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  • Form of entity

    Corporation (Sociedad Anónima or SA)

    Separate and distinct legal entity. Admits a minimum of 2 shareholders. Managed by a board of directors who are elected by the stockholders of the corporation.

    Single-Shareholder Corporation (Sociedad Anónima Unipersonal or SAU)

    Separate and distinct legal entity. Admits exclusively 1 shareholder. SAUs are not allowed to be incorporated or wholly owned by SAUs. Managed by a board of directors who are elected by the only stockholder of the corporation.

    Simplified Corporation (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada or SAS)

    Separate and distinct legal entity. Admits 1 or more shareholders. Managed by a board of directors who are elected by the stockholders. Its incorporation and development are entirely digital.

    Limited Liability Company (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada or SRL)

    Separate and distinct legal entity. Admits a minimum of 2 members and a maximum of 50. Managed by a single manager or several managers with full powers who may act individually, or by a Board of Managers acting by majority, appointed by the members.

  • Entity set up

    Corporation (Sociedad Anónima or SA) and Single-Shareholder Corporation (Sociedad Anónima Unipersonal or SAU)

    • 2 or more shareholders
    • The local management is in charge of a board of directors, which may have at least 1 member with no maximum number (at least 3 directors and 1 alternative director in case the company's capital stock exceeds ARS50 million). Directors shall last between 1 and 3 years or fiscal years in office, as provided in the bylaws. They may be re-elected. The majority of the board of directors must be composed of Argentine residents.

    • The president of the board is the legal representative of the company
    • Statutory auditor or supervisory board is optional. Mandatory if capital stock exceeds ARS50 million

    • Typical charter document: bylaws
    • Corporate Books: stock ledger, shareholders' meeting minutes, board of directors' meeting minutes and attendance records book
    • Should cash be paid out as consideration for the stock: only 25 percent must be paid up front, and the balance is paid within 2 years after that. When considerations for the stock are contributions in kind, the stock must be fully paid off at the time of subscription of the shares

    Single-Shareholder Corporation (Sociedad Anónima Unipersonal or SAU)

    • Only 1 shareholder
    • The local management is in charge of a board of directors, which may have at least 1 member with no maximum number (at least 3 directors and 1 alternative director in case the company's capital stock exceeds ARS50 million). Directors shall last between 1 and 3 years in office, as provided in the bylaws. They may be re-elected. The majority of the board of directors must be composed of Argentine residents
    • The president of the board is the legal representative of the company
    • Permanent control by government
    • Statutory auditor or supervisory board is mandatory (at least 1 regular and 1 alternate statutory auditor)

    • Typical charter document: bylaws
    • Corporate books: stock ledger, shareholders' meeting minutes, board of directors' meeting minutes and attendance records book
    • Capital stock shall be fully paid up upon execution of bylaws
    • SAUs are not allowed to be incorporated or wholly owned by another SAU

    Simplified Corporation (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada or SAS)

    • 1 or more shareholders
    • The managers must be individuals, who may be appointed for an indefinite period. At least 1 director must be an Argentinean resident (provided that the Argentinian resident director is the legal representative of the company)
    • Statutory auditor or supervisory board is optional. Mandatory if capital stock exceeds ARS50 million.

    • Typical charter document: bylaws

    • Corporate books: carried by electronic means (stock ledger and minutes books)

    • Should cash be paid out as consideration for the stock: only 25 percent needs to be paid up front, and the balance is paid within 2 years after that. When considerations for the stock are contributions in kind, the stock must be fully paid off at the time of subscription of the shares

    Limited Liability Company (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada or SRL)

    • 2 or more members
    • The local management is in charge of single or several managers with full powers who may act individually, or a board of managers acting by majority. Managers may be appointed for an indefinite term. The majority of the board of managers must be composed of Argentine residents
    • The legal representative of the company may be a single manager. All managers or a president of the board of managers are entitled with full powers
    • Statutory auditor is optional. Mandatory if capital stock exceeds ARS50 million (at least 1 regular and 1 alternate member)
    • Typical charter document: bylaws
    • Corporate books: manager and quotaholders’ meeting minutes.
    • Should cash be paid out as consideration for the stock: only 25 percent must be paid up front, and the balance is paid within 2 years after that. When considerations for the stock are contributions in kind, the stock must be fully paid off at the time of subscription of the shares.
  • Minimum capital requirement

    Corporation (Sociedad Anónima or SA)

    Minimum capital of SA is ARS100,000.

