Licenses and permits to open a warehouse or 3PL in Portland
A warehouse adds occupancy and fire rules for storage, and customs filings when it handles imports. Here are the 7 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.
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.
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
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
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.
Oregon employer registration (payroll taxes)
Oregon Department of Revenue, with the Oregon Employment DepartmentOR
Every employer with paid employees in Oregon registers before the first paycheck, online in Revenue Online or the Oregon Business Registry, or on the paper Combined Employer's Registration sent to the Employment Department. One number covers withholding, unemployment tax, the Workers' Benefit Fund and transit taxes.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- The state gives 30 business days online (60 on paper), and up to 14 business days through the Oregon Business Registry.
More on opening in Portland
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Portland
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your warehouse or 3PL in Portland
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