Marshall Islands Company Registration | Set Up an Offshore Company in the Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands offshore company
Planning a Marshall Islands company registration or looking to set up a company in the Marshall Islands? An offshore company in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is legally called a “Non-Resident Domestic Corporation” and is commonly known as an IBC. It is registered with the Registrar of Non-Resident Domestic Entities under the Business Corporations Act, and in practice International Registries, Inc. (IRI) handles the filing. The registered agent is The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands (TCMI). Foreigners can own 100% of the company, which needs at least 1 director and a secretary.
Marshall Islands corporate law is modeled on the corporate law of the US state of Delaware, and the country is a major center for international shipping and ship registration. Companies are often used for holding, shipping, international trade and listing plans. According to IRI, the Marshall Islands is a zero tax jurisdiction, but each company must file an annual economic substance report, make a beneficial ownership records declaration and pay an annual fee. NSS Group (戰國策集團) offers one-stop Marshall Islands company formation, from structure assessment, name checks and the incorporation filing to bank account opening and annual maintenance, to help businesses and individuals set up a compliant offshore company.
A leading position in shipping and maritime trade, with professional maritime services
The standard setup is 500 no-par-value shares or a total par value of up to US$50,000, and share capital can be stated in any currency
Our team supports you at every step so your company registration is completed smoothly.
A simple registration process lets you set up your company quickly and act on business opportunities
as your offshore base?
The core advantage of the Marshall Islands is that it is business-friendly. According to IRI, it is a zero tax jurisdiction, its corporate law is modeled on Delaware corporate law, a company can be formed on the same business day, and companies can redomicile in and out.
Under Marshall Islands law, the names of directors, officers and shareholders do not have to be disclosed in a public register. However, the company must make reasonable efforts to keep records of beneficial owners holding more than 25% of shares or voting rights and declare this to the Registrar each year. A company can issue bearer shares, but holders must be registered with the registered agent, or the shares must be cancelled. The company needs at least 1 director and a secretary, so the structure is quite flexible.
According to IRI, forming a Marshall Islands International Business Corporation (IBC) is simple and can be completed in as little as one business day. You only need to provide the company name, share structure and organizational matters.
Marshall Islands companies are common in holding, shipping and structures listed on international capital markets. NSS Group helps you assess whether a Marshall Islands company fits your needs, files the incorporation through a qualified professional, and plans beneficial ownership records, economic substance reporting and annual maintenance after formation, so your company is clear and compliant from setup to operation.
The company name can be in any language but must use Roman letters, and it can use internationally recognized suffixes such as “Ltd.”, “Inc.” or “Corp.”. Prepare 2 alternative names. A name can be reserved free of charge for up to 6 months.
At formation you provide the company name, share structure and organizational matters. The incorporator can elect directors, appoint officers and adopt bylaws on your instructions. Director and shareholder names are not publicly registered, but the company must keep its own beneficial ownership records and provide them when the registered agent asks.
Shares can be registered or bearer shares, with or without par value, and par value can be stated in any currency. The standard setup is 500 no-par-value shares or a total par value of up to US$50,000. Above that, a one-time capitalization tax applies. Holders of bearer shares must be registered with the registered agent.
The incorporation request is filed by a legal or financial professional through the IRI online form or an IRI office. The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands (TCMI) acts as the registered agent for all such companies. TCMI does not provide nominee directors.
Once the company is formed, you receive electronic corporate documents right away, and the originals are sent afterwards, so you can start doing business immediately. Each year you then pay the annual fee on the IRI annual invoice and file the economic substance report within 12 months after the anniversary date.
service
- Company name search and reservation
- Preparation and filing of registration documents
- Drafting of governing documents
- Collection of the registration certificate
- Bank and account options for offshore companies
- Account opening document preparation
- Appointment booking and accompaniment
- Post-opening support
- Registered address
- Company secretary appointment
- Annual filing services
- Document custody and management
- Bookkeeping
- Tax filing and planning
- Financial statement preparation
- Audit arrangement
- Trademark search and assessment
- Trademark application filing
- Trademark maintenance and renewal
- Infringement protection advice
- Company change filings
- Share transfer support
- Company deregistration
- Legal advisory support
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Good customer service is key to a successful business. We include a free AI customer service system that answers customer questions in real time and raises customer satisfaction.
