Shelf companies can do any sort of business as long as they don’t break the law or other local rules. Our team of specialists in company incorporation in Malaysia can deliver the needed information and proper guidance in case you want to buy a shelf company or start a company in Malaysia. Our agents can help you with an immediate agreement or contract, so you can commence your business right away, without wasting time on a new company registration process.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Legal entities available for shelf company |
Limited liability company |
|
Time required for purchasing the company |
A few days |
|
Types of features it includes (corporate bank account, VAT number, etc) |
– tax number, – trading name, – legal address |
| The advantages of a shelf company |
– fast purchase & ownership transfer, – easy access to bank loans, – fast start of the activities, – no debts |
| Appointing new directors |
Yes |
| Capital increase allowed |
Yes |
| Certificate of no commercial activities |
No |
| Modify the objects of activity | Yes |
| Participants in the purchase procedure | Buyer (or representative) & seller |
| The cost of buying a shelf company | Depending on longevity of the shelf company & purchase fees |
| A shelf company is also known as | Ready-made company, vintage company |
|
Registration procedure |
Not applicable |
|
Changing the company name |
Available option after purchase |
| Can foreigners buy a ready-made company in Malaysia? (YES/NO) | YES |
| Documents solicited for shelf company purchase |
ID/passport, signatures of new directors, board resolution |
| Bank account (YES/NO) |
NO |
| Status of a shelf company in Malaysia before purchase |
Inactive |
| Minimum number of shareholders |
2 shareholders required |
| Authorised capital |
RM 100,000 |
| Cost of a shelf company in Malaysia | Starting at RM 2,500 |
| Purchase fee |
Our Malaysian agents can inform you on fee charges involved. |
| Available for purchase |
Right away |
| Notification after buying a shelf company in Malaysia |
With the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), helped by our local agents |
| Sectors of interest in Malaysia |
– trading, – construction, – manufacturing, – retail, – services, – financial, etc. |
| Are there any risks in buying a shelf company in Malaysia? (YES/NO) | NO |
Table of Contents
What are the shelf companies in Malaysia?
The shelf companies are listed for “General Trading” and can do all sorts of commerce, respecting Malaysian laws. All these shelf companies in Malaysia are accessible anytime and instantly. Any foreign investor can be the legal possessor of this type of company after purchase, and he/she doesn’t have to wait for the registration procedure for setting up a business in Malaysia which takes generally 10-14 working days. After making the payment, with the guidance of our specialists in Malaysia, the investor can legally have the ready-made company within 24 hours. We present you with an infographic with extra details on this topic:
Important steps for having a shelf company in Malaysia
Our team of company formation specialists in Malaysia will arrange for you to take over the board of executives of the firm after existing directors resign. The next step is to transfer the shares to their new shareholder/s, taking into consideration that the necessary documents have been signed. Our representatives in Malaysia will also offer “letters of insurance” signed by the preceding company executives, approving that the enterprise was inactive, has no problems, and has not initiated any trade.
Who can purchase shelf companies in Malaysia?
Ready-made companies can be purchased by both local or international entrepreneurs who want to do business in Malaysia and start operations without waiting for incorporation. Shelf companies are great choices for businessmen who relocated to Malaysia and need to have activities as soon as possible. Once the ownership transfer is concluded and the formalities accepted, the shelf company is ready in Malaysia. If you need to know more about how to purchase a shelf company in Malaysia, you can discuss with our agents and ask for information. We are here to help you open a business in Malaysia. You can also watch a video presentation about shelf companies in Malaysia:
Are there any risks when buying a shelf company in Malaysia?
No, there is no need to worry about risks related to a ready-made company in Malaysia. Such entities have no activities and therefore, no debts or liabilities. However, if you believe it presents more confidence before any purchase, you can ask for company due diligence and make some verifications. Our agents can tell you all you need to know about company verification and the entire procedure. A shelf company verification report will reveal if the business has or had activities, tax issues, or other unaccomplished obligations.
