Overview

This category includes businesses providing transportation of cargo and related support activities, as well as motor vehicle towing.

Business types included in this category:
  • Freight Transportation Arrangement

    This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in arranging transportation of freight between shippers and carriers. These establishments are usually known as freight forwarders, marine shipping agents, or customs brokers and offer a combination of services spanning transportation modes.

  • General Freight Trucking

    This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing general freight trucking. General freight establishments handle a wide variety of commodities, generally palletized, and transported in a container or van trailer. The establishments of this industry group provide a combination of the following network activities: local pickup, local sorting and terminal operations, line-haul, destination sorting and terminal operations, and local delivery.

  • Other Support Activities for Transportation

    This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing support activities to transportation (except for air transportation; rail transportation; water transportation; road transportation; and freight transportation arrangement).

  • Specialized Freight Trucking

    This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing local or long-distance specialized freight trucking. The establishments of this industry are primarily engaged in the transportation of freight which, because of size, weight, shape, or other inherent characteristics, requires specialized equipment, such as flatbeds, tankers, or refrigerated trailers. This industry includes the transportation of used household, institutional, and commercial furniture and equipment.

  • Support Activities for Road Transportation

    This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in towing light or heavy motor vehicles (both local and long distance); those that provide incidental services, such as storage and emergency road repair services; and those primarily engaged in providing services to road network users.

General Considerations

Before starting a business, you probably will need to register with the Florida Department of State, the IRS and the Florida Department of Revenue. For businesses located outside of the State of Florida, evidence of registration with their Division of Corporations or Corporate Registry may be required.

When you have completed those steps, you may need to apply for a business license from one of these Florida agencies:

  • Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – intrastate movers, citrus haulers, milk haulers, LP gas dealers
  • Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles – commercial driver licenses, placarded hazmat licenses, tank vehicle licenses, double/triple trailers

Businesses in this category should check with the Department of Environmental Protection for applicable air, water and waste permits.

Business owners in this category may also wish to explore assistance offered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Get Started

The following represents your interactive licensing checklist for this business category. Select the expandable blue bars below for more information on the specific licenses, permits or registrations that may be required to open your business. We have also included a printable version of the following checklist available at the top of this page for your convenience.

Register your business with the Department of State

Department of State

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Corporations serves as the state’s central depository for a number of commercial activities. These activities include a variety of business entity filings, trade and service mark registrations, federal lien recordings, judgment lien filings, uniform commercial code financing statements, fictitious name registrations, notary commissions, and cable and video service franchises.

To file a complaint regarding a business or person licensed by this agency, please see their website.  To obtain this agency’s public records, visit: https://www.dos.myflorida.com/offices/general-counsel/public-records-requests/.

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Agency Introduction

The Department of State (DOS) is where you register your business. You can search and access filed information for corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, trademarks, fictitious name registrations and liens. Also, electronic filing and certification can be processed via the Department’s website.


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Apply for your Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Internal Revenue Service

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the nation’s tax collection agency and administers the Internal Revenue Code enacted by Congress.

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Agency Introduction

If you are required to report employment taxes or give tax statements to employees, you need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to send with all items you report to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or Social Security Administration. If you do not intend to hire others, you may skip this step.


  • You may apply for an EIN online if your principal business is located in the United States or U.S. Territories. The person applying online must have a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (SSN, ITIN, EIN). You are limited to one EIN per responsible party per day.

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Register your business with the Department of Revenue

Department of Revenue

The Florida Department of Revenue administers three programs: general tax administration, property tax oversight and child support. The general tax administration program works with Florida businesses that are required to register for, collect, report and remit the taxes and fees administered by the Department.

The Department also manages the State of Florida’s New Hire Reporting Center. Federal and state laws require employers to report newly hired, re-hired and temporary employees within 20 days of an employee’s start date. This information is used to assist the Department’s child support program with child support orders. The employment information reported through the state’s New Hire Reporting Center is also used to detect and prevent public assistance and reemployment assistance fraud.

