Registering a business in Suriname takes a few steps at different offices. This guide lists them in order, with the official links. Fees and processing times change, so check them with the office before you go.
1Choose a legal form
| Eenmanszaak | One owner. You are personally liable for the debts of the business. |
| VOF | A partnership of two or more owners, who are each personally liable. |
| NV | A company with shares. It is set up at a notary. |
| Stichting | A foundation for a non-profit goal. It is also set up at a notary. |
Not sure which form fits? An accountant or notary can advise you.
2Prepare your documents
Bring a valid ID. An extract from the civil registry (CBB-uittreksel) can be requested online and free of charge at digitale-id.gov.sr; you need an account on that portal. Ask the Chamber of Commerce which documents your legal form needs.
Checked at the official source on 2026-09-27.
3Register at the Chamber of Commerce (KKF)
Every business is entered in the trade register of the Kamer van Koophandel en Fabrieken (KKF). The KKF also checks whether your trade name is still free.
| Address | Prof. W.J.A. Kernkampweg 37 (KKF Beursterrein), Paramaribo |
| Phone | 530311 / 530313 |
| Website | kkf.sr |
Checked at the official source on 2026-09-27.
4Register with the Belastingdienst
Register your business in the online portal of the Belastingdienst. You then have a tax number (FIN). You need it for BTW, for wage tax when you have staff, and on every invoice.
5Charge BTW when your turnover is high enough
A business must register for BTW when its turnover in a calendar year is more than SRD 1,000,000. From then on you charge BTW, file a return every month and pay before the 16th of the next month.
6Check whether you need a business licence
Some activities need a business licence (bedrijfsvergunning). Check this and apply on the government's permit portal.
7Hiring staff?
As an employer you withhold wage tax and AOV, and you pay pension (APF), FVO and part of the basic health insurance premium.
8Keep your records
The BTW law requires a business to keep its records for 10 years. Number your invoices in sequence from the start.
Sources
- gov.sr: Uittreksels en nationaliteitsverklaringen nu online beschikbaar (7 april 2025) ↗ · checked 2026-09-27
- gov.sr, thema Kamer van Koophandel en Fabrieken ↗ · checked 2026-09-27
- Wet BTW 2022 art. 4, 13, 21, 28, 30; Brochure BTW-wetgeving 2025 ↗ · checked 2026-09-27
These tools follow the official rules as published. They are a guide, not tax or legal advice. Rules are checked daily against the official sources; when a rule changes we update it after verifying the official text.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to start a business in Suriname?
That depends on the legal form and on the offices involved. An eenmanszaak is the simplest; an NV or stichting first goes through a notary. Ask the KKF for the current processing time.
Do I need to register for BTW straight away?
Only when your turnover in a calendar year is above the BTW threshold in step 5. Below that you do not charge BTW.
What does registering cost?
The KKF, the notary and some licences charge fees. We do not list amounts here because they change; ask the office before you go.