Licenses and permits to open a warehouse or 3PL in Tampa
A warehouse adds occupancy and fire rules for storage, and customs filings when it handles imports. 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.
LLC formation
Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)FL
Form the LLC or register a foreign company online.
- Fee
- $125
- Filed
- Filed online
Florida sales tax and reemployment tax registration
Florida Department of RevenueFL
Register online before you start doing business. The same application covers sales and use tax and reemployment tax, Florida's unemployment tax for employers.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- After registering online, the certificate number is available on the website after three business days.
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.
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
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.
Hillsborough County local business tax receipt
Hillsborough County Tax CollectorTampa
Get it before you start trading: apply online in BTExpress in one sitting, with the business name, SSN or EIN, a physical county address and any state or county license the business needs.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Reviewed in 3 to 5 business days, then paid and printed online.
- Renews
- Every year; all receipts expire September 30, with renewal from July 1.
City of Tampa business tax receipt
City of Tampa Business TaxTampa
A business inside Tampa city limits files the new business application online; the city may inspect the site.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Tampa doesn't publish a processing time for a new business tax receipt; applications are made online or by appointment.
More on opening in Tampa
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Tampa
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your warehouse or 3PL in Tampa
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