Renewing Retail Tobacco Product Sales License

The procedure for Renewing retail tobacco product sales license is mandatory when the existing license expires. Organizations and individuals must meet full regulatory requirements and submit the dossier correctly to the competent authority. This process ensures the tobacco retail business complies with Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms (2012), contributes to market control, and protects consumers.

Cases Requiring License Renewal

Pursuant to Clause 1, 2 Section II, Appendix 2 of Decree 139/2025/ND-CP, which delegates authority of the local government to two levels under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, there are two primary cases requiring the procedure for Renewing retail tobacco product sales license:

• Renewal due to license expiration.

• Renewal due to the license being lost, completely or partially destroyed, torn, damaged, or burned.

Conditions for Renewing the License

Pursuant to Clause 1, Section II, Appendix II of Decree 139/2025/ND-CP, the trader must execute the procedure for Renewing retail tobacco product sales license 30 days before the license expires, or submit immediately after the license is lost, completely or partially destroyed, torn, damaged, or burned.

Additionally, the trader applying for license renewal must fully satisfy the statutory conditions for initial retail tobacco product sales license issuance. Based on Clause 3, Article 26 of Decree 67/2013/ND-CP, as amended by Decree 106/2017/ND-CP and Decree 08/2018/ND-CP, the conditions include:

• The trader is established according to Law and operates normally.

• The business location does not violate regulations on places where tobacco sales are prohibited (Clause 2, Article 25, Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms 2012).

• The trader possesses a written introduction from tobacco product distributors or wholesalers, clearly stating the intended business area.

Competent Authority for License Renewal

For both cases—license expiration and license being lost, destroyed, torn, damaged, or burned—the competent authority for renewal is the Communal-level People’s Committee (PC) where the trader’s head office is located, as stipulated in Clause 1, 2, Section II, Appendix 2 of Decree 139/2025/ND-CP.

Procedures for Applying for License Renewal

Renewing retail tobacco product sales license requires organizations and individuals to fully meet the prescribed conditions and strictly follow the procedural process issued by the competent authority.

Case 1: Renewal due to Expiration

When the license has expired, the retail tobacco product trader who wishes to continue the business must submit the renewal dossier to the Communal-level PC where the head office is located. The dossier and procedural sequence are the same as those for initial license issuance.

Dossier Requirements:

Pursuant to Clause 3, Article 27 of Decree 67/2013/ND-CP, amended by Clause 13, Article 1 of Decree 106/2017/ND-CP, the trader must prepare the following documents:

• Application Form for Retail Tobacco Product Sales License.

• Copy of the Enterprise Registration Certificate or Business Registration Certificate and Tax Identification Number Certificate.

• Copies of written introductions from tobacco product distributors or wholesalers, clearly stating the intended business area.

The trader must prepare 02 sets of dossiers: 01 set for submission to the competent licensing authority and 01 set for internal retention.

Procedural Sequence:

Step 1: Preparation and Submission Submission methods:

• Direct Submission: The trader prepares 01 set of the dossier (as for initial issuance) and submits it to the Communal-level PC where the head office is located.

• Online Submission: Access the National Public Service Portal (https://dichvucong.gov.vn), select the procedure “Issuance of Retail Tobacco Product Sales License,” log in with authenticated individual or enterprise account, select the locality, fill in the online form, attach full scanned copies of the dossier, and submit. (Note: Online submission is only available if the local administrative procedure is integrated with the Public Service Portal.)

• Via Postal Service: The trader sends 01 set of the dossier to the Communal-level PC where the head office is located. The trader retains the second set.

Step 2: Result Notification Within 15 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier, the Communal-level PC reviews and issues the renewed Retail Tobacco Product Sales License. If the organization or individual fails to meet the regulatory conditions, the licensing authority issues a written refusal, clearly stating the reason.

>>> See more at: Retail License for Tobacco Products: A Guide

Case 2: Renewal due to Loss, Destruction, or Damage

If the retail license is lost, torn, damaged, or destroyed, the trader can prepare the dossier and follow the steps below to apply for license renewal.

Dossier Requirements:

For cases where the license is lost, completely or partially destroyed, torn, damaged, or burned, the licensed trader only needs to prepare and submit 01 set of the renewal application dossier to the Communal-level PC where the head office is located. The dossier includes:

• Written Request for Renewal.

• Copy of the issued Retail Tobacco Product Sales License (if available).

Legal Basis: Clause 2, Section II, Appendix II, Decree 139/2025/ND-CP.

Procedural Sequence:

Step 1: Preparation and Submission Submission methods:

• Direct Submission: The trader submits 01 set of the dossier as specified above to the Communal-level PC where the head office is located.

