Specialist retail licences and registrations

Most retail businesses need no specific licence to trade. This guide covers specialist licences required only if you sell specific regulated products or trade in particular ways.

For general retail compliance (consumer rights, age verification, VAT, PAYE), see our Start a retail business journey.

Activities not requiring a specific licence

Many retail activities do not require a specialist licence, though you must still comply with general trading law:

No Licence Required (retail sale)

No Licence Required (retail sale) - Sale of general sale list (GSL) medicines

Regulator: Mhra
Typical fee: None
Frequency: ongoing
Legal basis: Human Medicines Regulations 2012

General retailers (supermarkets, etc.) can sell General Sale List medicines without pharmacy registration. Includes common medicines like paracetamol, aspirin, antacids. Must be sold in manufacturer's original packaging. Pack size limits apply (e.g., max 32 paracetamol tablets per pack). Must display away from baby food. Cannot sell Pharmacy (P) or Prescription Only (POM) medicines.

No Licence Required (consumer protection compliance)

No Licence Required (consumer protection compliance) - Sale of motor vehicles (as business)

Regulator: Local Authority
Typical fee: None
Frequency: ongoing
Legal basis: Consumer Rights Act 2015; Motor Vehicles (Sale) Regulations

No specific licence to sell motor vehicles. Must comply with consumer rights (vehicles of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, as described). Must provide written information about key features. 30-day refund right for faulty vehicles. Must not misrepresent mileage, history, condition. Trading Standards enforce. Register with HMRC as motor dealer for VAT margin scheme.

No Specific Licence Required (trading standards compliance)

No Specific Licence Required (trading standards compliance) - Sale of second-hand goods (not motor vehicles)

Regulator: Local Authority
Typical fee: None
Frequency: ongoing
Legal basis: Consumer Rights Act 2015; Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008

No specific licence for second-hand goods. Must comply with consumer rights legislation. Goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, as described. Refund rights differ for new vs second-hand goods. Must not mislead about condition. Charity shops have some exemptions. Register as business with HMRC for tax purposes. May need scrap metal dealer licence if buying scrap metal.

Right to Work Checks (no licence required)

Right to Work Checks (no licence required) - Employing staff (right to work)

Regulator: Home Office
Typical fee: None
Frequency: per employee
Legal basis: Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006

Not a licence but mandatory checks before employing anyone. Must check and copy original documents (passport, visa, biometric card, etc.). Check approved list of acceptable documents. Conduct follow-up checks for time-limited permission. Employers with compliant checks have statutory excuse against civil penalty (up to £60,000 per illegal worker). Use Home Office online checking service where applicable.

Product Safety Notification (no licence required)

Product Safety Notification (no licence required) - Sale of specific goods (cosmetics, toys, electrical)

Regulator: Office For Product Safety Standards
Typical fee: None
Frequency: ongoing
Legal basis: General Product Safety Regulations 2005; Product Safety and Metrology Act 2022

No licence but mandatory compliance. Retailers must only sell safe products that comply with UK regulations. Must conduct due diligence. Keep records of suppliers. Report dangerous products to Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). CE/UKCA marking required for many products. Test reports may be required.

Weights and Measures Compliance (no licence required)

Weights and Measures Compliance (no licence required) - Retail sale of goods (weights and measures)

Regulator: Local Authority
Typical fee: None
Frequency: ongoing
Legal basis: Weights and Measures Act 1985

No licence required but mandatory compliance. Must use accurate, certified weighing/measuring equipment. Packaged goods must show correct weight/volume. Trading Standards conduct inspections and test purchases. Equipment must be stamped and verified by approved verifier. Keep calibration certificates.

Age Verification Scheme (no licence required)

Age Verification Scheme (no licence required) - Sale of knives and bladed articles

Regulator: Local Authority
Typical fee: None
Frequency: ongoing
Legal basis: Criminal Justice Act 1988; Offensive Weapons Act 2019

No licence required but strict age verification mandatory. Cannot sell knives or bladed articles to anyone under 18. Retailers must operate robust age verification scheme. Online sellers must verify age at delivery. Trading Standards enforce through test purchases and prosecutions.

Natasha's Law Compliance (allergen information)

Natasha's Law Compliance (allergen information) - Sale of loose/unwrapped food

Regulator: Food Standards Agency
Typical fee: None
Frequency: ongoing
Legal basis: Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019

Not a licence but mandatory compliance. Since October 2021, all pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) food must display full ingredients list and allergen information on label. Applies to food packed on premises where sold or for direct sale. Staff must have allergen training. FSA provides free resources.

