UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 12b-25 NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING (Check One): |_| Form 10-K |_| Form 20-F |_| Form 11-K |X| Form 10-Q |_| Form N-SAR For Period Ended: September 30, 2003 |_| Transition Report on Form 10-K SEC FILE NUMBER |_| Transition Report on Form 20-F 000-23115 |_| Transition Report on Form 11-K |_| Transition Report on Form 10-Q CUSIP NUMBER |_| Transition Report on Form N-SAR 125961300 For the Transition Period Ended: Read Instruction (on back page) Before Preparing Form. Please Print or Type. Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission has verified any information contained herein. If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates: PART I - REGISTRANT INFORMATION CTI INDUSTRIES CORPORATION Full Name of Registrant ------------------------------------------ Former Name if Applicable 22160 North Pepper Road Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number) Barrington, IL 60010 City, State and Zip Code 2 PART II - RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c) If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate) (a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense; (b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, I I-K, Form N-SAR, or portion thereof, will be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed due [X] date; or the subject quarterly report of transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date; and (c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable. PART III - NARRATIVE State below in reasonable detail the reasons why the Form 10-K, 11-K, 10-Q, N-SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed within the prescribed time period. (Attach Extra Sheets if Needed) In order for the Company to complete the preparation of financial information with its independent auditors, Eisner LLP, for its fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2003, the Company requires additional time to file its Form 10-Q for such fiscal quarter. 3 PART IV--OTHER INFORMATION (1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this notification SCOTT P. SLYKAS 312 294-6044 (Name) (Area Code) (Telephone Number) (2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter) period that the registrant was required to file such reports) been filed? If answer is no, identify report(s). |X| Yes |_| No (3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof? |X| Yes |_| No If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made. CTI INDUSTRIES CORPORATION (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. Date: November 14, 2003 By: /s/ Howard W. Schwan ----------------------------- Howard W. Schwan, President 4 INSTRUCTION: The form may be signed by an executive officer of the registrant or by any other duly authorized representative. The name and title of the person signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the signature. If the statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an authorized representative (other than an executive officer), evidence of the representative's authority to sign on behalf of the registrant shall be filed with the form. ATTENTION Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute Federal Criminal Violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001). 5 The Company expects to report net sales of approximately $8,429,000 for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2003, as compared to net sales of $10,873,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2002. The Company expects to report net income before taxes and minority interest of approximately $129,000 for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2003, as compared to net income before taxes and minority interest of $387,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2002. Net loss after provision for taxes and minority interest for the nine month period ended September 30, 2003 is expected to be approximately ($428,000), as compared to net income before taxes and minority interest of $891,000 for the same period ended September 30, 2002. 6