GENERAL VENDOR DISTRIBUTOR (097)

DCA Licensing Center
42 Broadway, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10004
For more information, call 311 (or 212-NEW-YORK outside of New York City). 

Note: New York City businesses must comply with all relevant federal, state, and City laws and rules. All laws and rules of the City of New York, including the Consumer Protection Law and Rules, are accessible using the Public Access Portal. For convenience, sections of the New York City Licensing Law (and Rules, if enacted) are available as a downloadable handout. 

Please note that businesses are responsible for knowing and complying with the most current laws, including any City Council amendments. The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) is not responsible for errors or omissions in the handout. The information is not legal advice. You can only obtain legal advice from a lawyer.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: 

Before You File Your DCA License Application:
You must obtain the following required documents before filing your application. Although DCA does not require submission of these documents in order to process your application in person or online, DCA reserves the right to request and examine the documents under section 20.104 of the New York City Administrative Code.

• Applicable Business Certificates based on your Business's Legal Structure 

Sole Proprietorships operating under a name other than your own must file a Business/Assumed Name Certificate with the clerk of the county in which your business is conducted.

Sole Proprietorships doing business under your own name—and not under a trade or Doing-Business-As (DBA) name—do not need a Business Certificate.

General/Business Partnerships must file your Partnership Certificate with the clerk of the county in which your business is conducted.

Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, or Limited Liability Partnerships must register and remain active with the New York State Department of State. Active status will be verified by DCA prior to license issuance. You can confirm the status of your business entity at NYS Web site. If applicable, you must also file an Assumed Name Certificate for your business.

Businesses incorporated out of state must obtain a Certificate of Doing Business in Good Standing from your home state’s Secretary of State and file this with an application for Authority to Conduct Business in New York with the New York State Secretary of State.

When You File Your DCA License Application:
Below are requirements when filing your license application:

• Basic License Application   

NEW: General Vendor Distributor license applicants can now submit new license applications online. Applying for the license online does not mean the license is automatically approved. A major credit card is required to submit applications online. Convenience fees apply. After reviewing application requirements, please click the Apply Online link at the bottom of this Web page to submit your application online.

For in-person application submission, applicants can download and complete the Basic License Application Form (in PDF).

• Sales Tax Identification Number OR Certificate of Authority Application Confirmation Number
  The Sales Tax Identification Number is the 9, 10, or 11-digit number on your New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Certificate of Authority. You must enter this number on the Basic License Application form. If you have not received your Certificate of Authority, please enter the 6-digit confirmation number you received when you successfully submitted the application for a Certificate of Authority.

To obtain an application for a Certificate of Authority, visit the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance online at http://tax.ny.gov or call (518) 485-2889. Allow four to six weeks after applying to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to receive your Certificate of Authority.

• General Vendor Distributor Roster of Vehicles (download)
  Applicants must provide identifying information for each truck owned by the business on the Roster of Vehicles.

• Personal and Property Liability Insurance for Trucks
  You must submit a copy of the Insurance Certificate for your trucks. Your Insurance Certificate must name the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) as the certificate holder. Minimum amounts of coverage are:
  
  • $50,000 for injury to or destruction of property of one or more persons resulting from any one accident
  • $200,000 for personal injury or death of any one person resulting from any one accident
  • $500,000 for personal injury or death of two or more persons resulting from any one accident

Note: You must notify DCA within 14 days if your insurance policy is cancelled, expired, or was terminated for any reason. Notification must be in writing and submitted in person OR by mail to:

Attn: Licensing Center
New York City Department of Consumer Affairs
42 Broadway, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10004

• General Vendor Distributor Roster of Goods (download).

• Child Support Certification Form (download)
  If your business is a SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP or GENERAL or LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, the proprietor or each individual general partner must submit a Child Support Certification Form. 

• Granting Authority to Act Affirmation (download)
  If this application will be filed by someone other than the license applicant, the license applicant must submit a Granting Authority to Act Affirmation. 

• License Fee
  For in-person application submissions, the License Fee must be paid by credit card, money order, or check. Cards accepted include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card. Checks or money orders must be payable to NYC Department of Consumer Affairs. The chart below lists the amount due depending upon when your license application is filed.
  
  Please note that convenience fees apply if you submit your license application online. A major credit card is required to submit applications online. 

*Note: If you are applying for the license between October 1 and March 31, you can pay the prorated fee for the license period about to end ($100) PLUS the fee for the new license period ($200), for a total of $300. If you pay both fees, you will not need to renew the license until March 31 of the next year.

Online Applicants: If you submit your license application online between October 1 and March 31, you will be required to pay the combined fee totaling $300. You will not need to renew the license until March 31 of the next year.

APPLICATION FILING PROCESS: 

ONLINE SUBMISSION:
Please make sure that you have reviewed and recorded the information required to submit a license application online before clicking the button below. Note: As outlined in the “When You File” section, applicants must submit the following supporting documents: Roster of Vehicles; New York State Commercial Truck Registrations or Lease Agreements; Personal and Property Liability Insurance Certificate; Roster of Goods; Child Support Certification Form (if applicable); and Granting Authority to Act Affirmation (if applicable). You must fax, e-mail, or bring documents to the DCA Licensing Center within five (5) business days after successfully filing the application form online. Applicants should follow instructions on the printed confirmation page. Your license application will not be complete without these requirements.

You will be routed to NYC Business Express.

IN-PERSON SUBMISSION:
Applications may be filed in person at the DCA Licensing Center at the address above between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.