractive offshore location which boasts a stable government and a good history as an effective location for offshore activities. The exact nature of the IBC available in the Belize is advantageous in-itself, because it can be formed with only one director, and is not subject to any tax in the Belize. In addition to the tax advantages, the Belize offers a well developed business and communications infrastructure, a wide range of professional services, and emerging e-commerce facilities. The fact that it is an English-speaking country makes communication with local agents and providers simple. It is also an attractive holiday destination.
You can update the price banner on the main offshore Belize services page with the relevant information from below:
Further information
Coddan Belize company formation agent, we help with professional online offshore company incorporation, starting offshore business requirements, Belize companies formations agent, for whom offshore limited company starts-up is a frequent activity or an individual ordering your first offshore Belize company registration. We are providing holding, property management or self employed sole trader offshore company set-up - online limited company formation Belize & one-day company registration in Belize, private offshore limited company formations and small business offshore start-up advice. Starting an offshore business and company registrations in Belize, Coddan - online tax-free limited company registration & business start-up agents in Belize! You can now form and register tax-exempt limited company using our Belize company establishment agent, we offer online incorporation offshore, setting business corporation Belize, starting-up company LTD in Belize registrations services: off-shore sole proprietorship limited liability company.
Check tax-haven company establishment costs, low-tax company, LTD incorporation offshore, company organization package, company name generator helps generate random name for new offshore company. Provides Belize virtual office, mail-forwarding, Companies House webcheck, learn about forming offshore company benefits, incorporating company tax-free advantages and new off-shore company registration with Companies House filing requirements. Starting private company offshore company incorporator agent, Belize business incorporation, forming Belize trust or limited liability partnership, free HSBC corporate business account - establishing LLP or trust in the Belize. Quick offshore companies formation agent, Coddan specialises in online limited company establishment, offshore company registration & guarantee or public entity formation services throughout the Belize. Registering limited company, setting branch office - Coddan provides subsidiary company registrations, Belize companies incorporator, firm law registration, offshore holding company, real-estate, tax-free flat management company, incorporate Belize, starting offshore business.
How-to form an association, LLC, LLP, creating an association in Belize, how to register an organization, formation organizations, business organizational structure, offshore business banking, offshore banking account, offshore bank account and trusts establishment. Nominee company secretary, offshore nominee director service, tax-ID certificate, shareholders agreement, provision nominee shareholder service, provision private nominee directorship, opening offshore banking account, off-shore registered agent and resident agent service - Companies Registrar webfilings. Belize offshore private business company set-up, nominee secretary, nominee secretarial & nominee directors and nominal shareholders - starting self-employed business.
Start your own business Belize, business start up advise, how to start a small Belize business, international law firm, lawyers, Belize based, registering agent, resident agent, how-to incorporate business. Belize ready-made company, offshore shelf companies, Belize ready-made LTD, aged company for sale, non-resident company, and foreign company registrar.
Offshore PLC public company creation package, forming offshore guarantee company, registering guarantee companies, forming LLP partnership or registering Belize LLP, setting LLP offshore. Start an offshore company by incorporating corporation or forming a LTD, PLC or LLP at Coddan - learn about incorporation & how to establish online business. Whether you incorporate online, open corporation Belize or form a corporation, we can help you understand the incorporation process for filing. Incorporate or form an LLC - online! Company formation Belize, limited company formations & registration, electronically online, business incorporation, open offshore companies online, Belize bearer shares, Belize Registrar of Companies provides certificate of good standing. In addition to Belize limited company formation, virtual office Belize City, mail-forwarding, fax-forwarding, cheap apostille, business address services and company searches for limited companies. Information to help start, grow or manage a small business, ready-made companies with opened banking account.
If you are starting an offshore business or starting own business, nominee director, nominee secretary, rush incorporation - an outline of the general steps for incorporation in Belize, explaining how to registering your business, choosing where to establish your business and how to incorporate. Notarization and power of attorney, legal and lawyer services - registry of companies and business. Belize BZ domain name registration, all .BZ domains, register all Belizean domain names - Belize domain registration, free Belize Domain name system and DNS: buy your domain in Belize, register domain extensions. Belize maybe considered for licence to operate in the Belize under the Boat Registration Act and Boat Registration Belize yacht registration rules - you must pay import duty on the value of the boat or yacht in order to register it in the Belize, Belize offshore tax havens with offshore banking Belize including offshore shelf companies.
Belize offshore company formation & offshore Belize company incorporation, tax-free company registrations and small business formation offshore start-up advice: incorporate offshore, starting offshore business and cheap firm registrations in Belize.
Coddan offers cost-effective low-tax company incorporations, quick zero-tax limited company formation Belize & business starting-up agent offshore! You can now forming offshore corporation & efficient registering Belize company using business establishment agent, advice starting business Belize. Easy incorporate company offshore or electronic register limited company Belize, forming new business and offshore business establishment agent. Coddan provides starting offshore company advise, registered office address & nominee secretary nominee director, registered agent services. We are professional incorporating public company offshore, Belize limited company incorporator, starting business offshore advisers, private companies formation Belize. Setting corporation Belize, providing virtual office, mail-forwarding, virtual secretary assistant, mail-drop service, and companies registrations Belize - start-up PLC company with secretary state. Establish business and companies start-up Belize with formation agent, Companies House agent, private limited company advantages benefits, limited company with bank account, company tax-free trading, HSBC offshore banking, Lloyds offshore bank, Barclays offshore banking, Abbey offshore bank, Halifax offshore banking, trademark registration.