    Single-Shareholder Corporation (Sociedad Anónima Unipersonal or SAU)

    Minimum capital of SAU is ARS100,000.

    Simplified Corporation (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada or SAS)

    Minimum capital of SAS shall be twice the national minimum vital and mobile wage established at the time of its incorporation (as of January 2024: ARS312,000 in total).

    Limited Liability Company (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada or SRL)

    No minimum capital requirement.

  • Legal liability

    Corporation (Sociedad Anónima or SA)

    Directors must act honestly and in good faith in best interests of the company. Directors may be held personally liable to the company, shareholders and third parties if they fail to comply with their general legal duties or specific duties contained in Argentine Law 19,550.

    Single-Shareholder Corporation (Sociedad Anónima Unipersonal or SAU)

    Directors must act honestly and in good faith in best interests of the company. Directors may be held personally liable to the company, shareholders and third parties if they fail to comply with their general legal duties or specific duties contained in Argentine Law 19,550.

    Simplified Corporation (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada or SAS)

    Liability of directors of a corporation under Law 19,550 is applicable to SAS managers. In addition, individuals who are not managers or legal representatives of an SAS, or legal persons acting as managers, are liable in the same way as managers, and their liability will be extended to the acts in which they did not intervene but which they habitually performed.

    Limited Liability Company (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada or SRL)

    In case of SRLs, when articles allow distribution of management powers among individual members of the board of managers, the board's liability depends on the individual performance of each manager.

  • Tax presence

    Sociedad Anónima (Corporation) and SRL (LLC)

    An SA, same as an SRL (LLC), is considered an Argentine resident for tax purposes and is obligated to pay taxes on income obtained worldwide, whether earned within Argentina or abroad. An SA may take the sums effectively paid abroad for analogous taxes for activities carried out abroad as a payment for taxes (within certain limits).

  • Incorporation process

    Corporation (Sociedad Anónima or SA)

    File bylaws for registration with the Public Registry. An "urgent" registration process may be followed to obtain the company's registration and its tax ID within 5 to 10 business days, in case no observations are made by the Public Registry in the City of Buenos Aires.

    Single-Shareholder Corporation (Sociedad Anónima Unipersonal or SAU)

    File bylaws for registration with the Public Registry. An "urgent" registration process may be followed to obtain the company's registration and its tax ID within 5 to 10 business days, in case no observations are made by the Public Registry in the City of Buenos Aires.

    Simplified Corporation (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada or SAS)

    File bylaws for registration with the Public Registry. There is an established form of bylaws and public notice that, if used, shall enable the registration of the SAS within 20 business days through digital means in the City of Buenos Aires.

    Limited Liability Company (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada or SRL)

    File bylaws for registration with the Public Registry. An "urgent" registration process may be followed to obtain the company's registration, its tax ID and corporate books within 5 to 10 business days, in case no observations are made by the Public Registry in the City of Buenos Aires.

  • Business recognition

    Corporation (Sociedad Anónima or SA)

    Well regarded and widely used.

    Single-Shareholder Corporation (Sociedad Anónima Unipersonal or SAU)

    This corporate type was introduced in Argentina in August 2016 pursuant the Argentine Civil and Commercial Code modification and is beginning to be used. Well regarded and widely used.

    Simplified Corporation (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada or SAS)

    This corporate type aims to be a more agile and economic alternative, both in its incorporation and in administration and management. Its incorporation and development are required to be entirely in digital form. However, some provinces or jurisdictions have restored the use of digital corporate documents for this type of company.

    Limited Liability Company (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada or SRL)

    Well regarded and widely used. This is the type of company is usually preferred by foreign shareholders due to tax purposes.

  • Shareholder meeting requirements

    Corporation (Sociedad Anónima or SA)

    Required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders to approve the financial statements of the company.

    Single-Shareholder Corporation (Sociedad Anónima Unipersonal or SAU)

    Required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders to approve financial statements of the company.

    Simplified Corporation (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada or SAS)

    Required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders to approve financial statements of the company.

    Limited Liability Company (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada or SRL)

    Required to hold an annual meeting of members to approve financial statements of the company.

  • Board of director meeting requirements

    Corporation (Sociedad Anónima or SA)

    The board shall meet at least once every 3 months.

