In such cases the activity is considered to be itinerant, or non-sedentary, and the licence required is a carte de commerçant ambulant.
You can apply for the licence when the business is set up, or later if you decide, for instance, to start selling your products at fairs etc. The licence is in addition to the need to be business registered.
The licences are issued by the local Chambres de Commerce (for commercial sellers) or the Chambres de Metiers (for tradesmen). You need to apply using the form Déclaration préalable pour l'exercice d'une activité commerciale ou artisanale ambulante.
Where you are proposing to sell products only in markets etc in the commune where you live, and/or the registered business office (if different), then no licence is required.
In addition, there is no need to apply for a licence if you are a registered commercial agent (agent commercial), you are canvassing for travel agents banks etc, or doing sales rounds undertaken on an ancillary basis from a fixed premises. Artists and farmers selling their own produce are also exempt.
The validity period of the card is 4 years and costs €30, inc VAT.
If you propose to carry out your activity on the public highway, or you require a stand at a local market, you will also need an additional permit, called an autorisation temporaire d’occuper le domaine public (AOT).
There are different types of AOT, depending on the location and type of activity. The permit can be obtained from the local mairie, or the prefecture where the highway is not under the control of the local council.
Advice
If you seek advice you can contact our Property Clinic, and one of our advisors will get back to you.
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