Belize Islands Offshore Company Overview 

Belize became a British Crown Colony in 1862 and became independent in 1981. Belize is now a parliamentary democracy. 

The government of Belize is fully committed to the ongoing development of Belize as a leading offshore jurisdiction. Through regular consultations with the private sector, the government ensures that its policies and legislation continue to meet the needs and interests of the international financial community in an environment which engenders trust and confidence. 

The Belize International Business Company (IBC) is the most popular form of offshore corporate structure. An IBC is formed under the International Business Company Act 1990 and generally must conduct its trading and business outside Belize. However, Belize's legislation also allows an IBC to carry on a number of activities within Belize. Belize offshore companies are used for a variety of tax planning and international investment purposes.

Features

General
Type of entity	IBC
Type of law	Common
Shelf company availability	No
Minimum government fees (excluding taxation):	US$180
Corporate taxation	None
Double taxation treaty access	No
Share capital or equivalent
Standard currency	US$
Permitted currencies	Any
Usual authorised:	US$50K
Directors or Managers
Minimum number	One
Local required:	No
Publicly accessible records	No
Location of meetings	Anywhere
Members
Minimum number	One
Publicly accessible records	No
Location of meetings:	Anywhere
Company Secretary
Required	No
Local or qualified	No
Accounts
Requirement to prepare	Yes
Audit requirements	No
Requirement to file accounts	No
Publicly accessible accounts	No
Other
Requirement to file annual return	Yes
Change in domicile permitted	Yes

General Information

Belize (formerly British Honduras) is a scenically beautiful, independent country located on the Caribbean seaboard of Central America. Belize has an area of approximately 23,026 sq. km., and is bounded by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. 

The administrative capital of Belize is Belmopan, but the major commercial centre is Belize City, which is located on the eastern coast close to the major international airport. 

• Infrastructure And Economy

Belize's unspoiled environment with cays and barrier reef make it a popular destination for eco-tourists, whilst its clear unpolluted waters are excellent for swimming, diving, fishing and other aqua sports. The country also offers a unique mix of unspoiled woodlands, caves, rivers, mountains, waterfalls and jungle, in addition to a wealth of Mayan archaeological sites. There are also forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, marine resort areas and the world's only jaguar reserve. 

Major exports are sugar, bananas, citrus products, fishery products, garments and timber and wood products. The offshore finance industry is generating an increasing proportion of national income.

• Language

The official and spoken language is English.
.

• Currency

The Belize Dollar.

• Exchange Control

Offshore activities are exempted from exchange control.

• Type of Law

Common Law based on English Company Law...

• Principal Corporate Legislation

International Business Companies Act, 2000.

Limited Life Companies Act, 1999

Company Information 

• Type of Company for International Trade and Investment

Belize International Business Company (IBC) or the Belize Limited Life Company (LLC)..

• Restrictions on Trading

Cannot trade within Belize or own real estate there. Cannot undertake the business of banking, insurance, assurance or reinsurance..

• Powers of Company

A company incorporated in Belize has the same powers as a natural person.

• Language of Legislation and Corporate Documents

English.

• Shelf Companies Available

Yes.

• 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..

• Name Restrictions

Any name that has already been incorporated in Belize, 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 that suggests the patronage of Belize Government.

Names Requiring Consent or License

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, Société Anonyme, Sociedad Anónima, Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung or the relevant abbreviations..

• Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership to Authorities

No.