Licenses and permits to open an importer or e-commerce seller in Portland

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

   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

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

6. 6

   Portland business tax registration

   City of Portland Revenue DivisionPortland

   One Revenue Division account covers the Portland Business License Tax, the Multnomah County Business Income Tax and the Metro Supportive Housing Services tax. Register online in Portland Revenue Online with the tax ID, entity type, locations and owners, or mail, fax or bring the paper form.

   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 an importer or e-commerce seller in Portland</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>Product safety certificate, filed electronically at entry (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)</li><li>Portland business tax registration (City of Portland Revenue Division)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/portland/importer-ecommerce.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>Copy the code

More on opening in Portland

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

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 Portland

• Milk tea and bubble tea shops
• Coffee shops
• Restaurants
• Hot pot restaurants
• Bakeries
• Dessert shops
• Grocery stores
• Retail stores
• Cosmetics stores
• Toy stores
• Warehouses and 3PLs

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