Open a tobacco office
Verified 14 November 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister), Ministry of Finance
Two new financial support schemes to compensate buralists
Published on 8 November 2023
Since 19 October 2023, new rules apply to financial assistance from tobacco suppliers. You will find the conditions to benefit from it in our section News.
You want to become buralist ? Either you take over an existing tobacco office, open a new one, or create a tobacco outlet in an existing store (bar, press, etc.). We present the information for each of the 3 situations.
Buralist and tobacco dealer, tobacco store and tobacco delivery are synonymous designations.
Resumption of a tobacco office
You must first verify that you meet the prerequisites to be eligible to run 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 a medical check-up giving a favorable opinion on the exercise of the profession of buralist. This visit must be carried out by a doctor approved by the Regional Health Agency (RHA).
- Not be under guardianship, or trusteeship
You must have a medical examination with a certified medical practitioner by theRegional Health Agency.
The list of accredited doctors is available on the website of theARS: titleContent of your region :
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.
The national portal of the retransmission company is available online:
National company Transfer Exchange
The operator who transmit his tobacco office must:
- to be ofagreement for you transfer his tobacco office,
- then apply as a future buyer at the regional customs branch (where the tobacco office is located).
FYI
You can consult our content dedicated to company recovery.
Obtain a favorable opinion from the Customs Directorate
If the customs department's opinion is favorable, you can begin the process.
What is initial training?
Initial training is obligatory.
It 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 subscribe to the training until the favorable response from customs to your application.
Who should take the training?
Training is mandatory for:
- The tobacco delivery manager
- Deputy Speaker
- Associates in the case of a CNS: titleContent
Where to take the training?
You have to choose your training center.
It has to be approved by the state.
This page below on the Customs website gives the updated list approved training centers which issue the operating permit a tobacco desk.
It exists now 5 centers approved in France.
You can also find the pre-registration form to the training.
Once completed, you can send this document to the training center of your choice.
List of training centers approved by the Customs Directorate to become tobacco wholesalers
Please note
You can also contact the customs department of your region to find training.
After you complete the initial training, you sign a stewardship contract with theState.
This contract must be renewed every 3 years.
It is a tacit renewal, that is to say, an automatic renewal.
This renewal is granted if you still meet the same conditions as those required to open or resume a tobacco outlet, and on condition that you undergo continuous training.
FYI
To theexception of the partnership (CNS), the legal form of the business is not allowed to run a tobacco office. Only theindividual business (IS) is allowed.
Individual business VID (EI)
The only legal form allowed isindividual business (EI).
The manager is then a natural person.
He is responsible for its professional heritage.
General partnership (SNC)
The CNS: titleContent is theunique a permitted form of business to run a tobacco office.
The conditions however, the following are required:
- The tobacco flow manager must then hold the absolute majority of shares.
- The partners must be natural persons, unless the manager owns a public domain occupation (PAL) (the partners may then 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.
You do not have permission to share the purchase among multiple partners.
Please note
It exists 3 exceptions the principle of full ownership:
- If the contract of management leasing is concluded by a municipality or a group of municipalities
- If the management lease is concluded in a municipality situated in a rural regeneration area (ZRR)
- If the goodwill is operated under a franchise agreement
Get a bank loan
If you need a loan to buy the goodwill, you need to be able to bring a large amount of personal money in at the start.
You are entitled to aid to take over a company.
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
The renewal of your stewardship contract is by tacit renewal every 3 years if you meet the mandatory requirements.
These conditions are the same as those you meet when opening or taking over a tobacco office.
You must follow a continuing training.
This training helps you update your knowledge. It lasts 1 day.
It must be validated within 6 months before the renewal date of your stewardship contract.
To find training, you can consult the list of approved training centers by the customs directorate.
List of training centers approved by the Customs Directorate to become tobacco wholesalers
You can also contact the customs directorate of 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 of the buralist
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
FYI
To learn how to carry on the activity from a buralist, you can consult our page dedicated tooperation of a tobacco office. In particular, you will find information on the carrot signage, taxation, 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 a medical check-up giving a favorable opinion on the exercise of the profession of buralist. This visit must be carried out by a doctor approved by the Regional Health Agency (RHA).
- 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 is to check whether or not your business is located in a perimeter.
To do this, you must make a demand to the customs directorate of your region.
You need to get a favorable opinion before any other steps.
What is initial training?
Initial training is obligatory.
It 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 subscribe to the training until the favorable response from customs to your application.
Who should take the training?
Training is mandatory for:
- The tobacco delivery manager
- Deputy Speaker
- Associates in the case of a CNS: titleContent
Where to take the training?
You have to choose your training center.
It has to be approved by the state.
This page below on the Customs website gives the updated list approved training centers which issue the operating permit a tobacco desk.
It exists now 5 centers approved in France.
You can also find the pre-registration form to the training.
Once completed, you can send this document to the training center of your choice.
List of training centers approved by the Customs Directorate to become tobacco wholesalers
Please note
You can also contact the customs department of your region to find training.
After you complete the initial training, you sign a stewardship contract with theState.
This contract must be renewed every 3 years.
It is a tacit renewal, that is to say, an automatic renewal.
This renewal is granted if you still meet the same conditions as those required to open or resume a tobacco outlet, and on condition that you undergo continuous training.
FYI
To theexception of the partnership (CNS), the legal form of the business is not allowed to run a tobacco office. Only theindividual business (IS) is allowed.
Individual business VID (EI)
The only legal form allowed isindividual business (EI).
The manager is then a natural person.
He is responsible for its professional heritage.
General partnership (SNC)
The CNS: titleContent is theunique a permitted form of business to run a tobacco office.
The conditions however, the following are required:
- The tobacco flow manager must then hold the absolute majority of shares.
- The partners must be natural persons, unless the manager owns a public domain occupation (PAL) (the partners may then 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.
You do not have permission to share the purchase among multiple partners.
Please note
It exists 3 exceptions the principle of full ownership:
- If the contract of management leasing is concluded by a municipality or a group of municipalities
- If the management lease is concluded in a municipality situated in a rural regeneration area (ZRR)
- If the goodwill is operated under a franchise agreement
Get a bank loan
If you need a loan to buy the goodwill, you need to be able to bring a large amount of personal money in at the start.
You are entitled to aid to take over a company.
Warning
The tobacco office must be opened at the same time as the associated trade (bar, press). 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
The renewal of your stewardship contract is by tacit renewal every 3 years if you meet the mandatory requirements.
These conditions are the same as those you meet when opening or taking over a tobacco office.
You must follow a continuing training.
This training helps you update your knowledge. It lasts 1 day.
It must be validated within 6 months before the renewal date of your stewardship contract.
To find training, you can consult the list of approved training centers by the customs directorate.
List of training centers approved by the Customs Directorate to become tobacco wholesalers
You can also contact the customs directorate of 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 of the buralist
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
FYI
To learn how to carry on the activity from a buralist, you can consult our page dedicated tooperation of a tobacco office. In particular, you will find information on the carrot signage, taxation, taxes, supplier credit, etc.
Establishment of 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 a medical check-up giving a favorable opinion on the exercise of the profession of buralist. This visit must be carried out by a doctor approved by the Regional Health Agency (RHA).
- 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 can I find offers for running a tobacco office?
You must consult offers for the management of a tobacco office.
These offers are available on the legal advertisement media. Most offers are available in the regional press.
You can consult the list media (newspapers) in your department that are entitled to publish legal advertisements:
Search for media eligible to publish legal listings by department
How to apply?
You must apply for the offer you are interested in.
You must send your application to the customs directorate of your region.
What is initial training?
Initial training is obligatory.
It 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 subscribe to the training until the favorable response from customs to your application.
Who should take the training?
Training is mandatory for:
- The tobacco delivery manager
- Deputy Speaker
- Associates in the case of a CNS: titleContent
Where to take the training?
You have to choose your training center.
It has to be approved by the state.
This page below on the Customs website gives the updated list approved training centers which issue the operating permit a tobacco desk.
It exists now 5 centers approved in France.
You can also find the pre-registration form to the training.
Once completed, you can send this document to the training center of your choice.
List of training centers approved by the Customs Directorate to become tobacco wholesalers
Please note
You can also contact the customs department of your region to find training.
After you complete the initial training, you sign a stewardship contract with theState.
This contract must be renewed every 3 years.
It is a tacit renewal, that is to say, an automatic renewal.
This renewal is granted if you still meet the same conditions as those required to open or resume a tobacco outlet, and on condition that you undergo continuous training.
FYI
To theexception of the partnership (CNS), the legal form of the business is not allowed to run a tobacco office. Only theindividual business (IS) is allowed.
Individual business VID (EI)
The only legal form allowed isindividual business (EI).
The manager is then a natural person.
He is responsible for its professional heritage.
General partnership (SNC)
The CNS: titleContent is theunique a permitted form of business to run a tobacco office.
The conditions however, the following are required:
- The tobacco flow manager must then hold the absolute majority of shares.
- The partners must be natural persons, unless the manager owns a public domain occupation (PAL) (the partners may then 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.
You do not have permission to share the purchase among multiple partners.
Please note
It exists 3 exceptions the principle of full ownership:
- If the contract of management leasing is concluded by a municipality or a group of municipalities
- If the management lease is concluded in a municipality situated in a rural regeneration area (ZRR)
- If the goodwill is operated under a franchise agreement
Get a bank loan
If you need a loan to buy the goodwill, you need to be able to bring a large amount of personal money in at the start.
You are entitled to aid to take over a company.
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
The renewal of your stewardship contract is by tacit renewal every 3 years if you meet the mandatory requirements.
These conditions are the same as those you meet when opening or taking over a tobacco office.
You must follow a continuing training.
This training helps you update your knowledge. It lasts 1 day.
It must be validated within 6 months before the renewal date of your stewardship contract.
To find training, you can consult the list of approved training centers by the customs directorate.
List of training centers approved by the Customs Directorate to become tobacco wholesalers
You can also contact the customs directorate of 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 of the buralist
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
FYI
To learn how to carry on the activity from a buralist, you can consult our page dedicated tooperation of a tobacco office. In particular, you will find information on the carrot signage, taxation, taxes, supplier credit, etc.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Sales prices, taxes and license fees for tobacco outlets (including operating conditions for a CNS)
Areas protected from tobacco flow opening
Tobacco control
Ministry of Finance
Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxes
Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxes