Table of Contents/Mục lục
Conditions and Procedures for Wholesaling Tobacco in Vietnam
Wholesaling tobacco in Vietnam is considered a conditional business due to the harmful effects of tobacco on public health. Although Vietnam and many countries aim to minimize tobacco-related activities, high demand and profitability continue to make it an appealing sector for traders. Below is a detailed guide on the conditions for wholesaling tobacco products and licensing procedures.
Conditions for Wholesaling Tobacco Products
To obtain a wholesale license for tobacco products, traders must fulfill the following requirements:
- Legal Establishment: The business must be registered as an enterprise under Vietnamese law.
- Compliant Business Location: The business location must not violate the regulations outlined in Clause 2, Article 25 of the 2012 Tobacco Prevention and Control Law, which specifies places where tobacco sales are prohibited.
- Wholesale Network: The trader must operate a wholesale network for tobacco products within the province where they are headquartered. This network must include at least two tobacco retailers.
- Supplier Reference: A letter of introduction from the tobacco product supplier or distributor must clearly define the area of expected business operations.
- Safety Commitment: The enterprise must commit to compliance with fire prevention and environmental protection requirements as prescribed by Vietnamese law.
Procedures for Obtaining a Tobacco Wholesale License
Step 1: Prepare the Application Documents
Traders must compile a complete dossier that includes:
- A completed application form.
- A copy of the enterprise registration certificate.
- Documents proving legitimate use rights for the business premises (e.g., lease agreement).
- A letter of introduction or agreement from the tobacco supplier or distributor.
- Proof of food safety compliance for tobacco products intended for sale.
- A written commitment to adhere to fire and environmental safety regulations.
Step 2: Submit the Application
Traders may either submit the application directly to the Department of Industry and Trade or authorize Law Plus lawyers to send the documents by post.
Step 3: Proposal Processing
The Department of Industry and Trade will:
- Verify the application’s composition and legality.
- Notify the trader within 7 working days if additional documents are required.
- Evaluate the application and determine whether the conditions for licensing have been met.
If approved, the department will issue the license. In case of rejection, the trader will receive a written explanation.
Legal Framework
These procedures and conditions are governed by the 2012 Tobacco Prevention and Control Law and relevant provisions in Vietnamese regulations. To ensure compliance and obtain professional assistance, contact Law Plus via or call +84 966 008 030.
Within 15 working days after receiving a complete and valid dossier, the Department of Industry and Trade shall consider and grant a license to wholesale tobacco products. In case the trader does not meet the prescribed conditions, the Department of Industry and Trade will issue a written reply refusing the license and clearly stating the reason.
Profile components:
- An application for a tobacco product wholesale license; Application form for a license to wholesale tobacco products
- A copy of the certificate of business registration or certificate of business registration and certificate of tax code;
- A copy of the introductory text of tobacco product suppliers or traders distributing tobacco products, clearly stating the proposed location of business
- A list of traders, copies of enterprise registration certificates or business registration certificates and tax identification number certificates, tobacco product trading licenses (if already traded) of traders people who have or will be in the distribution system of tobacco products in the area;
- The commitment of the trader to ensure full compliance with the requirements of conditions for fire prevention and environmental protection (according to the form in Appendix 25 attached to Circular No. 21/2013 / TT-BCT).
Above are some provisions of the law on dossiers of conditions and procedures for applying for tobacco product wholesale licenses. If you would like to know more details, please contact Law Plus.
Note: The content of advice and the legal provisions referenced in the article are at the time of consultation and may no longer be effective at the time readers read this article. Therefore, for detailed advice and implementation support, please contact Law Plus via info@lawplus.vn or phone +84 966 008 030
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Related:
- Conditions and procedures for granting licences for distributing tobacco products
- Conditions and procedures for granting licenses for retailing tobacco products
- Doing business in Vietnam
