General Vendor Distributor

General Vendor Distributor License Application Checklist

Extension of License Period

Under Local Law 18 of 2021, which went into effect on May 29, 2021, the General Vendor Distributor license period is now two years instead of one year.

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.

Quick List of Requirements to Apply for a General Vendor Distributor

See Requirements section for detailed descriptions. Make sure you provide all requirements; otherwise, your application is incomplete. DCWP can only consider complete applications for license issuance.

Basic License Application
Sales Tax Identification Number OR Application Confirmation Number
General Vendor Distributor Roster of Vehicles
Personal and Property Liability Insurance for Trucks
General Vendor Distributor Roster of Goods
Three Current Color Passport-size Photographs of License Applicant
General Vendor Distributor Non-NYC Resident Form n (if applicable)
Granting Authority to Act Affirmation (if applicable)
License Fee

Submitting your application does not mean your license is automatically approved.

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

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 must register and remain active with the New York State Division of Corporations. You can check your status at dos.ny.gov/corps.

Requirements

DCWP will deny your application if you do not submit these required documents and information:

Basic License Application.
Online submission: After reviewing the requirements, please click the Apply Online link at the bottom of the page to submit your application.
In-person submission: Download the Basic License Application.

Sales Tax Identification Number OR Application Confirmation Number.
To apply for a Certificate of Authority in order to collect sales tax, visit businessexpress.ny.gov.

General Vendor Distributor Roster of Vehicles (download Roster).

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 Roster).

Three (3) Current Color Passport-size Photographs of License Applicant.

In person:
- DCWP will photograph license applicants at no cost in the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center. License applicants can also submit three (3) current color passport-size photographs.
Online:
- License applicants can upload an image file of digital passport photo quality. A digital camera with a resolution of 1 mega-pixel is adequate.
Note:
- Current” means within 30 days of the date on the application.

General Vendor Distributor Non-NYC Resident Form, if applicable (download Form).
Required if your business or home address is NOT in New York City

Granting Authority to Act Affirmation, if applicable (download Affirmation).
Required if someone other than the license applicant will prepare and submit this application.
Note: The applicant must sign the license application and all related forms.

License Fee.
License Period: 2 years | Expiration Date: March 31, Even Years.

If You File Your Application Between These Dates:	License Fee Option 1	License Fee Option 2
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.)	N/A
From October 1 in an even year to March 31 in an odd year	Pay $150 for a license expiring March 31 of the next even year. (Valid for at most 18 months.)	N/A
From April 1 in an odd year to September 30 in an odd year	Pay $100 for a license expiring March 31 of the next or same even year. (Valid for at most 12 months.)	N/A
From October 1 in an odd year to March 31 in an even year	Pay $50 for a license expiring March 31 of the same even year. (Valid for at most 6 months.)	Pay $250 for a license expiring March 31 of the following even year. (Valid for at most 30 months.)

Pay by:

○ Check or money order payable to DCWP. (In person)
○ Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card only). You will be charged a nonrefundable Convenience Fee. (In person or online)

Application Filing Process

File Online

Review requirements and gather all materials.
Click the Apply Online button below to login or create an account to start your online license application.

Important: If you need to file another license application, return to the Apply for a DCWP License page to read requirements and proceed to the next online application.

File In Person
Schedule an appointment to file in person at the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center

DCWP LICENSING CENTER
42 Broadway, Lobby
New York, NY 10004
By Appointment Only Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Last appointment: 3:30 p.m.

NYC SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT CENTER
90-27 Sutphin Blvd, 4th Floor
Jamaica, NY 11435
By Appointment Only Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Last appointment: 3:30 p.m.

By Email: LicensingAppointments@dcwp.nyc.gov
By Phone*: Call (212) 436-0441. (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

*This number is to schedule an appointment for in-person service only. For general questions, email onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov.

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

Additional Resources for General Vendor Distributors

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.

Impact of Local Law 18 of 2021 on Existing General Vendor Distributor Licensees
Businesses with a current General Vendor Distributor license showing an expiration date of March 31, 2023 will receive a replacement license from DCWP that expires March 31, 2024. Licensees will not need to renew the license until 2024.

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