Advertisement Consent

Advertisement Consent - Display of external signage

Regulator: Local Authority
Typical fee: £132 (standard fee)
Timeline: 8 weeks
Frequency: one time
Legal basis: Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007

Some signs have deemed consent (e.g., small shop fascias, window displays). Illuminated signs, large signs, flags, banners often require consent. Conservation areas have stricter rules. Check local authority planning guidance. Listed buildings require listed building consent for any external changes.

Business Rates Registration

Business Rates Registration - Operating retail premises

Regulator: Local Authority
Typical fee: Based on rateable value
Timeline: Register immediately upon occupying premises
Frequency: ongoing
Legal basis: Local Government Finance Act 1988

Mandatory for all non-domestic properties. Annual rates based on rateable value set by Valuation Office Agency. Small Business Rate Relief available for rateable value under £15,000 (100% relief if under £12,000). Retail Relief available (check current scheme). Revaluation every few years.

Automatic Enrolment Registration

Automatic Enrolment Registration - Employing staff (pension obligations)

Regulator: Pensions Regulator
Typical fee: None (registration is free)
Timeline: Complete duties within 5 months of staging date
Frequency: one time
Legal basis: Pensions Act 2008; Automatic Enrolment Regulations 2010

All employers must enrol eligible workers (aged 22-66, earning £10,000+) into workplace pension. Set up pension scheme before staging date. Minimum contributions: 8% total (3% employer, 5% employee). Submit declaration of compliance to Pensions Regulator within 5 months. Re-enrol leavers every 3 years. Fines for non-compliance.

Packaging Waste Registration

Packaging Waste Registration - Packaging of goods over threshold

Regulator: Environment Agency
Typical fee: £1,000-£3,000+ annually (via compliance scheme)
Timeline: Register if over threshold before reporting deadline
Frequency: annual
Legal basis: Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007

Required if business handles >50 tonnes packaging annually AND has turnover >£2 million. Covers manufacturers, converters, importers, sellers/distributors. Must register and report packaging data to Environment Agency. Join compliance scheme or register individually. Evidence of recycling required (Packaging Recovery Notes).

National Lottery Terminal Agreement

National Lottery Terminal Agreement - Sale of lottery tickets

Regulator: Camelot
Typical fee: None (revenue commission basis)
Timeline: 2-4 weeks for application and installation
Frequency: ongoing
Legal basis: National Lottery Act 1993

No licence but contractual agreement with National Lottery operator (currently Allwyn from 2024). Apply online to become retail partner. Must meet criteria (suitable premises, no association with gambling harm). Terminal provided free. Receive ~5% commission on ticket sales. Must follow operator's code of practice and age verification (18+).

Tobacco and nicotine product registration

You must register with Trading Standards at least 28 days before selling tobacco or nicotine products. Registration is free but mandatory.

Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Product Registration

Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Product Registration - Retail sale of tobacco and nicotine products

Regulator: Local Authority
Typical fee: None (free registration)
Timeline: Immediate (must register before first sale)
Frequency: one time
Legal basis: Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016

Mandatory registration with local Trading Standards at least 28 days before first sale. Applies to all tobacco products, cigarette papers, and nicotine inhaling products (e-cigarettes/vaping). No fee. Registration renewed every 3 years. Separate requirements in Scotland and Wales.

Fireworks licence

A licence is required to sell fireworks year-round. No licence needed if you only sell during traditional periods (Guy Fawkes, New Year, Diwali, Chinese New Year).

Fireworks Licence

Fireworks Licence - Sale of fireworks

Regulator: Local Authority
Typical fee: £500 (permanent licence) or £500 (annual licence)
Timeline: 6 weeks
Frequency: annual
Legal basis: Fireworks Regulations 2004

Required for year-round sale of fireworks to the public. Not needed if only selling fireworks during traditional periods (15 October-10 November, 26 December-31 December, 3 days before Chinese New Year, 3 days before Diwali). Must comply with storage and safety requirements.

Pet shop licence (Animal Activities)

Selling animals as pets requires an Animal Activities Licence from your local authority. You'll be inspected and rated.

