Starting an import business can be a little overwhelming. If you do decide to incorporate, you will have time to do so. There are other steps that you should follow through first. To start an import business, you first must decide your target (For whom you will importing your goods), the target's needs (what issues or problems that they desire to overcome), and the goods (what products and where to import to help meet those needs). import-from-china-business.com/page5.html You should check out the advantageous and disadvantageous of incorporating before doing so. You basically have 4 options to structure your import business: Sole Proprietor, Partnership, Corporation and Limited Liability Company. There is a trade off between personal liability versus complexity to set up and run. import-from-china-business.com/page37.html Getting a seller's license is much further sown the road. ---This post was edited to remove a commercial link. Read our discussion policies for more Community best practices.

You might check with your state department of commerce and see if they have an international business dvision. Most states do and they can be very helpful in providing contacts for you. You might also look into going on a trade mission (sponsored by your state's international trade division)with the intent of finding products to import. Before you can be considered for a trade mission, you will need to have your business established and have all the licenses and permits you need.

Dear Tetsuo48 So you want to start an import business? Interesting. To start contacting consulates with the view of researching products and information, you do not need to be a formal entity (or a registered business), or for that matter to visit trade shows. You do not need any form of licenses, either. Unless, of course, if you are inquiring about a government or defense regulated product or service. But, here's the catch. If you approach people or organizations without at least having a basic plan or idea about what you want to do, nobody is going to take you seriously. Here I assume you are, at this point, brainstorming or trying to figure out if import is the way to go, or may be do something else altogether, eventually. So, here's my advice. Identify an industry you want to focus on initially - Building & Construction, Interior Design, Food, Chemicals, Hardware, Household Appliances, Clothes & Fashion, .....what have you. Then decide if you want to import and supply a product or a service in that industry. Once you have figured these out, Pose as an Investor. Introduce yourself as an individual who has access to some funds, and gather as much information as possible. To be taken seriously at any given point, whether you are an investor, or an established business, you need to know what kind of questions to ask. In other words you cannot just walk into a trade show, or a consulate and hope that somebody will come hold your hand and point you the right way. Consulates are usually helpful when it comes to answering any questions you may have (provided you have definite questions). Manufacturers, and booth-owners at trade shows usually chase the money, and they only want to talk to somebody who gives them the impression that you can be of use to them in some way - usually in the form of helping them push their product or service. At least the people in the booth who matter. If they feel that you are not a worthwhile prospect they will usually leave you with one of those 'temp exhibition staff' (the pretty air-brushed model-wanna-be girls), who are only a resource for catalogs, and printed material. The actual 'registering of the company' has to happen before the first order is placed, and subsequently before the first delivery of product or service reaches the shores of USA. If you are buying samples etc. you can always have it shipped to your personal address. Starting from the name search, you should provide for about 8 weeks to get the FTID numbers. So start the process of company registration a good two months before you plan to place your first order. To conclude registering a company name has it's advantages, but you don't have to at this stage. If you do decide to register, classify your business as a trade agent or broker acting on behalf of buyers or sellers in the wholesale distribution of goods, NAICS 425110 Business to business wholesale trade. You may later change this classification. Registering may also give you access to certain tax advantages. All the best with your business plans. Have you considered exploring EXPORT as well? George

Thank you teamextension and BizResearcher for sharing your knowledge! tetsuo48 - Here is the California Small Business Guide that may be helpful for starting your import business. It has information about incorporating and tax and license filing requirements.

You should obtain a sales tax permit, also called a reseller's permit, before you begin purchasing product. Having the permit will allow you to purchase at wholesale. Without a permit, you will be charged retail cost and sales tax on your purchases.

If you are sure you will push thru with the business, and it just depends on the product you will sell, you can create the company now. You can consider your expenses looking for products/manufacturers as start up costs. If you are not sure if you will go and start the business, you can wait till you are fully decided. You don't need to be incoporated. There are other business types you can consider. You need to obtain a sales tax permit once you start selling, and you need to have your business registered already before you can get the permit. You can attend trade most shows without having a business. Of course, you can't do business with companies you meet in the trade shows until you have a business. I suggest you attend trade shows now. Then once you figure out the product you want to sell, then create the business. You can better decide on what business type you will need, the business name, and other details of the business.