    Single-Shareholder Corporation (Sociedad Anónima Unipersonal or SAU)

    The board shall meet at least once every 3 months.

    Simplified Corporation (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada or SAS)

    Periodical meetings of the board are not required.

    Limited Liability Company (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada or SRL)

    Periodical meetings of managers are not required.

  • Annual company tax returns

    All corporations must annually file tax returns with federal and state tax authorities.

  • Business registration filing requirements

    Corporation (Sociedad Anónima or SA)

    Initial registration is required, as well as annual filings (ie, financial statements of the company before the Public Registry and the Tax Authority). Every appointment or resignation of directors, change of domicile or bylaws' amendments must be filed with the Public Registry for registration.

    Single-Shareholder Corporation (Sociedad Anónima Unipersonal or SAU)

    Initial registration is required, as well as annual filings (ie, financial statements of the company before the Public Registry and the Tax Authority). Every appointment or resignation of directors, change of domicile or bylaws' amendments must be filed with the Public Registry for registration.

    Simplified Corporation (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada or SAS)

    Initial registration is required, as well as annual digital filings (ie. Financial statements of the Company before the Public Registry and the Tax Authority). Every appointment or resignation of directors, change of directors, change of domicile or bylaws' amendments must be filed with the Public Registry for registration.

    Limited Liability Company (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada or SRL)

    Initial registration is required. Only SRLs which capital stock exceeds ARS50 million shall file their annual financial statements with the Public Registry. However, all SRLs must file their financial statements with the tax authorities.

  • Business expansion

    Corporation (Sociedad Anónima or SA)

    No need to change as business expands.

    Single-Shareholder Corporation (Sociedad Anónima Unipersonal or SAU)

    If the number of shareholders exceeds 1, the SAU must convert to an SA or SAS.

    Simplified Corporation (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada or SAS)

    No need to change as business expands.

    Limited Liability Company (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada or SRL)

    If the number of members exceeds 50, the SRL must convert to an SA or SAS.

  • Exit strategy

    Any corporate type shall file dissolution documents with the Public Registry.

  • Annual corporate maintenance requirements

    Corporations and single-shareholder corporations must pay annual fee to the Public Registry.

  • Director / officer requirements

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

    For more information on directors’ duties, see our Global Guide to Directors’ Duties.
  • Local corporate secretary requirement

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Local legal or admin representative requirement

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Local office lease requirement

    In some circumstances, the Tax Authority requires evidence of the declared domicile. In the case of Simplified Corporation (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada or SAS) registered in the City of Buenos Aires, the existence and veracity of the domicile and registered office must be evidenced at the time of incorporation of the company or registration of the new registered office by means of an instrument authorized by the regulations.

  • Other physical presence requirements

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Sufficiency of virtual office

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Provision of local registered address by law firm or third-party service provider

    A company must provide its registered address. In certain circumstances, a law firm office may provide the registered address until the local entity hires an office. In this case, the company is requested to move its registered office to its new location.

  • Provision of local director or corporate secretary by law firm or third-party service provider

    A company shall provide a local director. In certain circumstances, a law firm may provide a local director service at a monthly rate.

  • Nationality or residency requirements for shareholders, directors and officers

    Corporation (Sociedad Anónima or SA)

    Majority of members of the board must be Argentinean residents.

    Single-Shareholder Corporation (Sociedad Anónima Unipersonal or SAU)

    Majority of the members of the board must be Argentinean residents.

    Simplified Corporation (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada or SAS)

    At least 1 director must be Argentinean resident (provided that the Argentinean resident director is the legal representative of the company).

    Limited Liability Company (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada or SRL)

    Majority of the members of the board must be Argentinean residents.

  • Restrictions regarding appointment of nominee shareholders or directors

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Summary of director's, officer's and shareholder's authority and limitations thereof

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Public disclosure of identity of directors, officers and shareholders

    The appointment of the directors in all types of companies must be registered before the Public Registry of Commerce informing their personal data, which means that the identity of the members of the board of directors is public for any 3rd party not related to the company.

    Regarding the equity holders, their identity must only be registered before the Public Registry of Commerce in the Limited Liability Company (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada or SRL), while in the other types of companies, the shares can be transferred without the need to register the equity holders before the Registry.

