Download the Tobacco Retail Dealer License Application Checklist in:
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For health and safety reasons, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Licensing Center and NYC Small Business Support Center cannot serve walk-ins, but you can schedule an appointment to submit your license application in person. See Application Filing Process section.
DCWP is also temporarily accepting Tobacco Retail Dealer and Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer applications by email at onlineappsdocs@dca.nyc.gov.
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:
*If you meet one of these exceptions to the cap, you must submit the Tobacco Retail Dealer Cap Exception Certification and supporting documentation. See Requirements section for more information.
Monitor nyc.gov/dcwp for updates about community district caps.
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.
See Requirements section for detailed descriptions. Make sure you provide all requirements; otherwise, your application is incomplete. DCWP can only consider complete applications for license issuance.
Submitting your application does not mean your license is automatically approved.
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. See Additional Resources section.
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 operating under a name other than your own must have a Business/Assumed Name Certificate.
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 must register and remain active with the New York State Division of Corporations. You can check your status at dos.ny.gov/corps.
DCWP will not accept your application if you do not submit these required documents and information:
License Period: 2 years Expiration Date: December 31 License Fee: $200 for full 2 years |
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If You File Your Application Between These Dates: | You Will Pay: | Your License Will Expire: |
From January 1 to June 30 in an odd year | $200 | December 31 of Even Years |
From July 1 to December 31 in an odd year | $150 | December 31 of Even Years |
From January 1 to June 30 in an even year | $200 | December 31 of Odd Years |
From July 1 to December 31 in an even year | $150 | December 31 of Odd Years |
Schedule an appointment to file in person at the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center
DCWP LICENSING CENTER 42 Broadway, Lobby New York, NY 10004 By Appointment Only Hours: Monday, Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Last appointment: 3:30 p.m. |
NYC SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT CENTER 90-27 Sutphin Blvd, 4th Floor Jamaica, NY 11435 By Appointment Only Hours: Tuesday, Thursday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Last appointment: 3:30 p.m. |
By Email: LicensingAppointments@dca.nyc.gov
By Phone*: Call (212) 436-0441. (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
*This number is to schedule an appointment for in-person service only. For general questions, email onlineappsdocs@dca.nyc.gov.
Free Interpretation Services are available on-site. To request a disability-related accommodation, please email DCWP’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator at humancapital@dca.nyc.gov or visit our Accommodations page.
Please note:
Due to the strict timeline for submitting an application for an exception to the cap, DCWP will temporarily accept applications by email to onlineappsdocs@dca.nyc.gov.
Reminder: If you are applying for a license due to a sale or change in ownership, DCWP must receive your application within 30 days of the sale or change.
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3/17/2021