Buy a Shelf Company in Mauritius

There are several ways to start a business in Mauritius, and one of them is to buy a shelf company. Investors who decide on this option can rely on our company formation specialists in Mauritius for support in the acquisition and alteration procedures they must complete.

How to buy a ready-made company in Mauritius

Acquiring a shelf company implies completing a few steps that will ultimately lead to you becoming a shareholder in the respective enterprise. Here are these steps:

• choosing the appropriate business form and service provider;
• establishing the transaction details;
• completing the purchase;
• making the necessary changes with the Companies Register.

Our Mauritius company formation agents can assist during the purchase process. We can advise on the suitable legal entity to choose from. From this point of view, the private limited liability and the offshore company are the most common businesses for sale in Mauritius.

How to choose a shelf company to purchase

Apart from the incorporation form, there are also other aspects to consider when buying an aged company in Mauritius. Their importance resides in the final cost. Here is what to consider when making the choice:

• the age of the enterprise;
• whether it has a VAT number or not;
• whether you want other services attached to the sale.

Older companies are more expensive than newer ones, as they will also offer more credibility when used in partnerships with local authorities, for example. With respect to the additional services you can opt for, it is possible for the service provider to offer nominee director and/or director solutions attached to the respective company. You can then choose to change them.

Businesses that have VAT numbers will also be more expensive; however, if you decide to buy one that is not registered for this tax, our accountants in Mauritius can help you complete this procedure at a later date.

Documents needed for the purchase of a Mauritius shelf company

One of the advantages of buying a shelf company is that you need fewer documents to prepare on your end. A valid ID or passport, if you are a foreign entrepreneur, will suffice to complete the transaction. In the latter case, if you cannot be present in the country, our local consultants can represent you with a power of attorney.

After the sale is completed, you need to make certain changes in the company’s statutory documents. Following that, the alterations must be recorded with the Companies Register.

New company vs. shelf company in Mauritius

Many businesspersons ask what to choose between a new company and an aged one. There are several factors to consider when making the decision, and some of the most important are:

• how fast you want to start your activities in Mauritius, in which case, if you need no specific business license, the shelf company may be your go-to option;
• if you must apply for a specific permit, such as a Mauritius Forex license, you can choose and register a new enterprise;
• the types of activities to carry out and whether you need financing for them, case in which, the aged company will offer more credibility;
• whether you want to spend more money on buying an aged company instead of paying lower registration fees.

SMEs, a large part of Mauritius business market

Shelf companies can be used as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), considering these types of entities are quite popular in Mauritius. According to the Ministry of Industry, SMEs and Cooperatives:

• by the end of 2024 there were 24,751 such entities registered in Mauritius;
• between 2023 and 2024, there were 4,146 registration applications filed for the creation of SMEs, and 3,628 were approved.

If you decide to buy a shelf company in Mauritius and need assistance, please contact us.