10 answers for owners and founders of a Samoa company, from ordering to banking, annual compliance and what happens after incorporation. General information, not legal or tax advice; your specialist confirms how it applies to you.
The licensed trustee company normally asks for certified copies of each passport and address proof. A lawyer, notary or accountant can certify them. Samoa has applied the Apostille Convention since 1999, so company documents you later need abroad can usually be apostilled rather than legalised.
Source: Status table: Apostille Convention, Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)
Yes. A name can be reserved for up to 3 months, which is useful while you collect documents. If you want a Chinese name as well, reserve both together so they are checked at the same time.
Source: International companies, Samoa International Finance Authority (SIFA)
Often, yes. Samoa law allows an international company to continue in another jurisdiction if that jurisdiction accepts it, so the company keeps its history, contracts and assets. With the tax exemption ending, some owners are looking at this. We check both sides before you decide (confirm with your specialist).
The renewal of US$1,509 on Starter covers registry and trustee fees, not tax work. Once international companies become taxable, tax returns and possibly accounts will be extra work, which we will quote when the official start date and rules are confirmed. We tell existing clients before any change applies to them.
Source: Bills, Acts and Regulations, Palemene o Samoa (Parliament of Samoa)
Who owns and runs it, what it trades, which countries its customers and suppliers are in, and where the money comes from. Because Samoa left the EU list only in February 2026 and its tax rules are changing, expect extra questions on why you chose Samoa. A short, honest business rationale helps.
Mostly outside Samoa, with banks or licensed payment institutions in the regions where they trade, often in Asia. The right choice depends on your currencies, volumes and counterparties. We introduce suitable options and prepare the file; each institution decides.
It can be. Samoa exchanges tax information with other countries under international standards, and banks report accounts held by foreign tax residents. The public cannot search the owners, but authorities can obtain them lawfully. Plan your personal tax position on that basis.
Tell us before the transfer. The new owner passes KYC, the trustee company updates the register of members and the beneficial ownership record it keeps, and new share certificates are issued. Keeping this information current is a legal duty.
Source: Trustee companies, Samoa International Finance Authority (SIFA)
The shareholders or board pass a resolution, the new director passes KYC, and the trustee company updates the register of directors and notifies the registry where required. Keep at least one director in office at all times. We prepare the resolution and handle the trustee paperwork.
Source: International companies, Samoa International Finance Authority (SIFA)
A solvent company with no assets or debts can apply through its trustee company to be removed from the register. If you let the renewal lapse instead, the company is struck off and can later be restored only with penalties (confirm with your specialist). We handle the resolution and filing for you.
Source: International companies, Samoa International Finance Authority (SIFA)
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