For additional information, please visit floridarevenue.com.

To file a complaint regarding a business or person licensed by this agency, please see their website.  To obtain this agency’s public records, visit:https://floridarevenue.com/opengovt/Pages/default.aspx.

 

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Agency Introduction

A business owner or contractor may need to register for, collect, report and/or remit one or more of the taxes, fees and licenses administered by the Florida Department of Revenue. This is dependent on the structure of a business, the activities of a business, and whether the business hires employees. In addition, businesses must report newly hired, re-hired and temporary employees through the State of Florida’s New Hire Reporting program managed by the Florida Department of Revenue.


Reporting Employment Information

The Department manages the State of Florida’s New Hire Reporting Center. Federal and state laws require employers to report newly hired, re-hired and temporary employees within 20 days of an employee’s start date. The Department’s Child Support program utilizes employment information and employer cooperation to assist with child support order compliance. The reported employment information through the state’s New Hire Reporting Center is also used to detect and prevent public assistance and reemployment fraud.

  • Register your business to report newly hired, re-hired or temporary employees within 20 days of an employee’s start date.

    More info

  • The Department of Revenue’s Child Support Program works with employers in a variety of ways to ensure compliance with child support orders when applicable. Employers must work with the Child Support Program to respond to income withholding requests and to enroll children in medical insurance plans. Once registered with the New Hire Reporting Center, businesses will be able to access the Child Support Employer Services website to report employee termination and bonus or lump sum payments, request replacement copies of income withholding notices currently in place for employees, and use the Program’s online calculator to get pro-rated child support amounts for employees that have more than one child support case.

    More info

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Business Taxes, Fees and Surcharge

Businesses in this category may be required to register for, collect, report and/or remit one or more of the following taxes and fees.

  • Most corporations and certain entities conducting business, or who are incorporated in Florida, including out-of-state corporations, must file a Florida corporate income tax return.

    Register online or by submitting a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1), or by filing the Florida Corporate Income/Franchise Tax Return (Form F-1120).

    More info

  • Reemployment Assistance gives partial, temporary income to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own and are able and available for work. If your business will employ workers in Florida, you may register online or submit a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1).

    More info

  • Before conducting business, anyone selling, renting, leasing or repairing goods, providing certain services, charging admissions, or renting or leasing short-term lodging, housekeeping accommodations, or commercial real property must register with the Department of Revenue.

    Additionally, use tax is due on the use or consumption of taxable goods or services when sales tax was not paid at the time of purchase.

    Register online or by submitting a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1).

    More info

  • This surtax, imposed by most Florida counties, applies to most transactions subject to sales or use tax. Businesses must also collect the applicable discretionary sales surtax from the purchaser at the time of sale, then report and remit it to the Department of Revenue.

    No additional registration is required.

    More info

  • Gross Receipts Tax on Dry Cleaning – Businesses operating dry-cleaning and dry drop-off facilities engaged in laundering or dry-cleaning of clothing and other fabrics must pay a gross receipts tax at a rate of 2 percent of all charges for such services. Before beginning business, you must register for the dry-cleaning gross receipts tax online or by completing a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1).

    Lead-Acid Battery Fee – Retailers selling new or remanufactured lead-acid batteries separately or as a component part of a motor vehicle (on- or off-road), vessel, or aircraft, must collect a $1.50 fee from the purchaser of each battery. Before beginning business, you must register each location for the lead-acid battery fee online or by completing a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1).

    New Tire Fee – Retailers selling new motor vehicle tires separately or as a component part of a motor vehicle, must collect a $1.00 fee from the purchaser of each tire. Before beginning business, you must register each location for the waste tire fee online or by completing a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1).