Incorporating private company offshore, starts-up Belize public company, establishes guarantee company, forming non-profit company, companies registry. Offshore ready-made company list, shelf companies, ready-made companies, offshore shelf-company, readymade IBC, vintage companies ready-to-go. Steps establishing international business company & open firm, filing corporation, tax-panning and business structures schemes, protected cell company, offshore foundation, trust, purchase a business for sale, how to buy a business, businesses for sale, forming organizations. How-to form an association, Belize LLC, LLP, creating an association, how to register an organization, formation organizations, business organizational structure, offshore banking, offshore account, offshore bank account and offshore investing, Alliance Bank of Belize, Belize Bank, Atlantic Bank, First Caribbean International Bank, Scotia Bank. Incorporating private company offshore, starts-up Belize public company, establishes guarantee company, forming non-profit company, companies registry.
Offshore ready-made company list, shelf companies, ready-made companies, offshore shelf-company, readymade IBC, vintage companies ready-to-go. Steps establishing international business company & open firm, filing corporation, tax-panning and business structures schemes, protected cell company, offshore foundation, trust, purchase a business for sale, how to buy a business, businesses for sale, forming organizations. How-to form an association, Belize LLC, LLP, creating Belize association, how to register an organization, formation organizations, business organizational structure, offshore banking, offshore account, offshore bank account and offshore investing. Conduct offshore trademark search through Coddan to reveal whether your proposed trade mark is capable of trademark registration Belize & our comprehensive trademark study and trademark registration services are available to you. We have a dedicated apostille legalisation services department who will organise any legalisation by apostille in Belize as required at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and any required Belize Consulate legalisation service.
We provide the full range of public notary services for private and commercial clients in Belize and internationally - offshore debit card, and bank account opening solutions - offshore credit card. Our complete range of corporate services cover company registration through to its restoration or dissolution, and we also cover information and support. How to choose a limited liability partnership name and how to form a limited liability partnership, limited liability company (LLC) is a business structure allowed by Belize Companies House.
Easy incorporate company offshore or electronic register offshore limited company Belize, forming new business, and business tax-free establishment agency. Coddan provides starting private offshore company advise, Belize registered office address & nominee secretary, Belize nominee director, registered agent services. We are professional incorporating public company, limited Belize company incorporator, starting business advisers, private companies formation offshore, starting a limited liability company.
Setting corporation in Belize, providing virtual office, mail-forwarding, virtual secretary assistant, mail-drop service, and companies registrations Belize City - start-up PLC company with Companies Registrar. Establish business and companies start-up Belize with local registration agent, Belize Companies House agent, private limited company advantages benefits, limited company with Belize bank account, company with opened offshore bank account. How-to form an association, LLC, LLP, creating an association, how to register organization, formation offshore organizations, business organizational structure agents, company house direct, companies house efiling, companies house web search, web-filing service, filing penalties. Forming Belize branch office, forming joint venture offshore, should I form new company or buy ready-made company - my company wants to open branch in Belize, is this better than creating new private LTD? Offshore readymade company for sale, tax-free ready-made company, off-the-shelf company, tax-exempt shelf company, vintage companies ready-to-go, protected cell company, international business company IBC.
Purchase a business for sale, how to buy a business, businesses for sale, forming organizations - small offshore company filing requirements. Limited liability company vs. sole proprietorship - learn the advantages and disadvantages of LLCs and sole proprietorships, two popular types of business entities, Belize mutual funds registered with the Company Registry in accordance with the Belize business companies act - doing business in Belize, Belize apostille is a special seal applied by an authority to certify Belize apostilled stamp, hague convention apostille, apostille certification, notary public apostille. Belize shelf corporation, shelf company, or aged corporation, is a Belize company or corporation that has had no activity. It was created and left with no activity - metaphorically put on the shelf to Belize aged corporation. The company can then be sold to a person or group of persons who wish to start a company without going through all the procedures of creating a new one, Belize companies corporate affairs registry, Belize company search, and registry of companies and business.
Benefits of banking offshore in Belize and looking at offshore banking establishment and activity in Belize, Belize also offers offshore banking accounts that are absolutely safe from creditors and free from the requirement of tax-filing.
We incorporate offshore company, one day business creation, online company formation agent company registration offshore agents, forming tax-haven company and registering offshore companies IBC in Belize, incorporate company offshore. We offer Belize companies formations service, tax-exempt companies and non-resident companies, benefit from an offshore bank account, bearer shares, Belize yacht registration, boat registration, trademark, trade mark, offshore Belize trust, mutual funds. Belize apostille legalization and apostilled notarization legalizing service. Forming limited companies, offshore bank accounts are sometimes touted as the solution to every legal, financial and asset protection, Belize non-resident company formations, register your business name with us.
