Panama’s Ship Registry is number-one worldwide. Due to the very low registration taxes and fees as compared to other countries throughout the world, ship registration under the Panama flag is widely used by international shipping companies.
At the time of registering into Panamanian Merchant Marine, all vessels must pay a one time enrollment fee, based on a graded scale, plus a Government fee for registration of bill of sale is $0.20 per net registered ton or fraction thereof, plus 20% surtax. Annual tax is $0.10 per net ton, plus other charges.
Liberal labor laws concerning Panama flag vessels are also an important consideration, and income earned on international shipping activities are specifically and expressly exempted from Panama income taxes. Special favorable rates apply for registration of yachts owned by a Panamanian Corporation.
Pleasure yachts are easy to register and their owners must pay the Maritime Authority once every two years a fixed US$1,500.00 fee. If the owner of the vessel is a Panama company, the fee is discounted to US$1,000.00.
A detailed memorandum on this matter is available upon request.
At INTERTRUST, we can expedite the process of registration of your vessel under the Panama flag. Contact us for further details.
Postal Box 0816-03012 Panama, Republic of Panama.
