Licenses and permits to open a cosmetics store in Irvine

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

   Articles of Organization (California LLC)

   California Secretary of StateCalifornia

   Filed online in bizfile Online.

   Fee

   $70

   Filed

   Filed online

   Takes

   Online filings are currently reviewed about 3 days after receipt (mail about 8 days), per the Oct 8, 2026 queue.

   Renews

   Statement of Information (LLC-12, $20) within 90 days, then every two years.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

3. 3

   Seller's permit

   California Department of Tax and Fee AdministrationCalifornia

   Register online before your first sale; one permit for each location.

   Fee

   Free

   Filed

   Filed online

   Takes

   Often issued the same day.

   Renews

   Does not expire.

   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

   City of Irvine business license

   City of Irvine Community Development, Business LicensingIrvine

   A city tax rather than a regulatory license: apply online or at the public counter, confirm first that the use is allowed at the address, and display the license at the business.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed online

   Takes

   Irvine doesn't publish how long it takes to issue the license; the online application takes minutes, and new businesses must apply within 60 days of starting to avoid late fees.

   Renews

   Every 12 months from the first day of the application month.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

10. 10

    Registration Form for Commercial Employers

    California Employment Development DepartmentCalifornia

    Register in e-Services for Business within 15 days of paying over $100 in wages.

    Fee

    Free

    Filed

    Filed online

    Takes

    Mail-in registration takes about 10 to 14 days; online is faster.

    File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

11. 11

    LLC annual tax ($800)

    California Franchise Tax BoardCalifornia

    Paid every year by every LLC registered or doing business in California.

    Fee

    $800

    Filed

    Filed online

    Takes

    Paying the $800 LLC tax online through Web Pay is immediate; it's due by the 15th day of the 4th month of the LLC's tax year.

    Renews

    Every year, by the 15th day of the 4th month of the tax year.

    File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

12. 12

    Packaging producer registration (EPR)

    CalRecycle, through Circular Action AllianceCalifornia

    The brand owner or importer of packaged goods sold in California registers and reports with the producer organization.

    Fee

    Varies

    Filed

    Filed on the agency's portal

    File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

13. 13

    Proposition 65 warning labels

    California Office of Environmental Health Hazard AssessmentCalifornia

    Nothing is filed. Businesses with 10 or more employees warn before exposing Californians to listed chemicals, including online at checkout.

    Fee

    Free

    Filed

    Nothing to file

    Takes

    Nothing is filed with or approved by OEHHA, so there's no processing time; the business decides whether a warning is needed and must have it in place itself.

    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 Irvine</strong></p><ol><li>Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service)</li><li>Articles of Organization (California LLC) (California Secretary of State)</li><li>Seller's permit (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration)</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>City of Irvine business license (City of Irvine Community Development, Business Licensing)</li><li>Registration Form for Commercial Employers (California Employment Development Department)</li><li>LLC annual tax ($800) (California Franchise Tax Board)</li><li>Packaging producer registration (EPR) (CalRecycle, through Circular Action Alliance)</li><li>Proposition 65 warning labels (California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/irvine/cosmetics-store.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>Copy the code

More on opening in Irvine

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

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 Irvine

• 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.