Licenses and permits to open a cosmetics store in Denver
Importing cosmetics brings product registration and import filings on top of the store's own. Here are the 9 filings, in the order they're made.
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.
Colorado sales tax and withholding registration
Colorado Department of RevenueCO
A business with a Colorado location applies in MyBizColorado for the sales tax license and the wage withholding account (or on paper Form CR0100); MyBizColorado also connects you with the Department of Labor and Employment to set up unemployment insurance.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Applied for online, the account number is shown online; the sales tax license arrives by mail.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Denver sales tax license
City and County of Denver, Department of Finance, TreasuryDenver
Denver collects its own sales tax: a Denver business making retail sales registers in the eBiz Tax Center. With staff working in Denver, also register for the Occupational Privilege Tax.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every 2 years.
Denver zoning use permit
Denver Community Planning and DevelopmentDenver
Apply on e-permits (select Zoning Permit); the permit is issued once its fee is paid, and lapses unless a building permit or certificate of occupancy follows within 180 days. Denver's retail food license won't issue without it.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
More on opening in Denver
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Denver
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your cosmetics store in Denver
This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders