Manufacture and repair of footwear, leather goods and saddlery

An unqualified (free) trade (field no. 11) for the manufacture and repair of footwear, leather goods and saddlery. It belongs to the free trade under Annex 4 to the Trade Licensing Act. It requires no professional qualification; it is enough to meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act. The licence arises already on the day of notification.

Conditions for operating

Full legal capacity (Section 6(1) of the Trade Licensing Act).
A clean criminal record (Section 6(1) and (2) of the Trade Licensing Act); proven by an extract from the Criminal Records Register, which the office obtains itself (Section 6(3)).
Professional qualification is NOT documented - this is an unqualified (free) trade under Annex 4 to the Trade Licensing Act. The special conditions under Section 7 do not apply.
Minimum age of 18 (related to full legal capacity).
For foreigners from third countries (outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland), possibly a document on a residence permit entitling them to do business.

Examples of activities

manufacture of women's, men's and children's footwear
repair and renovation of footwear (replacement of heels, soles, stitching)
manufacture of leather goods - bags, handbags, wallets and belts
manufacture and repair of satchels, backpacks and suitcases
manufacture of saddlery products - saddles, harnesses and other riding equipment
manufacture of watch straps and small leather goods
making bespoke footwear from leather and synthetic materials

What the trade is and what it is for

The trade "Manufacture and repair of footwear, leather goods and saddlery" is field no. 11 within the single free trade "Manufacturing, trade and services not listed in Annexes 1 to 3 to the Trade Licensing Act" (Annex 4 to the Trade Licensing Act). It entitles you to do business in the area of processing leather and related materials into footwear, leather goods and saddlery products, both in manufacture and in repairs.

This field covers the classic cobbling and leather-working craft as well as modern production from substitute materials. It is suitable for small cobbler's workshops, makers of leather goods, footwear repairers and makers of saddlery and riding equipment. Because this is a free trade, entry into business is simple and quick.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

Field no. 11 covers in particular:

manufacture of footwear of every kind (women's, men's, children's, walking, work) from leather and synthetic materials,
repair and renovation of footwear - replacement of heels and soles, stitching, gluing, dyeing,
manufacture of leather goods - bags, briefcases, handbags, backpacks, suitcases, wallets, belts and other leather goods,
manufacture of saddlery - saddles, harnesses, bridles and riding equipment,
manufacture of small products from leather and its substitutes (watch straps, cases, driving belts, seals),
dyeing of the above leather products.

The boundary with neighbouring trades. The content of field no. 11 expressly does not include certain related activities:

"Fitting, manufacture and repair of orthopaedic footwear" is a separate craft trade (Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act) that requires professional qualification under Sections 21 and 22 - it cannot be included in the free field no. 11. Likewise, the manufacture of orthopaedic devices does not belong here.
The tanning (processing) of raw hides - tannery falls under the craft trade "Processing of hides and furs" (Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act), not under the free trade; this too requires professional qualification.
Field no. 11 also does not include the manufacture of leather clothing.
If you only want to sell footwear and leather goods without your own manufacture or repairs, this is field no. 48 "Wholesale and retail" (also a field of the free trade).

If you are unsure about the classification of a particular activity, verify it with the Trade Licensing Office in advance.

Statutory conditions for obtaining it

Because this is a free trade, it is enough to meet only the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act:

full legal capacity (usually reaching the age of 18, or recognition of legal capacity by a court or a court's consent to a minor's business),
a clean criminal record - under Section 6(2) a person finally convicted of an intentional criminal offence is not regarded as having a clean record if that offence was committed in connection with business (or with the line of business applied for). The office verifies the clean record itself by an extract from the Criminal Records Register (Section 6(3)).

Professional qualification is not documented for this trade. You do not have to submit an apprenticeship certificate, a school-leaving certificate or proof of experience. This is the main advantage over craft and regulated trades. The special conditions for carrying on the trade under Section 7 (professional qualification) do not apply here.

Responsible representative. If you do not meet a particular condition yourself (typically as a legal person), you may appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act - a natural person who is responsible for the proper operation of the trade and compliance with the regulations. One person may hold the office of responsible representative for at most 4 entrepreneurs. For a free trade, however, this is usually not necessary for a natural person.

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

Complete the Unified Registration Form (URF). With a single submission you handle the notification of the trade as well as registration for income tax, with the social security administration and with a health insurance company.
Submit the notification under Section 45 of the Trade Licensing Act. Options:
- in person at any municipal Trade Licensing Office,
- electronically via the Trade Licensing Portal (rzp.gov.cz) with an electronic identity,
- at a Czech POINT contact point (post office, municipal office).
Prove your identity and state which fields of the free trade you are notifying (you may notify several at once for one administrative fee).
Pay the administrative fee - CZK 1,000, for an electronic submission CZK 800.
Start doing business. The trade licence arises on the day of notification (Section 10(1) of the Trade Licensing Act). The office makes the entry in the Trade Register and issues the extract within 5 working days of the day the notification is delivered (Section 47 and Section 71(2) of the Trade Licensing Act).

A detailed guide can be found on the page How to set up a trade.

Documents and fees

Identity document (identity card; for foreigners a travel document).
Completed URF stating the fields being notified.
Proof of payment of the administrative fee.
Administrative fee of CZK 1,000 (electronically CZK 800) - regardless of how many fields of the free trade you notify at once.
Extension by a further field of the free trade you already carry on: free of charge (CZK 0).
The company identification number (IČO) is assigned by the office automatically and free of charge.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an apprenticeship certificate in cobbling?

No. This is a free trade and expertise is not documented. It is enough to meet the general conditions under Section 6 (legal capacity and a clean criminal record).

Can I both manufacture and sell footwear on one licence?

Your own manufacture and repairs fall under field no. 11. For the separate sale of goods, also notify field no. 48 "Wholesale and retail" - both are fields of the same free trade and can be notified at once for one fee.

Does this trade also apply to orthopaedic footwear?

No. "Fitting, manufacture and repair of orthopaedic footwear" is a separate craft trade that requires professional qualification. It cannot be classed under the free field no. 11.

Can I tan (process) raw hides within this field?

No. The tanning of hides (tannery) falls under the craft trade "Processing of hides and furs", which requires professional qualification. Field no. 11 covers only the subsequent manufacture from finished leather and its substitutes.

How quickly can I start doing business?

The licence arises already on the day of notification. You will receive the extract from the Trade Register within 5 working days.

How much will I pay if I add a further field later?

An extension of an existing free trade by a further field is free of charge. You pay only for the first entry into business.