Licenses and permits to open a cosmetics store in Rockville
Opening a cosmetics store in Rockville takes 10 filings with 8 agencies, starting with the LLC formation (Articles of Organization) and ending with the commercial occupancy permit. The fixed government fees add up to about $100, 3 fees are set by the space or the business and 6 filings are free. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.
Fees and timelines at a glance
Importing cosmetics brings product registration and import filings on top of the store's own.
| Filing | Agency | Government fee | How long | Renews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLC formation (Articles of Organization) | Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) | $100 | Standard review takes 6 to 8 weeks. | Not listed |
| Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) | Internal Revenue Service | Free | Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call. | Not listed |
| Maryland sales and use tax, withholding and unemployment insurance registration | Comptroller of Maryland, Central Registration | Free | Not listed | Not listed |
| Create/Update Importer Identity Form | U.S. Customs and Border Protection | Free | Up to 5 business days. | Not listed |
| Customs Bond | U.S. Customs and Border Protection | Varies | At least 5 business days for review. | Continuous bonds renew yearly. |
| Cosmetic product facility registration (MoCRA) | U.S. Food and Drug Administration | Free | Not listed | Every two years. |
| Cosmetic product listing (MoCRA) | U.S. Food and Drug Administration | Free | Not listed | Update every year. |
| Product safety certificate, filed electronically at entry | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission | Free | Not listed | Not listed |
| Trader's license | Clerk of the Circuit Court (your county) | Varies | Not listed | Every year, by May 1. |
| Commercial occupancy permit | City of Rockville Inspection Services | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
LLC formation (Articles of Organization)
Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)Maryland
File online in Maryland Business Express, or mail the signed Articles with a $100 check to SDAT's Charter Division in Baltimore. The resident agent signs too.
- Fee
- $100
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Standard review takes 6 to 8 weeks.
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.
Maryland sales and use tax, withholding and unemployment insurance registration
Comptroller of Maryland, Central RegistrationMaryland
One application opens the sales and use tax license, employer withholding and the unemployment insurance account: online, by fax (410-260-7908) or by mail to Central Registration in Annapolis.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
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
Trader's license
Clerk of the Circuit Court (your county)Maryland
Anyone who sells goods in Maryland, other than a grower or manufacturer, gets this from the county's Circuit Court clerk before selling, after opening a sales tax account and registering the entity with SDAT.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed in person
- Renews
- Every year, by May 1.
Commercial occupancy permit
City of Rockville Inspection ServicesRockville
A commercial tenant applies through MGO Connect; the city inspects before the permit issues.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
Questions and answers
How much do the permits cost to open a cosmetics store in Rockville?
The fixed government fees add up to about $100, 3 fees are set by the space or the business and 6 filings are free. The largest fixed fee is the LLC formation (Articles of Organization), at $100. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.
How long do the permits take for a cosmetics store in Rockville?
The times the agencies give. LLC formation (Articles of Organization): Standard review takes 6 to 8 weeks. Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN): Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call. Create/Update Importer Identity Form: Up to 5 business days. Customs Bond: At least 5 business days for review.
Which agencies issue the permits for a cosmetics store in Rockville?
The 10 filings go to 8 agencies: Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), Internal Revenue Service, Comptroller of Maryland, Central Registration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Clerk of the Circuit Court (your county) and City of Rockville Inspection Services.
What is the first filing to open a cosmetics store in Rockville?
The LLC formation (Articles of Organization), with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). File online in Maryland Business Express, or mail the signed Articles with a $100 check to SDAT's Charter Division in Baltimore. The resident agent signs too.
More on opening in Rockville
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Rockville
Every filing links to the agency's own page, and every fact comes from an official form or agency page. Agency requirements change; check the agency's page before you file. How we source and check these guides
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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.
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