Retail and commerce · LLC guide · updated
How to start an LLC for an import and export business
Importers are legally responsible for what they bring into the country: correct classification, value, duties and safety. Customs penalties, product claims and supplier disputes can be large. An LLC serves as the importer of record and keeps those liabilities with the company.
Our registered agent is optional: $74.25 a year, the same at renewal. Questions first? Ray or Vinny picks up at (954) 470-8356.
- EIN
- Importer of record
- Customs bond
- ISF filing
- AES export filing
Import and Export Business businesses in the U.S.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 425120) and U.S. Census Bureau, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 (NAICS 42512), the latest U.S. totals.
Why import and export business owners form an LLC
Customs penalties
Wrong classification or value can bring duties, penalties and seizures.
Product liability
The U.S. importer is often the defendant when foreign products injure people.
Supplier disputes
Overseas contracts are hard to enforce; payment terms matter.
An LLC keeps the company's debts and claims away from your personal assets when you run it as its own business: its own bank account, contracts signed in its name, and no mixing of money. It does not cover your own negligence, and lenders often ask for a personal guarantee. Insurance comes first.
Licenses and registrations for an import and export business
Federal items link to the agency's own page. State and local rules vary, so pick your state at the top for your state's business portal. Tick items off as you go; the list remembers your progress on this device.
- We do thisForm the LLC and get its EINAlmost every registration above asks for the company's legal name and EIN, so this comes first. We file the LLC with your state for $123.75 plus the state fee, and can get the EIN for $41.25; the IRS also issues it free online.
Insurance and taxes to plan for
Insurance
- Marine cargo
Covers goods in transit; carrier liability is limited.
- Product liability
Essential for imported consumer goods.
- Trade credit
Covers buyers who do not pay.
Taxes
- Duties in cost of goods
Duties, freight and brokerage are part of inventory cost.
- Tariff changes
Tariff rates have changed often since 2025; quote prices with room for changes.
Give the broker a power of attorney signed by the LLC and keep every entry file in the company's records for at least five years, the CBP record keeping period.
Forming the LLC itself: 7 steps in every state
- 1. Check the name
- 2. Name a registered agent
- 3. File with the state
- 4. Sign an operating agreement
- 5. Get an EIN
- 6. Open a bank account
- 7. Keep it in good standing
The filing office, fee and yearly report change by state. Open your state's step-by-step guide.
What it costs to form an import and export business LLC
| Cost | File it yourself | With Vermilion Vitez |
|---|---|---|
| State filing fee (paid to the state) | $35 to $520 | $35 to $520 |
| Filing service, operating agreement included | $0 | $123.75 |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | $0 yourself, or $41.25 if we get it |
| Registered agent, per year (optional) | $0 if you serve yourself | $74.25 |
State fees as charged at our checkout. Industry licenses, permits, bonds and insurance above are separate and set by each agency. Checkout shows the card processing fee before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license to import goods?
Most goods need no import license, but the importer of record is responsible for entry, duties and compliance. Some products (food, drugs, alcohol, firearms) need agency approvals.
What is a customs bond?
A guarantee that duties and penalties will be paid. Formal entries need one; a continuous bond covers a year of entries.
Can my LLC be the importer of record?
Yes, using its EIN. A customs broker can file the CBP Form 5106 to set it up.
Do I need to file anything to export?
Electronic Export Information in AES for shipments over $2,500 per Schedule B number or that need a license.
How much does it cost to form an LLC for an import and export business?
Your state's filing fee ($35 to $520 depending on the state) plus $123.75 if we file it, with the operating agreement included. Industry licenses, bonds and insurance are extra and set by each agency.
Is this page legal or tax advice for my import and export business?
No. It summarizes public rules in general terms, with links to the agencies that set them. For your situation, talk to a licensed attorney or CPA, or book a free call with us.
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Ready when you are
Have us file your Import and Export Business LLC
$123.75 plus your state's filing fee, with the operating agreement included. Checkout shows the full total, card processing fee and all, before you pay.
Rather talk first? Call Ray or Vinny at (954) 470-8356.