Retail License for Tobacco Products: A Guide

A Retail License for Tobacco Products is a mandatory administrative procedure to ensure the business of this special commodity complies with legal regulations. To retail tobacco products, organizations and individuals must meet specific conditions and procedures prescribed by law. Proper execution of these requirements helps businesses operate legally and avoid unnecessary legal risks.

Conditions for a Retail License for Tobacco Products

To legally conduct business in tobacco products in Vietnam, individuals and organizations must strictly adhere to the licensing conditions specified in Clause 3, Article 26 of Decree No. 67/2013/ND-CP, which details the implementation of the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms. The conditions include:

• The trader must have registered the business line for retailing tobacco products.
• There must be a fixed, clearly addressed business location that meets technical and equipment requirements.
• The business area dedicated to tobacco must be at least 03 m².
• There must be introduction letters or purchase contracts from wholesale tobacco product enterprises.
• The location must conform to the approved Master Plan for the network of tobacco product businesses.

Application Dossier for a Retail License for Tobacco Products

To complete the application procedure, traders must prepare a full set of documents as required by Clause 3, Article 27 of Decree 67/2013/ND-CP:

An application for a Retail License for Tobacco Products (using Form No. 07, Section II, Appendix I, issued with the prospective Circular 38/2025/TT-BCT, which amends regulations on administrative procedure decentralization under the Ministry of Industry and Trade).

A copy of the Enterprise Registration Certificate or Business Registration Certificate and the Tax Identification Number Certificate.

Copies of introduction letters or purchase contracts from wholesale tobacco product enterprises.

A dossier on the business location, including:

• Address, area, and description of the tobacco sales area.
• A copy of documents proving the right to use the business location (ownership, co-ownership, or a lease of at least 01 year).
• A list of equipment for checking and adjusting temperature and humidity in the sales area.

>>> See more at: Tobacco business license: Instructions for documents and processes

Submission Methods for the Application

Traders can choose one of the following methods to submit the dossier for a Retail License for Tobacco Products:

Online

Traders can submit the dossier through the National Public Service Portal at https://dichvucong.gov.vn.

Procedure:

1. Access https://dichvucong.gov.vn and search for the procedure: “Granting a Retail License for Tobacco Products” or use the direct link: https://dichvucong.gov.vn/p/home/dvc-chi-tiet-thu-tuc-hanh-chinh.html?ma_thu_tuc=2.000181.
2. Log in with an authenticated individual or business account.
3. Select the relevant locality.
4. Fill out the online form and attach scanned copies of the complete dossier.
5. Submit the application.

Note: Online submission is only applicable if the local authority has integrated this administrative procedure with the public service portal.

In-Person

According to Section II, Appendix II of the prospective Decree 139/2025/NĐ-CP, traders meeting the conditions for a Retail License for Tobacco Products must prepare two dossier sets. One set is submitted to the commune-level People’s Committee where the head office is located, and the trader retains the other set.

By Post

Traders can mail the application dossier to the commune-level People’s Committee where the head office is located. Similar to the in-person method, two dossier sets are required as per Article 27 of Decree No. 67/2013/ND-CP; one is sent to the authority, and one is retained by the trader.

Procedure and Timeline for Issuing the License

Traders who meet the conditions can proceed with the registration for a Retail License for Tobacco Products following the legal sequence outlined in Section II, Appendix II of the prospective Decree 139/2025/ND-CP:

Step 1: Prepare the Dossier

• Application for a Retail License for Tobacco Products (using the form in Appendix 23 of Circular No. 57/2018/TT-BCT).
• Copy of the Enterprise Registration Certificate or Business Registration Certificate and Tax Identification Number Certificate.
• Copies of introduction letters or purchase contracts from wholesale enterprises.
• Dossier on the business location.

Step 2: Submit the Dossier

• Submit directly to the commune-level People’s Committee.
• Submit online via the National Public Service Portal (if available locally).

