The Ministry of Finance has prepared a bill on the phased licensing of tobacco and nicotine-containing products

10:25; 12 May 2025 year

The Russian Ministry of Finance has prepared a draft law on the phased licensing of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, which will become effective on March 1, 2026.

According to the draft law, three main types of activities are subject to licensing: wholesale trade (including the purchase, storage and supply of tobacco products, nicotine-containing products, raw materials and nicotine-containing raw materials), retail sale, as well as the distribution of tobacco and nicotine-containing products.

The licensing implementation process will be carried out in stages: from March 1 to September 1, 2026, it is planned to start issuing licenses. To obtain a license, applicants must meet three basic requirements: registration in the monitoring information system, payment of the state fee and absence of tax arrears. A ban on wholesale and retail trade without a license will come into force on September 1, 2026. A transition period has been established to bring retail facilities in line with licensing requirements, which will last until September 1, 2027.

Control over the licensing system will be carried out by two structures: Rosalokoltabakcontrol will be responsible for issuing and revoking licenses for wholesale trade, and the executive authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation will be responsible for licensing retail and delivery trade.

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