Belize: Overview of Offshore Business Setup

Belize is a small Caribbean nation on the north-eastern coast of Central America, bordered by Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. Formerly British Honduras, it gained independence in 1981 and remains a Commonwealth country with English as its official language. Belize is known for its stable political environment, natural beauty, and accessible offshore business laws, which attract international entrepreneurs.

Country Snapshot

Belize is a developing yet upper-middle-income country. Its major city, Belize City, is home to around 70,000 people, while most of the nation remains rural and peaceful. Tourism, diving hotspots like the Blue Hole, and wildlife parks make it popular among global visitors. With direct flights from the U.S., Belize is easy to reach and growing as a business-friendly hub.

Infrastructure:
Belize has roughly 1,594 miles of roads, connecting major towns with the capital Belmopan and Belize City. Some roads may be affected during rainy seasons.

Economy:
Belize’s economy relies on agriculture, tourism, and services. New oil discoveries and efforts to diversify exports—such as seafood, citrus, and bananas—support growth.

Legal & Regulatory Environment

Belize follows a Common Law system similar to the British model. It has a parliamentary democracy with three branches: the executive, legislature, and judiciary. The Central Bank of Belize regulates the financial sector and issues national currency.

Belize is part of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), working to strengthen Anti-Money Laundering practices under the new MLTPA Act.

Belize International Business Company (IBC) Essentials

A Belize IBC is formed under the Belize International Business Companies Act (1990). It is popular for its flexibility, privacy, and zero-tax structure.

Key Characteristics

• Total exemption from income and corporate taxes on foreign-sourced income

• No estate or stamp duty for non-residents

• No exchange control restrictions

• Limited liability protection

• Quick registration—often within one hour

A Belize IBC can be used for holding companies, trading entities, consulting businesses, and investment purposes.

Company Formation: What You Need to Know

Setting up a Belize IBC is simple:

• Submit the Memorandum & Articles of Association

• Pay the government incorporation fee

• Receive a Certificate of Incorporation once approved

The structure is flexible and can be adapted for multiple business needs over time.

Core Features of a Belize IBC (Simplified)

• Government Fees: From USD 300

• Taxation: No tax on foreign profits

• Share Capital: Usually USD 50,000 (not required to be fully paid)

• Bearer Shares: Allowed

• Minimum Director: 1 (individual or corporate; no local requirement)

• Minimum Shareholder: 1

• Company Secretary: Not required

• Accounting: Preparation allowed, no filing required

• Annual Returns: Not required

• Meetings: Can be held anywhere

• Public Records: No public access

Additional Belize Offshore Features

• Currency: Belize Dollar (BZD)

• Language: English (Chinese names also permitted)

• Trading Restrictions: Cannot trade or own real estate inside Belize

• Business Limitations: Banking, insurance, and trust services require special approval

• Registered Office: Mandatory within Belize

• Allowed Name Suffixes: Ltd, Corp, Inc., S.A., GmbH, etc.

• Beneficial Owner Disclosure: Not required

Important Notes

All information is based on regulations from relevant authorities and may change. Clients using our offshore services will be notified of updates where applicable.

For more details or assistance, please visit our Services page or Contact Us.