Licenses and permits to open a cosmetics store in Phoenix
Importing cosmetics brings product registration and import filings on top of the store's own. 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.
Arizona LLC formation
Arizona Corporation CommissionAZ
File the Articles of Organization online, by mail or in person. Publication is required: if the statutory agent is in Maricopa or Pima County the Commission publishes it, otherwise publish a notice in a newspaper.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Regular processing is typically 14 to 16 days.
Transaction privilege tax (TPT) license
Arizona Department of RevenueAZ
A business selling taxable products or services gets a license for each location, online on AZTaxes.gov or with the paper JT-1. The same application registers employers with the Department of Economic Security for unemployment insurance.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Online, the license number is issued the same day and the certificate is mailed in 7 to 10 business days.
- Renews
- Every year, due January 1; no state renewal fee, city fees still apply.
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.
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.
Product safety certificate, filed electronically at entry
U.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionUS federal
The importer issues the certificate itself (there is no government form) and, under the eFiling rule, files the certificate data with CBP at entry.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Building permit and Certificate of Occupancy
City of Phoenix Planning and DevelopmentPhoenix
Tenant improvements of a newly occupied space or a change of occupancy go through plan review; the Certificate of Occupancy is generated once all inspections pass and stays with the address. Phoenix doesn't issue a general business license.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- Phoenix issues the Certificate of Occupancy 24 hours after the final inspection and mails it to the owner.
More on opening in Phoenix
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Phoenix
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your cosmetics store in Phoenix
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