  • Minimum and maximum number of directors and shareholders

    Corporation (Sociedad Anónima or SA)

    • 2 or more shareholders
    • Board of directors, which must have at least 1 member with no maximum number requirement (at least 3 directors and 1 alternative director in case the company's capital stock exceeds ARS50 million)

    Single-Shareholder Corporation (Sociedad Anónima Unipersonal or SAU)

    • 1 shareholder
    • Board of directors, which must have at least 1 member with no maximum number requirement (at least 3 directors and 1 alternative director in case the company's capital stock exceeds ARS50 million)

    Simplified Corporation (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada or SAS)

    • 1 or more shareholders
    • The managers must be 1 or more individuals, who may be appointed for an indefinite or definite period

    Limited Liability Company (SRL)

    • 2 or more members (within a maximum of 50 members)
    • The local management is maintained by a single manager, several managers with full powers who may act individually, or a board of managers acting by majority. Managers may be appointed for an indefinite term
  • Minimum number of shareholders required

    Corporation (SA)

    At least 2 shareholders.

    Single-Shareholder Corporation (SAU)

    Only 1 shareholder is admitted.

    Simplified Corporation (SAS)

    At least 1 shareholder.

    Limited Liability Company (SRL)

    At least 2 members.

  • Removal of directors or officers

    Removal of directors or managers shall be approved by the shareholders meeting and then registered in the Public Registry.

  • Required and optional officers

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Board meeting requirements

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Quorum requirements for shareholder and board meetings

    Corporation (SA)

    The Board makes decisions by a simple majority of directors present at the relevant meeting, with a quorum of an absolute majority of total number of directors, unless the company's articles provide for a higher quorum and majority.

    In case of annual or regular shareholders' meetings, the required quorum shall be constituted by shareholders representing the majority of the voting shares. If quorum is not reached, the meeting may be held at a 2nd call. In this case, the meeting is duly constituted with any number of shareholders present. On the other hand, special meetings require the presence of shareholders representing 60 percent of the voting shares, unless the articles provide for a higher quorum. If quorum is not reached, the meeting may be held at a second call. In this case, the meeting is duly constituted with the presence of shareholders representing 30 percent of the voting shares, unless the articles provide otherwise.

    Single-Shareholder Corporation (SAU)

    The board makes decisions by a simple majority of directors present at the relevant meeting, with a quorum of an absolute majority of total number of directors, unless the company's articles provide for a higher quorum and majority.

    In the case of shareholders' meeting, quorum is reached if at least 1 shareholder of the company is present.

    Simplified Corporation (SAS)

    Meetings may be held physically or through digital means (ie, video or teleconference). Managers and members may call themselves to hold deliberations, with no need of prior notice. The management body's resolutions are valid as long as all members attend, and the majority as stated in the bylaws approve the agenda. Member's resolutions will be valid, provided that all partners attend and the agenda is passed unanimously.

    Limited Liability Company (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada or SRL)

    The board makes decisions by a simple majority of the managers present at the relevant meeting, with a quorum of an absolute majority of total number of directors, unless the company's articles provide for a higher quorum and majority.

    In case of annual or regular members' meetings, required quorum is constituted by the shareholders representing the majority of the voting shares. If quorum is not reached, the meeting may be held at a second call. In this case, the meeting is duly constituted with any number of shareholders present. On the other hand, special meetings require the presence of members representing 60 percent of voting shares, unless articles provide for a higher quorum. If quorum is not reached, a meeting may be held at a second call. In this case, the meeting is duly constituted with the presence of members representing 30 percent of voting shares, unless the articles provide otherwise.

  • Must a bank account be opened prior to incorporation, and must the bank account be local?

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Auditing of local financials. If so, must the auditor be located in local jurisdiction, and must the company's books be kept locally?

    All companies must have at least annual financial statements audited. The auditor must be located in Argentina and the company's corporate and accounting books must be kept locally.

  • Requirement regarding par value of stock

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Increasing of capitalization if needed

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Summary of how funds can be repatriated from your jurisdiction (ie dividends or redemption)

    When approving annual financial statements, shareholders' meeting may resolve to distribute dividends, which will be transferred to respective shareholders.

  • Restrictions on transferability of shares

    Corporation (SA)

    No restrictions, unless otherwise provided in bylaws. Transfers are reported to the company and recorded in the Stock Ledger Book.

    Single-Shareholder Corporation (SAU)

    No restrictions, unless otherwise provided in bylaws. Transfers are reported to the company and recorded in the Stock Ledger Book.

