Compare jurisdictions side by side

See 2 or 3 jurisdictions side by side: all-in cost for year 1 and year 2, headline tax, audit, registers and time to form. Hong Kong is a good fit for trade with China & Asia, territorial tax. Marshall Islands is a good fit for shipping and holding. Singapore is a good fit for Asia HQ, investors, treaties with around 100 jurisdictions.

Hong Kong compared with Marshall Islands compared with Singapore: cost, tax, reporting and setup
Comparing3 jurisdictions	Change jurisdiction 1, currently Hong Kong	Change jurisdiction 2, currently Marshall Islands	Change jurisdiction 3, currently Singapore
	Onshore · Private Company LimitedUS$1,690Year 1 all-inStart in Hong Kong+ Hong Kong audit from US$1,400 a year, quoted separately	Offshore · Non-Resident Domestic CorporationUS$1,390Year 1 all-inStart in Marshall Islands	Onshore · Private Limited (Pte. Ltd.)US$4,490Year 1 all-inStart in SingaporeIncludes the resident director a non-resident needs (US$2,000/yr), plus a refundable deposit quoted separately
Cost
Year 1 all-in	Hong KongUS$1,690	Marshall IslandsUS$1,390Lowest	SingaporeUS$4,490incl. resident director
From year 2	Hong KongUS$1,190+ Hong Kong audit from US$1,400 a year	Marshall IslandsUS$1,000	SingaporeUS$3,490incl. resident director
3-year cost (Starter)	Hong KongUS$4,070+ Hong Kong audit from US$1,400 a year	Marshall IslandsUS$3,390	SingaporeUS$11,470incl. resident director
Tax & reporting
Headline tax	Hong Kong8.25% / 16.5%	Marshall Islands0% localBest	Singapore17%
Annual audit	Hong KongYes	Marshall IslandsNoBest	SingaporeIf not small
Public register	Hong KongDirectors and shareholders public; SCR not public	Marshall IslandsNot public	SingaporeDirectors and shareholders public; controllers not public
Setup
Type	Hong KongOnshore	Marshall IslandsOffshore	SingaporeOnshore
Entity	Hong KongPrivate Company Limited	Marshall IslandsNon-Resident Domestic Corporation	SingaporePrivate Limited (Pte. Ltd.)
Minimum directors	Hong Kong1	Marshall Islands1	Singapore1 + 1 local
Legal system	Hong KongCommon	Marshall IslandsCommon	SingaporeCommon
Time to form	Hong Kong1–2 business days	Marshall Islands3–5 days	Singapore1–3 business days
Best for	Hong KongTrade with China & Asia, territorial tax	Marshall IslandsShipping and holding	SingaporeAsia HQ, investors, treaties with around 100 jurisdictions

A green tick marks the stronger value in a row. Prices include government fees and, for Singapore, the resident director a non-resident needs. Yearly costs the law requires but that we quote separately are named under the figure; rows with such costs show no tick. Headline tax rates are a summary; your specialist confirms how they apply to you before you pay.

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AI answers from OCC’s published prices & facts · no sign-up

Which one for your situation

You need a business bank account soon
Hong Kong or Singapore. Banks usually find onshore companies easier to assess, but each bank decides.
You want a lower running cost
Marshall Islands, from US$1,000 a year based on published year-2 prices.
You only hold shares or other assets
Marshall Islands. Your home country may still tax the income, so check that first (confirm with your specialist).
You need it fast
Hong Kong, typically 1–2 business days after KYC approval.

Need all three? Some owners hold one company under another. We quote the whole structure as one package.Get a structure quote

General guidance based on headline rules, not tax or legal advice. Your specialist confirms how tax residency, substance and banking apply to you before you pay.

Compare jurisdictions side by side

Ask about this comparison

Which one for your situation

You need a business bank account soon

You want a lower running cost

You only hold shares or other assets

You need it fast

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