Renewals and annual filings in Philadelphia

Q: Renewals and annual filings in Philadelphia

What renews, and how often, once the business is open. 1. Customs Bond (U.S. Customs and Border Protection; At least 5 business days for review.) 2. Cosmetic product facility registration (MoCRA) (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 3. Cosmetic product listing (MoCRA) (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 4. Commercial activity license (City of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and Inspections; Issued automatically online, or while you wait in person.) 5. Hazardous materials registration (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT)) 6. Food preparation and serving license (City of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and Inspections; Online applications are reviewed within 5 business days.)

What renews, and how often, once the business is open.

Updated October 17, 20266 filingsSources: the agencies' own sites

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 site How to fill it
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 site How to fill it
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 site How to fill it
Commercial activity license

City of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsPhiladelphia

Every person or company doing business in Philadelphia needs it, and should get it before any other business license. Apply in eCLIPSE with the EIN and the BIRT ID, under the legal name on the city tax account, or at the Permit and License Center by appointment.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Takes
Issued automatically online, or while you wait in person.
Renews
Doesn't need to be renewed.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Hazardous materials registration

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT)US federal

Filed online when you ship or offer certain hazardous materials in bulk, such as large lithium battery shipments.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Every year by June 30.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Food preparation and serving license

City of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsPhiladelphia

For any business that prepares or serves food to the public. Apply in eCLIPSE with the BIRT ID, the Commercial Activity License, proof of occupancy (a license for the same use in the last 3 years, or zoning approval) and the Health Department's License Eligibility Report dated within 30 days.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Takes
Online applications are reviewed within 5 business days.
Renews
Every year.

File on the agency's site How to fill it

Guides for each business in Philadelphia

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

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