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Operating A Business In Puerto Rico
Operating A Business In Puerto Rico

Here we break down the process to obtain the permits and certificates required to establish your business on the island.

Updated over a year ago

Let’s talk permits! To operate a for-profit business in Puerto Rico, you need 3 main permits:

  • Registro de Comerciante (Merchant’s Registration Certificate): grants you permission to have a business in Puerto Rico.

  • Permiso Único (Single Permit): includes all the certificates and licenses required to operate your business.

  • Patente Municipal: a municipal contribution, not a license or permit, on the volume of business based on yearly gross income.

If you have a membership with Piloto 151, you will receive documents to help fast-track the permitting process.

Step 1: Apply for Registro de Comerciante

The Registro de Comerciante (Merchant’s Registration Certificate) grants you permission to have a business in Puerto Rico. You can apply online on Departamento de Hacienda‘s (Department of Treasury) portal, SURI. You are going to need the following:

  1. Copy of your Certificate of Incorporation.

  2. Any document with your employer identification number (EIN).

  3. Identification number of the taxpayer who was assigned as a merchant.

  4. Social Security or authorization granted by the Department of State of Puerto Rico.

Step 2: Apply for Permiso Único or request a Carta de Consulta

Before applying for your Patente Municipal, you need a Permiso Único (Single Permit). The Permiso Único consolidates:

  • Use Permit

  • Certificates and licenses, which include Environmental Compliance, Fire Prevention Certification (Certificado de Prevención de Incendios), Health Licenses (Licencia Sanitaria), and special licenses.

If your office is in a coworking space in San Juan, you can request a Carta de Consulta to operate under their Permiso Único. If not, you can apply for the Permiso Único with the help of an agent or do it yourself through the Single Business Portal by accessing www.ogpe.pr.gov. Companies only need to file once for the Permiso Único and renew it each year.

Step 3: Apply for Patente Municipal (Municipal Patent)

Once you have your Permiso Único or Carta de Consulta, apply for the Patente Municipal in the municipality where your office is located. Companies that rent a coworking space must have their own. It is a municipal contribution, not a license or permit, on the volume of business based on yearly gross income.

The Patente Provisional is due 30 days before the commencement of operations and renews every semester (January 1 -June 30 and July 1 -December 31). For example, if your company started operations on June 1st, you must renew by July 1st. Most accountants will do this for you for an additional fee.

Let us handle it with Piloto 151’s Virtual Mailbox Services

The reality of applying for Puerto Rico’s business permits is devoid of fun and time-consuming. Look into our virtual office membership featuring our virtual mailbox app. You get a physical business address, remote access to your mail, and mail handling services.

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