Licenses and permits to open a cosmetics store in Boston

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

   LLC formation

   Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations DivisionMA

   Form the LLC or register a foreign company online.

   Fee

   $500

   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

   Sales tax registration

   Massachusetts Department of RevenueMA

   Register for sales tax and withholding before trading.

   Fee

   Free

   Filed

   Filed online

   Takes

   DOR doesn't publish how long registration takes; once approved, it mails a registration certificate for each location.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

5. 5

   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

6. 6

   Cosmetic product facility registration (MoCRA)

   U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal

   Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the facility that makes or processes the cosmetics.

   Fee

   Free

   Filed

   Filed online

   Renews

   Every two years.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

7. 7

   Cosmetic product listing (MoCRA)

   U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal

   Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the brand (the responsible person on the label), one listing per product.

   Fee

   Free

   Filed

   Filed online

   Renews

   Update every year.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

8. 8

   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

9. 9

   Boston business certificate (DBA)

   City of Boston, City ClerkBoston

   Needed when the business trades under a name other than its legal name. Bring the notarized form, the signed lease and photo ID to City Hall, Room 601 (the clerk notarizes free), or mail them with a check; there is no online filing. An LLC or corporation registers with the Secretary of the Commonwealth first.

   Fee

   $65

   Filed

   Filed in person

   Takes

   Issued while you wait in person; 2 to 3 business days by mail.

   Renews

   Every 4 years from the first registration; the clerk mails a renewal letter.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

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<div class="placetta-checklist"><p><strong>Licenses and permits to open a cosmetics store in Boston</strong></p><ol><li>Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service)</li><li>LLC formation (Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division)</li><li>Create/Update Importer Identity Form (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)</li><li>Sales tax registration (Massachusetts Department of Revenue)</li><li>Customs Bond (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)</li><li>Cosmetic product facility registration (MoCRA) (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)</li><li>Cosmetic product listing (MoCRA) (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)</li><li>Product safety certificate, filed electronically at entry (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)</li><li>Boston business certificate (DBA) (City of Boston, City Clerk)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/boston/cosmetics-store.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>Copy the code

More on opening in Boston

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

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 I need to register cosmetics with the FDA?
• Do imported consumer products need a certificate of conformity?

Other businesses in Boston

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

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