Tobacco Retail Dealer

Tobacco Retail Dealer License Application Checklist

Translated Checklists in PDF

Important

DO NOT SUBMIT THIS APPLICATION IF YOUR BUSINESS IS OR CONTAINS A PHARMACY.

NYC law prohibits pharmacies and businesses that contain pharmacies from obtaining Tobacco Retail Dealer licenses.

***Important: Community District Caps***

Community district caps for Tobacco Retail Dealer licenses took effect February 24, 2018. For a list of the current community district caps, visit NYC Open Data at opendata.cityofnewyork.us and search “tobacco retail dealer.”

You can submit this application only if:

Licenses are available in your community district.*
A business with a Tobacco Retail Dealer license is sold, someone acquires 10% or more of the shares of the corporation, or there is a change in partnership. You (the new business) may apply for a new license at the same location as long as there is a current, active license in “good standing” at the address AND you apply for a new license within 30 days of the sale or change.^†
Your business is located in certain airports or parks that are not subject to the community district caps.^†
You have an active Tobacco Retail Dealer license at your newsstand location and would like to hold both licenses under the same business name.^†
You hold a Newsstand license that was transferred following the death or disability of the prior license holder and would like to hold the location’s Tobacco Retail Dealer license in your name. The existing Tobacco Retail Dealer license must be in good standing.^†

*When licenses are available, DCWP will conduct a lottery. Monitor nyc.gov/dcwp for information, including the process to apply for a lottery.
^†If you meet one of these exceptions to the cap, you must submit the Tobacco Retail Dealer Cap Exception Certification and supporting documentation. Download the Tobacco Retail Dealer Cap Exception Certification form.

Note: DCWP will not issue a license to operate at any residential location.

Monitor nyc.gov/dcwp for updates about community district caps.

Who Must Have a Tobacco Retail Dealer License?

You must have a Tobacco Retail Dealer license to sell cigarettes or tobacco products, such as cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, snus, bidi, snuff, shisha, or dissolvable tobacco products directly to consumers.

This description is only a general explanation of who must have a Tobacco Retail Dealer license.

License Requirements

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The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will deny your application if you fail to provide the required documents and information:

Basic License Application

Download Basic License Application
Enter the tobacco retail dealer address as the “Address Where You Operate Your Business.”

Apply Online! Review requirements and click the link at the bottom of the page to submit your application.

Sales Tax Identification Number OR Application Confirmation Number

To apply for a Certificate of Authority to collect sales tax, visit www.businessexpress.ny.gov.

New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Registration of Retail Dealers and Vending Machines for Sales of Cigarettes and Tobacco Products

To apply for Registration of Retail Dealers and Vending Machines for Sales of Cigarettes and Tobacco Products, visit www.licensecenter.ny.gov or call (518) 457-5735.

Proof of Business Address

Submit a copy of ONE of the following documents in the name of either the business or an individual listed on the license application:

Utility bill, dated within the last 90 days (e.g., telephone, gas, electric, cable, or water) OR
Current lease or deed OR
Current rent or mortgage bill OR
Insurance document or insurance bill that shows your business address OR
Correspondence from any government agency that shows your business address OR
Current (active) license or permit or certificate issued by a City/State/Federal government agency that shows your business address OR
Bank or credit card statement, dated within the last 90 days
*Please redact account information.*

Proof of Home Address

Each individual listed on the license application must provide a copy of ONE of the following documents in the individual's name:

Utility bill, dated within the last 90 days (e.g., telephone, gas, electric, cable, or water) OR
Correspondence from any government agency that shows home address OR
Current lease or deed OR
Insurance document or insurance bill that shows home address OR
Current (active) license or permit or certificate issued by a City/State/Federal government agency that shows home address OR
College or school correspondence that shows home address OR
Current rent or mortgage bill OR
Driver's license OR
Municipal ID card OR
Bank or credit card statement, dated within the last 90 days
*Please redact account information.*

For an individual who lives at another person’s address, provide:

ONE Proof of Home Address (see above) with the leaseholder’s or homeowner’s name AND
A letter signed by the homeowner or leaseholder stating that the individual lives at the address

Tobacco Retail Dealer Cap Exception Certification and Supporting Documentation, if applicable

The form lists required supporting documentation for relevant exceptions.
Download the Tobacco Retail Dealer Cap Exception Certification form.
You may email supporting documentation to onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov.

Note: If you applied for a lottery and received an offer to apply, you do not need to submit this form.

Granting Authority to Act Affirmation

Required if someone other than the license applicant will prepare and submit this application. The applicant must sign the license application and all related forms. Download Granting Authority to Act Affirmation.

License Fee

License Period: 2 years

Expiration Date: December 31

License Fee: $200 for full 2 years

If You File Your Application Between These Dates:

From January 1 to June 30 in an odd year:
- Pay $200 for a license expiring December 31 of the next even year
From July 1 to December 31 in an odd year:
- Pay $150 for a license expiring December 31 of the next even year.
From January 1 to June 30 in an even year:
- Pay $200 for a license expiring December 31 of the next odd year.
From July 1 to December 31 in an even year:
- Pay $150 for a license expiring December 31 of the next odd year.

Pay by:

Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card only) (Online or in person)
You will be charged a nonrefundable 2% Convenience Fee.
eCheck (Online)
Check or money order payable to DCWP (In person or by mail)

Important Message about Business Certificate

You must have the applicable Business Certificate based on your business’s legal structure. Although DCWP does not require submission of your Business Certificate in order to process your application, DCWP may request this document under section 20-104 of the New York City Administrative Code.

Sole Proprietors

Sole proprietors operating under a name other than your own must have a Business/Assumed Name Certificate.

Partnerships

Partnerships must have a Partnership Certificate and, if applicable, an Assumed Name Certificate for your business.

Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, or Limited Liability Partnerships

Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, or Limited Liability Partnerships must register and remain active with the New York State Division of Corporations. You can check your status at www.dos.ny.gov/corps.

Additional City or State Permits/Licenses/Clearances You May Need

Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer

You must have an Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer license to sell electronic cigarettes in New York City. Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer licenses are also subject to community district caps.

This is not meant to be a complete list.

Submit Your License Application to DCWP

You can submit your license application online or in person at the DCWP Licensing Center.

ONLINE OPTION: After reviewing requirements above, click the Apply Online button below to login or create an account to start your online license application.

IN-PERSON OPTION: Licensing appointments are available in hardship cases that require an in-person visit. View flyer to learn how to schedule an appointment for an in-person visit.

Questions? We’re here to help!

Email: TobaccoUnit@dcwp.nyc.gov

Phone: (212) 436-0406. (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

Free Interpretation Services are available on-site. To request a disability-related accommodation, visit our Accommodations page.

Additional Resources for Tobacco Retail Dealers

For the laws and rules that may affect your business, visit our Laws page.
Download Inspection Checklist: Tobacco Retail Dealers.
If your business received a violation for selling cigarettes, tobacco, electronic cigarettes, or other prohibited products to a person under 21, your business will receive:
- 2 points on your New York State retail dealer’s record OR
- 1 point on your New York State retail dealer’s record if the employee who made the illegal sale held a valid certificate of completion of a New York State Certified Tobacco Sales Training course.
  
  Please complete and submit this Tobacco Sales Training Program Affirmation Form, which will be reviewed by DCWP.
For resources to help your business open, operate, and grow, visit nyc.gov/business.

Get Voter Information
Note: Whether you apply to register to vote or not, it will not affect the assistance DCWP will provide to you.