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: March 31, 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


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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
          [X]       calendar  day  following  the  prescribed  due 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, McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, for its fiscal quarter
ended March 31, 2003, the Company requires additional time to file its Form 10-Q
for such fiscal quarter.

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)


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(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: May 15, 2003                              By: /s/ Howard W. Schwan
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                    Howard W. Schwan, President

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).


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     The Company expects to report net sales of approximately $10,000,000 for
the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2003, as compared to net sales of $9,738,000
for the quarter ended March 31, 2002. The Company expects to report a loss
before taxes and minority interest of approximately $500,000 for the fiscal
quarter ended March 31, 2003, as compared to a gain before taxes and minority
interest of $641,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2002. The net loss for the
quarter ended March 31, 2003 is expected to be approximately $500,000 as
compared to a net gain of $370,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2002.


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