Apply for business registration for online shop

• To operate an online shop, you need a trade license. The term "trade" defines all independent activities that are carried out at your own risk and with the intention of making a profit.

• However, so-called "liberal professions" such as doctor or lawyer and activities in agricultural and forestry areas are excluded from this.

• As the owner of an online shop, you are, by definition, running a business and you have to register it properly.

How a business registration works

• Register a trade with the appropriate forms at the trade office at your municipality.

• The responsible trade office can usually be found in the city, municipality or district administration, but it can also be located in local or district offices.



Complete business registration online - this is how it works

If you want to run a business, then you have to do this for you ...

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• In some cases, you can already get the required forms for your business registration as pre-printed forms on the website of the trade office.

• The business registration for your online shop must be done by you personally, as your signature is required.

• Once you have completed the application in full, submit it to the trade office. The processing fees vary depending on the municipality and are between 15 and 50 euros.

• The trade office notifies the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) and the tax office of your business registration.

Information about your online shop

• If the responsible tax office has been informed of your business registration by the trade office, you will receive a questionnaire from Tax office, where you can provide further information about the nature of your self-employed activity have to. Here you describe the subject of your online shop in more detail.

• By registering your business, you are now automatically a compulsory member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK).