Commercial Free Zone
The Commercial Free Zone Act 1994 was established to attract foreign investment and provides for various activities including manufacturing, processing, packaging, warehousing and distribution of goods and services. Merchandize warehoused in a CFZ may be sold wholesale or retail:
a. To diplomats of other countries
b. To ships that dock at ports in Belize
c. Far direct export whether by sea, air or land
d. For entry into national customs territory
Benefits of the CFZs in Belize
• Duty exemptions available to investors in a CFZ on:
a. merchandize, articles or other goods entering a CFZ for commercial purpose
b. fuel and goods including building materials, furniture, equipment, supplies and parts required
far the proper functioning of the CFZ business
• Exemption from income tax, capital tax, gains tax or any new corporate tax levied by the
Government of Belize during the first 10 years of operation
• Exemption from such tax for the first 25 years of operation on dividends paid by a CFZ business
• lmports or exports by a CFZ business do not require an import or export license
• No restrictions on the sale of foreign currency or transfer of foreign exchange in a CFZ
• No Government charges and taxes imposed on the use of foreign currency in a CFZ
• CFZ businesses are allowed to open an account in any currency with any registered bank
• Income tax deductions on the chargeable income of every developer and CFZ business after the
first 10 years of operation
• CFZ businesses incurring a net loss over the 10 year tax holiday may deduct the loss against
profits in the 3 years following the tax holiday period
Who Qualifies?
Any private or public party or group of parties may establish wholesale or retail businesses on property
it owns or leases within a CFZ, provided it has secured approval from the CEO of the Commercial Free
Zone Management Agency (CFZMA).
Application Requirements
lnterested parties must submit an application to the CEO of the CFZMA for review and approval. The CEO may approve a submitted application if the proposed business enterprise:
a. will conduct trade and investment activities such as a commercial office, warehouse, manufacturing, insurance services, financial services, banking services, offshore financial services and other professional or related activities.
b. will not have a deleterious effect on the environment.
For Further Information Contact:
Belize Trade and Investment Development Service
#14 Orchid Garden St., Belmopan, Belize
Tel: (501) 8-23737/20178 Fax: (501) 8-20595
Email: beltraide@belize.gov.bz
Website: www.belizeinvest.org.bz
Commercial Free Zone Management Agency
P.O. Box 167
Corozal District, Belize
Tel. (501) 437010 Fax: (501) 437029