    Rental Car Surcharge – Businesses that lease or rent motor vehicles designed to carry fewer than nine passengers, or that sell car-sharing membership services for such vehicles, must collect, report, and remit the $2.00 per day (for lease or rental) or $1.00 per usage (for car-sharing) rental car surcharge to the Department of Revenue. Before beginning business you must register each rental location for the rental car surcharge online or by completing a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1).

    More info

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Fuel and Pollutants Taxes

Businesses in this category may be required to register for one or more of the following licenses, and remit the associated tax.

  • Anyone who stores fuel in a terminal, transports fuel to or from a Florida destination, imports or exports fuel into or outside of Florida, or sells fuel in Florida is required to obtain a license and file a return. In addition, anyone who imports product by truck or rail, sells product through the loading rack of a terminal, produces biodiesel, or blends fuel outside of a terminal for use is required to remit state and local option taxes.

    Submit a Florida Fuel or Pollutants Tax Application (Form DR-156) to begin the licensing process.

    More info

  • Florida levies a tax on the production or importation of a pollutant for sale or use. “Pollutants” includes any petroleum product, as well as pesticides, ammonia, chlorine, and solvents, including perchloroethylene. The definition does not include liquefied petroleum gas, medicinal oils, and waxes.

    Submit a Florida Fuel or Pollutants Tax Application (Form DR-156) to begin the licensing process.

    More info

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Apply for a license from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides highway safety and security through excellence in service, education and enforcement. The department is leading the way to a safer Florida through the efficient and professional execution of its core mission: the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle tags and titles and operation of the Florida Highway Patrol.

To file a complaint regarding a business or person licensed by this agency, please see their website.  To obtain this agency’s public records, visit: https://www.flhsmv.gov/resources/open-government/.

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Although not a business license, operators of commercial motor vehicles as defined in Florida law are required to obtain a commercial driver license.

  • Operators of commercial motor vehicles as defined by Florida law are required to obtain a CDL.

    More info

  • The federal USA PATRIOT Act requires Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders to pass a national background check administered by the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) before their licenses may be endorsed for transport of hazardous materials.

    More info

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Apply for a license from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) supports and promotes Florida agriculture, protects the environment, safeguards consumers, and ensures the safety and wholesomeness of food.  FDACS licenses and inspects various businesses and professions in Florida, such as bakeries, milk producers, weights and measurements, pesticide dealers, oyster harvesting, pre-packaged food sales, beekeepers and travel agents, among others. A variety of different businesses may need to coordinate with FDACS to obtain applicable licenses, registrations and/or permits.

To file a complaint regarding a business or person licensed by this agency, please see their website.  To obtain this agency’s public records, visit: https://fdacs.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/.

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  • Florida law requires any person engaged in intrastate moving to register with the FDACS. This includes any person who transports or ships household goods for compensation that originates and terminates within the state of Florida.

    More info

  • Before handling citrus in Florida, all entities that harvest, haul or handle citrus fruit, eliminations, culls, citrus waste, wood or plant debris are required to sign an FDACS compliance agreement.

    More info

  • Any person who transports raw milk or raw milk products to or from a milk plant, receiving station, or transfer station. A permitted bulk milk hauler/sampler must be an employee of a permitted milk hauling service.

    More info

  • Licensure required for any person, firm or corporation involved in the following activities: sales of LP gas; cylinder exchange; sale or lease of LP gas appliances/equipment; installation, service and repair of LP or natural gas appliances and equipment; carburetion equipment sales and installation; re-qualification of cylinders.

    More info

  • FDACS is responsible for monitoring the accuracy of Florida’s gas pumps, scales, price scanners, and other commercial weighing and measuring devices to promote a fair and equitable marketplace and protect consumers. In addition, this agency tests packaged goods to verify the accuracy of package labeling as it pertains to net quantity.

    More info

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Apply for a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection

Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the agency charged with safeguarding Florida’s environment. Manufacturers, agriculture-related professionals and environmentalists will need to coordinate with DEP to obtain applicable licenses, registrations and/or permits.

