Samoa  is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands (Savai’i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands (Manono and Apolima); and several smaller, uninhabited islands, including the Aleipata Islands (Nu’utele, Nu’ulua, Fanuatapu and Namua). Samoa is located 64 km (40 mi) west of American Samoa, 889 km (552 mi) northeast of Tonga (closest foreign country), 1,152 km (716 mi) northeast of Fiji, 483 km (300 mi) east of Wallis and Futuna, 1,151 km (715 mi) southeast of Tuvalu, 519 km (322 mi) south of Tokelau, 4,190 km (2,600 mi) southwest of Hawaii, and 610 km (380 mi) northwest of Niue. The capital and largest city is Apia. The Lapita people discovered and settled the Samoan Islands around 3,500 years ago. They developed a Samoan language and Samoan cultural identity.

How to Start a Samoa Offshore Company

Offshore corporations are organizations registered outside the country where their primary operations are located. These organizations are employed to carry out commercial transactions with partners who don’t reside in the nation where the firm was founded.

A collection of islands known as Samoa are situated in the middle of Polynesia, less than 3,000 kilometers from New Zealand and a little over 4,000 kilometers from the Hawaiian Islands.

It is also considered one of the offshore destinations for starting a business in Samoa.

The Legal Procedures of Offshore Company Formation in Samoa +

The International Companies Act governs Samoan corporations. This Act enables a flexible and contemporary company legal framework. Samoa’s legal system is founded on English Common Law; much of its law is comparable to the British Commonwealth and its former colonies. The following corporate rules apply to Samoan corporation establishment and operation:

Trustee Companies Act 1987
International Trusts Act of 1987
Offshore Banking Act of 1987
International Insurance Act of 1988

Benefits of Samoa Offshore Company

The advantages of Samoa’s offshore formation are as follows:
A prime entryway to the American and Pacific markets
No need to maintain accounting and auditing records
The operation, maintenance, and control simplicity
In these jurisdictions, complete business secrecy is ensured.
High-quality, adaptable post-incorporation follow-up services
There is no requirement under law for yearly general meetings.
Asset protection
Just one business day is needed to incorporate

Characteristics of an Offshore Company in Samoa

Some of the features of an offshore company in Samoa are –
No paid-up capital requirement
A minimum of one director and the shareholder are required
Bearer shares are not permitted
No requirement for an audit
No obligation to file an annual return
Release from all local taxes and stamp duty
No publicity of directors’ a shareholders’ information is needed

Types of Companies in Samoa

You can form the following types of companies in Samoa:
Holding Company
Investment Holding Company
International Trading
Asset Protection Company

Business Entities in Samoa for Offshore Jurisdiction

Samoa offers the following business entity options:
International Company
Limited Life Company

Main Uses of Samoa Offshore Company
1. Asset Protection Company
2. International Company
3. Import/Export Products
4 . International Investments

Procedure to Start a Samoa Offshore Company +

International Company registration in Samoa is made to the Registrar of International and Foreign Companies through a licensed company. Samoa International Business Company (IBCs) is the companies registered in Samoa under the International Companies Act of 1987 but whose operation is to be conducted outside Samoa.

Here are the steps to start an offshore business in Samoa:

1. Finalize the Trade Name
Regulations in Samoa must be followed while naming things:
It must be the sole name listed in the corporate records;
The phrase “Limited,” “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Berhad,” “Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung,” “Public Limited Company,” “Societe Anonyme,” “Naamloze Vennootschap,” “Besloten Vennootschap,” or “Aktiengesellschaf,” or their acronyms, must be at the end;
The Registrar will assign the name if it doesn’t fit the criteria.
You may check the company registry to see if the name is accessible. To prevent other business owners from claiming the chosen term, the government permits you to reserve it.

2. Register an office
All entrepreneurs in Samoa must maintain a registered office and mailing address for the duration of their business’s operations there. All legal documents and notices from the Registrar will be delivered to the registered office. Additionally, it is where all business paperwork is kept.
The registered office must be situated within the nation. The Registrar must be notified of any changes to the registered office.

3. Record the Certificate of Incorporation
Your Samoan offshore company’s Certificate of Incorporation is its birth certificate. To the Registrar, you must apply.
The following details are needed for the application:
The business name;
A statement indicating whether the business is private or publicly traded;
Information about shareholders and directors, such as their names and addresses;
The registered office’s name and location;
The stamped certificate will be sent to you if your application is accepted. Your business will, after that, be officially registered in the Samoa company registration.

Required Documents for Samoa Offshore Company Incorporation

Register your business by providing all the required documents and setting up your offshore company.
The documents include –
Trade name certificate
Memorandum and Articles of Association
Share certificates
Resolution to appoint the director
Passport copies and ID of the shareholders and directors
Minutes of the first meeting while appointing the director
Government license fee
Registered office details

How we can help you

If you are considering forming a business or you need expert help with company registration in Samoa, MagickTranslations™ is ready to assist you with its skilled team of lawyers, consultants and tax experts. We are committed to making the process as stress-free and streamlined as possible for you, and we will take care of all your document preparation and administrative tasks regarding the registration forms, payment of government fees, local address registration, banking support, etc., whilst always keeping your exact objectives and unique vision in mind throughout the process.

Please use our Company Wizard if you would like to set up your registered company in Samoa or if you would like to know the costs involved prior to proceeding with our exceptional services. For other queries and special requests for complex or customised company formation services, please contact us at connect@magickgroup.com