Provides advice on how to perform due diligence and in what areas it is necessary for a U.S. company. Includes information on the U.S. Commercial Service International Company Profile service.
Last Published: 9/27/2016

  • Need for due diligence: Some U.S. companies doing business in The Bahamas have experienced problems collecting on accounts in a timely fashion. Investors are encouraged to conduct legal and financial due diligence before completing a commercial transaction or formalizing an agreement. It is also important that U.S. companies planning to export to The Bahamas thoroughly investigate the prospective local agent or importer.

  • Limited Resources: There is no local equivalent of a Dunn and Bradstreet to check the bona fides of potential, agents or customers and due diligence can be time consuming. There are few sources of independently verifiable information about companies and individuals and less than fifty publicly traded companies.  However, the press is independent and major dailies maintain searchable web archives. Local attorneys or other Bahamian contacts may also be able to assist.  Companies should request bank and trade references from potential partners.

  • Additional Information: Companies may also obtain information from:

           The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce
           P.O. Box N-665
           Nassau, Bahamas
           Tel: (242) 322-2145
           http://thebahamaschamber.com

Information on mortgages, security interests in personal property, and corporate document filings may be obtained from:

           The Registrar General
           P.O. Box N-532
           Nassau, Bahamas
           (242) 322-3316

  • International Company Profiles: The U.S. Commercial Service can assist in providing an International Company Profile (ICP) on the prospective local agent or importer. The ICP is a commercial and financial report on the local company's background.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.


More Information

Bahamas Trade Development and Promotion