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FIZ Georgia: Why do businesses need free industrial zones?
Free Industrial Zones (FIZ) of Georgia are specialized sites with “extra‐territorial” status where corporate tax, VAT, import tax and dividend tax are 0 % for permitted operations. Currently, four main sites are identified: Tbilisi, Kutaisi (including Hualing), Poti and Ananuri. Due to its flexible regulatory framework, Georgia has become an attractive “white offshore” alternative to jurisdictions such as BVI and Belize.
Tax advantages
| Tax | Rate outside FIZ | Rate in FIZ Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax (CIT) | 15 % (in the distribution) | 0 % |
| VAT | 18 % | 0 % (between residents of the zone) |
| Customs tax | 0 / 5 / 12 % | 0 % |
| Tax on dividends | 5 % | 0 % |
| Property tax | до 1 % | 0 % |
⚠️ When goods are sold from FIZ sites to “mainland” Georgia, a one-off tax of 4 % of the proceeds must be paid.
Who is Georgia FIZ suitable for?
- Manufacturing and light industrial sectors (assembly of electronics, furniture, car components).
- E‐commerce and re‐export (warehouses + resale in CIS and EU countries).
- Data centers and SaaS companies (preferential import of servers, zero CIT rate).
- Financial technologies and crypto‐equipment (mining farms in zones with low cost of electricity).
Procedure for registering a company in the NIZ Georgia
- Choosing a suitable zone: take into account infrastructure and admin rates (rent, utilities).
- Reservation of the name through the National Agency of Public Registry (online).
- Conclusion of an agreement with the FIZ administration – lease of land/warehouse for a period from 5 to 49 years.
- Notarization of the founding documents (articles of association, shareholders’ resolution).
- Registration in the FIZ register (usually takes 3–5 working days).
- Opening a bank account (Bank of Georgia, TBC or Payoneer FIZ).
- Obtaining necessary licenses (if required): for alcohol, pharmaceuticals, electronics.
The term of registration is from 5 working days if the documents are ready.
Required documents
- Passports or IDs of founders and directors.
- Apostilized certificate of registration (if the founder is a foreign company).
- Articles of Association (in English/Russian and Georgian languages).
- Lease/lease agreement in FIZ Georgia.
- Confirmation of bank deposit of authorized capital (usually 1 GEL).
Comparison of FIZ Georgia and classic offshore
| Criterion | Georgia FIZ | BVI / Belize |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | 0 % (в зоне) | 0 % |
| Reputational risk (EU/US) | Low (on the EU white list) | Medium/High |
| Requirements for “substance” | Office/warehouse in FIZ, 1 director | Often a “paper” company |
| Double taxation treaties | 57 DTT | 0 DTT |
| Cost of service | from 2 000 USD/year | 2 500—4 000 USD/year |
The benefits of Georgia FIZ are particularly notable for those companies seeking to maintain a clean compliance record when dealing with European banks and marketplaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does it cost to rent a warehouse in FIZ Tbilisi?
- From 3 USD/m² for long‐term rent.
- Can I hire foreigners?
- Yes, no quotas are required; work visas can be issued in 10 days on average.
- Do I need an accountant?
- Yes, accounts need to be filed quarterly, but there are no taxes; it is important to keep records of invoices in the zone.
Conclusion
FIZ Georgia offers export‐oriented companies the opportunity for zero taxation and quick registration. With the right structure, a business can start saving on CIT and VAT in the first year, while continuing to operate within the “white” legal framework of the EU and OECD.
Ready to open a company in FIZ Georgia?
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