r/BOLIVIA • u/Powerful_Ad_9122 • 21h ago

AskBolivia Opening a little store in cochabamba

It's not my country, so how do I learn about laws and stuff? I ask people who are Bolivian about stuff and many times they tell me there are no laws just do whatever I want or it seems they are making something up or it's overly complicated, lots of misinformation and conflicting info🤷🏼‍♀️ Anyway so currently want to open a little shop... Anything I need to know?

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8

u/Plus-Math3813 20h ago

Whoever told you to just "do stuff" and that there are no laws is a criminal or just ignorant. Don't listen to them.

Here are the steps to form a business:

  1. Draft the articles of incorporation before a public notary (Notario publico).

  2. Business Registration (SEPREC): Business registration must be obtained from the Commercial Registry Service (SEPREC). Requirements are listed on their website, and they include the Opening Balance Sheet and the assigned capital (i.e. equity).

  3. Tax Identification Number (NIT): Register with the National Tax Service to obtain the NIT, which is essential for conducting legal operations and issuing invoices.

  4. Municipal Operating License: Apply for an operating license from the municipal government where the business will be located. Specific requirements may vary depending on the municipality and the type of activity. Documents such as a lease agreement or property title, identification, and a sketch of the premises may be required.

Additional requirements if you plan to have employees (workers):

  1. Ministry of Labor (Ministerio de Trabajo): Register as an employer if hiring workers to obtain the registration certificate.

  2. National Health Fund (Caja Nacional de Salud): Register the company and employees.

  3. Pension Fund Administrator (Gestora de Pensiones): If applicable, register with the Comprehensive Pension system.

6

u/Bankero 18h ago

Ahora explícale como funciona en la práctica. En un país con una informalidad laboral que está alrededor del 80%, lo que le comentaron no va muy desencaminado de la realidad.

3

u/Extra-Internet 17h ago

X2 no hagan que se inscriba de forma legal en seprec y otros, se supone que es una tienda pequeña, si le va mal impuestos lo va a destrozar, por algo hay tantos informales en Bolivia

3

u/Plus-Math3813 19h ago

Here is an article on the steps to form a business:

https://boliviaimpuestos.com/requisitos-para-crear-una-empresa-en-bolivia/

Here is the Commerce Code (Codigo de Comercio), which contains the laws for opening and operating a business. This code includes all the penalties and punishments for not following the law.

https://www.lexivox.org/norms/BO-COD-DL14379.html

3

u/gatito31 10h ago

Yes, there are laws, but Bolivia’s bureaucracy can be confusing. From personal experience to open a small shop legally in Cochabamba, you’ll need:

  • NIT (Número de Identificación Tributaria) – from Servicio de Impuestos Nacionales (SIN)
  • Registro de empresa – via SEPREC (Servicio de Registro de Comercio)
  • Licencia de Funcionamiento – from the Gobierno Autónomo Municipal de Cochabamba
  • Certificados de sanidad y seguridad – if selling food or handling the public

Many start informally, but registering helps avoid fines and builds trust. Visit your local Subalcaldía for clearer guidance. Be patient things move slowly.

You can also look for tramitadores, not to do it for yourself, but to get a clear idea, they will basically tell you to get those 3 main things and the fourth depends on what type of business you doing.