Promote:
Invest in South Carolina
A short guide for companies expanding into South Carolina: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. South Carolina at a glance
Population
5.57 million
The population was 5,570,274 as of July 1, 2025.
Source: Census Bureau, state population estimates, July 1, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$378.4 billion
GDP was US$378,383.0 million in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per person
US$67,929
GDP per person was US$67,929.0 in 2025, in current dollars, computed from BEA's GDP and the Census Bureau's population estimate.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growth
3.3%
Real GDP growth was 3.3 percent in 2025, BEA's published percent change.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Currency and inflation: see the United States at a glance
2. Before you set up
The body that handles foreign investment and the zones, as the guide found them.
SelectUSA lists the Department of Commerce as South Carolina's state economic development organization.
Source: SelectUSA, state economic developers list (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The Foreign-Trade Zones Board's 2024 annual report lists 3 foreign-trade zones in South Carolina.
Source: Foreign-Trade Zones Board, 2024 annual report (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
This guide does not cover the activities reserved for nationals. Before you apply, ask the body named above that handles foreign investment which activities are reserved.
Investment rules across the United States: see Invest in the United States
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in South Carolina
- Register a company formed outside South Carolina with the Secretary of State before you apply for tax accounts.South Carolina Secretary of StateOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: South Carolina Department of Revenue, business tax account (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Apply for state tax accounts, such as sales tax and withholding, through the MyDORWAY Business Tax Application.South Carolina Department of RevenueOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: South Carolina Department of Revenue, business tax account (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- File the first corporate income tax return, the initial annual report and the one-time license fee within 60 days.South Carolina Department of RevenueUS$25 initial license feeOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: South Carolina Department of Revenue, C corporation page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- If an employee will work in South Carolina, apply for a withholding tax account and file quarterly returns.South Carolina Department of RevenueOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: South Carolina Department of Revenue, business tax account (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 2 more set-up steps
- Ask the Charleston alliance about incentives and sites, and the Department of Commerce about discretionary grants, before you commit to a location.Charleston Regional Development AllianceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Charleston Regional Development Alliance, taxes and incentives (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Ask the Ports Authority whether a foreign-trade zone suits your imports and exports, and which grantee covers your county.South Carolina Ports AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: SC Ports Authority, foreign-trade zones page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Steps that apply across the United States: see Invest in the United States
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with CRDA. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
Regional economic development alliance
CRDA
Charleston Regional Development Alliance
Gives companies weighing relocation or expansion in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties confidential, no-cost help, including incentive eligibility with the Department of Commerce.
Visit CRDA (opens in a new tab)Source: Charleston Regional Development Alliance, taxes and incentives (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Get advice
Federal small business office
SBA South Carolina District Office
U.S. Small Business Administration South Carolina District Office
Helps small businesses find lenders, SBA loan programs and state and federal resources, from offices serving the Columbia, Charleston and Spartanburg areas.
Show 2 more organizations
- Get advice
Airport and zone grantee
Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Is the grantee for Foreign-Trade Zone 127, which lets businesses at any fixed site in 16 Midlands counties seek zone designation.
Electric utility
Santee Cooper
Helps new and expanding industries with site readiness assessments, power arrangements and low-cost loans for roads, water and sewer, working with the Department of Commerce.
Visit Santee Cooper (opens in a new tab)Source: Santee Cooper, 2025 sustainability report, economic development (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Customs and tax
State ports authority
SC Ports
South Carolina Ports Authority
Runs the Charleston terminals and the inland ports at Greer and Dillon, and is the grantee for Foreign-Trade Zones 21 and 38.
Visit SC Ports (opens in a new tab)Source: SC Ports Authority, foreign-trade zones page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Local chamber of commerce
Greenville Chamber
Connects its 1,400 member investors, advocates for business and works on regional economic growth in the Greenville area.
Visit Greenville Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Greenville Chamber, home page, October 2026 news (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Get advice
Local chamber of commerce
Charleston Metro Chamber
Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
Advocates for business and runs leadership, workforce and economic programs for companies in the Charleston region.
Visit Charleston Metro Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Charleston Metro Chamber, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
Local chamber of commerce
Columbia Chamber
Columbia Chamber of Commerce
Runs advocacy, business development and workforce programs and monthly business briefings for companies in the Columbia region.
Visit Columbia Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Columbia Chamber, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Corporate license fee
The annual corporate license fee is 0.1 percent of capital and paid-in surplus plus US$15, with a US$25 minimum.
What to do: Estimate the fee on the capital you intend to hold before you capitalize the entity.
Source: South Carolina Department of Revenue, C corporation page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Foreign investment base
The Richmond Fed reports over 1,100 international firms employing over 170,000 workers, and a Landing Pad program for small international firms.
What to do: Ask the Department of Commerce or the Charleston alliance whether the Landing Pad program fits a small first site.
Sources: Richmond Fed, Econ Focus, Third Quarter 2025 (opens in a new tab); SelectUSA, South Carolina fact sheet, August 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Electricity
Santee Cooper's 2025 sustainability report says it has prioritized adding natural gas, battery storage and nuclear generation over the next decade to support a growing industrial base.
What to do: Ask Santee Cooper or your local utility about power capacity and rates at a site before you commit to a power-intensive project.
Source: Santee Cooper, 2025 sustainability report, economic development (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Across the United States: see Worth knowing in Invest in the United States
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare the United States with other countriesSet the United States beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your South Carolina project.
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Promote:South Carolina is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 4, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.