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Boutique Guide: How to Get A Wholesale License for Clothing

Jacika Zhang Apr 29, 2025

The wholesale clothing market is undoubtedly a huge opportunity for fashion boutique owners just entering the industry. But before starting the online business, you need to obtain a legal wholesale clothing license to help you buy clothing from wholesalers at the lowest cost price to maximize profits. Then how to get a wholesale license for clothing? In this blog, you will find the answer.

How to Get A Wholesale License for Clothing

What Is a Wholesale License?

A wholesale license is a government-issued permit that allows boutiques and shops to purchase products from manufacturers, distributors, or other wholesalers for the purpose of resale, either to other businesses or directly to consumers.

In other words, it authorizes retailers to legally participate in the wholesale market. Holding a valid wholesale clothing license not only ensures that your business complies with state and federal regulations but also builds greater trust with suppliers and customers.

Difference Between Wholesale Licenses and Seller's Permits:

Many people may confuse the difference between a wholesale license and a seller's permit. A seller's permit allows retail stores to sell products directly to end consumers, while a wholesale license enables boutiques to purchase wholesale clothing from manufacturers or vendors for resale.

Why Is a Wholesale License Needed to Open a Boutique?

Whether you need a wholesale license (also called a dealer license or resale certificate) to open a boutique in the United States depends on the nature of your business and the laws of the state in which you are located. A wholesale clothing license is usually required if you purchase products from wholesalers and sell them in your boutique.

• No Tax for Purchase: A wholesale license allows you to purchase products from suppliers without paying sales tax. This is because sales tax is collected when the goods are sold to the final consumer, not when the retailer purchases them.
• Legal Compliance: Most states require businesses to obtain a resale certificate when they sell taxable goods or services. This is used to ensure that sales taxes are correctly collected and remitted. Wholesale licenses ensure that your business complies with state and local tax laws, and also avoid fines, penalties, or legal issues that may arise from noncompliance.
• Supplier Requirements: Many wholesalers require retailers to show licenses before selling goods, which proves that you are a legal business to resale their products.

How to Get a Wholesale Clothing License?

It is relatively straightforward to get a wholesale license for boutiques, although the applications and fees may vary from state to state. The basic steps are as follows:

1. Register Your Business and Choose a Business Structure

Before applying for a wholesale clothing license, you first need to register your business and choose the right business structure. This step is crucial because the type of business you set up—whether it's a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation—will affect your taxes, legal responsibilities, and overall flexibility as your business grows.

2. Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Once your business is registered, the next step is to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) through the IRS. An EIN is essentially a Social Security number for your business and is required for tax purposes, opening a business bank account, hiring employees, and applying for a wholesale clothing license.

The application process is straightforward and can be completed online for free through the IRS website. Having an EIN not only keeps your business legally compliant but also makes your operations look more professional to suppliers and customers.

3. Get a Sales Tax Permit

After obtaining your EIN, you’ll need to apply for a sales tax permit from your state’s Department of Revenue. This permit allows you to collect sales tax from customers and purchase goods from wholesalers without paying sales tax upfront.

Having a valid sales tax permit is essential for operating legally in the clothing business and is often a requirement when working with wholesale vendors.

4. Prepare Your Required Documents

Before starting the application process, it's important to prepare all the required documents in advance. Having everything ready will help avoid delays and make the process much smoother.

You will typically need the following: your Employer Identification Number (EIN), business registration certificate, business address, and a valid form of personal identification. Organizing these documents ahead of time ensures you can complete your wholesale license application quickly and efficiently.

5. Submit Your Wholesale License Application

Once you have gathered all the required documents, you can submit your wholesale license application to your state or local government office. The application process may vary depending on your location, but it typically involves filling out a form with your business details, attaching the necessary documents, and paying a processing fee.

Some states allow you to apply online, while others may require an in-person submission. After you apply, it may take a few days to several weeks to receive your wholesale license, depending on the processing times.

6.Wait for Approval and Receive Your License

After submitting your application, all that’s left to do is wait for approval. Processing times can vary depending on your state, but you’ll typically receive your wholesale license within a few days to a few weeks. Make sure to keep a copy for your records and have it easily accessible, as many wholesalers will require proof of your license before allowing you to make bulk purchases.

Some Tips for Getting a Wholesale Clothing License:

1. Read the Laws of Your States

The application of wholesale licenses may be diverse in different states. Some states require the application of a unified state-level license, while others require separate applications for county and city-level licenses. Be sure to visit the state government website to check the specific regulations of your state.

2. Make Sure You Report and Track Taxes Correctly in Each State

If you plan to do business in multiple states, remember to correctly report and pay sales tax and other taxes for each state.

3. Renew the License

Getting a license is not the last step. Most states require that wholesale licenses need to be renewed regularly. Please pay attention to the renewal notice issued by the government and renew it in time before the deadline. If you are not running a business currently, it is still recommended to renew the license on time in case of requirement, or it may take a long time to reapply for a new license when expires.

Buy Wholesale Clothing without a License at Shewin

Before your license application is completed, you can still purchase wholesale clothing without a license from Shewin. Shewin is a leading supplier of women's fashion, offering a wide range of trendy pieces. These include tops, dresses, bottoms, shoes, outerwear, plus-size clothing, and more.

Shewin accepts seamless dropshipping for Shopify stores, which enables you to focus on business development without concern about inventory management and order fulfillment. Browse Shewin's high-quality wholesale clothing and prepare stylish items for your customers at your boutique.

Conclusion
Getting a legal wholesale license is a must for clothing boutiques. Through the introduction of this blog, I believe you have a deeper understanding of this process. Start your action now and open up a wide door of wholesale for your clothing business!

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