Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Business owners who have not renewed their business licenses are to cease and desist operations until they've renewed their licenses for 2019.

The deadline was this past Wednesday, Jan. 30

Additional fees will be added to any renewals issued after the deadline. According to an official from the Dept. of Commerce, businesses that continue to operate without a valid license are subject to prosecution.

Business owners are warned that employees from the Commerce Department will be making unannounced on-site inspections to check for valid business licenses.

All 2019 business licenses should be posted in a visible area.

To avoid disruption of operations, business owners who have not yet picked up their business licenses from the ASG Revenue Office are advised to do so. A receipt or proof of payment is required.

More information can be obtained by calling 633-5155.