Licensing

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Business License Application Process

General Information

Any person who wishes to establish a business in the Territory of American Samoa must obtain a valid business license. Any person, partnership, or corporation, which operates a business venture in two or more locations in American Samoa, must obtain a business license certificate for each location. Similarly, any person, partner­ship, or corporation, which operates a business venture that is engaged in tow or more activities, must obtain a separate business license for each activity. Applicants should proceed to the Department of Commerce at the Executive Office Building (EOB) in Utulei and pick up a business license applica­tion. The staff will discuss your proposed busi­ness with you. Depending on the type of busi­ness activity you wish to establish the staff will explain the necessary requirements and refer you to the relevant American Samoa Government (ASG) agencies as stipulated on the application form.

Necessary Documents

click for instructions in pdf

Your business license application should be accompa­nied by all necessary documentation. This may include but not limited to:

• Copy of birth certificates,
• Lease agreement if applicable,
• ASG lease agreement if applicable,
• Copy of passport for all US citizens/nationals,
• Partnership agreement,
• Articles/certificate of incorporation,
• Articles/permit to transact business as foreign corporation,
• Proof of bank accounts/financial statements, or both to verify capital,
• Proof of issuance of stock certificates verifying, ownership,
• Immigration clearance for all aliens,
• Copy of relevant trade certification,
• Land-use permit application,
• Zoning variance application if applicable,
• Site plan with parking plan.

Special Licensing Authority

Based on the type of business activity proposed. A copy of a required license or certificate from the following special licensing authorities is required.

• Territorial Board of Public Accountancy,
• Alcoholic Beverage Control Board,
• Commerce Commission Board,
• Contractors License Board,
• Cosmetology Board,
• Marine Inspectors Board,
• Professional Surveyors Board,
• Health Services Regulatory Board,
• Environmental Quality Commission,
• Chief Justice Court,
• Tradesman Examiners Board,
• Agriculture Produce Board,
• Commissioner of Insurance,
• Real Property Management Board,
• And etc.

If you intend to construct a new structure or are planning to extend or remodel an existing commercial structure, you may be required to appear before the Project Notification Review System (PNRS) and the Zoning Board.  You will be notified by Economic Development Division (EDD) staff if it is necessary.

Completing the Process

Once the application is reviewed and determined complete by EDD staff, then it is forwarded to the Governors Office for final review and approval. Upon approval from the Governors Office the Department of Treasury, Revenue Branch, will issue a business license certificate with appropri­ate business license fees charged to the applicant.

Terms of License

A business license certificate regardless of when issued or renewed expires on December 31st of the year in which it was issued or renewed. A licensee may renew his/her business license by filing a Business License Renewal Application with the Department of Commerce, Economic Development Division and paying the appropriate business license fee at the Department of Treas­ury, Revenue Branch.

Enforcement Action

Any business license certificate issued to a person who is based on information subsequently found by the Territorial Planning Commission or the Governor to be false can be revoked. A licensee who fails to renew his license on or before De­cember 31st of each year is assessed a penalty fee of $2.00 per day. Any business that fails to renew its license on or before January 30th is required to cease all business operations or will be subject to prosecution pursuant to Section 27.02 19 (b) of the American Samoa Code Annotated.