Renewals and annual filings in Washington, DC
What renews, and how often, once the business is open.
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.
DC certified food protection manager card
DC HealthWashington, DC
A manager who passed a nationally recognized food safety exam applies for DC Health's ID card with a copy of the certificate, in person at 899 North Capitol Street NE or by mail. DLCP asks for the DC Health food manager's certificate with the food license, and a certified manager has to be on duty whenever the place is open.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Renews
- Valid 3 years from the exam date.
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.
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.
Food services business license
DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, with DC HealthWashington, DC
The basic business license for restaurants, delis, caterers and other food businesses. Apply online in BOSS with the Certificate of Occupancy, the DC Health food manager's certificate, the approved DC Health inspection report, tax registration and Clean Hands, and corporate registration if you have one; pick only the category the business was approved for.
- Fee
- $99
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- DLCP doesn't publish a processing time; apply once DC Health has approved the inspection.
- Renews
- Every 2 or 4 years, as chosen.
Guides for each business in Washington, DC
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your business in Washington, DC
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