Licenses and permits to open a warehouse or 3PL in Columbus

1. 1

   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 siteHow to fill it

2. 2

   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 siteHow to fill it

3. 3

   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 siteHow to fill it

4. 4

   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 siteHow to fill it

5. 5

   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.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

6. 6

   Unemployment insurance employer account

   Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Unemployment Insurance OperationsOH

   A new employer creates an OHIO UI account and registers it in the Ohio Unemployment SOURCE employer portal.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed online

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

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<div class="placetta-checklist"><p><strong>Licenses and permits to open a warehouse or 3PL in Columbus</strong></p><ol><li>Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service)</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>Hazardous materials registration (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT))</li><li>Unemployment insurance employer account (Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/columbus/warehouse-3pl.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>Copy the code

More on opening in Columbus

• How much permits cost to open in Columbus
• How long permits take in Columbus
• Opening in Columbus as a foreign company
• Importing goods into Columbus
• Renewals and annual filings in Columbus

Questions people ask

• How do I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?
• How long does it take to get an EIN?
• Does a foreign-owned single-member LLC have to file Form 5472?
• How do I become an importer of record in the US?
• Do imported consumer products need a certificate of conformity?
• How much does a US customs bond cost?

Other businesses in Columbus

• Milk tea and bubble tea shops
• Coffee shops
• Restaurants
• Hot pot restaurants
• Bakeries
• Dessert shops
• Grocery stores
• Retail stores
• Cosmetics stores
• Toy stores
• Importers and online sellers

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