A professional, attractive website is your company’s storefront online. We offer full web design services so your site looks good and works well.
Online marketing is a key part of business success today. We offer professional online marketing services, including SEO, social media marketing and content marketing.
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One AI system to run your whole company: 12 core systems, 75+ feature modules and 15 AI tools covering the full business workflow, so a new company can start operating quickly.
- Company name search and registration
- Preparation and filing of registration documents
- Drafting of governing documents
- Registration certificate and company documents
- Registered address service for the first year
The actual cost depends on the company type, share structure and any additional services. We give transparent quotes with no hidden fees.
Official fees are extra: the formation and annual fees follow the IRI annual invoice, and a capitalization tax applies if share capital exceeds the standard structure. See the cost breakdown below.
How much does Marshall Islands company registration cost? Cost breakdown
A Marshall Islands offshore company is legally called a "Non-Resident Domestic Corporation". It is registered with the Registrar of Corporations under the Business Corporations Act, and in practice International Registries, Inc. (IRI) handles the filing. The items and official rules below help you check quotes line by line.
| Item | Official rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard share structure | 500 no-par-value shares, or a total par value of up to US$50,000 | Above that, a one-time capitalization tax applies. IRI provides a calculator. |
| Name reservation | Free, for up to 6 months | Names can be in any language but must use Roman letters. Internationally recognized company suffixes are accepted. |
| Registered agent | The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands (TCMI) | Registered agent for all non-resident domestic entities. TCMI does not provide nominee directors. |
| Formation and annual fees | Per IRI invoice | The annual fee is billed on the annual invoice, which also includes the economic substance reporting PIN. |
| Certificate of Economic Substance Reporting Compliance (CESRC) | Prepaid on the IRI invoice | Issued each year after the economic substance report is filed. |
| Agent, company secretary and bank account opening services | Quoted per case; NSS Group gives a written quote after a free assessment | |
Based on the IRI pages "International Business Corporations", "Corporate FAQs" and "Request to Incorporate", checked in October 2026. The IRI website does not publish formation or annual fee amounts. The Registrar's latest invoice and notices prevail.
Marshall Islands company tax and compliance: zero tax and economic substance reporting
Marshall Islands corporate law is modeled on Delaware corporate law. Non-resident domestic corporations are not taxed locally, but they must follow rules on beneficial ownership records, the annual declaration and economic substance reporting.
| Item | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Local tax | Zero tax regime | According to IRI, the Marshall Islands is a zero tax jurisdiction. |
| Beneficial ownership records | Individuals holding more than 25% of shares or voting rights | The company must make reasonable efforts to keep current names and addresses of beneficial owners, determined under the Beneficial Ownership Regulations 2023, and provide them within 60 days when the registered agent asks. |
| Annual declaration | Declare to the Registrar each year that records are kept as required | Listed companies are exempt. This is built into the annual invoice process. |
| Economic substance reporting (ESR) | Filed every year | Due within 12 months after the anniversary date. Late filing suspends company services, and a company that is 12 months overdue is in principle struck off. |
| Bearer shares | Holders must be registered with the registered agent | Bearer shares not registered as required must be cancelled. |
| Business restrictions | Virtual asset services not allowed | Prohibited by an amendment in December 2020. Banking activities need a license under the laws where the company operates. |
Based on the IRI pages "Advantages", "Associations Law Updates" and "Economic Substance Regulations FAQs", and the Beneficial Ownership Regulations 2023. Have an accountant assess tax in your home country.
