Introduction to Panama
USA Corporate Services has been helping businesses, investors, attorneys, accountants and other professionals with their offshore company needs since 1992. We offer services in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese as well as in English, in order to best serve the needs of our diverse clientele. Our staff provides you with fast, efficient and friendly service, and will be glad to handle your questions regarding the jurisdictions we handle.

  Advantages
  • A very well established jurisdiction that has developed a good reputation over a number of years
  • The legal infrastructure is well developed and the professionals within Panama have marketed the jurisdiction aggressively and actively over an extended period.
  • Well-known flag of convenience for shipping purposes.
  • Based on Delaware Corporation Law

  Disadvantages
  • The professionals who once worked solely from Panama now have interests in other jurisdictions such as the BVI and Bahamas and tend to concentrate less on Panama.
  • One of the few non-English language offshore centers.

  Company status
Non-Resident Corporation

  Corporate legislation source
Civil Law; Delaware Corporation Law of 1927

  Company name
The name of the corporation may be in any language and must end with an appropriate suffix: Corporation, Incorporated, S.A., etc.

  Time taken to incorporate
2 to 3 days

  Are shelf companies available?
Yes

  Usual minimum capital
No minimum

  Capital duty
Registration fee of $50 for capital of US$10,000. Sliding scale operates above this level.

  Minimum number of shareholders
One

  Are bearer shares/shares of no par value possible?
Yes/Yes

  Directors: Minimum number/corporate directors allowed/locati
Three/No/No restriction

  Secretary: Mandatory/corporate secretary allowed/location
Yes/No/No restriction

  Is there a requirement for a Registered Office/Registered Agent
No/Yes

  Is any information required by the authorities prior to incorporation or prior to tax status being granted?
None

  What information is available on the public file?
Deed of Incorporation, names and addresses of Directors, Registered Agent

  What documents must be kept at the Registered Office?
None

  Corporate books & seal
The company must maintain a minute book and stock register, both of which may be maintained in any part of the world.

  Are accounts required/filed?
No/No

  Is an annual return required?
No

  Where are meetings to be held?
No restrictions

  Annual fees payable to the government: Tax/Annual Return filing fee
US$150/None

  Are there any exchange controls
No

  Double tax treaties
None