Washington D.C.’s Importer Requirements: Do You Need a New License?

Washington D.C. has clarified requirements that may affect the type of license your business needs to avoid fines and violations.

Here's a quick overview of the requirement clarification for importers and distributors, and what you can do to stay compliant.

D.C.'s Definition of Importer & Distributor

These are the definitions of importer and distributor, per Washington D.C.:

• Importer – Any entity making a product for sale that is manufactured outside of the U.S.
• Distributor – Any entity making a product for sale that is manufactured within the U.S.

What License Do I Need in D.C.?

The type of license you will need in order to sell stuffed articles in Washington D.C. depends on where your manufacturers are located.

Please be aware that your manufacturers must obtain their D.C. Manufacturer License before you will be issued an Importer or Distributor license. This is because a copy of at least one of your manufacturers' URN licenses is required during importer and distributor registration.

I Only Work With Foreign Manufacturers

D.C. considers you an importer. You need an Importer License.
The fee for a D.C. Importer License is $476, which renews every 2 years.

I Only Work With U.S. Manufacturers

D.C. considers you a distributor. You need a Distributor License.
The fee for a D.C. Distributors License is $34, which renews every 2 years.

I Work With Both Foreign and U.S. Manufacturers

D.C. considers you both an importer and a distributor. Both of these roles must be accounted for during registration. Thankfully, you will only need a single license that lists both roles.

You will have to pay a stacked fee that includes an importer fee and a distributor fee. This is unique compared to other states that offer a single license for importer/distributors and a single, consolidated fee. The stacked fee is $510, which renews every 2 years.

Do I Need A License for Each Factory I Work With?

No. D.C.'s Importer License will work similarly to other blanket Importer Licenses. That means a single license will cover your company, no matter how many factories you work with.

Will I Be Fined for Not Having the Right License?

No, not at this time. D.C.'s department supervisor has assured us that their inspectors are currently only issuing warning notices for improper licensing, not fines yet. We recommend that you get registered as soon as possible to avoid fines and violations when D.C. decides to start issuing them.

Will This Update Affect My Law Label?

Given D.C.'s requirements for importer, distributor, and wholesaler licensing, we expect law labels will be highly scrutinized moving forward.

If you choose to list a company on a law label other than the manufacturer (for example, MADE FOR, IMPORTED BY, or DISTRIBUTED BY), you can expect to receive feedback from Washington D.C. to ensure the company has applied for the proper license.

That company will be considered an importer/distributor, and they will need to register so the D.C. licensing department has record of their company when doing inspections. 

What Are My Next Steps to Stay Compliant?

GRS will reach out to our Monitored Services customers to gather information and determine what type of D.C. license they will need going forward. We strongly recommend you keep an eye out for emails from GRS so you don't miss an important message about your D.C. license.

If you have questions about D.C. licensing, please reach out to GRS and we'll be happy to help.