General Vendor Distributor License

You need a General Vendor Distributor License if you use motor vehicles to move goods to public places. These places include sidewalks, streets or plazas. This license lets you sell to a general vendor. The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) gives this license.

• Get your business certificate:

  • You need the right Business Certificate for your business type's legal structure. You do not need to submit this document with your application, but DCWP may ask for it.
  • Sole proprietors using a name other than your own need a Business/Assumed Name Certificate.
  • Partnerships need a Partnership Certificate and, if applicable, an Assumed Name Certificate.
  • Corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies or limited liability partnerships must register and stay active with the New York State Division of Corporations. Check your status at www.dos.ny.gov/corps.

• Complete the basic license application: This application needs:

  • Business information and ID numbers (EIN, SSN or ITIN)
  • Contact information for the business location and owner
  • History of criminal and/or civil charges for business owners, partners, shareholders and officers
  • Any DCWP license history for individuals named on the application and their relatives
    Download Basic License Application (PDF)

• Provide your sales tax identification number:

  • Provide your New York State Sales Tax Identification Number or Certificate of Authority Application Confirmation Number on the Basic License Application.

• Complete the Roster of Vehicles form.

• Submit an insurance certificate:

  • Provide a copy of the insurance certificate for each truck listed on the Roster of Vehicles.

  • The certificate must name the City of New York as the Certificate Holder.

  • Minimum coverage amounts:

    • $50,000 for property damage from one accident
    • $200,000 for personal injury or death of one person from one accident
    • $500,000 for personal injury or death of two or more persons from one accident

• Complete the Roster of Goods.

• Submit passport-size photos:

  • You must submit three current color passport-size photos.
  • In person: DCWP will take your photo at no cost at the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center. You can also submit three current color passport-size photos.
  • Online: You can upload a digital passport photo. A digital camera with a resolution of 1 megapixel is enough.

• Submit the non-NYC resident form:

  • If your business or home address is not in New York City, submit the General Vendor Distributor Non-NYC Resident Form.

• Complete the granting authority to act affirmation:

  • If someone else will file the application for you, complete the Granting Authority to Act Affirmation.

• Pay the permit fees:

  • $200: License fee for new applications from April 1 of even-numbered years to September 30 of even-numbered years
  • $150: License fee for new applications from October 1 of even-numbered years to March 31 of odd-numbered years
  • $100: License fee for new applications from April 1 of odd-numbered years to September 30 of odd-numbered years
  • $50: License fee for new applications from October 1 of odd-numbered years to March 31 of even-numbered years
  • Nonrefundable 2 percent convenience fee for paying with a credit card
  • $200: License renewal fee

• Accepted payment methods:

  • Check (payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accepted only for in-person submissions)
  • Money order (payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accepted only for in-person submissions)
  • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover)

Notification by mail: You will get a letter within two weeks after the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) gets all your papers.

• If your application is approved: DCWP will send you a license.
• If your application needs more information: DCWP will send you a letter with instructions. You must send the requested material to DCWP within 10 days. If you do not, your application will be denied.
• If your application is denied: DCWP will explain why and tell you how to apply again.

• License validity: Licenses last for up to two years. They expire on March 31 of even-numbered years.

• Updating information: If your approved application information changes, tell the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Call 311 or visit the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center. Call 311 to check if you need to visit a center. You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Insurance notification: Tell DCWP within 14 days if your insurance is canceled, expired or ended. You must do this in writing. Submit it in person or by mail to the DCWP Licensing Center. You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Compliance with laws: You must follow all laws and rules of New York City, including the Consumer Protection Law and Rules, which are available through the Public Access Portal.

• Review requirements and gather materials:

  • Review the requirements for the license and gather all materials before clicking the Apply Online button.

• Print the confirmation page:

  • After submitting your application online, print a copy of the confirmation page.
  • This page lists the additional steps and materials needed to complete the application.
  • These materials are also listed above and must be submitted within five business days of filing the application online if they were not uploaded as part of the online application submission.

• Complete forms and gather documents:

  • Complete the required application forms and gather all necessary documentation identified in the section above.

• Schedule an appointment:

  • You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Renewal notification: DCWP will mail you a renewal application and instructions before your license expires. If you plan to keep operating, submit your renewal application at least 15 days before your license expires.

• Renewal notification: DCWP will mail you a renewal application and instructions before your license expires. If you plan to keep operating, submit your renewal application, required documents and fees at least 15 days before your license expires. You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Renewal notification: DCWP will mail you a renewal application and instructions before your license expires. If you plan to keep operating, submit your renewal application, required documents and fees at least 15 days before your license expires. Use the orange return envelope to mail materials to the DCWP Licensing Center.
  
  DCWP Licensing Center
  42 Broadway
  New York, NY 10004
  Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov