Business
Registering a business on the Dutch side: the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce (COCI)
What the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry does, where to find it, and the steps to register a business on the Dutch side.
By SXM Daily ยท
Every business and legal entity on the Dutch side has to be registered with the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry (COCI). This guide explains what the Chamber does, where to find it and the steps to register a new business.
Photo: Rennett Stowe / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
This page covers Sint Maarten only. On the French side, businesses register with the CCISM in Marigot.
What the Chamber does
- Keeps the Commercial Register. All businesses and legal entities on the Dutch side are registered here.
- Issues excerpts. An excerpt shows the company details held by the Chamber, such as the name, address and often the officers. The COCI 24 service handles requests within 24 hours, online, by fax or by email.
- Runs a searchable online registry. You can look up a business by name or COCI number.
- Supports entrepreneurs. Its Business Center gives business information and advice, and B2B Connect links entrepreneurs with each other.
Where to go
- Address: 11 C.A. Cannegieter Street, Philipsburg
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Phone: +1 (721) 542-3590 or 542-3595
- Email: chamberbusiness@chamberofcommerce.sx
- Website: chamberofcommerce.sx
How to register a business
- Check the name. Ask COCI for a name check first, to make sure you can use the business name you want.
- Decide your addresses. The business address is where the business is physically located. You can give a separate address for correspondence.
- Fill in the right form. COCI lists its forms by the action you need, in English and Dutch, on its website. They match the forms in its online application portal.
- Keep your details up to date. Changes to the location, contact details, activities, management, shareholders or ultimate beneficial owners must be reported within 7 days. Under the National Ordinance Trade Registry, failing to report can lead to fines.
COCI charges for registrations, changes, name checks and excerpts, and there is an annual fee. Ask the Chamber for the current amounts.
Other permits
Business licences and work permits are issued by government ministries, not by COCI. Registering with the Chamber does not replace them.
Sources
- https://www.chamberofcommerce.sx/?page_id=884
- https://www.chamberofcommerce.sx/?page_id=822
- https://www.chamberofcommerce.sx/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/COCI-FAQ_Final.pdf