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WESTERN SAMOA Geographical position. Western Samoa is comprised of 2 large islands and some small islands situated in the Southern hemisphere, in the center of the Pacific Ocean. The population is 180,000 people 90% of whom are Polynesians. The official languages are Polynesian and English. Political system – an independent country having its own government and constitution. The legislative system is based on the British Common Law. |
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Corporate Law |
The International Companies Act of 1987 |
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The form of a tax-free company |
International Company (IC), hereinafter referred to as the “Company” |
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Permitted activities |
Any activity not prohibited by the law. A special license for banking, insurance, reinsurance and trust services is required. |
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Prohibited activities |
Making transactions with residents of Western Samoa, ownership of real estate in Western Samoa |
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Taxation |
The Company is exempt from all taxes and duties |
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The period of registration |
1 to 2 days |
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The possibility to buy a shelf company |
Yes |
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The name of the Company |
Should not be identical or similar to any existing one. Only the Latin alphabet is used. The name should have the words: “Limited”, “Corporation”, “Incorporated”, “Societe Anonyme”, “Sociedad Anonima”, “Company”, “Limitada”, “Societe par actions”, “Aktiengesellschaft”, or the abbreviations “Ltd.”, “Corp.”, “Inc.”, “A/S”, “AG”, “N.V.”, “B.V.”, “GmbH”, “SA”. The words: “Assurance”, “Bank”, “Building Society”, “Chamber of Commerce”, “Chartered”, “Cooperative”, “Imperial”, “Insurance”, “Municipal”, “Royal”, “Trust Company”, “Trustee Company” or other words and word combinations having the same meaning may not be used in the name of the Company. |
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The documents required for the registration |
Memorandum of incorporation, the Articles of Association |
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Who signs the incorporation documents? |
The subscribers whose function is only to sign the incorporation documents and appoint the first Director |
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The share capital of the Company |
The share capital of the company is authorized, there is no requirement of obligatory payment and minimum and maximum size |
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The recommended share capital |
Authorized – USD 1,000,000 Issued – 1 share without the face value |
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Shares |
The issue of registered and bearer shares with or without the face value is permitted |
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Shareholders: -- minimum number -- nominee shareholders |
a single private individual or corporate entity permitted |
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Whether the law provides non-disclosure of the information: -- on the beneficial owner of the Company -- on banking operations |
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Directors: -- minimum number -- ethnic origin and nationality -- status |
a single private individual or corporate entity No requirements All rights except those within the exclusive competence of the shareholders (determined by the memorandum, Articles of Association and/or the law) |
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The existence in the territory of Western Samoa of: -- registered office -- registered agent |
Obligatory Obligatory |
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Holding of shareholders/ directors meeting |
The meetings may be held in any part of the world, telephone conferences are also possible. The minutes of the meetings may be kept in any place. |
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The requirement of: -- the accounting -- preparing the annual report -- submission of the auditors’ opinion |
None None
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The information available upon request of any third parties |
Memorandum of incorporation, the Articles of Association, the name of the registration agent and the registered office |
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Documents kept in the registration office |
No requirements |
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Double taxation avoidance treaties |
None |
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Currency control |
None |