Renewals and annual filings in Boston
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.
Certified food protection manager
Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Food Protection ProgramMA
At least one manager on staff passes a food protection manager exam from a nationally accredited provider that Massachusetts accepts; a backup person in charge covers when they're away. Boston asks for the certificate with the food service permit application.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every 5 years.
Allergen awareness certificate
Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Food Protection ProgramMA
The person in charge, who must be on site whenever the place is open, and the backup who covers for them take an allergen awareness course and train the staff. Places that cook, prepare or serve food to eat right away need it; Boston asks for the certificate before the opening inspection.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every 5 years.
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.
Boston business certificate (DBA)
City of Boston, City ClerkBoston
Needed when the business trades under a name other than its legal name. Bring the notarized form, the signed lease and photo ID to City Hall, Room 601 (the clerk notarizes free), or mail them with a check; there is no online filing. An LLC or corporation registers with the Secretary of the Commonwealth first.
- Fee
- $65
- Filed
- Filed in person
- Takes
- Issued while you wait in person; 2 to 3 business days by mail.
- Renews
- Every 4 years from the first registration; the clerk mails a renewal letter.
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.
Common Victualler License
City of Boston Licensing BoardBoston
Needed to sell food made to order at a fixed place, seated or takeout. File on the Licensing Board's online form with the lease, a floor plan, each owner's personal information form and the wage theft form, once the Certificate of Occupancy is in hand. A new address, or hours outside 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., goes to a public hearing after the neighborhood process. ISD issues the food service permit only after this license.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- About 2 to 3 weeks; when a public hearing is needed, several weeks from filing to the hearing.
- Renews
- Every year, for the calendar year: renew online by October 31; a late renewal pays double.
Food service permit
City of Boston Inspectional Services, Health DivisionBoston
Email the application (with its workers' comp affidavit), the EIN and the food protection manager certificate to ISDHealth@boston.gov, or bring them to 1010 Massachusetts Ave, 4th floor. Before the opening inspection, which you book a few days ahead, have the allergen certificate, Certificate of Occupancy, Common Victualler License and paid fees ready.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Takes
- 1 to 2 business days when the space isn't changing; after a build-out, the inspection is usually done within 1 business day of proof of every other approval.
- Renews
- Every year: the permit runs January 1 to December 31, and the renewal bill comes around the second week of November.
Guides for each business in Boston
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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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