Animal Activities Licence (Selling Animals as Pets)

Animal Activities Licence (Selling Animals as Pets) - Sale of animals (pet shops)

Regulator: Local Authority
Typical fee: £100-£500 (varies by authority)
Timeline: 6-8 weeks
Frequency: annual triennial
Legal basis: Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018

Required for selling animals as pets (including online sales). Covers pet shops, breeders selling direct, commercial dog breeders. Must meet welfare standards and be inspected. Star rating system (1-5 stars) determines licence length: 1-2 stars = 1 year, 3 stars = 2 years, 4-5 stars = 3 years. Separate regulations in Scotland, Wales, NI.

Scrap metal dealer licence

Buying scrap metal for resale requires a licence. Cash payments for scrap metal are illegal.

Scrap Metal Dealer Licence

Scrap Metal Dealer Licence - Buying scrap metal for resale

Regulator: Local Authority
Typical fee: £500-£600 (site licence) or £300-£400 (collector licence)
Timeline: 6-8 weeks
Frequency: triennial
Legal basis: Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013

Required for anyone carrying on business as scrap metal dealer. Site licence for fixed location (e.g., yard, shop). Collector licence for mobile collectors. Must verify seller identity and keep detailed records. Cannot pay cash for scrap metal (cheque or electronic payment only). Licence valid 3 years. Local authority conducts suitability checks.

Market stalls and street trading

Trading from markets or public areas requires permission from your local authority or market operator.

Market Stall Licence / Pitch Application

Market Stall Licence / Pitch Application - Market trading (from market stall)

Regulator: Local Authority
Typical fee: £10-£50 per day or £500-£2,000 per year
Timeline: Immediate to 4 weeks depending on market
Frequency: daily weekly annual
Legal basis: Local authority market regulations

Requirements vary by market operator (council or private). May need casual trader permit or permanent pitch licence. Most markets require public liability insurance (minimum £5 million). Food traders need food hygiene certificate and registration. Check specific market terms and conditions.

Food Business Registration + Street Trading Licence

Food Business Registration + Street Trading Licence - Mobile food retail (van/trailer)

Regulator: Local Authority
Typical fee: Free (food registration) + £100-£1,000+ (street trading)
Timeline: 28 days (food registration) + 4-8 weeks (street trading)
Frequency: one time plus annual
Legal basis: Food Safety Act 1990; Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982

Requires both food business registration with Environmental Health (free, 28 days notice) and street trading licence from each local authority area where operating. Vehicle must meet food hygiene standards. Regular inspections by Environmental Health. Get Food Hygiene Rating. May need temporary event notices for private land events.

Environmental registrations for retailers

Retailers importing electrical equipment or handling significant packaging may need environmental registrations.

WEEE Producer Registration

WEEE Producer Registration - Sale of electronic equipment

Regulator: Environment Agency
Typical fee: £2,000-£4,000+ annually (via compliance scheme)
Timeline: Register before placing EEE on market
Frequency: annual
Legal basis: Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013

Required if placing Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) on UK market for first time. Must register with Environment Agency and join approved compliance scheme. Scheme handles collection and recycling obligations. Must report tonnage annually. Household WEEE categories: large/small appliances, IT/telecoms, consumer equipment, lighting, electrical tools, toys, medical devices.

EPR for Packaging Registration

EPR for Packaging Registration - Extended Producer Responsibility (from 2025)

Regulator: Environment Agency
Typical fee: Variable fees based on packaging tonnage and recyclability
Timeline: Registration by 1 April each reporting year
Frequency: annual
Legal basis: Environment Act 2021; Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations

New system from 2025 replacing PRN system. All businesses supplying packaged goods to UK market must register if turnover >£1 million and handle >25 tonnes packaging. Small organisations (under £2M turnover, under 50 tonnes) pay flat fee. Larger organisations pay based on packaging weight and environmental impact. Report via online system.

Business Context Testing

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Specialist retail licences and registrations

Activities not requiring a specific licence

Tobacco and nicotine product registration

Fireworks licence

Pet shop licence (Animal Activities)

Scrap metal dealer licence

Market stalls and street trading

Environmental registrations for retailers

Compliance Assistant

🧪 Business Context Testing

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Activities not requiring a specific licence

Tobacco and nicotine product registration

Fireworks licence

Pet shop licence (Animal Activities)

Scrap metal dealer licence

Market stalls and street trading

Environmental registrations for retailers

Related guides in Product Safety

Business Context Testing

Content Graph