General Vendor Distributor

General Vendor Distributor License Application Checklist

Who Must Have a General Vendor Distributor License?

You must have a General Vendor Distributor license if you transport goods, by means of motor vehicle, to a public space to sell or transfer to a General Vendor.

This description is only a general explanation of who must have a General Vendor Distributor license.

License Requirements

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The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will deny your application if you fail to provide the required documents and information:

Basic License Application

Download Basic License Application

Apply Online! Review requirements and click the link at the bottom of the page to submit your application.

Sales Tax Identification Number OR Application Confirmation Number

To apply for a Certificate of Authority to collect sales tax, visit www.businessexpress.ny.gov.

General Vendor Distributor Roster of Vehicles

Download the General Vendor Distributor 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 City of New York 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 DCWP 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 and Worker Protection
42 Broadway
New York, NY 10004

General Vendor Distributor Roster of Goods

Download the General Vendor Distributor Roster of Goods.

One Current Color Passport-size Photograph of License Applicant Taken within the Last 30 Days

Online: Applicants can upload an image file of digital passport photo quality. A digital camera with a resolution of 1 mega-pixel is adequate.

Mail: Applicants can submit a current color passport-size photograph.

General Vendor Distributor Non-NYC Resident Form, if applicable

Required if your business or home address is NOT in New York City. Download the General Vendor Distributor Non-NYC Resident Form.

Granting Authority to Act Affirmation

Required if someone other than the license applicant will prepare and submit this application. The applicant must sign the license application and all related forms. Download Granting Authority to Act Affirmation.

License Fee

License Period: 2 years

Expiration Date: March 31 in Even Years

If You File Your Application Between These Dates:

From April 1 in an even year to September 30 in an even year:
- Pay $200 for a license expiring March 31 of the next even year. (Valid for at most 24 months.)
From October 1 in an even year to March 31 in an odd year:
- Pay $150 for a license expiring March 31 of the soonest even year. (Valid for at most 18 months.)
From April 1 in an odd year to September 30 in an odd year:
- Pay $100 for a license expiring March 31 of the soonest even year. (Valid for at most 12 months.)
From October 1 in an odd year to March 31 in an even year:
- Option 1: Pay $50 for a license expiring March 31 of the soonest or same even year. (Valid for at most 6 months.)
- Option 2: Pay $250 for a license expiring March 31 of the following even year. (Valid for at most 30 months.)

Pay by:

Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card only)
(Online or in person)
You will be charged a nonrefundable 2% Convenience Fee.
eCheck (Online)
Check or money order payable to DCWP (In person or by mail)

Important Message about Business Certificate

You must have the applicable Business Certificate based on your business’s legal structure. Although DCWP does not require submission of your Business Certificate in order to process your application, DCWP may request this document under section 20-104 of the New York City Administrative Code.

Sole Proprietors

Sole proprietors operating under a name other than your own must have a Business/Assumed Name Certificate.

Partnerships

Partnerships must have a Partnership Certificate and, if applicable, an Assumed Name Certificate for your business.

Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, or Limited Liability Partnerships

Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, or Limited Liability Partnerships must register and remain active with the New York State Division of Corporations. You can check your status at www.dos.ny.gov/corps.

Submit Your License Application to DCWP

You can submit your license application online or in person at the DCWP Licensing Center.

ONLINE OPTION: After reviewing requirements above, click the Apply Online button below to login or create an account to start your online license application.

IN-PERSON OPTION: Licensing appointments are available in hardship cases that require an in-person visit. View flyer to learn how to schedule an appointment for an in-person visit.

Questions? We’re here to help!

Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

Phone: (212) 487-4060. (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

Free Interpretation Services are available on-site. To request a disability-related accommodation, visit our Accommodations page.

Additional Resources for General Vendor Distributor

For the laws and rules that may affect your business, visit our Laws page.
For resources to help your business open, operate, and grow, visit nyc.gov/business.

Get Voter Information
Note: Whether you apply to register to vote or not, it will not affect the assistance DCWP will provide to you.