How do I get a license to sell alcohol and cigarettes?

To open a liquor and cigarette store, first and foremost, you must be a registered dealer. That is, you must have your own company and the manager of the company should not be condemned. If you do not have one, you can register an EOOD (if you are a sole proprietor) or an LLC (if you have a partner). Your company does not have to be registered under the VAT.

How to register the object in the BABH?

All those who want to trade in food products must register with the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BAFSA). A procedur begynt met de documentatie, waaronder een applicatie in die u kunt alle producten die u planen te verkoop. A useful tip from our experts is to also include products that you do not plan to offer immediately - so you will have flexibility in the future.

How do I get permission to trade cigarettes and other tobacco products from the Customs Agency?

In an order to obtain a permit for the sale of cigarettes from the Customs Agency, you should submit all necessary documents, wait for the expiration of the statutory period and prepare the object for the mandatory inspection by the employees of the agency.

License for sale and trade of alcohol and cigarettes in Bulgaria.

How can the accounting company “Elan Consulting” help me with obtaining a license to trade in alcohol and cigarettes?‍

Obtaining a license to trade in alcohol and cigarettes is a task that requires an accurate and detailed understanding of numerous legal and regulatory requirements. Accounting firm “Elan Consulting” provides the necessary expertise and support to facilitate this process for your business, providing the following key services:

Assessment of requirements and preparation of all necessary documents for a license to trade in alcohol and cigarettes: The first step in the license application process is a comprehensive assessment of the requirements to be met. Elan Consulting carries out a thorough review of your current activity to determine whether you meet all the necessary criteria. Based on this assessment, our team prepares and arranges all the necessary documents that are mandatory for the application.
Advice and support on regulations: It is important to understand all the legal requirements related to the trade in alcohol and cigarettes. We provide detailed advice on regulations, including tax rates, customs regulations, labelling and advertising rules.
Risk management: The trade in alcohol and cigarettes involves certain risks, including the possibility of fines and sanctions for unregulated trade. We offer strategies to manage these risks, advising you on how to avoid potential problems.
Training and information for staff: Effective trade in alcohol and cigarettes also requires that your staff be well informed about the legal requirements. We organise trainings and information sessions to ensure that all employees are aware of the relevant rules and regulations.

In addition to the above services, Elan Consulting provides continuous support and advice after obtaining the license. Our goal is not only to help you obtain the necessary license, but also to ensure that your business continues to operate in accordance with legal requirements.

We understand that the process of applying for and managing a license can be complex and time consuming. Our role is to facilitate this process by providing expert advice and support at every step. From the initial assessment to the preparation of documentation and risk management, our team is at your disposal to ensure that every part of the process runs smoothly.

Accounting firm “Elan Consulting” is your partner who will help you not only to cope with the challenges of obtaining the license, but also to maximize the efficiency and financial stability of your business. Our goal is to provide you with all the tools and knowledge necessary for the successful and lawful trade in alcohol and cigarettes.

Why do we need a license to trade in alcohol and cigarettes in Bulgaria?

To some extent, every owner of a small shop or a nonstop shop relies on customers who consume alcohol or are smokers, because in addition to these purchases, customers also bargain from the rest of the assortment offered in the outlet. Thus, the sale of alcohol and cigarettes in Bulgaria represents an affordable, attractive, but also somewhat complex business segment. This sector can be profitable enough, but at the same time it requires strict compliance with numerous bureaucratic and legal requirements. To be successful in this sphere, entrepreneurs need to understand not only the specifics of the market, but also be familiar with the complex regulatory framework that governs trade in these products.

Success in this business requires detailed knowledge of regulations and effective management of processes related to licensing and regulation of trade. Accounting firms, such as Elan Consulting, play an important role in this context by providing specialist advice and expert assistance. They help businesses navigate the complex procedures for obtaining licenses, registrations and other necessary documents that are mandatory for the legal trade in alcohol and cigarettes.

Existing and potential traders should be informed about current trends and upcoming changes in legislation that may affect their business. In this dynamic environment, the ability to constantly update knowledge and adapt to changing conditions is key to maintaining competitiveness and success in the alcohol and cigarette trade in Bulgaria.

