Belize free zones in 2025

Belize counts with two type of free zones, i) Export Processing Zones and ii) Commercial Free Zones.

There are currently 3 EPZs, one next to the border with Mexico and two next to Belize City, the commercial capital of the country; and 2 CFZ, the most famous being the Corozal Free Zone, also located next to Mexico.

Advantages

1. Any type of enterprise can be registered in EPZ and a CFZ: i) LLC and ii) Branch Offices;
2. Companies registered within the zone are exempt from the following taxes:
   • Capital gains tax;
   • Custom duties on import and export;
   • Exercise tax;
   • Export duties;
   • Property tax.
3. Companies will be exempt from applying from import and export license and will not be subject to import/export quotas.

Registration

1. Applications must include:
   • Corporate Documents;
   • Detailed Business Plan;
   • Bank references;
   • Commercial References;
   • Environmental Clearance from the Department of Environment.
2. Companies are required to lease or purchase a property within the Free Zones areas;
3. Applications must be submitted to the Export Processing Zones/Commercial Free Zones authorities.

Export Processing Zones

1. Export Processing Zones are suitable for i) manufacturing ii) processing and iii) assembly;
2. For sale to individuals and businesses within the Belize territory, i) export/import licenses should be secured, ii) the merchandise must be verified and iii) taxes may apply;
3. Companies are exempt from i) income tax, ii) withholding tax, iii) capital gains tax and iv) corporate income tax for the first 20 years of activity within the EPZ;
4. Dividends payed by companies are exempt from tax;
5. Companies are allowed to hire foreigners to compose 15% of the total work force.

Commercial Free Zones

1. Commercial Free Zones are suitable for the following activities:
   • Commercial office;
   • Warehouse;
   • Manufacturing;
   • Insurance services;
   • Financial services;
   • Banking services;
   • Offshore financial services.
2. Merchandise warehoused within the CFZ may be sold without a license as retail or wholesale to:
   • Foreign diplomats;
   • Ships that sock at Belize ports and are destined at foreign ports;
   • Direct export by sea, air or land.
3. For sale to individuals and businesses within the Belize territory, i) export/import licenses should be secured, ii) the merchandise must be verified and iii) taxes may apply;
4. During the first 10 years, companies in the CFZ are exempt from i) Income tax, ii) capital gains tax and iii) corporate tax;
5. During the first 20 years, companies are exempt from tax on dividends.