ICs may engage in any lawful business and may carry on transactions in whatever currencies they choose.
TAXATION
Full exemption from taxation for any business activity or transaction carried out outside Samoa.
AUTHORISED CAPITAL / SHARES
Nominative or bearer shares at owner's option.
Mortgages and charges on shares are optional and can be registered if desired.
No paid-in capital is required.
No minimum or maximum capital requirements.
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND SHAREHOLDERS
Shareholders, directors and/or officers can be either corporate entities or natural persons.
There is no requirement to register initial or ongoing changes in directors and/or officers.
The directors may grant special or general powers of attorney.
Register of Director(s) is optional and may be kept anywhere in the world.
Companies are allowed to have a sole director.
Neither the directors nor the officers need be shareholders.
Only one subscriber required, thereafter at least one shareholder is required.
Shareholders, directors and officers may be of any nationality and may be resident of any country.
Shareholders and directors may hold their meetings in any country and may attend such meetings by proxy or by any electronic means (phone, fax, etc).
The appointment of, at least, one secretary is mandatory.
ANNUAL FILING
No requirement to file annual returns or profit tax.
INCORPORATION AND ADMINISTRATION
Excellent availability of company names for incorporation.
Familiarity of incorporation documents (Memorandum & Articles of Association, Certificate of Incorporation) because Samoas legal system has its foundations in English and Commonwealth statutory law.
The words Limited? Corporation? Incorporated? Berhad? Sociét?Anonyme? Sociedad Anónima? Naamloze Vennootschap? Besloten Vennootschap?or Aktiengesellschaft? or the abbreviations Ltd.? Corp.? Inc.? Bhd? S.A.? N.V.? B.V.?or A.G.?may be used in a companys name.
Incorporation documents may be drafted in Spanish or any other language together with an English translation.
Company names can be incorporated in Chinese characters and other accepted language forms (together with an English translation). Certificates of Incorporation in English with Chinese characters are currently being issued.
Speedy incorporation procedures and simple ongoing administration.
Incorporation procedure takes from 2 to 3 days.
Certificate of Incorporation in 24 hours.
The Samoa Registry is equipped with modern sophisticated computer equipment, which heightens speed and efficiency in the processing of documents in a timely manner.
Relatively simple ongoing administration if activities of the company are not complicated and take place outside of Samoa.
Shelf companies available.
RECORD KEEPING
The accounting books, records and minutes of the company may be kept in any place or country at the directors?choice.
No requirement to keep or file annual accounts.
REGISTERED OFFICE, CORPORATE SEAL AND LEGALISATION
Registered Office in Samoa is required.
Corporate seal is optional.
Use of Apostille should documentation need to be legalised. Legalisation via a Consulate is also available for some countries.
COSTS AND FEES
Reasonable formation and maintenance costs and fees (Registration and annual licence fee of USD100 irrespective of the share capital).
REDOMICILIATION
Foreign companies can be speedily redomiciled to Samoa.
USES OF SAMOA INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES (ICs)
Holder of bank accounts, fixed deposits, investment plans and any other financial or commercial title.
Owner of the shares of other companies or legal entities.
Owner of apartments, houses, buildings, vessels and any other movable or immovable property or goods.
Manager and promoter of international business transactions.
International leasing of vehicles, machinery, vessels and others.
Borrowing or lending money, paying or receiving commissions, royalties or others.
Marketing and promotion of products and services.
Other commercial and financial activities.
HIGHLIGHTS OF SAMOA
Excellent corporation law.
Flexible company law.
No taxes levied on offshore and banking transactions.
No exchange control regulations.
Political and economic stability
Excellent hotel accommodation.
Excellent worldwide communication facilities.
Skilled personnel.
No capital gains, income or any other kind of tax.
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Location: Southern Pacific Ocean equidistant between Honolulu and Sydney and immediately east of the International Date Line.
Area: 2,934 square kilometers, which comprises two large islands and seven small isles.
Population: 200,000 (2014 est.)
Climate: Tropical
Official Language: English and Samoan.
Government: Parliamentary
Living Standard: Comfortable
Banking: Worldwide banking facilities available
Legal Tender: Samoa Tala
Industry: Food processing, building materials and auto parts.
Disclaimer
All information in this article is only for the purpose of information sharing, instead of professional suggestion. Kaizen will not assume any responsibility for loss or damage.
Our services for handling the registration of a new Samoa international company together with the first year maintenance fee are USD1,160 excluding delivery fee.Annual maintenance cost for company with a share capital of no more than USD1,000,000 for second year and thereafter is US$950 which covers annual licence fee, annual registered agent and annual registered office fees.
Our fees together with the first year maintenance fee for a Samoa readymade (shelf) company are USD1,160 excluding delivery fee. The whole incorporation process for purchasing of a readymade company could be completed in 2 working days, excluding delivery time for sending the company kit to you.
ICs may engage in any lawful business and may carry on transactions in whatever currencies they choose.Full exemption from taxation for any business activity or transaction carried out outside Samoa.Shareholders, directors and/or officers can be either corporate entities or natural persons.
A memorandum of a grandfather bearer share company is deemed to be amended with effect from 27 January 2014 to state that the company is not authorised to issue bearer shares or share warrants to bearer, convert registered shares; and with effect from that date, the company shall cease to be a bearer share company.