WA State Licensing: Tobacco distributor

Tobacco distributor

A Tobacco Distributor License is required for businesses that purchase, sell, or distribute tobacco products other than cigarettes to retailers for resale.

Post your license

A license must be posted at each location where the licensee operates. You may not begin this business activity until you receive a Business License listing the required license.

Forms you’ll need

Business License Application
A separate Personal/Criminal History Statement for each of the following:
- Sole proprietor and spouse.
- Corporate officers.
- Partners and spouses.
- Limited partners who hold more than 10% interest in the business.
- Financiers.
- Limited liability company members or managers.
- Stockholders that hold 10% of the issued stock.
Complete a U.S. Dept of Treasury Special Tax Registration and Return - Tobacco, and mail it to the U.S. Dept of Treasury Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau at the address on the form.

Fees

Specialty license	Fee
Main location Fee waived if also applying for or already have a cigarette wholesaler license.)	$650
Each branch location	$115

Other fees that may apply	Fee
State tax registration	No fee
Registering your business name as a trade name	$5
Business License Application fee	$15 (non-refundable)

Contact information

State of Washington
Business Licensing Service
PO Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034

Phone: 1-800-451-7985
Email: BLS@dor.wa.gov
Fax: 360-705-6699

Office hours

Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mailing information

Please remember to enclose all necessary documents and fees with your completed application. Incomplete submissions will result in a delay in your licensure.

It is important that you contact our office, in writing, with any changes in address.

Regulatory questions:

Department of Revenue
Phone: 360-570-3265
http://dor.wa.gov/