What is an incorporated business - set up an offshore corporation, offshore financial centre, to go or not to go offshore? Incorporate Belize, incorporation, registering offshore, incorporation services, incorporating services, incorporate offshore business online, incorporating tax-exempt business, open holding company, LLC creation, starting company Belize, & limited liability corporation, articles of incorporation, limited liability partnership incorporation, non profit corporation, corporate name search, Belize corporate name availability, corporate name registration. Belize Embassy legalization, urgent apostille certification, cheap apostille legalisation of legal documents from Belize embassy and Belize Foreign Office, we can help you with the request an application for obtaining a Belizean apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ministry of External Affairs is providing Apostille Attestation on documents issued from Belize Companies Registrar. The International Business Companies Registry is located in the Marina Towers building in Belize City.
A Belize readymade corporation, readymade company, or aged corporation, is a Belize company or corporation that has had no activity. It was created and left with no activity - metaphorically put on the shelf to Belize aged readeymade company. The company can then be sold to a person or group of persons who wish to start a company without going through all the procedures of creating a new one, IBC registry Belize, bearer shares - Belize chamber of commerce with international business companies registry Belize.
This is one of our most popular packages with worldwide customers, and includes:
The formation your offshore Belizean offshore company from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, and shareholder;
The standard capital on formation is US$50,000 divided into 50,000 shares valued at no par value or US$1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);
The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;
The search for international business company (IBC) name availability, confirmation, and reservation;
The preparation and submission of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
A local registered office address and a local registered agent (both of which are statutory requirements in Belize) for 12 months are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);
The formation of an offshore company usually takes as little as two to five working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the Companies Registrar usually takes as little as one to two days from the time of incorporation.
The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your offshore company:
The original certificate of incorporation;
A bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
The minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors;
A completed register of directors and shareholders;
Share certificates.
Premier Package
£ 615.00
Annual Maintenance Fee £470.00
This is another one very popular package with worldwide customers, and includes:
The registration your offshore Belizean company from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint our own candidate to the role of a nominee director, and your own candidate to the role of a shareholder;
The standard capital on formation is US$50,000 divided into 50,000 shares valued at no par value or US$1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);
The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;
The search for international business company (IBC) name availability, confirmation, and reservation;
The preparation and submission of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
A local registered office address and a local registered agent (both of which are statutory requirements in Belize) for 12 months are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);
The provision of a nominee director for 12 months is also included in the price of this package (our nominee director service is charged annually);
The formation of a Belizean offshore company usually takes as little as two to five working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the Companies Registrar usually takes as little as one to two days from the time of incorporation.
The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your offshore company:
The original certificate of incorporation;
A bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
The minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors;
A completed register of directors and shareholders;
Share certificates;
The general power of attorney signed by a nominee director;
Pre-signed, undated resignation letter from a nominee director;
The agreement for the provision of nominee service and indemnification of nominee.
Deluxe Package
£ 725.00
Annual Maintenance Fee £580.00
This is our most popular package with international customers, and includes:
The incorporation your offshore Belizean company from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint our own candidates to the role of a nominee director and a nominee shareholder;
The standard capital on formation is US$50,000 divided into 50,000 shares valued at no par value or US$1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);
The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;
The search for international business company (IBC) name availability, confirmation, and reservation;
The preparation and submission of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
A local registered office address and a local registered agent (both of which are statutory requirements in Belize) for 12 months are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);
The provision of a nominee director for 12 months is included in the price of this package (our nominee director service is charged annually);
The provision of a nominee shareholder for 12 months is also included in the price of this package (our nominee shareholder service is charged annually);
The formation of an offshore company in Belize usually takes as little as two to five working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the Companies Registrar usually takes as little as one to two days from the time of incorporation.
The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your offshore company:
The original certificate of incorporation;
A bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
The minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors;
A completed register of directors and shareholders;
Share certificates;
Pre-signed, undated letters of resignation from a nominee director and a nominee shareholder;
A general power of attorney signed by a nominee director;
A declaration of trust from the nominee shareholder;
An indemnity letter for the power of attorney;
A nominee agreement which provides for the indemnification of the nominees.
Incorporate in Belize: Legal Requirements
An international business company in Belize cannot trade within Belize or own real estate in the jurisdiction of Belize.
The company is required to have a registered office address in Belize.
The company is required to have a registered agent in Belize.
At minimum, one director must be appointed.
There is no maximum number of directors.
A director can be of any nationality.
Directors can be corporate bodies or private individuals.
At minimum, one shareholder must be appointed.
The same person may be both a shareholder and a director.
Company officers may be resident outside of Belize.
The names and addresses of directors and shareholders are not available on the public record.
There is no requirement for appointing a resident shareholder or director.
There is no requirement for a resident secretary, but it is advisable.
The minimum paid in and issued capital may be just one share which is fully paid.
Shares can be issued with or without par value.
Shares may be issued in any recognizable currency or in more than one recognizable currency.
An international business company's records and accounts do not have to be held nor filed with the Belize authorities.
Belizean IBCs are specifically exempted from any form of income tax, capital gains or transaction tax.
OFFSHORE BELIZE COMPANY FORMATION. INCORPORATE OFFSHORE COMPANY IN BELIZE, Welcome to Coddan online Belize International Business Companies formation agent. We recommend reviewing this site in its entirety, so that you are knowledgeable of the Belize jurisdiction and the powers granted to Belize companies. We will guide you through the process of registering your Belize offshore company and establishing your registered identity. Complete and submit an IBC application form. Adequate completion and submission of this form, along with the provision of payment, will enable Coddan to incorporate your proposed Belize off-shore company within three business days. We will express mail your corporate documents to the mailing address you specify in your incorporation order. If you want to become familiar with the description and the contents of the Belize company formation packages, offered by Coddan and to find above, what kind of service is included in this or that Belize companies incorporation package, to get an idea about the price of annual renewal of the service, and about the general legal requirements to the company incorporation, please, select the package you need from the list, situated below the banner. The information in the banner will be renewed according to the package you've chosen.
1. An IBC cannot trade within Belize or own real estate there. Company subscribers may be resident outside the Belize. 2. An IBC is TAX EXEMPT on all income earned worldwide. 3. The company is required to have a registered office in Belize. You must appoint a minimum of 1 director. There is no maximum number of directors. 4. Directors can be corporate bodies or private individuals. A director can be of any nationality. 5. There has to be at least one shareholder. The names and address of shareholders are not available to the public. 6. Shareholder and director may be the same person. There is no requirement for appointing local shareholder and director. 7. There is no requirement for a resident secretary. There is no paid-in capital requirement. 8. The minimum paid in and issued capital may be one share which is fully paid. Shares can be issued with or without par value. 9. Shares may be issued in any recognizable currency or in more than one recognizable currency. 10. Belize IBC records and accounts do not have to be held or filed with the authorities.
Located on the Caribbean seaboard of Central America, Belize is an independent democratic Commonwealth. Since its independence from Britain in 1981, it has enjoyed a stable and democratic Government. With the introduction of the International Business Companies Act in 1990, Belize is one of the newest Caribbean jurisdictions to the offshore market. Flexible legislation modelled from the British Virgin Islands has enabled Belize to steadily become a popular offshore corporate domicile.
Please note » The prices payable for the items that you order are clearly set out in the web site. There will be no contract of any kind between you and us unless and until we receive payment from you. We act as your agent in the incorporation of offshore companies. We are not able to guarantee that any such filing will be acceptable to Companies Registrar , nor are there any contractual obligation upon us to do so. If Companies Registrar rejects incorporation or other filing, we will credit your account with a full refund and the contract between us will be made void. Companies Registrar does not offer a cancellation facility for the incorporation of companies or the filing of documents. We will be unable to cancel any such submission on your behalf and will not refund any payment you have made. All prices shown at Coddan Web Site are in Great British pounds. Credit cards are the preferred method of payment; we accept VISA, MasterCard and Delta. We can accept payment in UK Pounds Sterling, US Dollars, Euros, Australian Dollars and Canadian Dollars.
Live Help » Live Help is a real time "chat" feature which enables you to interact with a customer service representative without a phone call. Get answers to your questions while using our website. Clicking the "Live Help" button will start an on-line session with one of our representatives. Live Help is currently available during normal business hours. Outside of the above opening hours our business center will be closed. When you click on the button you will see an e-mail form that will allow you to send us a mail with your questions. Live Help is absolutely free! There are no hidden fees. We offer the service as a courtesy to our website visitors. Dear visitors, while having a chat session with a customer, we are frequently requested to give a piece of advice on tax planning or business structuring. We would like to inform you that it is against our principles to provide online advice pertaining to these issues. The points that may be covered during a session include service description, package or service price, navigation at our website, ways of making an order, methods of payment etc. Yet, if you wish us to provide you with advice on tax or business structuring, you should be aware that this service is chargeable. If you have any questions please E-Mail or call us: 033 0808-0089 or +44 (0) 207.935.5171, fax: +44 207.504.3531.
WHY CHOOSE BELIZE?
The introduction in the early 1990's of International Business Company legislation, together with a range of other offshore enabling laws, led to growth of interest in Belize as a low-tax jurisdiction. From 1990 to 1997 roughly 3,000 offshore companies were registered in Belize. Growth then accelerated: by March 2000, the total number of offshore companies reached 14,000.
Good reputation. The International Financial Services Industry including Banks in Belize is rigorously and well regulated and has specific legislation for the prevention of money laundering and fraud. Belize is not on OECD / FATF black lists. Belize is recognized as an ideal offshore center globally.
Rigid regulatory regime. The International Financial Services Commission has been created as an independent board with the responsibility to develop and regulate the International Financial Services Industry in order to promote confidence in the International Financial Services Industry. No service provider can legally act without a rigid vetting and investigation procedure thus ensuring control, approval and due diligence for the clients.
Confidentially. The Laws of Belize ensure the freedom of the individual, his business and the sanctity of private commercial transactions. No information pertaining to the identity of directors &/or shareholders need be filed on public record. An IBC's Register of Shareholders is available for inspection only by shareholders or by order of the Belize Courts at the request of any shareholder.
The Belizean IBC is not subject to any Tax Treaties with any country. No public filing requirements except Memorandum & Articles of Association. No need for annual returns or audited accounts thereby saving legal fees. Bearer shares may be issued.
BELIZE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Belize, previously known as British Honduras, lies on the East coast of Central America in the heart of the Caribbean Basin, bordering on Mexico to the North, Guatemala to the West and South, and flanked by the Caribbean Sea to the East. The size of Belize is 23,000 sq km. The northern half of the mainland of Belize is a plain with thin soil that supports scrub vegetation and dense hardwood tropical forest. The coastal area is neither land nor sea, but a sodden, swampy transition between the two. The central part of the country consists of sandy soil that supports large savannas, with a mountainous region southwest of Belize City. The southern part of Belize, with an annual rainfall of some 170 inches, has a true tropical rain forest that is rich with ferns, palms, lianas, and tropical hardwoods.
The climate is subtropical, with a brisk prevailing wind from the Caribbean Sea. The country has an annual mean temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity is nicely tempered by sea breezes. However there are frequent, devastating hurricanes from September to December. The cayes (pronounced keys), the offshore atolls, and the barrier reef are the main tourist attraction in Belize. The barrier reef, which is 185 miles long, is the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. The cayes are islands and/or mangroves, that are located between the mainland and the barrier reef, on the barrier reef, and on or within the barrier reef perimeters of the offshore atolls.
The island cayes, which are distinguishable by their palm trees, provide superior opportunity for SCUBA diving, snorkeling, fishing, boating, sailing, sailboarding, and sea kayaking, as well as habitat for both nesting birds and turtles. The population was 249,183 in July 2000, with a growth rate of 2.75% annually. The ethnic make-up is: mestizo 44.1%, Creole 31%, Maya 9.2%, Garifuna 6.2%, other 9.5%. Due to racial harmony and religious tolerance, the many different racial elements in Belize have mixed and blended successfully, and Belize has gained a widespread reputation for its friendly people. English is the official language although Spanish, Creole, Garifuna and Mayan are widely spoken throughout the country. The religion is mainly Christianity - both Roman Catholic and Protestant. Small groups practice Islam, Hinduism and Bahai. The British began to settle Belize in the seventeenth century, largely in order to fell and export tropical hardwoods, particularly mahogany. After a long period of disputed ownership between Spain and England, marked as well by slave revolts, Belize became the British Colony of "British Honduras" in 1871. Universal suffrage was introduced in 1954, and self-government followed in 1964. The country's name was changed to Belize in 1973 and in 1975 the UN ruled over a long-standing territorial dispute with Guatemala in Belize's favour. The country became independent within the Commonwealth in 1981.
The Commercial Free Zone Act 1994 established a Commercial Free Zone at Corozal to attract foreign investment. The Zone provides facilities for various activities including manufacturing, processing, packaging, warehousing and distribution of goods and services. Businesses established in the Free Zone are free of foreign exchange restrictions and receive a range of other benefits including duty exemptions and tax holidays. Goods and supplies entering and leaving the Free Zone for commercial purposes are exempt from import or export duties, quotas, stamp duties and revenue replacement duties.
All our Belize companies are general trading companies which include Certificate of Incorporation & Memorandum and Articles of Association, Registered Agent and Address in Belize. Fast 3-5 days incorporation service which enables you to appoint director & shareholders details straight away. This procedure applies to all or packs with the payment of all government fees. This pack is sent directly to you via DHL.
THE FOLLOWING UPGRADES CAN BE ADDED TO THE ABOVE PACKAGE:
1. Nominee Director service for 12 months - £166.00 2. Nominee Shareholder service for 12 months - £110.00 3. Apostilled Certificate of Good Standing - £125.00 4. Apostilled Certificate of Incorporation - £110.00
Income tax is charged at between 2% and 8% on Free Zone businesses, but these rates can be reduced by up to 2% through tax credits earned by the employment of Belizean workers.
Three locations have been designated as EPZs under the Export Processing Zone Act. The San Andres EPZ occupies 28.5 acres of land in the northern section of the country, only 8 miles away from the Mexican border, right next door to NAFTA. The other two Zones are both located approximately 9 miles from Belize City, the country's commercial capital. The EPZ adjacent to the Philip Goldson International Airport covers 4 acres, while the Price Barracks EPZ covers 14 acres.
In the EPZ, facilities are provided for activities in manufacturing, processing, packaging, warehousing and the distribution of goods and services. In fact, amendments made to the legislation in 1994, provide investors with the added option of constructing their own facilities and developing infrastructure within an EPZ, including independent utility installations. This option enables an EPZ to enhance its economic development, since it does not necessarily have to use the electricity or telephone facilities provided by the two local monopolies, The Belize Electricity Limited and The Belize Telecommunications Limited respectively.
To date only the San Andres EPZ is operational; the Government is currently seeking developers for the other two EPZs. A developer is responsible for the administration of an EPZ, and needs to own or have leased all the land within the Zone, as well as provide infrastructure and public services within the area. An EPZ business in Belize receives a guaranteed tax holiday of 20 years, being exempt from income tax, withholding tax, capital gains tax or any new corporate tax.
