Columbia, SC
A wholesale license question for an online clothing store in South Carolina is answered by the Retail License, which is what you show suppliers along with the Form ST-8A Resale Certificate before buying inventory tax-free. Only goods you resell qualify. Online Clothing Store may need a DBA, and with one employee you also need an EIN and state employer registration.
Short answer: License Wholesale: the key filing in South Carolina is the Retail License. Suppliers will ask for its number and a Form ST-8A Resale Certificate before they sell to you tax-free.
South Carolina calls its seller's permit the Retail License. When you buy inventory to resell, the paperwork is a Form ST-8A Resale Certificate. A retail license is required for retail sellers; a business making only wholesale sales may not need one. South Carolina also accepts the multistate uniform certificate in place of its ST-8A form if it contains the same information.
Industry code: NAICS 448140 (Family Clothing Stores), 458110 under the 2022 update
Get your Retail License filed · Start your LLC, DBA and EIN · Business licenses
Dominique · Empresz Stylez · Greenville, SC
Dominique wrote: “I sell clothing and accessories online to people in all states.”
Hi Dominique, in South Carolina the Retail License is what lets you collect sales tax, and it opens the door to the Form ST-8A Resale Certificate that wholesale suppliers will ask for. Selling to all states is a bigger question: once you pass another state's sales threshold, you may need to register there too. Empresz Stylez needs a DBA only if you trade under it without an LLC of that name.
Short answer: Start Clothing Business: an online clothing and accessories store in Greenville typically needs the Retail License, a federal tax ID number (EIN) and a local business license, with an LLC and a DBA if you use a trade name.
The South Carolina version of the seller's permit is the Retail License. When you buy inventory to resell, the paperwork is a Form ST-8A Resale Certificate. A retail license is required for retail sellers; a business making only wholesale sales may not need one. South Carolina also accepts the multistate uniform certificate in place of its ST-8A form if it contains the same information.
BACK TO TOP
All Businesses Need a Columbia Business License & a Trade Business Name ( Lexington County Trade Business Name required if using a trade name).
Retailers / Wholesalers, Need a Reseller Tax ID, & a Business License.
Employers Need a Federal Tax Id Number (EIN), a SC State Tax Id ( State EIN), & a Business License.
Corporations, & LLC Need a Federal Tax Id Number (EIN)& a Business License.
Partnerships Need a Federal Tax Id Number (EIN) & a Trade Business Name, but also need a Business License.
Sole Proprietors May Use a Federal Tax Id Number as a SC Business Tax ID but also need a Business License.
Instead of filing a Trade Business Name, You Can Incorporate in SC or form a(n) SC LLC & You Will Not Need To File A DBA
The licenses below are required for all businesses including internet as well as home and businesses like Etsy etc.
1. Online Clothing Store Nearly all businesses need a(n) , Columbia business tax registration.
2. Online Clothing Store All Businesses that use a business name to trade that is other than the surname and first name of a sole proprietor or a fictitious business name other than the LLC or Corporation legal name need a(n) Lexington County DBA assumed business name certificate.
3. In SC you may also need a tax id called a resale tax ID or seller's license if you are selling touchable items. ( A.K.A SCseller's permit, state id, wholesale, resale, reseller certificate).
4. You will need a federal and a state EIN if you will hire employees. I.e., a SC Federal Tax ID Number and a(n) SC State Employer Tax Number.
5. Instead of filing a fictitious business name DBA Filing in Columbia, Incorporate in SC or form a(n) LLC.