A shell corporation that conducts business transactions such as currency and asset transfers across the borders of its country of incorporation or facilitates foreign corporate mergers and reorganizations. It is a business entity that is formed in a state or jurisdiction other than the one to which it is applying for registration. Foreign limited liability companies (LLCs) must file with a foreign country/state in order to be able to do business in that country/state.

Shell corporations can be publicly traded or privately held.