Other benefits include: an option to extend the tax holiday period. Losses incurred during the tax holiday period may be carried forward and deducted against any future profits. Any dividend paid by an EPZ business is exempted from tax in perpetuity. Exemption from currency export taxes or foreign exchange taxes on all purchases or sales of foreign currency. Exemption from customs duties, value-added taxes, sales taxes, excise taxes, trade turnover taxes, tonnage taxes, consumption taxes or other taxes for all imports and exports of an EPZ business. Exemption from capital gains tax on the sale of stock or other partial or complete ownership interest in an EPZ business. Exemption from property or land tax and property transfer tax. The Land Tax Act does not apply to EPZ property.
Application for EPZ status requires a number of documents, including layout, construction and financial plans, together with a non-refundable application fee of US$ 500. The Ministry of Trade and Industry issues a Certificate of Compliance which authorises a company to take advantage of EPZ benefits. The applicant company also signs an Operations Contract with the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Belize is centrally located in the Americas. Belize is an independent country within the Commonwealth bordered by Mexico, the Caribbean and Guatemala to the east and south. It is 24,000 sq km in size, with a population of 250,000. The country is, or was, heavily forested. The climate is nearly tropical, and there can be hurricanes. The extremely mixed population is racially harmonious. English is the official language and the main religion is Christianity. The currency is the Belizean dollar, fixed at BZ$2 = US$1.
SUGAR AND BANANAS REPRESENT A DIFFICULTY FOR THE CENTRIST GOVERNMENT ...
In Belize's bi-cameral Westminster-style government, the lower house was most recently elected in 1998 and the government is tackling economic problems caused by low commodity prices and reduced access to privileged markets for sugar and bananas by encouraging foreign investment in manufacturing. The country's structural deficit can only be financed by overseas borrowing, but the Government hopes for debt relief for existing loans. In 1999 GDP was $740m at PPP, and GDP per head was $3,100, rather low for the region. Growth in 1999 was 4%, and there was deflation of 0.9%.
... AND FOREIGN PRESSURE MAY HOLD BACK OFFSHORE DEVELOPMENT.
Internal Belizean taxes are moderate, with a turnover-based tax having replaced corporation tax. Employees pay up to 45% tax on income plus social contributions. There is a variety of offshore schemes, including IBC legislation, a modern trusts law, and an array of free zones and investment incentive schemes. Belize offers 'economic citizenship' and a retired persons regime. In fact, the debt relief which is vital to Belize may only be obtained at the price of changes to the offshore regime - a case of fiscal colonialism.
THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT IS QUITE GOOD, BUT E-COMMERCE LAGS
Telecommunications are state-of-the-art, but too expensive because of the telecommunications monopoly which is holding back development. Recent moves to open up an e-commerce free zone may have come too late for Belize to catch up with more advanced jurisdictions. Air and sea communications are both good, and it may be that Belize's immediate offshore future lies more in expanding its effective and popular free zones than in other directions.
INTERNET GAMBLING LAW
Belize is one of the few countries that has enacted legislation allowing for the establishment of online wagering. Its Computer Wagering Licensing Act, 1995, which came into force on May 28, 1996, provides for the proper conduct and regulation of gambling via the Internet. Besides legalising wagering by Computer Internet, the Act also provides for the licensing of computer services operators who provide Computer Internet users with the facility to wager against each other on sporting events or other games of chance.
The Belize Computer Wagering Licensing Board vets all applications for licences to provide computer wagering services and, with the prior approval of the Minister of Home Affairs (Minister), can grant exclusive licences. They are also responsible for the control and regulation of all persons who provide computer wagering services.
Application for a licence to provide computer wagering services, should be accompanied by the prescribed licence fee, which at present may be either an annual fee of US $50,000 for a non-exclusive licence, or in the case of an exclusive licence, a fee of US $100,000. If an application is refused, the licence fee is refundable subject to an administrative charge. As a security for the performance of obligations under the licence and for the payment of any fine, licensees are required to make a cash deposit of US $500,000.
Other regulatory requirements include the maintenance of a separate bank account for processing wager transactions. Licensees may charge a processing fee not exceeding 5% of each transaction, or the sum of US $20, whichever is greater.
There is a 15% withholding tax on payments of winnings or prizes made by holders of computer wagering licenses.
EXPORT PROCESSING ZONES
The rules and regulations governing the EPZ Programme are contained in the EPZ Act 1990 and Export Processing Zone Regulations 1992.
COMMERCIAL FREE ZONE
The Commercial Free Zone Act 1994 established a Commercial Free Zone at Corozal to attract foreign investment. The Zone provides facilities for various activities including manufacturing, processing, packaging, warehousing and distribution of goods and services. During the first five years of its operation, a CFZ business is exempt from income tax or capital gains tax or any new corporate tax levied by the Government of Belize, and any dividends paid by a CFZ business are exempt from tax for the first twenty years of its operation.
Where a CFZ business incurs a total net loss over the five years' tax holiday, that loss may be carried forward and deducted against profits in the three years following the tax holiday period. Any proceeds from the sale of stock or other partial or complete ownership interest in a CFZ business are exempt from the tax described above.
EXCHANGE CONTROL
Under the Exchange Control Regulations, Chapter 43 of the Laws of Belize (1980) only the Central Bank, authorized dealers and authorized depositories may deal in foreign currency, and a foreign exchange permit must be obtained from an authorized dealer or the Central Bank. The permission of the Central Bank is also required in order to secure a loan from outside Belize, which involves a foreign currency, and also to service repayment of foreign debt.
