Licenses and permits to open an importer or e-commerce seller in Arlington

1. 1

   Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)

   Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal

   Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.

   Fee

   Free

   Filed

   Paper form, faxed or mailed

   Takes

   Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

2. 2

   Virginia business tax registration

   Virginia Department of TaxationVA

   Every new business registers online with Virginia Tax, or on paper Form R-1 if it can't: sales and use tax for dealers, and employer withholding with Virginia employees.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed online

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

3. 3

   Create/Update Importer Identity Form

   U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal

   Sent to CBP (usually through your customs broker), or created in the ACE portal. Needed before your first entry as importer of record.

   Fee

   Free

   Filed

   Paper form, mailed

   Takes

   Up to 5 business days.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

4. 4

   Customs Bond

   U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal

   Bought from a CBP-approved surety, usually through your customs broker, who files it electronically. A continuous bond covers a year of entries.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed on the agency's portal

   Takes

   At least 5 business days for review.

   Renews

   Continuous bonds renew yearly.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

5. 5

   ACE Secure Data Portal account for importers

   U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal

   Applied for online in ACE. Lets you see your entries, duties and bond.

   Fee

   Free

   Filed

   Filed online

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

6. 6

   Product safety certificate, filed electronically at entry

   U.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionUS federal

   The importer issues the certificate itself (there is no government form) and, under the eFiling rule, files the certificate data with CBP at entry.

   Fee

   Free

   Filed

   Filed online

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

7. 7

   Arlington County business license

   Arlington County Commissioner of Revenue, Business Tax DivisionArlington

   After the state requirements and the county permits, register the business in CAPP, the county's online system; a Business Tax Inspector then contacts you to finish the license.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed on the agency's portal

   Renews

   Every year; filing and payment are due March 1.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

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<div class="placetta-checklist"><p><strong>Licenses and permits to open an importer or e-commerce seller in Arlington</strong></p><ol><li>Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service)</li><li>Virginia business tax registration (Virginia Department of Taxation)</li><li>Create/Update Importer Identity Form (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)</li><li>Customs Bond (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)</li><li>ACE Secure Data Portal account for importers (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)</li><li>Product safety certificate, filed electronically at entry (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)</li><li>Arlington County business license (Arlington County Commissioner of Revenue, Business Tax Division)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/arlington/importer-ecommerce.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>Copy the code

More on opening in Arlington

• How much permits cost to open in Arlington
• How long permits take in Arlington
• Opening in Arlington as a foreign company
• Importing goods into Arlington
• Renewals and annual filings in Arlington

Questions people ask

• How do I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?
• How long does it take to get an EIN?
• Does a foreign-owned single-member LLC have to file Form 5472?
• How do I become an importer of record in the US?
• Do imported consumer products need a certificate of conformity?
• How much does a US customs bond cost?

Other businesses in Arlington

• Milk tea and bubble tea shops
• Coffee shops
• Restaurants
• Hot pot restaurants
• Bakeries
• Dessert shops
• Grocery stores
• Retail stores
• Cosmetics stores
• Toy stores
• Warehouses and 3PLs

Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.