    Simplified Corporation (SAS)

    No restrictions, unless otherwise provided in bylaws. Transfers are reported to the company and recorded in the Stock Ledger Book.

    Limited Liability Company (SRL)

    No restrictions, unless otherwise provided in bylaws. Transfers shall be reported and registered with the Public Registry of Commerce.

  • Obtaining a name and naming requirements

    Corporate name must contain the type of company it adopted or the corresponding acronym. Name must be reserved before registering the company by paying and filing a form with the Public Registry, in case the chosen name is available.

  • Summary of "know your client" requirements

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Approval requirements for amending charter document

    Amendments to bylaws in all companies must be approved by shareholders or members' meeting and then filed for registration by the Public Registry.

  • Licenses required to conduct business in jurisdiction

    For the conduct of certain activities, it would be necessary to obtain a license from the corresponding government agencies.

  • Process of purchasing and utilizing a shelf company

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Key contacts
    Martin Mittelman
    Martin Mittelman
    Partner DLA Piper (Argentina) [email protected] T +5411 41145500 View bio
    Antonio Arias
    Antonio Arias
    Partner DLA Piper (Argentina) [email protected] T +5411 4114 5500 View bio

Process of purchasing and utilizing a shelf company

Argentina

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Australia

Branch

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Proprietary company

A shelf company may be purchased from third-party suppliers but, given the speed and ease of incorporation, this is rarely used. It is common to incorporate a company from scratch because, once a person has the relevant member, director and registered office consents, the process may be completed on the same day.

Public company

A shelf company may be purchased from third-party suppliers but, given the speed and ease of incorporation, this is rarely used.

Austria

Stock corporation (AG)

Shelf companies can be purchased from third-party service providers, but aren't widely used in Austria.

Limited liability company (GmbH) and Flexible Company (FlexKapG)

Shelf companies can be purchased from third-party service providers.

Bahrain

With Limited Liability (WLL)

A shelf company must obtain the licenses and approvals from the MOIC and CBB (if applicable) before engaging in any business activity, and such business activity must be registered in the Commercial Register at the MOIC. A shelf company can be in the form of a WLL.

Closed Shareholding Company (BSC(c)

A shelf company must obtain the licenses and approvals from the MOIC and CBB (if applicable) before engaging in any business activity, and such business activity must be registered in the Commercial Register at the MOIC. A shelf company can be in the form of a BSC(c).

Foreign Branch (Branch)

Not applicable.

Belgium

Public limited company (société anonyme/naamloze vennootschap)

Rarely used in Belgium.

Limited company (société à responsabilité limitée/besloten vennootschap)

Rarely used in Belgium.

Belgian branch office of a foreign company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Brazil

Limited liability company (Sociedade Limitada)

Shelf companies can be purchased from 3rd-party service providers.

Corporation (Sociedade Anônima)

Shelf companies can be purchased from 3rd-party service providers.

Canada

Corporate subsidiary (Corporation form rather than flow-through form)

It is not typical to be able to purchase a shelf company.

Chile

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

China

Not common.

Colombia

Shelf companies can be purchased in Colombia but are not widely used. Colombian law has strict regulation regarding taxation and anticorruption policies.

Czech Republic

Shelf companies can be purchased from 3rd-party service providers. Purchase of a company requires a share purchase.

Denmark

Limited liability company (Kapitalselskab)

Shelf companies are not commonly used anymore as the incorporation process has been simplified and can now be carried out electronically in most cases on a day-to-day basis.

Egypt

Not applicable for this jurisdiction. 

Finland

Osakeyhtiö (Oy)

Shelf companies can be purchased from service providers.

France

Société par actions simplifiée (SAS)

Not applicable.

Société à responsabilité limitée (SARL)

Not applicable.

Société anonyme (SA)

Not applicable.

Germany

GmbH – limited liability company

The purchase of a shelf company is feasible and requires a share purchase agreement. After the purchase of the company and its application for registration with the commercial register, you may take up business.

Greece

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Hong Kong, SAR

Limited private companies

Shelf companies can be purchased from 3rd-party service providers, but are less common nowadays.

Hungary

Some service providers offer shelf companies for sale but the use of a shelf company is not common in practice given that a clean, new company can be set up very quickly.

India

Private limited company

Not widely used.

Indonesia

Limited liability company

There is no specific regulation on purchasing or utilizing a shelf company.