To file a complaint regarding a business or person licensed by this agency, please see their website.  To obtain this agency’s public records, visit: https://floridadep.gov/sec/sec/content/public-records.

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Explore assistance from the Department of Economic Opportunity (optional)

Department of Commerce

In collaboration with our partners, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) assists the Governor in advancing Florida’s economy by championing the state’s economic development vision and by administering state and federal programs and initiatives to help visitors, citizens, businesses, and communities.

To file a complaint regarding a business or person licensed by this agency, please see their website.  To obtain this agency’s public records, visit: https://floridajobs.org/about-us/who-we-are-and-what-we-do/requests-for-public-records.

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Agency Introduction

The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) utilizes public and private sector expertise to attract, retain and grow businesses and create jobs in Florida. It also provides valuable resources for businesses and entrepreneurs; assistance with recruiting workers; and statistical information regarding Florida businesses and employment. Your business may qualify for various state or federal assistance.


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Additional Local Government Information

County Business Requirements

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Explore Federal Licensing Considerations

Federal Business Requirements

In addition to state and local licensing, many business activities are also regulated by federal agencies.  Businesses within this category may also be required to obtain additional federal licenses, permits, registration, etc. depending on your specific business activities.  It is recommended that you consult with a professional (e.g., attorney, CPA, SBA, etc.) to ensure you meet all requirements before starting your business.  The U.S. Small Business Administration is an excellent resource for potential and current business owners seeking assistance navigating federal licensing requirements.  For more information on the Federal Government, please visit www.usa.gov.

In most cases, you will need not need a license to import or export services or goods into or from the US.  However, international transfer of certain goods may require a license, permit or certification.  All items are subject to export control laws and regulations.  For more information, please visit USA.gov’s importing and exporting page.

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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was created as an independent agency by Congress in 1974 to ensure the safe use of radioactive materials for beneficial civilian purposes while protecting people and the environment. The NRC regulates commercial nuclear power plants and other uses of nuclear materials, such as in nuclear medicine, through licensing, inspection and enforcement of its requirements.

Through the licensing process, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) authorizes an applicant to conduct any or all of the following activities: Construct, operate, and decommission commercial reactors and fuel cycle facilities; Possess, use, process, export and import nuclear materials and waste, and handle certain aspects of their transportation; and Site, design, construct, operate, and close waste disposal sites.

  • Radioactive Waste includes low-level waste disposal, waste incidental to reprocessing, high-level waste disposal, and spent fuel storage
  • Materials include medical, industrial, and academic uses of nuclear materials; source material facilities; uranium recovery; fuel cycle facilities; nuclear materials transportation; and materials environmental reviews
  • Export-Import licenses. NRC general export licenses authorize exports of nuclear material below specified quantities, in certain forms and/or as contained in consumer products, to any country not listed in 10 CFR 110.28 as an embargoed destination. For more information, visit https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/ip/export-import.html

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Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

As the lead federal government agency responsible for regulating and providing safety oversight of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), FMCSA’s mission is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. The FMCSA monitors and ensures compliance with motor carrier safety (all carriers) and commercial (for-hire, non-exempt carriers) regulations. Companies may find they are subject to registration requirements for both safety (safety registration) and commercial regulation (operating authority registration). Companies subject to the safety requirements are also required to obtain a USDOT Number.

The FMCSA registration process requires that companies define the type of Motor Carrier, Broker, Intermodal Equipment Provider (IEP), Cargo Tank Facility, Shipper and/or Freight Forwarder business operation they plan to establish. The Agency administers the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) and Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) that govern interstate – and some intrastate – commercial trucking and bus industries.

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U.S. Internal Revenue Service

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the nation’s tax collection agency and administers the Internal Revenue Code enacted by Congress. Anyone who has registered or is required to register a heavy highway motor vehicle with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more in their name at the time of first use on the public highways must file Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return.

  • Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax

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