Foreign business entities are incorporated at the state level in the US.   The process will vary from state-to-state, but generally involves two steps: applying to register in that particular state, and establishing a registered agent with a valid address in that state (no PO Box numbers).  A registered agent can be either the business owner or another person who is authorized to receive legal papers on behalf of the business, such as an attorney or secretary. The rest of the steps to starting up are similar to those that an American citizen would take.  The breakdown of 10 Steps to Starting a Business http://www.business.gov/start/start-a-business.html includes information on naming your business, requirement licenses and permits, and tax matters.      If you plan to import goods into the US, the Department of Commerce's Trade Information Center provides information and web links to importation procedures.  Also consider that working with a licensed customs broker could be a valuable asset to your import plan.  A customs broker prepares all the documentation required for importing goods. To learn about laws and regulations applying to custom brokers, including licensing requirements, and importing procedures, visit the Transportation and Logistics Guide.