Licenses and permits to open a warehouse or 3PL in Arlington
A warehouse adds occupancy and fire rules for storage, and customs filings when it handles imports. Here are the 8 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.
Virginia business tax registration
Virginia Department of TaxationVA
Every new business registers online with Virginia Tax, or on paper Form R-1 if it can't: sales and use tax for dealers, and employer withholding with Virginia employees.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
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.
Arlington County business license
Arlington County Commissioner of Revenue, Business Tax DivisionArlington
After the state requirements and the county permits, register the business in CAPP, the county's online system; a Business Tax Inspector then contacts you to finish the license.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Renews
- Every year; filing and payment are due March 1.
Unemployment insurance employer registration
Virginia Employment CommissionVA
A business with employees in Virginia must by law register with the VEC: online through iFile and iReg, or by mailing the FC-27.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
More on opening in Arlington
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Arlington
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your warehouse or 3PL in Arlington
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