FEATURES OF SAMOA INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES

BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS

• 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 Samoa’s 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 company’s 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.