Obtaining a business license in the USA can mean a combination of licenses and permits issued at a federal and state level. Certain business activities are regulated by federal agencies for which federal licenses or permits are issued. We invite you to read this article that comprises information about how to get a trade license in the USA, mentioning that our US company formation agents can guide you in this endeavor.
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For what activities do you need licenses and permits in the USA?
Starting a company in the USA involves obtaining special licenses and permits before starting activities. Here are some examples of activities that require a business license in the USA:
- Activities in the field of agriculture are regulated by the US Department of Agriculture, which issues the required business licenses.
- The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau as well as the Local Alcohol Beverage Control Board are the agencies that issue special licenses and permits in the USA for those who sell alcoholic beverages.
- The US Fish and Wildlife Service issues special licenses and permits for businesses operating in the “Fish and Wildlife” business sector.
- The mining and drilling sector is overseen by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement in the USA. This agency issues the necessary licenses and permits.
- The US Department of Transportation issues specific licenses and permits for businesses involved in transportation and logistics.
These are some examples of special licenses and permits for those opening a company in the USA. Those who want to operate in the financial sector must apply for a business license in the USA. We recommend full assistance from our business formation specialists to know what kind of licenses and permits are required before starting commercial activities.
How to obtain a business license in the USA?
The process of obtaining a business license in the USA begins with filling out a standard form provided by the local or state agency. Here, other documents of the company in question are solicited, such as the Certificate of Incorporation and the tax ID (Employer Identification Number – EIN). Once the documents are accepted, the business license in the USA can be issued. All procedures can be carefully managed by one of our local agents with whom you can collaborate in terms of setting up a company in the USA and required licenses. Moreover, in certain cases, depending on the activities, a trade license in the USA is needed, especially for trading companies.
Recent statistics about the number of US companies
We present some statistical data about the number of companies in the USA:
- There are over 33.2 million businesses in the USA, according to data for 2024.
- Over 20,000 large companies in the USA have more than 500 employees.
- Currently, there are over 1 million startups in the USA.
Obtaining a business license in the USA is an important aspect that we deal with in the USA company formation process. Our specialists can also help with opening a branch in the USA or with the formalities related to opening a company in Delaware. Our clients can receive information about the procedures for setting up an LLC company in Delaware, one of the preferred jurisdictions for international investors. As such, please contact our team of agents and find out more about the services we provide.