Samoa Company Formation

Introduction

Samoa consists of a group of 9 islands in the centre of the Southern Pacific Ocean and has been Independent Sovereign State since 1962. It was previously administered by Germany, New Zealand and Britain. Five of the islands are uninhabited. Official and business language is English, although Samoan is widely spoken. Documents may be filed in any language but should go with a translation in English and a declaration of true translation. Other foreign languages are permitted to be included in the Certificates of Incorporation.

The official currency is Samoan tala, and there is no Foreign Exchange control. Exemption from local taxes is granted to International Companies formed under the International Companies Act as long as business is conducted outside of Samoa. Annual return submissions and annual accounts filing is not required.

In terms of asset protection Samoa is one of the strongest offshore structures in the world. It is possible to hold annual meetings anywhere in the world, and the names of members do not appear in public records. The most common type of incorporation is company limited by shares.

Features and Advantages

  • Samoan International Companies have exemption on local taxes as long as business is conducted outside of Samoa
  • No filing of accounts or submitting annual returns is required after the offshore has been incorporated
  • The law protects the confidentiality of the beneficial owner and the offshore companies
  • International Company in Samoa must have at least on director, shareholder and secretary
  • The shareholders and directors can be natural or legal person
  • Samoan legislation also offers asset protection in a section of the Act, whereby a member can elect that his shares in the company can be automatically vested in a specific person on the occurrence of a specified event, such as foreign expropriation or court order
  • Its legislation also allows giving far reaching powers to an international company, it may acquire, hold, dispose or deal with the whole of any part of the undertaking of any other company association or business
  • Samoan statutory limitation for a creditor to petition the court for the reinstatement of a corporation previously struck off is only 2 years
  • There is a Chinese Embassy in Samoa, easier to get documents authenticated for investors that plans to invest in China
  • Annual license fee payable to the Companies Registrar is regardless of its formation date. Annual license fee has to be settled with Companies Registrar by the end of November every year

Formation Package and Fees

Formation Fee (including following services) – USD 1,300
  1. Provision of Registered Agent Services (1 year)
  2. Provision of Registered Office (Only receive mails from government authorities on your behalf)
  3. Formation Service Fee
  4. Certificate of Incorporation, M&A, First Director Resolution, Consent to Act as Director, Registers and Share Certificate
  5. Provision of Dedicated Professional Formation Representative
Maintenance Fee (Fee for subsequent year) – USD 1,050
  1. Provision of Registered Agent Services (1 year)
  2. Provision of Registered Office (Only receive mails from government authorities on your behalf)
  3. Government License Fee*
  4. Filing of Annual Return

* Fees vary based on the actual costs charged by the government

Samoa IBC Corporate Details
General
Type of Entity International Company (IC)
Type of Law English Common Law
Governed by International Companies Act 1987
International Trusts Act 1987
The Offshore Banking Act 1987
The International Insurance Act 1988
The International Insurance Act 1988
Registered Office in Samoa Yes
Shelf company availability Yes
Our time to establish a new company 2-3 Business Day on provision of all due diligence documents
Minimum government fees (excluding taxation) US 350
Corporate Taxation No
Share capital or equivalent
Standard currency USD
Permitted currencies Any
Minimum paid up USD 1
Suggested authorised capital USD 1,000,000
No par value shares allowed No
Directors
Minimum number One
Local required No
Publicly accessible records No
Location of meetings Anywhere
Corporate directorship allowed Yes
Shareholders
Minimum number One (which can be the Director)
Publicly accessible records No (optional)
Corporate shareholder allowed Yes
Location of meetings Anywhere
Company Secretary
Required Yes
Local or qualified Yes
Accounts
Requirements to prepare Yes
Audit requirements No
Requirements to file accounts No
Publicly accessible accounts No
Recurring Government Costs
Minimum Annual Tax / License Fee USD 350
Annual Return Filing Fee N/A
Other
Requirement to file annual return No

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