Do I need a licence to import and/or export tobacco into/out of Ontario

The Tobacco Tax Act requires that all businesses who plan to import and/or export tobacco in bulk into or out of Ontario must register with the Account Management and Collections Branch in order to obtain a Registration Certificate for Import and/or Export and a Wholesaler's Permit.

To be registered as an Importer and/or Exporter, applicants must provide and maintain security, to the Ministry of Finance, in the form of a surety bond or letter of credit. This helps to protect the ministry against the loss of public funds in the event a registrant fails to account for tobacco tax collected or collectible. The Act specifies security equal to three month's tax, subject to minimums which range from $10,000 to $1,000,000, depending on registration type(s). Call or write the Account Management and Collections Branch for details.

Do I need a licence to sell tobacco at wholesale?

The Tobacco Tax Act requires that all businesses who purchase tobacco in bulk for resale to retailers must register with the Account Management and Collections Branch in order to obtain a Wholesaler's Permit.

Do I need a tobacco permit to sell tobacco products at retail?

Tobacco retailers must have a tobacco retail dealer's permit issued by the ministry's Account Management and Collections Branch to sell tobacco products to consumers in Ontario.

Tobacco retailers must ensure they purchase tobacco products from a wholesaler who has a valid wholesaler's permit issued by the ministry's Account Management and Collections Branch. To confirm whether your supplier is a registered wholesaler, please view the Tobacco tax registrant list.

Tobacco retailers should also contact their municipality about any bylaws concerning the sale of tobacco products and the Canada Revenue Agency about the Harmonized Sales Tax.

I have/had a Retail Sales Tax (RST) vendor's permit — will that do?

No. Effective July 1, 2018, all tobacco retailers who hold a vendor's permit will no longer be deemed to hold a tobacco retail dealer's permit. Tobacco retailers are required to hold a tobacco retail dealer's permit issued under the Tobacco Tax Act.

Retail dealers who do not hold a tobacco retail dealer's permit can be subject to fines and penalties.

How do I apply for a tobacco retail dealer's permit?

If you need a tobacco retail dealer's permit, you may apply by mail or fax using the Application for Tobacco Retail Dealer's Permit.

I am an authorized reserve retailer under Ontario's First Nations Cigarette Allocation System. Must I apply for a tobacco retail dealer's permit?

No. Your valid authorization as a reserve retailer under the allocation system is considered to be a tobacco retail dealer's permit.

When did the requirement to have a tobacco retail dealer's permit begin?

This requirement began July 1, 2010, as announced in the 2010 Ontario Budget. The Creating the Foundation for Jobs and Growth Act, 2010, which contained amendments to the Tobacco Tax Act, received Royal Assent on May 18, 2010.

As a tobacco wholesaler, how will I know if a retailer is eligible to buy tobacco products?

To confirm if a permit or authorization is valid, you may call 1-866-ONT-TAXS (1-866-668-8297) and, when prompted, say "tobacco" to speak to a representative.