Step 3: Receive the Result

• Within 15 working days of receiving a complete and valid dossier, the licensing authority will review and issue the license. If the trader does not meet the conditions, the authority will issue a written refusal stating the reasons.
• If the dossier is incomplete, the licensing authority will issue a written request for supplementation within 07 working days of receipt.

The Retail License for Tobacco Products is valid for 05 years. Traders must apply for renewal 30 days before the expiration date (Clause 4, Article 28, Decree 67/2013/ND-CP).

>>> See more at:

• E-cigarette business license: Latest regulations
• Important notes when granting retail licenses for tobacco products

Fees for a Retail License for Tobacco Products

According to Article 4 of Circular 168/2016/TT-BTC, the fees are as follows:

• For enterprises applying in centrally-run cities or provincial cities/towns: an appraisal fee of 1,200,000 VND and a licensing fee of 200,000 VND.
• For individuals or business households applying in the same areas: an appraisal fee of 400,000 VND and a licensing fee of 200,000 VND.
• For applications in other areas, the appraisal fee for restricted or conditional goods and services is 50% of the rate in centrally-run cities and provincial cities/towns.

See more at:

• Amend Tobacco Material Trading License: A Guide
• How to issue an amendment to tobacco retail licenses?

Services for a Retail License for Tobacco Products

Long Phan Consulting Company provides a comprehensive service for registering for a Retail License for Tobacco Products, saving clients time and costs. Our service scope includes:

1. In-depth Consultation on Tobacco Retail Operations

• Advising on enterprise establishment procedures.
• Consulting on legal conditions for traders to obtain the license.
• Advising on current legal regulations regarding distribution systems, business locations, and financial capacity standards.
• Advising on necessary documents for specific cases.
• Analyzing legal risks and providing solutions if the dossier does not meet licensing conditions.

2. Drafting the Application Dossier

• Preparing the enterprise registration dossier (if not yet registered).
• Drafting the application for the license according to the prescribed form.
• Drafting introduction letters from suppliers or distributors.
• Assisting in compiling the list of retailers in the distribution system.
• Reviewing all related legal documents to ensure the dossier is complete and compliant.
• Guiding clients in collecting necessary documents for submission.

3. Authorized Representation and Administrative Support

• Acting as an authorized representative to submit the dossier to the Department of Industry and Trade or via the National Public Service Portal.
• Monitoring the processing status and working with the competent authority for supplementation or clarification.
• Receiving the license and delivering the complete dossier to the client.
• Assisting with post-licensing legal procedures such as renewal or amendment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are common questions about the Retail License for Tobacco Products.

Why is registering the tobacco retail business line a prerequisite?

Clause 1, Article 7 of the Law on Enterprises 2020 states that enterprises are free to conduct business in lines not prohibited by law. However, they must only operate in their registered business lines. This registration demonstrates the enterprise’s compliance with its obligation to declare its intended business activities.

How long is a Retail License for Tobacco Products valid?

According to Clause 4, Article 28 of Decree 67/2013/ND-CP, the license is valid for 5 years. Traders must apply for renewal 30 days before its expiration.

What are the current submission methods for the application?

There are three main methods:

• Online: Submit via the public service portal.
• In-person: Submit one of two prepared dossier sets to the commune-level People’s Committee.
• By Post.

How long does it take to receive a result after submitting a valid dossier?

The licensing authority will review and respond within 15 working days. If the dossier is invalid, the authority will request supplementation within 07 working days.

How do fees differ between major cities and other regions?

The fees in other regions are 50% of the rates applicable in centrally-run cities and provincial cities/towns. For example, the appraisal fee for an enterprise is 1,200,000 VND in a city, while the fee for an individual is 400,000 VND.

Conclusion

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the procedure for obtaining a Retail License for Tobacco Products, from conditions and dossier components to submission methods. The process and related fees are clearly outlined, emphasizing the importance of legal compliance to avoid penalties.

For detailed advice on registering for a Retail License for Tobacco Products, please contact Long Phan Consulting Company at our hotline 1900.63.63.89 for a free consultation and to use our comprehensive licensing service.