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

A warehouse adds occupancy and fire rules for storage, and customs filings when it handles imports. Here are the 11 filings, in the order they're made.

Updated October 17, 202611 filingsSources: the agencies' own sites

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 site How to fill it
Certificate of Formation (Texas LLC)

Texas Secretary of StateTexas

Filed online in SOSDirect, or by mail or fax.

Fee
$300
Filed
Filed online
Takes
No standard time published; paid expedited service typically takes 2 to 3 business days.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Assumed Name Certificate (DBA)

Texas Secretary of StateTexas

Filed when the store trades under a name other than the legal name.

Fee
$25
Filed
Filed online
Takes
No standard time published; paid expedited service typically takes 2 to 3 business days.
Renews
Valid up to 10 years.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit Application

Texas Comptroller of Public AccountsTexas

Apply online in eSystems before your first sale; one permit for each location.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Takes
Permit arrives in about 2 to 3 weeks.
Renews
Does not expire.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
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 site How to fill it
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 site How to fill it
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 site How to fill it
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 site How to fill it
Unemployment tax account

Texas Workforce CommissionTexas

Register online once you pay wages in Texas.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Takes
Account number issued instantly online.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Certificate of Occupancy

City of Plano Building InspectionsPlano

Required to occupy any nonresidential space, and again when the business, its name or owner changes or a new tenant moves in. Submit the packet with the application fee; Building Inspections, Planning and, for a restaurant, Environmental Health review it and inspect. It must be approved before staff move in, stock arrives or the doors open, and it's posted on site.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed in person

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Franchise tax annual report

Texas Comptroller of Public AccountsTexas

Filed every year by May 15, even when no tax is due.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Takes
The Comptroller doesn't publish a processing time for the report; the annual franchise tax report is due May 15 (next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday).
Renews
Every year by May 15.

File on the agency's site How to fill it

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<div class="placetta-checklist"><p><strong>Licenses and permits to open a warehouse or 3PL in Plano</strong></p><ol><li>Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service)</li><li>Certificate of Formation (Texas LLC) (Texas Secretary of State)</li><li>Assumed Name Certificate (DBA) (Texas Secretary of State)</li><li>Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit Application (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts)</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 tax account (Texas Workforce Commission)</li><li>Certificate of Occupancy (City of Plano Building Inspections)</li><li>Franchise tax annual report (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/plano/warehouse-3pl.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>

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

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