Open a tobacco office
Verified 15 December 2021 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister), Ministry of Finance
You want to become buralist ? You must be an adult and not have been convicted in court. You must follow a training to get a operating permit. Either you take over an existing tobacco store, open a new one, or create one in an existing store. bar or press. We provide you with all the necessary information.
Buralist and tobacco dealer, tobacco store and tobacco delivery are synonymous designations.
Resumption of a tobacco office
To be eligible to take over a tobacco shop, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Being of age
- Have a blank criminal record on slip 2 (no criminal conviction)
- To be French, European (EEA) or Swiss
- Not already running another tobacco store
- Have passed a mandatory medical examination favorable to the practice of the trade with a doctor approved by the Regional Health Agency (ARS)
- Not be under guardianship, or trusteeship
You must ask to have the medical examination with a certified medical practitioner by theARS: titleContent. She makes available a list of doctors.
Who shall I contact
Warning
you must commit to to keep the tobacco office during Minimum 3 years.
To be presented as a buyer
You need to identify the tobacco store you want to take back.
A trade-in company exchange is available:
National company Transfer Exchange
The buralist who stops his activity must agree with you to transfer his tobacco office.
He must apply as a future buyer in the customs department of the region concerned.
Obtain a favorable opinion
If the opinion of the Customs Directorate is favorable, you must undergo mandatory initial training.
This is the prerequisite for the right to exercise this activity.
Attend mandatory initial training
You must take initial training.
Training lasts for 3-4 days.
You have to pay for it. Its cost varies depending on the training centers. It takes about €800.
If you validate this training, you receive one operating permit.
Warning
do not register for the training until the customs department has responded positively to your application.
Where to take the training?
The training center must be approved by the State.
For find a center, you should consult the list of centers approved by the customs department.
List of training centers approved by the Customs Directorate to become tobacco wholesalers
You can also contact the customs department from your region to find training.
After you complete the initial training, you sign a stewardship contract with theState.
This contract is renewable every 3 years.
It is not permitted to operate a tobacco store as a legal business except for one CNS: titleContent.
Individual exploitation
The only legal form allowed isindividual business.
The manager is a natural person.
He is liable for all his assets (e.g. professional debts) except for his principal residence.
CNS: titleContent
The CNS: titleContent is theunique a permitted form of business to run a tobacco office.
The partners must be natural persons, unless the manager owns a public domain occupation (PAL). In this case, they may be legal persons.
Obligation to acquire goodwill
To obtain the contract to manage a tobacco office, you must be able to purchase the goodwill associated with him.
You must be sole proprietor of the goodwill.
Warning
you cannot share the purchase among multiple partners.
Get a bank loan
If you need a loan to buy the goodwill, you need to be able to bring a large personal amount at the outset.
You have right to aid if necessary.
It's you who stare the days and opening hours of your tobacco office.
Warning
if you have an associated business (bar, press), the tobacco office must be open at the same time. Conversely, the tobacco office can be opened even if the associated store is closed.
You should not close more than 2 days a week.
These 2 days may or may not be consecutive.
Renewal of the management contract
You must renew the stewardship agreement every 3 years.
To do this, you must follow a compulsory continuing training.
It's the indispensable condition to continue your business.
It updates your knowledge.
Training will need to be validated within 6 months before the date of renewal of your stewardship contract.
For find training, you should consult the list of training centers approved by the customs department.
List of training centers approved by the Customs Directorate to become tobacco wholesalers
You can also contact the customs department from your region to find training.
Please note
in 2023, continuing education must be followed by managers whose initial contracts were signed in 2020, 2017, 2014, 2011, 2008, 2005, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1993, 1990, 1987 or 1984.
Other obligations
The obligations to carry out your business as a stockist are as follows:
- Perform this activity during Minimum 3 years
- Remain Owner of the goodwill throughout your business
- Selling tobacco at fixed prices by the Official Journal of the French Republic (JORF)
- Supply your business only from State-approved suppliers
- Respect the ban on the sale of tobacco to one minor and the ban on tobacco advertising
Warning
to know in detail everything you need to know to carry out your business, you can consult our dedicated page the operation of a tobacco office. Here you will find information on the carrot mandatory, tax, taxes, supplier credit, etc.
