The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is a sovereign nation in the Pacific Ocean, in free association with the United States. The jurisdiction operates under common law and is widely used for asset protection, holding structures, and vessel registration. Since 2021, reforms have brought the RMI into compliance with international transparency and substance standards.
The Marshall Islands is not listed as a harmful tax jurisdiction by the EU or OECD.
Key Advantages and Features
- NO corporate income tax for non-resident IBCs
- NO tax on dividends, interest, or royalties
- NO bearer shares (banned since 2019)
- NO public registry of shareholders or directors
- NO audit or filing obligations, only accounting records
- Ready-made companies available
- Major international ship & yacht registry
Main Offshore Tool – MARSHALL ISLANDS IBC
The International Business Company (IBC) is the most commonly used entity for global business, holding, and asset privacy.
| Key features | IBC – Marshall Islands |
|---|---|
| Legal Basis | Business Corporations Act (1990, amended) |
| Legal System | Common Law |
| Local Registered Office | Mandatory |
| Confidentiality | High – no public registry |
| Share Types | Registered shares only |
| Minimum Directors | 1 (individual or legal entity) |
| Minimum Shareholders | 1 (individual or legal entity) |
| Capital Requirement | None |
| Accounting | Mandatory (records kept min. 5 years) |
| Reporting | None |
| Audit | Not required |
| Meetings | Anywhere in the world |
| Tax Status | 0% CIT for offshore activity |
| Substance | Required for relevant activities (per ESR) |
| Annual Fee | ~$450–750 USD |
Tax Regime
| Tax | Rate |
|---|---|
| Corporate Tax (CIT) | 0% (offshore activity only) |
| Withholding Tax | 0% |
| VAT / GST | Not applicable |
| Capital / Wealth Tax | None |
| Tax Registration | Not required |
Legal Compliance and Transparency
- Private corporate register (only registered agent has access)
- Accounting records mandatory since 2021
- Substance rules for certain relevant activities (e.g., leasing, IP, finance)
- OECD / FATF compliant jurisdiction
Who Should Consider Marshall Islands IBC?
- Offshore holding and passive investment entities
- Asset protection and wealth privacy vehicles
- Companies owning or operating ships/yachts
- Flexible structures for non-EU clients
- Entities not requiring full local presence
How to Incorporate a Company in the Marshall Islands
- Choose a name and registered agent
- Prepare incorporation documents
- Register with the Registrar of Corporations
- Receive incorporation certificate and corporate kit
- (Optional) Arrange substance, nominee services, or bank account
Incorporation time: 2–7 days.
Interested in more?
Complexity
Establishment of the company, its settlement, delivery of apostilled documentation, bookkeeping. All under one agency.
Support
Do you have a foreign company and don’t know if you have fulfilled all your legal obligations? We can help you to check and comply with all government requirements.
Management
Are you dissatisfied with the performance of your directors? Are they not meeting deadlines? Try us.
Fair price
Do you already have an offshore company? Do you want better conditions? Change your registration agent.