Permit/Business

[ZBP]

I know there isn't a permit required to own Ball Pythons, but do you need a permit to ship ball pythons? Also are there any benefits to actually making your ball python breeding an official business?

[C&H Exotic Morphs]

No you don't need a permit to ship BP's. However to ship directly through FedEx you have to be certified.
There are a few benefits of becoming a licensed business. The 2 biggest ones in my opinion are tax purposes and legal reasons.
You can still claim expenses on your personal taxes without being a licensed business, but when we sat down and talked to our accountant there were still additional tax benefits with us becoming a LLC.
For legal purposes once you are a licensed LLC or Corp., it greatly reduces the risk you can face as an individual. If something were to happen you cannot be sued personally they can only sue your business.

[ZBP]

Alright thanks for the input How long/difficult was it to become a business?

[Jabberwocky Dragons]

That is highly dependent upon your location. It can be a really easy process or it can make spending Saturday at the DMV seem like a carnival. Even if you live in a business friendly state with a streamlined process, your city of residence may move heaven and earth to prevent you.

[C&H Exotic Morphs]

Alright thanks for the input How long/difficult was it to become a business?

It was a very simple process since we used our accountant. We sat down with him for 1-2 hours then he filed all the paperwork with the state. Once we got our paperwork back from the state all we had to do was run a classified type ad in the paper to make it publicly know that we were starting the business. Don't know if this is a Arizona only thing or something that everyone has to do.
Total cost was roughly $400.

[Zombie]

It was a very simple process since we used our accountant. We sat down with him for 1-2 hours then he filed all the paperwork with the state. Once we got our paperwork back from the state all we had to do was run a classified type ad in the paper to make it publicly know that we were starting the business. Don't know if this is a Arizona only thing or something that everyone has to do.
Total cost was roughly $400.

Our business license was just approved. Ours is just an application then $110 when approved then you file a fictitious name in the paper and your done...

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[ZBP]

Alright, thank you everyone for the help

[The Serpent Merchant]

Keep in mind that some states require you to have a license to sell certain animals. Here in Florida I have to get a license if I want to sell, and if you buy from someone who isn't licensed you can get in trouble. Here in Florida getting a license requires filling out paperwork, paying a small fee, and be prepared for a unannounced inspection at any point during the year. (the license is only good for a year before it has to be re-upped.

[Mike41793]

This thread has been very helpful, ive kinda been wondering the same stuff. Does anyone have experience doing this in CT and what the process is like here? Also what would happen if i started in CT but then moved to a different state in a few years? Also when you guys say accountant you basically mean like the people who do your taxes can help you do this?
Not trying to hijack the thread ZBP, i just figured itd be pointless to start a new one.

[Robyn@SYR]

You don't have to be individually certified to ship reptiles through our ShipYourReptiles.com service, but you do have to meet our SYR Shipping Standards, including packaging and temperature parameters.

If you are selling reptiles with any kind of regularity, you certainly should look into the legal and tax requirements for that source of income.

Best of luck!