New tobacco office
To be eligible to open a tobacco office, you must meet the following criteria:
- Being of age
- Have a blank criminal record on slip 2 (no criminal conviction)
- To be French, European (EEA) or Swiss
- Not already running another tobacco store
- Have passed a mandatory medical examination favorable to the practice of the trade with a doctor approved by the Regional Health Agency (ARS)
- Not be under guardianship, or trusteeship
Please note
you must ask to have the medical examination with a certified medical practitioner by theARS: titleContent. She makes available a list of doctors.
Who shall I contact
Warning
you must commit to to keep the tobacco office during Minimum 3 years.
Where to find the offers?
You must view offers management of a tobacco office.
These offers are available on legal ad logs.
Most offers are also available in the regional press.
How to apply?
You must apply for the offer you are interested in.
You must send your candidacy for the customs directorate from your region.
Obtain a favorable opinion
If the opinion of the Customs Directorate is favorable, you must receive initial training mandatory.
It's the indispensable condition to have the right to carry out that activity.
Attend mandatory initial training
You must take initial training.
Training lasts for 3-4 days.
You have to pay for it. Its cost varies depending on the training centers. It takes about €800.
If you validate this training, you receive one operating permit.
Warning
do not register for the training until the customs department has responded positively to your application.
Where to take the training?
The training center must be approved by the State.
For find a center, you should consult the list of centers approved by the customs department.
List of training centers approved by the Customs Directorate to become tobacco wholesalers
You can also contact the customs department from your region to find training.
After you complete the initial training, you sign a stewardship contract with theState.
This contract is renewable every 3 years.
It is not permitted to operate a tobacco store as a legal business except for one CNS: titleContent.
Individual exploitation
The only legal form allowed isindividual business.
The manager is a natural person.
He is liable for all his assets (e.g. professional debts) except for his principal residence.
CNS: titleContent
The CNS: titleContent is theunique a permitted form of business to run a tobacco office.
The partners must be natural persons, unless the manager owns a public domain occupation (PAL). In this case, they may be legal persons.
Obligation to acquire goodwill
To obtain the contract to manage a tobacco office, you must be able to purchase the goodwill associated with him.
You must be sole proprietor of the goodwill.
Warning
you cannot share the purchase among multiple partners.
Get a bank loan
If you need a loan to buy the goodwill, you need to be able to bring a large personal amount at the outset.
You have right to aid if necessary.
It's you who stare the days and opening hours of your tobacco office.
Warning
if you have an associated business (bar, press), the tobacco office must be open at the same time. Conversely, the tobacco office can be opened even if the associated store is closed.
You should not close more than 2 days a week.
These 2 days may or may not be consecutive.
Renewal of the management contract
You must renew the stewardship agreement every 3 years.
To do this, you must follow a compulsory continuing training.
It's the indispensable condition to continue your business.
It updates your knowledge.
Training will need to be validated within 6 months before the date of renewal of your stewardship contract.
For find training, you should consult the list of training centers approved by the customs department.
List of training centers approved by the Customs Directorate to become tobacco wholesalers
You can also contact the customs department from your region to find training.
Please note
in 2023, continuing education must be followed by managers whose initial contracts were signed in 2020, 2017, 2014, 2011, 2008, 2005, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1993, 1990, 1987 or 1984.
Other obligations
The obligations to carry out your business as a stockist are as follows:
- Perform this activity during Minimum 3 years
- Remain Owner of the goodwill throughout your business
- Sell tobacco at fixed prices by the Official Journal of the French Republic (JORF)
- Supply your business only from State-approved suppliers
- Respect the ban on the sale of tobacco to one minor and the ban on tobacco advertising
Warning
to know in detail everything you need to know to carry out your business, you can consult our dedicated page the operation of a tobacco office. Here you will find information on the carrot mandatory, tax, taxes, supplier credit, etc.
Extending a business with a tobacco office
You must first verify that you meet the conditions to be eligible to hold a tobacco office.
These criteria are as follows:
- Being of age
- Have a blank criminal record on slip 2 (no criminal conviction)
- To be French, European (EEA) or Swiss
- Not already running another tobacco store
- Have passed a mandatory medical examination favorable to the practice of the trade with a doctor approved by the Regional Health Agency (ARS)
- Not be under guardianship, or trusteeship
You must ask to have the medical examination with a certified medical practitioner by theARS: titleContent. She makes available a list of doctors.
Who shall I contact
Warning
you must commit to to keep the tobacco office during Minimum 3 years.