The necessary approvals, however, can be easily secured in the case of genuine, approved enterprises. Foreign investors are required to register any investments made in Belize with the Central Bank to facilitate the repatriation of profits, dividends, etc.
BELIZE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANY
An IBC is formed by filing Articles and Memorandum of Association along with the required fees. The following are the main characteristics of an IBC: there is no minimum paid up capital requirement, and capital may be expressed in foreign currency. An IBC may issue bearer shares and shares of no par value. Subscribers may include an individual, a corporation or a Trust. A company may have nominee shareholders using local licensed registered agents. There is a minimum of one director, who can be an individual or a corporation. A secretary is not required (but can be useful). Each company must maintain Belize registered agent and Belize registered office using licensed individuals or companies - these are the only details about an IBC that are available on the public file. There are no requirements for an IBC to file details related to shareholders or directors or for the filing of audits or accounting reports. No meetings are required of directors or members. There are no exchange controls for an IBC. Foreign companies may continue (re-domicile) as Belizean IBCs, and vice versa.
The IBC act prohibits an IBC from: carrying on business with persons resident in Belize. Owning an interest in real property situated in Belize, except lease property for office purposes. Carrying on banking business. Carrying on insurance or reinsurance business. Carrying on the business of providing registered agents/offices for companies. Otherwise, a Belize IBC may engage in any activity that is not unlawful in Belize. Belizean IBCs are specifically exempted from any form of income tax, capital gains or transaction tax. Any IBC can conduct its business in any foreign currency it may choose free of the Belizean government regulation or restriction.
Among the many uses of IBCs are: to establish securities trading accounts in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Europe, either directly or through Belizean intermediaries. To hold title to real estate in jurisdictions other than Belize. To collect commissions, royalties or dividends or to re-invoice trade transactions. Under the International Business Company Act of 1990, IBC's are exempt from most types of taxation. Exemptions include: all income of an IBC. All interests, rent, royalties, compensations and other amounts paid by an IBC to persons who are not residents in Belize. All dividends paid by an IBC to persons resident in Belize or elsewhere. Capital gains realized on any shares, debt obligations or other securities of an IBC by persons who are not residents in Belize. IBC's are exempt from the payment of stamp duty on: all instruments relating to transfer of any property to or by an IBC. All instruments relating to transactions in respect of the shares, debt obligations or other securities of an IBC. All instruments relating in any way to the assets or activities of an IBC, debt obligations or other securities of an IBC by persons who are not residents in Belize.
WHAT CAN IBC'S BE USED FOR?
An IBC can be used for a wide range of applications, such as:
Estate and Financial Planning. Offshore companies are widely used in estate and financial planning - particularly in conjunction with foreign trusts - as vehicles to hold assets to replace individual personal ownership. International Trading. Traditionally, this has been the most popular use for an offshore company. By establishing an offshore company to purchase goods from one country and then sell them to another country, the profits from the transaction can be held in the offshore company in a completely tax-fee free environment. The goods, however, are typically shipped directly from the country of origin to the destination country. An offshore company can also be used to achieve economies of scale and reduced administrative costs by combining the purchasing activities of a group of related or unrelated companies.
Significant tax exemptions and deferrals are available from some countries to companies that perform export sales through offshore countries: e.g. the US offers the Foreign Sales Corporation tax exemption for US exporters who conform to those regulations.
Investment Holdings and Share Ownership. Offshore companies are often used effectively by individuals and corporations alike as vehicles for the management of investment funds. Offshore companies can maintain brokerage accounts and hold stocks, bonds, cash and a wide variety of investment products and offer the individual investor a high degree of anonymity. As a foreign corporation, an IBC will usually be treated differently to a resident individual or company and can therefore achieve significant tax savings and accumulate all profits in a tax-free environment. Corporations with worldwide interests face a range of fiscal regimes, exchange controls, currency and political risks, and accounting policies. Coddan can assist corporations in establishing a variety of holding and operating companies in a range of different jurisdictions, thereby allowing them to structure their affairs for maximum efficiency.
Ship and Property Ownership. Offshore companies can be used to own ships and organise shipping operations thereby enabling ship owners and operators to reduce both direct and indirect taxes on their shipping operations and allow the increased profits to be accumulated for optimum growth in a tax-free environment. It is also possible to use an offshore company to hold real estate and other types of properties all over the world. Such companies are used as a means to avoid or reduce capital gains taxes, inheritance taxes and property transfer taxes, and the sale of such property can be achieved easily by transferring the shares in the company with significant reductions in the acquisition costs to be borne by the purchaser. For rental property, by properly structuring the financing through a back-to-back loan facility, an offshore company can be used to effectively control the level of any withholding taxes applied to any rental income.
Intellectual Property (patents, copyrights, royalties). An offshore company can be formed to be the international sub-licensee for important intellectual property rights such as patents, copyrights and royalties. This offshore company can then enter into sublicensing or franchise arrangements with companies around the world interested in the exploitation of such rights. The income will then accrue to the offshore company in a tax-free environment.
Consultancy and Professional Services. Individuals who receive significant payments for their services (such as consultants, writers, designers, directors, composers, entertainers, engineers, etc.) may contract themselves through an offshore company that pays the individual an agreed upon fee. This is structured so as to minimise their tax liability and to invest the profits in a tax-free environment, thus generating optimum returns. Payments to the individual can then be structured in such a way to minimise personal income tax.
Treasury Management. A corporation with a number of foreign subsidiaries often needs a facility to balance various currency risks, capital flows and income variations resulting from inter-group operations. To establish such a facility in one's home country could have tax or legal consequences. Establishing an offshore treasury management company can serve to consolidate all of the various activities in one place and provide the flexibility to cope with different legal and fiscal regimes. In particular, the treasury management company can hold profits for the foreign subsidiaries, control the foreign exchange positions, and use accumulated cash positions for future investment in whichever location is deemed appropriate.
Leasing Services. Offshore companies can be used in a variety of situations to purchase capital equipment and then lease the equipment to a company in a high-tax country. In this way, it is possible to accumulate the funds offshore in a tax-free environment and the lease payment will typically be considered a deductible expense in the high-tax country.
Employment Services. Many organisations employ staff outside their home country. In doing so, they may encounter complications concerning such matters as exchange controls and taxation. The use of an offshore company to employ the staff and pay their salaries can resolve such difficulties and reduce the costs associated with payroll, travel expenses and administration. This may also provide tax and social security benefits for the employees.
Factoring and Transfer Pricing. By factoring the trading debts of a company in a high-tax country through an offshore company, it is possible to accumulate the discounted portion of the factored debt offshore in a tax-free environment. In this way, it should be possible to treat the factoring charge as a deductible expense in the high-tax country.
OUR SERVICES
Planning on starting a business, or dreaming of building a resort in Belize? You're not alone. Belize is one of the newer tax haven countries with special legislation for the establishment of Offshore Trusts and International Business Corporations. Belize is recognized as one of the best offshore jurisdictions that people seek for offshore Trusts and offshore company formations. We provide asset protection, offshore accounts, online banking and offshore brokerage accounts for online trading in total secrecy. You can have bearer shares and only need one director for your offshore company. With a speedy service from our company' solicitors and Belize's offshore company formation process, your Belize International Business Company (IBC) is incorporated with completed documents couriered back to you within a few days.
The International Business Companies Act 1990 of the Laws of Belize created a special category of companies known as an International Business Company. The law was enacted to permit tax minimization and asset protection at competitive rates. An International Business Company is defined as a company that pays no taxes, and is for the most part free of trade and other restrictions such as exchange control, trade licensing and public disclosure requirements in the country in which it is incorporated and resident. In all other respects an offshore corporation can perform practically any function an ordinary corporation can perform. Thus the IBC is an ideal tax planning vehicle which can be used for a wide rang of commercial activities.
Belize has become popular jurisdiction for the incorporation of IBCs due to its English-based legal system. The IBC legislation was based on the British Virgin Island model. In addition, full-ranged, high-tech and international offshore banking services empower Belize as an ideal jurisdiction, so that Belize has been experiencing a fast growth in the formation of International Business Companies. Belizean IBCs enjoy a flexible corporate structure making Belize a dynamic leader globally in the incorporation of International Business Companies.
We are a specialist in company setting in Belize. We provide offshore registration services in Belize and the subsequent support required for the smooth operation and legal maintenance of Belize offshore companies - such as provision of the registered address and registered agent, provision of nominee directors, nominee secretary and shareholders, preparation and filing of the necessary returns and a range of further offshore services. Depending on the ordered configuration, Belize company incorporation could take somewhere from 1 to 6 days. Upon the receipt of your order we will contact you and start company registration in Belize. Please make sure to indicate your contact details as complete as possible. Depending on the structure of the Belize offshore company there may be some additional questions to be clarified before the Belize offshore IBC formation.
We provide everything you need to easily and affordably incorporate your business in Belize. Coddan provides complete and confidential corporate management services. Included are wide ranges of financial and administrative services to individuals and corporate entities, as a base for their international and local business activities in Belize. Our mission is to provide high quality services to our clients over the long-term at competitive fees. You will find that we are able to render certain additional services exceedingly valuable when the time factor is of special importance. Upon the confirmation of your order, we will prepare the Memorandum and Articles of Association and other mandatory documents required to register your IBC. There is no need for you to sign any company incorporation documents. Then the documents will be filed to the Registrar of Companies. We will also provide registered address and agent for your company.
If required, Coddan can also provide ongoing nominee and management services for an offshore company. As the beneficial owner of a managed company, the client typically retains ultimate control over the composition of the board of directors, which in turn manages the underlying assets. Alternatively, ownership may be placed into an offshore trust arrangement. The main advantages of a managed company are confidentiality and tax planning. Worldwide assets may be registered in, or held to the order of the company, with your beneficial ownership of the shares of the company held strictly as a private matter through the use of nominees or Trustees.
Once a company has been established, it is important to manage it properly so as to maintain its corporate integrity. Coddan can provide a full range of management services, such as: provision of directors, officers and nominee shareholders. Secretarial, clerical and communication facilities. Preparation and execution of contracts, cash and investment management. Treasury and custodian services, maintenance and auditing of accounting records, filing quarterly reports and annual returns (where appropriate).