Tobacco processing and manufacture of tobacco products
Field of activity No. 2 under the Trade Licensing Act.
What you need: Specific expertise set by law (education, experience, certification).
- Vázaná živnost
- Field No. 2
- See conditions below
- 8 activity examples
Tobacco processing and manufacture of tobacco products is a regulated trade (field No 2 of Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act) for which the law requires documentation of specific professional qualification focused on food chemistry or agriculture. The licence arises on the day of notification at the Trade Licensing Office.
Professional qualification under Section 24 and Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act, one of the following options:
1) a university degree in a study programme and field focused on food chemistry or agriculture + 1 year of practice in the field;
2) higher vocational education in a field of study focused on food chemistry or agriculture + 3 years of practice in the field;
3) secondary education with a school-leaving (maturita) examination in a field of study focused on food chemistry or agriculture + 3 years of practice in the field;
4) a certificate of retraining or another document on professional qualification + 4 years of practice in the field.
The assessment and recognition of professional qualification is governed by Sections 6 to 8 and Section 24 of Act No 455/1991 Coll. For a regulated trade, professional qualification cannot be replaced merely by length of practice, as with a craft trade.
If the entrepreneur does not meet the professional qualification conditions personally, they may appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act who does meet them.
Examples of activities
- Drying, fermentation and other treatment of raw tobacco leaf
- Sorting, cutting and blending of tobacco mixtures (blends)
- Manufacture of cigarettes
- Manufacture of cigars and cigarillos
- Manufacture of pipe and cigarette tobacco
- Manufacture of chewing and snuff tobacco
- Manufacture of water-pipe (shisha) tobacco
- Processing of tobacco as an input raw material for tobacco products
What this trade is and what it is for
The "Tobacco processing and manufacture of tobacco products" trade is a regulated trade (field No 2 of Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act). It entitles you to process raw tobacco and manufacture finished tobacco products intended for consumption. Because it is an activity with an impact on consumer health and a manufacturing activity related to the food sector, the law classifies it among regulated trades, for which a specific professional qualification must be demonstrated.
The scope of the activity covers the entire chain from the treatment of the tobacco leaf (drying, fermentation, sorting) through to the final manufacturing operations and the packaging of tobacco products.
What this trade covers (and what it does not)
The trade covers in particular:
- drying, fermentation and treatment of raw tobacco,
- cutting, blending and preparation of tobacco mixtures,
- manufacture of cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipe and cigarette tobacco,
- manufacture of chewing, snuff and water-pipe (shisha) tobacco.
What does not fall under this trade: the sale of tobacco products to the end consumer falls under an unqualified (free) trade (retail), not under this manufacturing regulated trade. Growing tobacco as primary agricultural production is likewise a separate area (agricultural enterprise). Note also that tobacco products are subject to excise duty and regulation under special legislation (the Excise Duties Act, the Act on mandatory marking) - these must be complied with regardless of the trade licence.
Conditions for obtaining the trade under the law
You must meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act - full legal capacity and a clean criminal record. The law does not require medical fitness or liability insurance for this trade.
You must also demonstrate professional qualification under Section 24 and Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act. The assessment and recognition of professional qualification is governed by Sections 6 to 8 and Section 24 of Act No 455/1991 Coll. You prove the qualification with one of the following options:
| Education | Required practice |
|---|---|
| University, field: food chemistry or agriculture | 1 year |
| Higher vocational education, field: food chemistry or agriculture | 3 years |
| Secondary education with school-leaving examination, field: food chemistry or agriculture | 3 years |
| Certificate of retraining / other document on qualification | 4 years |
Unlike a craft trade, for a regulated trade this qualification cannot be replaced merely by longer practice. If you do not meet the professional qualification conditions yourself, you may appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who does meet them.
How to notify the trade step by step
- Complete the Unified Registration Form (JRF) for the trade notification.
- Submit it at any municipal Trade Licensing Office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT contact point.
- Submit documents proving professional qualification (diploma, certificate or certificate of retraining and confirmation of practice); the office will verify the clean criminal record itself from the criminal records register.
- Pay the administrative fee.
- The Trade Licensing Office will make the entry in the Trade Register usually within 5 working days of notification. The licence arises as early as the day of notification, provided you meet the conditions.
You will find the detailed procedure in the guide Jak zalozit zivnost.
Documents and fees
- a completed JRF (notification of a regulated trade),
- proof of identity,
- proof of professional qualification (education + practice as per the table above),
- for a responsible representative, their consent and documents proving their qualification,
- an administrative fee of CZK 1,000 for the first trade notification, or CZK 800 for electronic submission via rzp.gov.cz.
Frequently asked questions
Is practice without the corresponding education enough?
No. For a regulated trade, both education and practice are laid down by law and practice cannot be used as a substitute for missing education. If you do not have any of the options listed, the solution is a responsible representative.
Do I need any further permit to process tobacco?
Yes, in practice. Tobacco products are subject to excise duty and mandatory marking - you must register with the Customs Administration and meet the obligations under the Excise Duties Act. These obligations are over and above the trade licence.
Can I also sell tobacco under the same licence?
This regulated trade covers manufacture and processing. Retail sale falls under an unqualified (free) trade, which you notify separately.
Which is the competent authority for this regulated activity?
The competent (recognising) authority is the Ministry of Industry and Trade.