Licenses and permits to open a cosmetics store in Chicago

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

   Illinois Secretary of StateIsrael, national

   Form the LLC online, or register a company formed in another state to do business in Illinois.

   Fee

   $150

   Filed

   Filed online

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

3. 3

   Illinois business registration (sales tax)

   Illinois Department of RevenueIsrael, national

   Register before your first purchase, sale or hire: online in MyTax Illinois (Register a New Business, Form REG-1), by mail or at an IDOR office. You get a certificate of registration and a taxpayer ID; Chicago's food license application asks for the Illinois Business Tax number.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed online

   Takes

   About 1 to 2 business days online; 4 to 6 weeks on paper.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

4. 4

   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

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

   Unemployment insurance employer registration

   Illinois Department of Employment SecurityIsrael, national

   A new business registers with IDES within 30 days of starting, online through MyTax Illinois or on the paper REG-UI-1 form.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed online

   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 Chicago</strong></p><ol><li>Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service)</li><li>LLC formation (Illinois Secretary of State)</li><li>Illinois business registration (sales tax) (Illinois Department of Revenue)</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>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>Unemployment insurance employer registration (Illinois Department of Employment Security)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/chicago/cosmetics-store.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>Copy the code

More on opening in Chicago

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

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 Chicago

• 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.