Marshall Islands company or another offshore company? Entity and jurisdiction comparison
Founders setting up a Marshall Islands offshore company often compare it with a Marshall Islands limited liability company (LLC) and with other offshore jurisdictions such as the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and Samoa.
| Item | Marshall Islands non-resident corporation (IBC) | Marshall Islands LLC | Other offshore companies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Business Corporations Act, modeled on Delaware law | Limited Liability Company Act 1996 | Local company law |
| Minimum officers | At least 1 director and a secretary | Managed by members or managers | Per local rules |
| Public register information | Names of directors, officers and shareholders are not publicly registered | Member and manager details are not publicly registered | Per local rules |
| Common uses | Holding, shipping and vessel ownership, international trade, listing plans | Holding, asset holding | Holding, trade |
These are general principles. Base your choice on shareholder structure, bank account opening and home-country tax assessment.
What foreign founders should know about setting up a company in the Marshall Islands
- Zero tax does not mean no filing: each year you must file the economic substance report and the beneficial ownership records declaration. Late filing can lead to suspended services or even striking off the company.
- Limits of privacy: director and shareholder names are not publicly registered, but the company must keep beneficial ownership records, and the registered agent, banks and authorities can require them by law.
- Bank account opening: KYC and business substance reviews for offshore company accounts are strict. Plan where to open the account (for example Hong Kong or Singapore) and how you will receive payments before you set up the company.
- Home-country tax: shareholders should check their home country's controlled foreign company (CFC) and place of effective management (PEM) rules. Profits of a zero tax company may be taxed in the home country, so keep bookkeeping records.
- Outbound investment rules: check whether your home country requires approval or reporting before you invest in a Marshall Islands company.
Further reading
Sources: IRI: International Business Corporations; IRI: Corporate FAQs; IRI: Advantages; IRI: Associations Law Updates; IRI: Economic Substance Regulations FAQs; RMI Registrar: Beneficial Ownership Regulations 2023. The latest official notices prevail. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
How long does Marshall Islands company registration take?
What documents do I need to set up a company in the Marshall Islands?
To set up a Marshall Islands company, you usually need to prepare the following:
- 1. Identity documents for shareholders, directors and ultimate beneficial owners
- 2. Proof of address from the last three months and contact details
- 3. Marshall Islands company name, company type and registered address arrangements
- 4. A description of the business model, main trading regions and source of funds
- 5. Shareholding percentages, director appointments, KYC and required authorization documents
Do I need to go to the Marshall Islands in person to set up a company?
Most of the Marshall Islands company formation process can be completed remotely through document preparation, signing under authorization and support from a local agent, so you do not have to be there in person. However, bank account opening, identity checks, special licenses or certain government procedures may require directors, shareholders or authorized persons to attend in person, join a video call or provide extra documents. We confirm these requirements in advance and help you arrange them.
What tax and filing obligations does a Marshall Islands company have?
- 1. The Marshall Islands is a zero tax jurisdiction, but shareholders should check their home country's controlled foreign company (CFC) rules
- 2. Annual filings, company registration upkeep, registered agent or secretarial services
- 3. Bookkeeping records, economic substance reporting and beneficial ownership records
Which businesses or structures suit a Marshall Islands company?
Who can help me register a company in the Marshall Islands?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) can help. We provide one-stop support from pre-formation assessment to post-formation maintenance for Marshall Islands companies, reducing uncertainty in cross-border setup and compliance.
Our main services include:
- 1. Marshall Islands company type and structure assessment
- 2. Company name search, document preparation and registration filing
- 3. Bank account opening, KYC and cross-border payment documents
- 4. Bookkeeping, tax filing and annual compliance
- 5. Changes to shareholders, directors, address, shares and company details
- 6. Trademark registration, contract review and intellectual property planning
- 7. Website build, digital marketing and AI customer service setup
- 8. Ongoing business advisory and cross-border business support
Based on your industry, customer locations, banking needs and tax planning, we arrange Marshall Islands company formation, maintenance and ongoing operational support, so you can focus on growing your market.