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 :

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).

Obtain a favorable opinion from the Customs Directorate

If the customs department's opinion is favorable, you can begin the process.

If your application is successful, you must complete initial training.

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.

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

If your application is successful and you have successfully completed the initial training, you will then 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.

Individual business VID (EI)

The only legal form allowed isindividual business VID (EI).

The manager is then a natural person. He is responsible for his professional heritage.

General partnership (SNC)

The general partnership (SNC) 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.

Obligation to acquire goodwill

To obtain the contract to manage a tobacco office, you must be able to purchase the goodwill associated with him.

The sole trader or the CNS: titleContent must be sole proprietor of the goodwill.

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.

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.

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