SAMOA COMPANIES

Samoa comprises several islands situated approximately half way on a line drawn between Hawaii and New Zealand. Apia is the Capital. The population of the islands is approximately one hundred and sixty thousand.

Due to the increased interest and confidence that many of our clients and other involved in the offshore industry have shown in Samoa as an innovative offshore jurisdiction and in particular its international companies, we believe this is a good opportunity to highlight the features of Samoa companies:

 

General Features

A minimum of one director

A minimum of one shareholder

A Secretary is required, but does not need to be resident

Corporate directors are permitted

Bearer shares are permitted

No details of members or directors need to be filed at the Companies Office

No compulsory annual general meeting requirements

No compulsory annual returns

No compulsory audited accounts

General information

Legal System		English common law
Time Zone		Overlap of 2 working hours Hong Kong time
Presence of PRC Embassy		Yes
Company name shown in the Certificate of incorporation		In English. Also available in both Chinese/English character
Government registration fees		USD300 (irrespective of the amount of authorized capital)

Our company kits always include a copy of the memorandum and articles of association ("M&A") in Chinese characters. M&A in Chinese simplex characters are also available for Samoan companies.

 

The issued capital does not need to be paid up immediately. It can be issued either unpaid or paid up in full or to such amounts as the directors determine.

 

Annual Renewal - 30 November each year for all Samoan international companies in the year following registration. This means that if you incorporate companies in any month of the current year (e.g. February 2003), you will not need to pay any renewal fees until 30 November in the following year (ie. 30 November 2004), almost 21 months later.

 

Late payment of annual fees – Ready-Made will send reminder notices in September of each year detailing registered office and registered agent fees and government licence fees for renewal. A government penalty of USD25 per month applies for late renewal made within 3 months following the due date. Non payment of fees after 15 February will result in the company being struck off. A company that is struck off may apply to be restored to the Registrar upon payment of specified fees.

 

Please click here to obtain our Samoa shelf list. Please contact us at (852) 2881 8226 for more information.