Licenses and permits to open an importer or e-commerce seller in San Jose

Selling imported goods online means customs registration and import paperwork before the first shipment lands. Here are the 11 filings, in the order they're made.

Updated October 15, 202611 filingsSources: the agencies' own sites

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 site How to fill it
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 site How to fill it
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 site How to fill it
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 site How to fill it
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
ACE Secure Data Portal account for importers

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal

Applied for online in ACE. Lets you see your entries, duties and bond.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it
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 site How to fill it
City of San José Business Tax Certificate

City of San José Finance DepartmentSan Jose

Register online within 90 days of starting business in San José, with the owner, tax ID, location and, if you have them, the seller's permit and county health permit numbers.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Takes
If you pay during registration, the account activates in 2 to 3 business days; otherwise the invoice is mailed within 5 to 10 business days.
Renews
Every year.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
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 site How to fill it
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 site How to fill it
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 site How to fill it

Use this checklist on your site

Copy this into your site or article. It credits the source.

<div class="placetta-checklist"><p><strong>Licenses and permits to open an importer or e-commerce seller in San Jose</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>ACE Secure Data Portal account for importers (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)</li><li>Product safety certificate, filed electronically at entry (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)</li><li>City of San José Business Tax Certificate (City of San José Finance 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/san-jose/importer-ecommerce.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>

Questions people ask

Other businesses in San Jose

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

Get the plan for your importer or e-commerce seller in San Jose

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

More on opening in San Jose

Questions people ask

Other businesses in San Jose

Get the plan for your importer or e-commerce seller in San Jose