Tobacco Retail License: Amendment or Reapplication?

Q: I run a small convenience store. Recently, due to store renovations, I changed the store name. Do I still need to apply for a change to the tobacco retail monopoly license? If I do not make the change in time, what are the consequences?

A: Hello. According to Article 17 of the Provisions on the Application and Handling Procedures for Tobacco Monopoly Licenses, where citizens, legal persons, or other organizations holding a retail license change their company name or trade name during the validity period of the license, they shall submit an application for amendment within 30 days after the change occurs and provide the following materials: (1) the application form for amendment of the tobacco monopoly license; (2) supporting documents related to the change; (3) the original copy and duplicate copy of the license; (4) a copy of the business license; and (5) any other materials required by the approving authority.

Therefore, based on your actual situation, you need to complete the amendment procedures.

In addition, according to Article 35 of the Provisions on the Application and Handling Procedures for Tobacco Monopoly Licenses, if the original licensing authority discovers any of the following circumstances, it shall revoke the holder’s tobacco monopoly license ex officio: (1) the license expires and is not renewed; (2) where any of the circumstances specified in Items 2 to 5 of Article 49 of the Measures for the Administration of Tobacco Monopoly Licenses occurs, and the license holder or interested party fails to apply for business suspension within the prescribed period; (3) after registered items have changed, the license holder fails to apply for an amendment in accordance with these provisions and still refuses to make the change within 30 days after receiving a notice ordering the amendment of the license; (4) the holder stops business operations for more than one year without going through suspension procedures, or after going through suspension procedures, fails to apply to resume business upon expiration of the suspension period, and still does not apply for closure or resumption within 3 months after a public notice by the licensing authority; (5) the holder fails to lawfully carry out production or business operations within 6 months after obtaining the tobacco monopoly license; or (6) any other circumstances stipulated by laws, regulations, or rules.

Therefore, if you do not complete the amendment procedures in time, your tobacco retail monopoly license may be revoked.

Q: Due to rent issues, I moved the supermarket I operate to a neighboring block. In this case, do I still need to apply for a change to the tobacco retail monopoly license?

A: Hello. According to Article 18 of the Provisions on the Application and Handling Procedures for Tobacco Monopoly Licenses, where citizens, legal persons, or other organizations holding a retail license change the business entity or business premises during the validity period of the license, they must reapply for the license.

Under this provision, you need to go to the local county-level tobacco monopoly bureau to complete the cancellation procedures first, and then reapply for a tobacco retail monopoly license.