The process of offshore company formation can be avoided by buying an offshore shelf company. Although offshore incorporation is relatively a straightforward process compared to onshore incorporation, by purchasing an offshore shelf company, investors can start their business in a much shorter period of time.
This is given by the fact that the offshore shelf company already has the basic characteristics a legal entity is required to possess. In general, ready-made offshore companies are incorporated for the sole purpose of being sold to a third party. This is why, in most cases, the shelf companies have never had any business activities.
Please know that differences can appear from one country to another when referring to the basic characteristics with which the entities are sold. For complete assistance, you can always refer to our consultants.
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Offshore shelf companies for sale
Investors who are searching for offshore shelf companies for sale can be interested in many aspects of these structures. When buying a shelf company, investors will mind the following:
- the company type;
- the incorporation date;
- the sale price;
- the basic characteristics (having a trading name, registered office, tax number, corporate bank account – some shelf companies are sold without a bank account therefore it is very important to verify if the legal entity of interest is sold as an offshore shelf company with a bank account);
- the country of incorporation;
- the tax advantages available in the offshore jurisdiction.
In general, these companies are sold as limited liability companies or the equivalent of this business form (it can vary from one country to another). This legal entity is the most common way to start a company, therefore most of the offshore shelf companies for sale are available under this structure.
Selling prices
The sale price of an offshore shelf company varies greatly based on the country of incorporation, the characteristics the legal entity has and the date of incorporation. The latter is important as, if a business has been incorporated for many years, it will be considered an aged shelf company, and, based on its years of existence, investors can obtain various advantages.
For instance, a company that has been incorporated for several years will be seen as a more trustworthy business by clients, business partners, banking institutions etc. This is why an aged shelf company is generally more expensive than an offshore shelf company recently incorporated. In the list below, we present some of the prices available for these structures:
- offshore shelf companies for sale incorporated in the UK, registered in 2025, cost only GBP 135;
- those incorporated in the previous year, in the same country, can cost around GBP 200;
- a 2020 offshore shelf company in the UK can cost GBP 900, while those incorporated before this year are sold at a price of GBP 1,000 to GBP 2,500;
- an offshore shelf company in the British Virgin Islands can cost around GPB 1,000 (similar prices are available in Marshall Islands).
In general, the sale procedure is simple and can be completed in a matter of days. While in some countries the sale can be done in 1-2 working days (such as in St. Vincent), in others, such as Ireland, the transfer of ownership is ready in around 5 working days. Our consultantscan offer more details based on the country of interest.
Please know that you can rely on our team for other matters. For instance, provided that the offshore shelf company does not have a bank account, our specialists can open an offshore bank account on your behalf. In some jurisdictions it is possible to open an overseas bank account, but in many places clients can only set up an offshore bank account in person or through legal representation.
What jurisdictions allow the purchase of an offshore shelf company?
In general, investors can buy an offshore shelf company in the majority of the jurisdictions whereoffshore company formation is available. However, this rule may not apply to all countries, therefore, it is advisable to analyze each market in order to find the most suitable option.
While in many countries, the shelf company simply defines a legal entity that has been incorporated for the sole purpose of being sold to investors who want to immediately start their operations in a new jurisdiction, in some countries, shelf companies may have had prior economic activity.
It is vital to address a team of specialists when starting this procedure, as they can apply due diligence methods, based on the legislation of each country. Below, our consultants list some of the countries where investors can buy an offshore shelf company:
- Bahamas;
- Samoa;
- St Lucia;
- Antigua and Barbuda;
- Anguilla, etc.
Please mind that not all offshore jurisdictions offer the possibility to buy an offshore shelf company. One example in this sense is Bermuda, where investors can only start the process of offshore company formation, as the shelf company is not regulated under the local law.
How our team can help investors in buying an offshore shelf company
Given that the needs of each investor can differ from one case to another, the assistance granted in the process of purchasing an offshore shelf company will be influenced by many factors. Initially, our team will discuss with the client and will assess the individual’s business goals.
In the search for the most suitable shelf company, our team will analyze the current database of shelf companies available for sale, and will select the structure that resembles most with the requirements of the investor.
Once we have selected the shelf company (based on its legal entity, sector, and other characteristics), we will start the due diligence process, during which we will verify that the company is sold in good faith and that there aren’t any issues that could potentially delay the acquisition process. During this procedure, we will take into account the following:
- the company’s financial documents;
- its incorporation documents and registration certificates;
- the data registered with the local authorities;
- examination of the current company owner.
Our team will negotiate on behalf of the client the sale formalities. We will also start the sale process, by making an expression of intent to buy. Provided that both parties agree on the basic terms of the sale, we will draft the sale-purchase agreement.
Our team can provide assistance when opening the offshore bank account, if you grant us the power of attorney. Please know that clients can open an offshore account in a matter of days, but, depending on the location and the type of account, it can take up to several weeks. We also invite you to contact us if you want to open an offshore merchant account.