Belize is a small country located in Central America on the Caribbean coast. The population is about 450 thousand people. The official language is English. It is the only English-speaking country in Central America. The world's largest offshore zone. The currency is the Belizean dollar.
The physical presence of the yacht in Belize is not required, all registration can be done remotely. A survey inspection is necessary. For non-residents, a local registration agent (Belize Shipping Agent) is needed, we work with such an agent. Temporary registration is done for 6 months, permanent – for 2 years, as an option it can be done for 5 years.
Flag registration in Belize is available for all nationalities.
The yacht registration in Belize is divided into two steps. The first step is obtaining a provisional registration of the boat for a period of 6 months. The second step is to obtain permanent registration for a period of 2 years or 5 years (optional).
1. A completed application for Registration of a Yacht, where it is necessary to provide detailed information about the yacht, its age, its technical characteristics, where it was registered earlier, information about the owner of the yacht, specify a 24-hour emergency telephone number, suggest several yacht names, etc. We will help you prepare this form.
- American Bureau of Shipping (ABS);
- Bureau Veritas (BV);
- China Classification Society (CCS);
- Det Norske Veritas(DNV);
- Germanischer Lloyd (GL);
- Indian Register of Shipping (IRS);
- Korean Register of Shipping (KRS);
- Lloyds Register of Shipping (LR);
- Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Class NK);
- Polski Rejestr Statkow S.A. (PRS);
- Registro Italiano Navale (RINA);
- Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RMRS).
The ship register may also accept other survey companies or individual surveyors that are convenient for you. Write to us, we will assist you.
12. Color photos of the yacht:
- Bow, stern, left or right side of the boat, its name,
- Photo of Hull Identification Number (HIN),
- Photo of the Engine Serial No.
13. Confirmation of payment of government registration fees.
If the documents are not in English, a notarized translation is required. During the registration process, the yacht registry can request more documents about your boat. Any requested technical details should be provided.
Usually the registration goes quickly – within 24 hours, assuming that all documents are submitted to the register, all of them satisfy the register and all government fees are paid.
To obtain permanent registration, it is necessary to provide the following documents to the boat registry within 5 months:
1. The original or notary certified copy of the Bill of Sale.
2. The original or notary certified copy of the Deletion Certificate issued by previous yacht register.
3. Notary certified copy of the Power of Attorney for the yacht registration in Belize, issued to the Belize Shipping Agent.
4. Copies of all certificates previously issued by the Belize boat registry.
You can make permanent registration for 2 years or for 5 years at once in advance – then the boat register gives discount.
Belize is one of the most successful offshore zones in the world. International banks, brokers, insurance companies, global pawnshops – all financial world knows the documents of Belizean offshore companies perfectly well. Therefore, one of the most popular options is to own a yacht through a Belizean offshore company (IBC).
A yacht registered with a Belizean IBC is a quite marketable asset – it can be easily insured, sold, inherited, you can get a loan secured by a yacht or get a mortgage, etc.
However, now the requirements are much higher than before: a Belizean IBC must maintain and submit accounting statements, it is obliged to provide world of documents and fill out a lot of forms upon a renewal, plus taxes must be paid in full. Today it is impossible to create an opaque entity, this means that the final beneficiary is known. If you are ready for this, we can incorporate a company in Belize and register a yacht with it.
To register a company, you’ll need as follows:
1. A notarized and apostilled copy of the boat owner's passport (page with photo) or his ID card.
2. Proof of Address, such as Utility Bill for electricity, water or gas, which contains full name and the address of the owner of a yacht.
3. Bank Reference or Recommendation Letter from a law firm addressed to the registration agent.
If the documents are not in English, a notarized translation is required. We will explain how to make duly notarized translation.
The cost of company formation in Belize (IBC) – 2500 USD.
The cost of annual renewal of IBC in Belize – 2000 USD + accounting statements + taxes (if will be charged in Belize).
Please Note! Registration of an IBC in Belize is possible in strict compliance with the tax laws of your country. The tax authorities of your country should be aware of the presence of the Belizean company and its assets, including the yacht.
Registration of yachts in Belize is going on in International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (IMMABARE), and the registration of a radio license is also in the same place. The Registry's head office is located in Belize, the second most important office is in Spain. The Registry began its work in 1991.
All types of vessels, from pleasure yachts to passenger cruise liners and tankers, can be registered under the flag of Belize. Registration is possible for private, commercial or bareboat use. There are no restrictions on the size, tonnage or length of the boat.
However, yachts over 24 meters or for commercial use demand an individual attention, so we’d prefer to study thoroughly your case. Write to us, we’ll take a close look at your tasks.
The most welcomed yachts are modern yachts under 10 years old. Vessels older than 20 years are not advisable.
Documents are accepted in English, that is convenient. Documents in other languages have to be translated into English and notarized. We will explain how to make such a translation correctly.
Before registration starts, it is better to coordinate your radio operator's certificate and yacht radio equipment details with the ship registry. We will send you a questionnaire and help you fill it out.
Registration requires an authorized person – Belize Shipping Agent. This is a local expert, with whom registration is easy and fast. We work with such an agent.
Dual registration of flag is possible in Belize. It is suitable for yachts registered in countries that allow this possibility.
We will help you fill out all the registration forms, prepare the necessary documents, pay government fees and, if you’d like, will forward the Belize polyester flag for your yacht.
English pirates were the first Europeans who settled in Belize, as it was perfect place both for attacks on Spanish ships at sea and for raids on Spanish gold mines on land. Once and again the Spaniards tried to knock out the British from Belize, but without success.
There are 4 languages spoken in little Belize: English, Spanish, Belize Kriol and Mayan.
The descendants of enslaved people from Africa, local Maya Indians, British, Spanish, Arabs, Hindus and Mennonite Germans live in Belize nowadays.
Mennonites are descendants of Germans who fled Europe because of religious persecution. They minimize contacts with the outer world, they renounce all the benefits of civilization and do not use electricity. They live as if they were in the 19th century. Mennonites make up about 5% of the total population of Belize.
Only very experienced people go to the local jungle – an unprepared person there will quickly become a victim of poisonous plants, insects, snakes or jaguars. By the way, there is a long prison sentence for killing a jaguar in Belize.
Every year, powerful hurricanes that cause significant destruction hit Belize. In 1961, the deadliest hurricane Hattie completely destroyed the capital of Belize City. After that, it was decided to transfer the capital of Belize inland to a safer place.
Belize is home to the famous Mayan pyramids. The second largest coral barrier reef in the world runs along the coast of Belize, where the famous Great Blue Hole is located. Here you can observe the life of nurse sharks and reef sharks – a real paradise for divers and adventurouses.