Many entrepreneurs who choose company due diligence believe that this procedure is useful and presents a certain level of trust when purchasing a shelf company in Malaysia. You can discover more about ready-made companies and verification methods from our team of specialists in Malaysia.
In which sectors can a shelf company operate in Malaysia?
There are no restrictions regarding the sectors of interest where a shelf company can operate in Malaysia. This is a company already registered in Malaysia, it has a track record and no debts. Thus, a shelf company can be chosen as the optimal structure for those who want to develop their activities in a relatively short time, bypassing all the registration procedures. If you want, you can operate in sectors like tourism, real estate, construction, trade, IT, business management, consulting, finance, and more. The fact that you are purchasing a company already incorporated in Malaysia, such as a shelf company, can only be beneficial for you. You can quickly introduce the desired activities on the market and focus on future investments.
Becoming a shareholder in about 24 hours
Once the documents are signed, the transfer of ownership is done quite fast. Thus, a businessman who bought a shelf company in Malaysia becomes its owner in a short time, approximately 24 hours. We invite you to discuss with our local agents how you can open a business in Malaysia and the options at hand in case you do not want to get involved in the training process.
Accessing a bank loan
Depending on the business plans you have with the shelf company in Malaysia, you can also opt for a bank loan. The good part is that it can be obtained quite easily because ready-made companies in Malaysia show credibility in front of financial institutions. They have no activities on the market and therefore have no debts, which makes things much simpler in obtaining a bank loan. If you are a foreign entrepreneur who wants to purchase a shelf company in Malaysia and access a loan, we advise you to contact us for complete information in this regard. We can help you with all the formalities, including company incorporation in Malaysia if you are interested in this.
The time frame for buying a shelf company in Malaysia
Normally, once the documents are submitted and accepted, the shelf company can be ready in one day, allowing the owner to commence the activities quickly. The lack of complexities in matters of formalities is a huge advantage offered by ready-made companies in Malaysia. Talk to our agents if you want to buy a vintage company in Malaysia.
Why choose a ready-made company in Malaysia instead of the classic registration?
While setting up a company in Malaysia might take around two weeks, acquiring a shelf company takes very little, around 24 hours. Practically, the time is much reduced when choosing this option, i.e. buying a vintage company. As it is already registered and has a bank account, in most cases, it is enough for it to be purchased after the transfer is completed, so that operations on the market can then begin. This is one of the most important benefits offered, enjoyed by foreigners interested in starting a business in Malaysia without having to spend time with the incorporation formalities.
Advantages of shelf companies
Shelf companies are quite advantageous from many points of view. For instance, they are already incorporated, they have bank accounts, there are no debts involved and the ownership is offered quite rapidly. Another important benefit to consider about vintage companies is that are trustworthy for banks or other financial institutions. You can easily access a credit loan while owning a shelf company in Malaysia. Please feel free to discuss further details about the purchase of read-made companies with our specialists in company formation in Malaysia.
Investments in Malaysia
Malaysia’s business sector is appealing to international entrepreneurs as it offers a great market and lots of opportunities for entrepreneurs. Malaysia is considered to be the 6th most approachable country in the world for business for many reasons like a strategic geographic location, economical and political stability, simplified business, skilled workforce, many appealing government incentives, and a liberalized market. The friendly business policies and a simplified legal framework present confidence in front of entrepreneurs from abroad who want to make investments in Malaysia. Here are some interesting facts and figures that underline the business direction of Malaysia, in large lines:
- An economic growth of approximately 3.7% was recorded in 2023 in Malaysia.
- An increase of approximately 5% was registered in the services sector of Malaysia, during Q3 of 2023.
- The construction sector experienced an increase of approximately 7.2% in the same period of 2023.
- Inflation decreased from 3.3% to 2.5% in 2022.
In addition to support for buying a shelf company in Malaysia, our agents can offer you other services. For example, you can opt for our accountants in Malaysia. Our CPA in Malaysia will be at your disposal, with complete services and information. If you have any other questions about purchasing a shelf company or you want to open a company in Malaysia, please don’t hesitate to contact us.