Here is some information on starting business in Haiti. But keep in mind. Haiti, is a country that is a Who You Know Country. Opening, a business in Haiti you will also need someone there to help you run it and you can trust.
Lastly, if I were to open up a business in haiti, I would also open one here, even if it is out of my basement, you get certain protections having a business here. Better you do too much pre work then not enough prep work
Is the business you are trying to open something that you will be buying the products here? It would be easier for me to help you if you tell me what kind of business. Send me a PM
Starting a Business in Haiti
This table summarizes the procedures and costs associated with setting up a business in Haiti.
Legal Form: Société Anonyme
City: Port au Prince
Registration Requirements:
No:ProcedureTime to complete:Cost to complete:1
Deposit the legally required initial capital in a bank and obtain deposit evidence
1 dayno charge 2
Notarize the company deeds and Articles of Association
25 daysHTG 4,000-7,5003
Pay the registration fee
1 day HTG 2504
Registration with the Commercial Registry at the
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
25 daysno charge5
Publish Act of Constitution in a Legal Journal
150 daysHTG 750 per page
6*
Register for taxes with the Tax Bureau (Direction Générale des Impôts); obtain the Commercial Identification Card
4 - 5 weeks (simultaneous with previous procedure)HTG 50 (tax ID card) + 2% of initial capital + 0.3% per share + HTG 113 + HTG 100 (deposit for the bilan d'ouverture)7*
Register for TCA (Taxe sur le Chiffre d’Affaire)
1 dayno charge8*
Obtain special commercial books from an accountant.
15 days (simultaneous with previous procedure)HTG 5,0009*
Legalize the commercial books
7 daysHTG 1,000
10*
Notification of the Labor Ministry
1 day (simultaneous with previous procedure)no charge
11*
Register for Social Security (OFATMA)
1 day (simultaneous with previous
procedure)
no charge12*
Register for Retirement Insurance Office (ONA)
1 day (simultaneous with previous procedure)no charge
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.
Procedure 1.Deposit the legally required initial capital in a bank and obtain deposit evidenceTime to complete:1 dayCost to complete:no charge Comment:If the capital is deposited in cash, as cost of about HTG 330 applies for the necessary bank check.
Procedure 2.Notarize the company deeds and Articles of AssociationTime to complete:25 daysCost to complete:HTG 4,000-7,500Comment:The notary needs to handwrite all the documents and the fee may go up to 6000.
Procedure 3.Pay the registration feeTime to complete:1 day Cost to complete:HTG 250Comment:Pay the fees at the Tax Office and obtain proof of payment
Procedure 4.Registration with the Commercial Registry at the Ministry of Commerce and IndustryTime to complete:25 daysCost to complete:no chargeComment:
Procedure 5.Publish Act of Constitution in a Legal JournalTime to complete:150 daysCost to complete:HTG 750 per page Comment:Cost per page is HTG 750.00. Firms can begin operation as soon as they receive the authorization from the Ministry of Commerce, prior to the publication. After the Ministry of Commerce has reviewed the company’s articles of incorporation, the articles have to be approved by the Prime Minister’s office and the Presidency before they can be published in the official journal. It takes from 2 months to 8 months.
Procedure 6.Register for taxes with the Tax Bureau (Direction Générale des Impôts); obtain the Commercial Identification CardTime to complete:4 - 5 weeks (simultaneous with previous procedure)Cost to complete:HTG 50 (tax ID card) + 2% of initial capital + 0.3% per share + HTG 113 + HTG 100 (deposit for the bilan d'ouverture)Comment:The company must file a form at the Tax Bureau and provide an opening balance sheet based on which they will pay the corporation taxes. There is a 2% tax issued on corporation’s initial capital, to be paid on a yearly basis. A company needs to pay for the “Tax on Share” (taxe sur action) of 0.3% per share, which will be assessed each year. There is also a "right of operating" tax (Droit de Fonctionnement) in the amount of HTG113 that will be paid each year. In addition to the above, each shareholder will have to provide each year his/her "declaration of revenue". Except for TCA, all taxes need to be paid at the time of formation.
Procedure 7.Register for TCA (Taxe sur le Chiffre d’Affaire)Time to complete:1 dayCost to complete:no chargeComment:This is the equivalent of VAT and must be collected on all transaction at the end of the first year and every year after.
Procedure 8.Obtain special commercial books from an accountant.Time to complete:15 days (simultaneous with previous procedure)Cost to complete:HTG 5,000Comment:The books are prepared by an accountant.
Procedure 9.Legalize the commercial booksTime to complete:7 daysCost to complete:HTG 1,000Comment:Books are legalized by the dean of the first instance court. Each page must be initialed by the dean of the civil court. In practice this procedure is rarely respected.
Procedure 10.Notification of the Labor MinistryTime to complete:1 day (simultaneous with previous procedure)Cost to complete:no chargeComment
eclaration of hiring of personnel to be made to the Labor Direction within 8 days of opening. In practice this formality is rarely respected.
Procedure 11.Register for Social Security (OFATMA)Time to complete:1 day (simultaneous with previous procedure)Cost to complete:no chargeComment:The Corporation must sign for social security which includes Labor, Sickness Insurance Office (OFATMA) (Up to 6% of monthly salary). The employer must subscribe its corporation with this insurance office within 15 days of opening and provide the name of all its employees.
Procedure 12.Register for Retirement Insurance Office (ONA)Time to complete:1 day (simultaneous with previous procedure)Cost to complete:no chargeComment:The Corporation must sign for Retirement Insurance Office (ONA) (up to 6% to be paid by the employer). The employer must subscribe its corporation with this insurance office within 15 days of opening and provide the name of all its employees.