Ireland

Private company limited by shares (LTD)

Shelf companies may be purchased from 3rd party providers.

 

External company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Israel

Company

Not applicable.

Branch / representative office

Not applicable.

Italy

Società a responsabilità limitata (S.r.l.) and Società per azioni (S.p.A.) 

Applicable, if required but the shelf companies are not usual under Italian law.

Japan

Registered branch

There is no concept of a shelf company in this jurisdiction.

Kabushiki-Kaisha (KK)

There is no concept of a shelf company in this jurisdiction.

Godo-Kaisha (GK)

There is no concept of a shelf company in this jurisdiction.

Luxembourg

Private limited liability company (Société à responsabilité limitée or S.à r.l.)

Shelf companies can be purchased from corporate services providers (not widely used as the articles of incorporation/association, and, in particular, the corporate object clause may need to be amended to fit a given transaction).

Public limited liability company (Société anonyme or S.A.)

Shelf companies can be purchased from corporate services providers (not widely used as the articles of incorporation/association, and, in particular, the corporate object clause may need to be amended to fit a given transaction).

Special limited partnership (Société en commandite spéciale or SCSp)

There is generally no shelf partnership. As there is a very high contractual freedom when setting up an SCSp, it is preferable to negotiate the limited partnership agreement directly among parties.

Malaysia

  • The shelf company’s existing board of directors shall resign as the company directors. Investor’s nominated directors shall be appointed as the shelf company’s new directors.
  • The shares of the existing shareholder in the shelf company will be transferred to the investor.
  • The local company secretary will lodge all essential fillings to the Companies Commission of Malaysia once all applicable documents have been signed.
  • A copy of the letter of indemnity signed by the shelf company’s former directors, indicating that the shelf company was dormant, had no obligations and had not begun any operations, will be provided to the investor.
  • Any further changes to the company name, corporate structure, director, and share capital will be lodged to Companies Commission of Malaysia. 

Mauritius

Rarely used in Mauritius.

Mexico

S.A. de C.V.

Shelf companies can be purchased but are not widely used and, since the enactment of the Mexican Anti-Money Laundering Law, we expect even fewer cases.

S. de R.L. de C.V.

Shelf companies can be purchased but are not widely used and, since the enactment of the Mexican Anti-Money Laundering Law, we expect even fewer cases.

S.A.P.I. de C.V.

Shelf companies can be purchased but are not widely used and, since the enactment of the Mexican Anti-Money Laundering Law, we expect even fewer cases.

Netherlands

Branch office

Not applicable.

B.V. (private company with limited liability)

Since the BV can be incorporated within 1 to 2 weeks, the purchase of a shelf company has become very unusual, if at all available.

Co-operative U.A.

Not applicable.

C.V. (a limited partnership)

Not applicable.

New Zealand

Branch

Not applicable in New Zealand.

Proprietary company

A “shelf” company may be purchased from 3rd-party suppliers, but, given the speed and ease of incorporation, this is rarely used.

Nigeria

Shelf companies may be purchased from 3rd-party service providers. However, this is not typical because of ease of incorporation of new companies.

Norway

Shelf companies may, in general, be purchased on short notice. The shelf company may be utilized immediately after the transfer of the shelf company has completed.

Peru

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Philippines

Purchase of shares of a shelf company is subject to payment of applicable capital gains tax and documentary stamp tax, and application for a BIR Certificate Authorizing Registration. When a shelf company becomes 100-percent foreign-owned, it is subject to FIA registration and minimum capitalization requirements, as previously discussed.

Poland

A share purchase agreement is needed to purchase a company. As a rule, shelf companies will be limited liability companies, joint-stock companies or limited joint-stock partnerships. Following the completion of the purchase, new shareholders and management/supervisory board members must be entered in the business register. Commercial companies and partnerships may act as purchasers. Branches and representative offices do not have the legal capacity to act as a contractual party (the founding foreign company acts as the purchaser).

Portugal

Shelf companies may be acquired by means of a shares’ transfer, as other regular shares acquisitions. As a rule, these are undertaken by means of an agreement between the seller and the purchaser, and no special formalities are required. The transfers of shares of LDA. and Sociedade Unipessoal companies are registered with the Registrar of Companies.

The Tax Authority must be notified of the sale and acquisition of shares of S.A. companies. These transfers are not otherwise subject to public registration, but the new shareholder is inscribed in the relevant shares’ accounts or shares’ titles.

