Dictionary

Shelf company

A registered company that is inactive, having never traded or conducted business, holding no assets or liabilities, that is ready and available for purchase by those who wish to avoid the delay involved in incorporating a new company themselves.

Shelf companies are now becoming less popular as the process of registering a company becomes quicker and more efficient, and the need for them diminishes. Additionally, there is a high administrative burden involved with purchasing a shelf company, including changing its name, registered address, and constitution, as well as transferring shares and directorship, which makes it a less attractive option.