We have shelf companies available in Singapore, as these are a popular alternative to setting up a new company. The main advantage of buying a shelf company or Singaporean ready-made (as many people refer to it) is that you do not need to go through the whole incorporation procedure.
If you are interested in a shelf company for sale in Singapore, our local agents are at your service for guidance in how to choose and purchase one.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Legal entities available for shelf company | Private limited liability company, public limited liability company |
Time required for purchasing the company | A few days |
Types of features it includes (corporate bank account, VAT number, etc) | Trading name, statutory documents, corporate account, legal address, tax identification number |
| The advantages of a shelf company | Easy to acquire and use, less time spent on administrative tasks, it eases the access to financing with local banks |
| Appointing new directors (yes/no) | YES |
| Capital increase allowed (yes/no) | YES |
| Certificate of no commercial activities (yes/no) | NO |
| Modify the objects of activity (yes/no) | YES |
| Participants in the purchase procedure | The buyer and the seller |
| The cost of buying a shelf company | The cost of a shelf company depends on its age (the older it is, the higher the price). |
| Applicable legislation | Shelf companies must comply with the requirements of the Singapore Company Act |
Available for purchase for natural persons and companies (YES/NO) | Yes, both natural persons and companies can acquire ready-made entities |
Singapore legal address required (YES/NO) | Singapore shelf companies have registered addresses when sold |
| Company secretary appointment required (YES/NO) | YES, a Singapore shelf company must appoint a secretary |
| Change in legal address requirement (YES/NO) | YES, the registered address can be changed, but not always required |
| Activities permitted through shelf companies | Shelf companies can be used for any type of activity in Singapore |
| Restrictions applicable (if any) | There are no restrictions imposed on shelf companies |
| Uses of ready-made companies in Singapore | Shelf companies can be used for: – continuation of business activity from another country in Singapore; – for obtaining financing; – for setting up a new company in Singapore |
| Risks associated with purchasing shelf companies | There are no risks associated with buying such entities, however, due diligence is recommended |
| Support in Singapore shelf company acquisition (YES/NO) | YES, we offer support in buying a ready-made company in Singapore |
Table of Contents
What is the procedure for buying a shelf company in Singapore in 2026?
Buying a ready-made company in Singapore is quite simple, and it implies:
- researching the business forms available for sale and service providers;
- deciding on the company and contacting the provider;
- getting the purchase documents ready;
- traveling to Singapore or appointing a local agent (such as our specialists) to complete the transaction.
How are shelf companies categorized in Singapore?
There are two types of shelf companies you can choose from:
- newly-registered companies, which can have 1 or 2 years of history;
- vintage companies, which can be registered for more than 3 years.
What are the features of shelf companies in Singapore?
As ready-made companies in Singapore are registered at the time of the purchase, they will have a name, the statutory documents which will contain the names of shareholders and directors, and the secretary. Additionally, Singapore shelf companies are registered with the tax authorities and thus have a tax registration and a GST number in order to start operating immediately. They will also have a corporate bank account.
What are some legal forms for a shelf company for sale in Singapore?
Shelf companies must meet the same requirements as new companies, meaning that they are registered under the provisions of the Singapore Company Act prior to being put on sale. The most common legal forms ready-made companies take in Singapore in 2026 are the private limited liability company and the joint-stock or public company. Among these, the private one is most often employed by those who sell such entities, as they can comply with all the legal requirements imposed by the law through very simple procedures.
You can also read about how to buy a ready-made company in Singapore in the scheme below:
What documents does a Singapore company come with upon being sold?
Those who want to buy Singapore shelf companies should note that these usually come with:
- the Memorandum and Articles of Association, which must only be amended,
- with the registered address, which can be changed or not,
- with the tax identification number and the GST number,
- the Certificate of Registration and Business Profile.
There are various changes that can be brought; however, some of these are mandatory. For example, the names of the new shareholders must be written in the Articles of Association. Usually, the directors and the company secretary are also replaced; however, nominee services are used for quick replacement.
Does the age of a shelf company matter?
Yes, in certain circumstances it matters. One of the most frequent is if you want to enter private-public partnerships or want to apply for a loan with a Singapore bank. In such cases, vintage companies are preferred thanks to their incorporation history.
How long does it take to buy a shelf company in Singapore?
Several days if you want to travel to Singapore and complete the procedure yourself, or a maximum of 3 days, if you want to give us a power of attorney and represent you.
What are the regulatory requirements to comply with after purchasing a ready-made company in Singapore?
The first and most important one is to amend the Articles of Association. Then, they must be filed with ACRA (Singapore’s Companies Register) to have the records of the company updated.
Are there mandatory/optional changes to make to a shelf company?
Yes, there are both mandatory and optional changes to be made. Starting with the mandatory ones, the shareholder’s name is the first and most important one. A new director must also be appointed, as such entities usually have nominee directors. So, you will have to appoint a new director or hire the services of a specialized firm, such as ours.
Then, there are the optional changes, which include:
- the company’s name: in this case, you must reserve a new name and make sure it is unique;
- the legal address: if you already have a place of business, you can use that one.
Are there any restrictions on using a shelf company in Singapore?
No, there are not. However, for full compliance, we recommend verifying the legislation applicable to the domain you want to operate in and meet any licensing requirements. This may mean going through a licensing procedure with another authority.
Can you help me open a bank account for my shelf company?
Yes, we can prepare the Know Your Client documentation required by the bank, so that you can set it up as soon as possible and be ready to operate in a fast manner.
What are the benefits of shelf companies in Singapore?
Here are the main advantages of buying a Singapore shelf company in 2026:
- immediate market entry: compared to when a company is founded from scratch, the owner of the business will be able to get involved in business activities considerably faster.
- credibility: one of the top benefits of a shelf firm is that, for credit considerations, other business partners and even banks will view it more favorably due to its seniority.
- customization: our experts in company formation in Singapore can assist with tailoring the business to the demands of the client.
- time-saving: compared to having to start a brand-new business, the business owner won’t have to spend as much time on the transfer procedure.
A shelf company for sale in Singapore is often the choice of those who want to skip the regular formalities of registering a new business. However, if you want to set up a company in Singapore and cannot decide between a new and a ready-made one, we can advise on the suitable option.
How much does it cost to buy a ready-made entity in Singapore?
In some circumstances, the price of purchasing a ready-made business in Singapore may be higher than the costs of forming a new legal entity. This is because such businesses have been incorporated for a number of years, thus have track records, which will be significantly more expensive than those that have just been there for a lesser period. Seniority will give a corporation greater credibility with potential Singapore clients as well as with other business partners.
Usually, the price for purchasing a SG ready-made company varies from 1,000 to 3,000 USD.
Find out from the video below why buy a ready-made company in Singapore:
What are the services related to buying a read-made company in Singapore?
Foreign investors can ask for additional services when purchasing a shelf company with our company formation representatives in Singapore. We offer a wide range of accounting and nominee services, among which the most sought-after are the nominee shareholder, director and secretary services. Apart from these, foreign investors can also rely on us if they need virtual CFO services. We can also assist foreign investors when choosing between a shelf or a new company.
For details on how to set up a company in Singapore and prices for shelf companies in 2026, you can contact our specialists.