Puerto Rico

Corporations

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Limited Liability Companies

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Romania

Not frequently used in practice. Same rules apply to transfer of shares.

Russia

Joint-stock company (public and non-public)

Highly not recommended and is not a widespread practice due to unclear business history (eg, filings, taxation issues and possible “hidden” debts).

Limited liability company

Highly not recommended and is not a widespread practice due to unclear business history (eg, filings, taxation issues and possible “hidden” debts).

Saudi Arabia

Limited liability company

Shelf companies are not common in Saudi Arabia due to the difficulty and time consuming purchasing process.

Singapore

Limited liability company

Shelf companies may be purchased from 3rd party service providers, though this is uncommon in Singapore.

South Africa

Shelf companies are available for purchase in South Africa.

South Korea

Joint-stock company (Jusik Hoesa)

Shelf companies can be purchased from a third party by purchasing shares in such shelf companies.

Limited company (Yuhan Hoesa)

Shelf companies can be purchased from a third party by purchasing units in such shelf companies.

Spain

Branch (Sucursal)

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Limited liability company (Sociedad Limitada)

Shelf companies can be purchased from 3rd-party service providers.

Joint-stock company (Sociedad Anónima)

Shelf companies can be purchased from 3rd-party service providers.

Sweden

Limited company (aktiebolag, AB)

Shelf companies can be purchased from third-party service providers and are ready to be operated the same day as the purchase is finalized.

Trading partnership (handelsbolag, HB)

Pre-registered HBs can be purchased from third-party service providers and are ready to be operated the same day as the purchase is finalized.

Limited partnership (kommanditbolag, KB)

Pre-registered KBs can be purchased from third-party service providers and are ready to be operated the same day as the purchase is finalized.

Branch office (filial, Branch)

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Switzerland

Stock corporation

Although not uncommon in practice, purchase of a shelf stock corporation and its subsequent reactivation may be held void and involves various and substantial legal and financial risks. It is therefore not advisable under Swiss law.

Taiwan, China

Shelf companies are not available in Taiwan.

Thailand

MERGER AND AMALGAMATION

Private limited company

2 or more private limited companies can be combined by way of (i) merger or (ii) amalgamation. In the case of merger, there will be 1 company that continues to exist after the merger while other merging companies would no longer exist. Such surviving entity will acquire all the assets, debts, rights, duties and responsibilities inherent to the companies being merged. However, an amalgamation is a combination of 2 or more companies into an entirely new entity. The new amalgamated company will acquire all the assets, debts, rights, duties and responsibilities inherent to the companies being amalgamated.

A special resolution of the shareholders of the companies to be combined are pre-requisite for the merger and amalgamation process. The establishment of the merged or the amalgamated company also requires the registration with the DBD.

Public limited company

Unlike the private limited company, the combination of (i) 2 or more public limited companies or (ii) a public limited company and a private limited company, can only be done by way of amalgamation. The new amalgamated public limited company will acquire all the assets, debts, rights, duties and responsibilities inherent to the companies being amalgamated.

A special resolution of the shareholders of the companies to be combined are pre-requisite for the amalgamation process. The establishment of the amalgamated company also requires the registration with the DBD.

Partnerships

A registered ordinary partnership can be combined with another registered ordinary partnership by way of amalgamation. The consent of all partners, unless agreed otherwise, is pre-requisite for the amalgamation process. The new amalgamated registered ordinary partnership acquires all the rights and liabilities inherent to the registered ordinary partnerships being amalgamated. The establishment of the amalgamated registered ordinary partnership also requires the registration with the DBD.



Turkey

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Ukraine

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

United Arab Emirates

LLC

The concept of a shelf company is not recognized in the UAE.

Branch

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

FZ-LLC

The concept of a shelf company is not recognized in the free zones.

FZ-Branch

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Dual Licensee Branch

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

United Kingdom

Private limited company

Shelf companies are no longer widely available. Companies can be incorporated within a few hours and electronically, so shelf companies are no longer commonly used. Same-day incorporation is subject to a filing deadline of 11am UK time.

Limited liability partnership (LLP)

Not applicable.

Registered UK establishment

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

United States

It is possible, but not typical, to purchase a shelf company. A corporation can be created in an expedited time frame in most states, so use of a shelf company for expediency is not needed.

Vietnam

A shelf company is not common in Vietnam.