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Distinguishing the license for the sale of alcohol from the license for the sale of cigarettes

The term “license for alcohol and cigarettes” in Bulgaria is often misused, since in reality the trade in alcohol and cigarettes is regulated by different state institutions and is subject to separate regulations. Trade in alcohol requires registration with the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BAFSA), which is responsible for the control and supervision of the production, processing and distribution of food, including alcoholic beverages. On the other hand, the trade in cigarettes is regulated by the Customs Agency, which is responsible for customs control, the excise regime and the taxation of tobacco products.

For successful alcohol and cigarette trading, traders must understand and comply with the requirements and procedures set by these two different institutions. For example, when trading in alcoholic beverages, it is necessary to submit documentation for registration of the object with the BACH, including various applications and evidence of compliance with legal requirements. For cigarettes, the process involves meeting specific customs regulations and tax obligations.

This distinction is critically important as it provides clarity on the legal framework that governs these two types of goods. Highlighting the different licensing and regulatory requirements helps businesses avoid legal problems and ensure compliance with legislation. This accurate information is essential for anyone who wants to develop a successful and legitimate business in the field of alcohol and cigarette trade in Bulgaria.

How to open a non-stop store - registration of a company and the first steps to obtaining a license to trade in alcohol and cigarettes

For starting a business in the field of alcohol and cigarette trade in Bulgaria, the first and main step is the registration of a company. This process involves deciding on the appropriate legal form of the company — whether it will be a Sole Proprietorship (EOOD) or a Limited Liability Company (LLC), depending on the number of owners and their capital.

It is important to emphasize that the manager of the company should not have a judicial past, as this can be an obstacle to the successful registration of the business. This requirement ensures that those responsible for the management and control of activities meet certain moral and legal criteria, which is important for a sector accompanied by high risks and strict regulations, such as that of alcohol and cigarettes.

In addition, before the actual activity begins, it is necessary to have a suitable room for the store. This requirement is key, as the premises must meet certain safety standards and conditions, as well as be suitable for trade in these specific products. Choosing the right place can significantly affect the success of the business.

Preparation of the trading room

Choosing the right premises is an essential factor in the success of any business, especially in the field of alcohol and cigarette trade. The room must meet a number of requirements related to security, accessibility and convenience for both customers and staff.

To begin with, the room should be spacious and well organized to ensure that it can accommodate the variety of products that the business plans to offer. This includes adequate space for displaying the goods, as well as for storing stocks. In addition, the place should be easily accessible to customers, which means a good location, sufficient parking spaces and convenient transportation.

Secondly, the room must comply with all sanitary and hygienic and safety standards mandatory for trade in food products and beverages. This includes the availability of adequate ventilation, temperature control and other necessary facilities to keep the products in good condition.

Thirdly, it is important that the room is attractive to customers. This means that attention should be paid to the design and the feeling of comfort in the store.

Registration in the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences for the sale of alcohol and food products

All those who want to trade in alcohol and food products must register with the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BAFSA). The procedure begins with the submission of documentation, including an application in which you indicate all the products that you plan to sell. One useful tip from our experts is to also include products that you do not plan to offer immediately - so you will have flexibility in the future.

It is important to emphasize that the trade in alcohol is subject to the same regulation!

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‍In order to be able to sell alcohol, you must submit the following documents to the BABH:

Applicationfor registration/approval of an establishment for the production, processing and/or distribution of food.
Applications, which include lists of food groups, data on movable and temporary sites and information on business partners.
Documents,which certify the commissioning of the site, building permit and other relevant acts.
Documentation,which confirms the ownership, lease or right to use the object.

Important: The documents are submitted to the ODBH (Regional Directorate for Food Safety)

After you have submitted all the documents, within 30 days of the submission of the necessary documents, the ODBH or RZI (depending on the type of activity) carry out an on-site inspection. This check is intended to establish whether the object meets all legal requirements.

If during the inspection any incompleteness or irregularities are found, the owner has the opportunity to eliminate them. After the site has been successfully brought into compliance with the regulations, within 15 days after the inspection, the relevant authority registers the site.

It is important to note that the object is registered for the specific activities that are stated in the application. Upon successful registration, the Director of the ODCB or RZI shall issue a certificate of registration within 7 days from the date of registration.

For better organization and control, the ODIHR, respectively RZI, keep a regional register of sites. In addition to this, national registers are maintained in the BACH and the Ministry of Health, which are also available in electronic format. These national registers are public and anyone can access them online.

Obtaining these licenses can be a complicated process, but accounting firm Elan Consulting is here to make it easy for you. Our experts can provide you with all the necessary information, guide you through all the steps of the process and ensure that you meet all the requirements of government authorities.