• Online Submission: Access the National Public Service Portal (https://dichvucong.gov.vn), select the procedure “Reissuance of Retail Tobacco Product Sales License,” log in, select the locality, fill in the online form, attach full scanned copies, and submit. (Note: Online submission is conditional on local integration with the Public Service Portal.)

• Via Postal Service: The trader sends 01 set of the dossier to the Communal-level PC where the head office is located.

Step 2: Result Notification Within 15 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier, the Communal-level PC reviews and issues the renewed Retail Tobacco Product Sales License. If conditions are not met, the licensing authority issues a written refusal, clearly stating the reason.

>>> See more at: Application for re-issuance of Tobacco Products Retail License

Fees for License Renewal

Renewal due to Expiration

Since the dossier and procedures are the same as for initial issuance, the fees include the appraisal fee and the licensing fee, regulated by Clause 1, Article 4 of Circular 168/2016/TT-BTC:

• Enterprise applying in centrally governed cities/provincial towns/cities: Appraisal fee is VND 1,200,000 and licensing fee is VND 200,000.

• Individual/Household Business applying in centrally governed cities/provincial towns/cities: Appraisal fee is VND 400,000 and licensing fee is VND 200,000.

• Other areas: The appraisal and licensing fees are 50% of the rates applied in centrally governed cities/provincial towns/cities.

Renewal due to Loss, Destruction, or Damage

Only the renewal fee is charged:

• Traders in centrally governed cities/provincial towns/cities: VND 200,000 per license/per renewal.

• Other areas: The cost is 50% of the above rate, equivalent to VND 100,000 per license/per renewal.

Consulting and Support Services from Long Phan Consulting Company

To support clients in executing the procedure for Renewing retail tobacco product sales license quickly, effectively, and successfully, Long Phan Consulting Company offers comprehensive package services.

• Long Phan Consulting Company provides consultation on current Law and regulations related to retail tobacco sales business.

• Long Phan Consulting Company advises on the specific conditions, dossier requirements, and procedural flow for license renewal.

• Long Phan Consulting Company addresses any other legal queries related to the client’s tobacco business operation.

• Long Phan Consulting Company guides and supports the client in preparing all necessary documents for the renewal application dossier.

• Long Phan Consulting Company drafts the official Application Form for Retail Tobacco Product Sales License renewal in accordance with regulations.

• Long Phan Consulting Company drafts other relevant documents and papers pertaining to the license renewal dossier.

• Long Phan Consulting Company represents the client in submitting the license application dossier to the competent state authority.

• Long Phan Consulting Company tracks the dossier processing progress and provides regular updates to the client.

• Long Phan Consulting Company provides explanations and works with the state authority during the dossier appraisal process (if requested).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In which specific cases must the retail tobacco license be renewed according to Decree 139/2025/ND-CP?

According to Clause 1, 2, Section II, Appendix 2 of Decree 139/2025/ND-CP, renewal is required when the license expires, or when the license is lost, completely or partially destroyed, torn, damaged, or burned.

When the retail tobacco license expires, how many days before expiration must the trader submit the renewal dossier?

For an expired license, the retail tobacco trader must submit the renewal dossier to the Communal-level PC where the head office is located 30 days before the license expires.

How many sets of dossiers must the trader prepare when applying for license renewal due to expiration?

For renewal due to expiration (same as initial issuance), the trader must prepare 02 sets of dossiers: 01 for the licensing authority and 01 for internal retention. For renewal due to loss/damage, only 01 set is required (Written Request and a copy of the issued license, if available).

What are the special requirements for the locality regarding online submission of the renewal dossier?

Online submission is only applicable if the local administrative procedure is integrated with the National Public Service Portal. Otherwise, direct submission or submission via postal service using hard copies applies.

How does the license renewal procedure differ from the initial license issuance?

For renewal due to expiration, the dossier, appraisal fee, and licensing fee are the same as initial issuance, but the submission must be made 30 days prior to expiration. For renewal due to loss/damage, only 01 set of the dossier is required (instead of 02 for initial issuance), only the renewal fee is charged, and the application must be submitted immediately, not waiting for expiration.

Conclusion

The procedure for Renewing retail tobacco product sales license is essential when the existing license expires, is lost, or is damaged. Failure to renew in a timely manner can result in business interruption or administrative penalties. Therefore, organizations and individuals must proactively execute this procedure to ensure continuous, lawful, and compliant business operations. For detailed advice on the service for Renewing retail tobacco product sales license, please contact Long Phan Consulting Company hotline 1900636389 for free consultation and comprehensive package services.