You want to add a tobacco office to your existing store.
It is usually a bar or a press.
Apply to the Customs Directorate
The 1re gait consists of check whether or not your business is located in a perimeter.
To do so, you must make a request to the customs department of your region.
Obtain a favorable opinion
If the opinion of the Customs Directorate is favorable, you must receive initial training mandatory.
It's the indispensable condition to have the right to carry out that activity.
Attend mandatory initial training
You must take initial training.
Training lasts for 3 or 4 days.
You have to pay for it. Its cost varies depending on the training centers. It takes about €800.
If you validate this training, you receive one operating permit.
Warning
do not register for the training until the customs department has responded positively to your application.
Where to take the training?
The training center must be approved by the State.
For find a center, you should consult the list of centers approved by the customs department.
List of training centers approved by the Customs Directorate to become tobacco wholesalers
You can also contact the customs department from your region to find training.
After you complete the initial training, you sign a stewardship contract with theState.
This contract is renewable every 3 years.
It is not permitted to operate a tobacco store as a legal business except for one CNS: titleContent.
Individual exploitation
The only legal form allowed isindividual business.
The manager is a natural person.
He is liable for all his assets (e.g. professional debts) except for his principal residence.
CNS: titleContent
The CNS: titleContent is theunique a permitted form of business to run a tobacco office.
The partners must be natural persons, unless the manager owns a public domain occupation (PAL). In this case, they may be legal persons.
Obligation to acquire goodwill
To obtain the contract to manage a tobacco office, you must be able to purchase the goodwill associated with him.
You must be sole proprietor of the goodwill.
Warning
you cannot share the purchase among multiple partners.
Get a bank loan
If you need a loan to buy the goodwill, you need to be able to bring a large personal amount at the outset.
You have right to aid if necessary.
It's you who stare the days and opening hours of your tobacco office.
Warning
if you have an associated business (bar, press), the tobacco office must be open at the same time. Conversely, the tobacco office can be opened even if the associated store is closed.
You should not close more than 2 days a week.
These 2 days may or may not be consecutive.
Renewal of the management contract
You must renew the stewardship agreement every 3 years.
To do this, you must follow a compulsory continuing training.
It's the indispensable condition to continue your business.
It updates your knowledge.
Training will need to be validated within 6 months before the date of renewal of your stewardship contract.
For find training, you should consult the list of training centers approved by the customs department.
List of training centers approved by the Customs Directorate to become tobacco wholesalers
You can also contact the customs department from your region to find training.
Please note
in 2023, continuing education must be followed by managers whose initial contracts were signed in 2020, 2017, 2014, 2011, 2008, 2005, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1993, 1990, 1987 or 1984.
Other obligations
The obligations to carry out your business as a stockist are as follows:
- Perform this activity during Minimum 3 years
- Remain Owner of the goodwill throughout your business
- Selling tobacco at fixed prices by the Official Journal of the French Republic (JORF)
- Supply your business only from State-approved suppliers
- Respect the ban on the sale of tobacco to one minor and the ban on tobacco advertising
Warning
to know in detail everything you need to know to carry out your business, you can consult our dedicated page the operation of a tobacco office. Here you will find information on the carrot mandatory, tax, taxes, supplier credit, etc.
- General Tax Code: Articles 565 to 574Sales prices, taxes and license fees for tobacco outlets
- Public Health Code: Articles L3512-10 to L3512-14Tobacco control
- Public Health Code: Articles L3335-1 to L3335-11Areas protected from tobacco flow opening
- Decree No. 2010-720 of 28 June 2010 on the retail sale of manufactured tobacco
- Circular of 12 November 2018 establishing the list of suppliers of the retail network for manufactured tobacco (PDF - 92.8 KB)
- Circular of 3 August 2011 on the measures to combat smoking provided for by Law No. 2009-879 of 21 July 2009
- Tobacco delivery: remuneration
- Operation of a tobacco office
- Prohibition of smoking - SmokingService-Public.fr
- Occupation of the public domain by a trade (AOT)
- Regulation of the tobacco tradeBpifrance
- Assisting in securing a tobacco flowMinistry of Finance
- Licensed Tobacco SuppliersDirectorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxes
- Retail price of manufactured tobaccoDirectorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxes
- Buying a goodwill: the key stepsMinistry of Finance
- Solutions to finance your company takeoverMinistry of Finance