What is a Marshall Islands IBC?
"IBC" is the term most people use for a non-resident domestic corporation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). It is a company incorporated in the Marshall Islands whose owners and business are outside the islands. Non-resident corporations are registered through the Registrar of Corporations, administered by The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc. (TCMI) with support from International Registries, Inc. offices around the world.
The governing law is the Business Corporations Act (part of the RMI Associations Law). The Act was modelled on the Delaware General Corporation Law and provides that, where it is silent, Marshall Islands courts follow Delaware case law. That predictability is one of the main reasons global shipping groups and investment structures use Marshall Islands companies.
Key features
- One director and one shareholder, who can be the same person. Individuals or companies, of any nationality and residence.
- Officers: the company appoints officers such as a secretary; one person can hold all roles.
- No minimum paid-up capital. The standard structure is 500 shares without par value or up to US$50,000 of authorised capital.
- Registered shares only. Bearer shares are heavily restricted and we do not issue them.
- No local tax on profits, dividends, capital gains or share transfers from business outside the islands.
- No annual return, accounts or audit filed with the government. Records may be kept anywhere.
- Privacy: no public register of shareholders, directors or beneficial owners.
- Meetings anywhere in the world, or by written resolution.
- Redomiciliation into and out of the Marshall Islands is permitted.
Requirements to form a Marshall Islands IBC
- A unique company name ending in Inc., Corp., Ltd., Limited, S.A. or a similar suffix.
- At least one director and one shareholder, and a secretary or other officers.
- A registered agent and registered office in the Marshall Islands (included in our packages).
- Identification and proof of address for each director, shareholder and beneficial owner (anyone owning or controlling more than 25%).
- A short description of the business and the source of funds.
See how to register for the step-by-step process and the full document list.
What you receive
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
- Minutes or resolutions of the organisational meeting appointing directors and officers
- Share certificate(s) and register of shareholders
- Register of directors and officers
- Company seal (Complete package)
- Apostilled Certificate of Incorporation (Complete package) and, on request, a Certificate of Incumbency or Good Standing
Annual obligations
Each year, by the anniversary of incorporation, the company pays the government annual fee and the registered agent fee, files its Economic Substance Declaration and confirms its beneficial ownership attestation. Our annual renewal covers all of this; see annual compliance.
What a Marshall Islands IBC cannot do
- Do business with residents of the Marshall Islands or own local real estate.
- Carry on banking, insurance, trust or fund business without the relevant licence.
- Use restricted words such as Bank, Insurance or Trust in its name without approval.
Is it right for you?
A Marshall Islands IBC is a strong choice when you want a fast, flexible, respected company for international trade, holding investments, owning vessels or running a business outside your home country. It is less suitable if you need double tax treaties or a company that will be managed from a high-tax country without proper local tax planning. Compare it with other jurisdictions on our comparison page.
Owning an offshore company does not remove your personal tax obligations. Controlled foreign company and management-and-control rules in your country may tax the company's profits. Please take independent tax advice.
Last reviewed: 12 October 2026