Offshore investment structures for South African clients: A focus on the Channel Islands

In an increasingly interconnected global economy, South African investors, promoters and managers are aware of the importance of offshore investment structures to optimise wealth holdings, protect assets and access international opportunities. Offshore investment structures offer the South African market many advantages, including tax efficiency, asset protection, portfolio diversification, and privacy. 

Among the most attractive offshore jurisdictions are the Channel Islands; namely Guernsey and Jersey, which offer a range of benefits that align well with the financial goals and unique needs of South African promoters and investors.

Tax efficiency and advantages

One of the most compelling reasons for South African investors to establish offshore investment structures is the opportunity to optimise tax exposure. South Africa has a relatively high tax regime, with taxes on income, capital gains and dividends, coupled with the country’s global tax system, means that South African residents are taxed on their worldwide income. Offshore investment structures in the Channel Islands offer several significant advantages:

• No capital gains tax: In the Channel Islands, there is no capital gains tax, which means investors can sell assets or investments without triggering tax on the profits. This is especially advantageous when it comes to long term capital appreciation, allowing clients to reinvest their gains and compound returns more efficiently.
  
  
• No inheritance tax: The Channel Islands do not impose inheritance tax, an important benefit for South African investors looking to preserve wealth across generations. Estate planning becomes more straightforward, with fewer tax liabilities upon inheritance, ensuring a smoother transition of wealth to heirs.
  
  
• No wealth tax: South Africa does not currently impose a wealth tax, but the introduction of a wealth tax has been discussed in the country’s political sphere. Offshore structures in the Channel Islands ensure that wealth is shielded from potential taxes on assets, allowing South African investors to preserve their wealth for the long term without worrying about future wealth taxes.

Additionally, the Channel Islands have numerous Double Taxation Agreements with countries around the World. These agreements help to reduce the risk of clients being taxed twice on their income, which is particularly beneficial when earning international income or investing in foreign assets.

Privacy and confidentiality

The Channel Islands offer a robust legal framework that ensures financial privacy while maintaining compliance with international standards.

Both Jersey and Guernsey impose stringent rules on the public disclosure of information, such as beneficial ownership, which is generally not shared with third parties unless required by law. This level of privacy is highly valued by clients who wish to protect their assets.

Asset protection and wealth preservation

For South African investors, asset protection is a key concern, especially in the face of local economic challenges, political instability, and potential currency devaluation. The Channel Islands offer highly effective asset protection mechanisms, ensuring that wealth is shielded from external risks.

• Estate planning: The Channel Islands are renowned for their estate planning capabilities. With no inheritance tax, South African investors can structure their assets in a way that minimizes tax liabilities upon death, ensuring that wealth is transferred to heirs efficiently. Trusts, for example, allow for clear succession planning, ensuring that family wealth is preserved across generations without unnecessary tax burdens.
  
  
• Political and economic stability: The Channel Islands offer a politically independent, stable environment with robust legal protections, making them an ideal location for investors seeking to protect their assets from political instability, hyperinflation, or currency devaluation in their home country.

Access to global investment opportunities

South African investors looking to diversify their portfolios internationally will find the Channel Islands an ideal gateway to global investment opportunities. As leading offshore financial centres, they provide access to a wide range of international markets and investment vehicles.

• Private equity venture capital: The Channel Islands are home to a vast number of private equity and venture capital funds, which provide investors with access to high growth and alternative investments. These funds often focus on global markets and asset classes that may not be easily accessible through local investment channels, such as emerging markets, technology, and infrastructure projects.
  
  
• Global diversification: With their strong financial infrastructure and regulatory environment, the Channel Islands allow investors to structure international investments while benefiting from favourable tax treatment. Whether investing in real estate, equity markets, or alternative assets, Channel Islands-based structures allow for efficient global diversification, reducing risk and enhancing returns by spreading investments across different countries and sectors.

The ability to access international capital markets, private equity deals, and other alternative investments is a major advantage for South African investors looking to enhance their portfolios and take advantage of global growth opportunities.

Regulatory alignment

The Channel Islands, and Guernsey in particular, are recognised by the South African regulator as well-regulated jurisdictions. For example, a Guernsey open-ended collective investment scheme is generally very straightforward to register for distribution in South Africa under section 65 of the South African Collective Investment Schemes Control Act, because Guernsey's regulatory framework is internationally recognised as robust, transparent and closely aligned with global standards.  The regulatory requirements imposed by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission broadly mirror the expectations of the South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority, allowing Guernsey open-ended funds to be recognised as operating under a 'sufficiently equivalent' regime. This facilitates a much smoother approval process for Channel Islands schemes compared to funds from less well-regulated jurisdictions.

Speed to market

Both Guernsey and Jersey's regulators are fast and efficient when it comes to processing and approving regulatory applications and providing the requisite approvals, particularly with the lighter touch regimes such as the Private Investment Fund in Guernsey and the Jersey Private Funds (which have target approval timelines of one business day).

For South African investors, promoters or managers seeking to optimise wealth, protect assets and access international investment opportunities, the Channel Islands offer a range of compelling benefits and structures.