Set up & structure
Shelf company
A shelf company Indonesia investors can buy when an existing company's age or history matters — ask about availability first.
Who this is for. An investor who needs a company with some age, a compliance history or bank accounts already in place — or who is weighing buying one against incorporating.
How it works
- Check what the company has and has not done History, filings and any liabilities, before you commit.
- Choose the entity and confirm the business lines The registered activities must match what you intend to do.
- Transfer the shares and amend the deed Shareholders, directors and commissioners updated at the Ministry.
- Confirm the filings are current Tax registration and reporting checked before you take over.
Trusted by companies operating in Indonesia
2–5 weeks
To transfer ownership, with the Ministry's check
Varies
Age and history — ask about a specific company
Check first
That the classification fits
Included
What you get
- A company that already exists, with its deed, Ministry approval and tax registration in place
- Transfer of shares and directorship to you, properly documented
- Amendment of the classification and name where your activity requires it
- Its history disclosed — debts, liabilities and compliance record, before you commit
A shelf company Indonesia investors can buy is an entity already incorporated and registered, transferred into your name by amending its documents. What it offers is age and history — not, as a rule, speed.
Ask about availability before you plan around one. Whether a suitable entity is on hand varies, so it is the first thing to check rather than the last. Where none fits, incorporating from scratch is always open to you.
When this makes sense
When you need something only an existing company has: a few years of age, a compliance history, or bank accounts already open. What a bank asks of a company account is explained in opening a corporate bank account.
If you need none of those, we will usually suggest incorporating instead. Transferring a shelf company means amending its documents, which takes around two weeks, and the Ministry of Law then checks the change for up to 14 working days — as long as forming a new company, or longer, so buying one rarely saves time on its own.
What to check before buying any shelf company
This is worth saying plainly, because it applies whoever you buy from.
Has it ever traded? A company with a history has a tax history, and potentially liabilities you cannot see. Ask for the position in writing.
Does its classification match your business? If not it must be amended, which takes time — and may erase the advantage you bought it for. Check this before you commit, not after.
Is its capital structure right? A foreign-investment company carries a substantial capital requirement, and a shelf company set up as a PT PMDN cannot simply be handed to a foreign shareholder.
The honest alternative
If what you need is simply a company, incorporating a PT PMA directly is usually cleaner, and its cost does not depend on which entity happens to be available. We will tell you when that is the better route.
Why us
Why MAM for Shelf company
- The records checked before you sign
A shelf company carries its history with it. Our accounting and tax staff go through its filings and tax registration together before transfer, rather than taking the seller's word.
- ACCA and IAPI qualified review
MAM is led by ACCA members, registered with IAPI and a member of IAI — the people reading the accounts are the people qualified to audit them.
- One firm from purchase to first filing
The same team handles the transfer, then the accounting and tax that follow, so nothing is lost between advisers at handover.
Credentials
Qualified, and accountable for it
MAM's work is done by qualified accountants and carried out to the standards of these professional bodies — not by a general administrator following a checklist.
Led by members 
Registered 
Member 
Through ACCA Reviews
What clients say
We have engaged many business consultants in past and MAM Corporate Solutions is by far among the most informed and professional business consultants as per our experience. They have helped us with various services such as tax compliance, company incorporation and business valuations and every time they have exceeded our expectations.
MAM Corporate Solutions offers great services! All the team makes all the incorporation process very clear, and always takes the time to explain every step of the way in details. They are fast and efficient, and always make sure they find the solution that's most adapted to your need. I could not recommend them enough!
MAM Corporate Solutions provides us accounting service on Xero. They have always kept our records up-to-date and we are happy with their service.
Questions
What people ask us
What does a shelf company cost compared with incorporating fresh?
It varies, where a fresh incorporation does not. The price of a shelf company depends on what you need from it — its age, its compliance history, whether bank accounts are already open. Unless you specifically need one of those things, we will usually suggest incorporating fresh instead, because amending a shelf company's documents takes about as long as forming a new company anyway.
How quickly can ownership be transferred?
Around two weeks for the amendment to the company documents, and then up to 14 working days while the Ministry of Law checks the change before registering it.
What assurance is there that the company has no debts or liabilities?
We only offer clean companies, and we will be straightforward with you about the debts, liabilities and compliance history of any company we do offer. You can also check it yourself through the official portals rather than taking our word for it.
How old are the companies, and have any of them traded?
They vary in both age and history. It is worth asking about a specific company rather than assuming.
Goes with this
Often needed alongside this
Corporate secretary
Corporate secretary Indonesia work: registers, resolutions and filings kept correct and current.
Learn more →Bookkeeping & accounting
Bookkeeping services Indonesia standards demand — reconciled monthly, ready for tax and audit.
Learn more →Virtual office
A virtual office Indonesia authorities accept for registration — address, mail and calls handled.
Learn more → Compare
Or consider instead
These do a similar job in a different way. Most people choose one, not both.
Foreign Company (PT PMA)
A PT PMA is the foreign-investment company: up to 100% foreign ownership, subject to your KBLI.
Learn more →Local Company (PT PMDN)
A local Indonesian company (PT PMDN) is the domestic entity: Indonesian shareholders, and no legal minimum capital.
Learn more →Talk to someone who does this every day
A free 30-minute call. Bring the situation you are actually in, and you will leave with a clear view of what is involved.