Starting a cigar or tobacco store in Texas? Before you hang your first sign or stock the humidor, there’s one legal step every Texas tobacco shop must take: securing a retail permit.
If you don’t meet Texas licensing requirements, you won’t be able to legally sell tobacco products. Not having the proper permits can also lead to hefty fines or shutting your business down.
Learn how to get a tobacco license in Texas in six steps (and what to expect).
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts issues several types of tobacco-related permits. For most new retail tobacco shops, you need the Cigarette/Tobacco Retailer Permit. This license lets you sell cigars, cigarettes, pipe tobacco, loose leaf, and similar products to consumers.
You also need an active Texas Sales Tax Permit for each business location. If you’re opening more than one storefront, each will need its own permit.
The next step to get a tobacco license in Texas is to visit the Texas eSystems Portal. Set up an account if you don’t already have one, then follow these steps to apply for your retailer permit:
Make sure to disclose any past license revocations or felony convictions related to tobacco tax fraud. These don’t automatically disqualify you, but the state requires full transparency before issuing approval.
Once your application is complete, you pay for the certificate. To get a tobacco license in Texas, retailers pay $180 per location for a two-year permit. For distributors, the cost is $300, and for wholesalers, it's $200. Each type of business needs its own license.
To finish up this step:
The state won’t refund unused time if your business location closes before your permit expires, so apply when you’re ready to launch.
After submitting your application and payment, the Comptroller’s office will begin a background review. They check for criminal history related to fraud, tax evasion, or tobacco violations, and confirm that your business is in good standing.
They may contact you if they discover unpaid tobacco product taxes, a revoked past permit due to underage sales, or missing information. Otherwise, the Comptroller will issue your license and mail the certificate to the business address.
Most applications are processed within three business days. Do not start selling tobacco products until you have the physical license posted in your store.
Getting your state tobacco license is only part of the setup process. Some Texas cities and counties have additional rules that apply to tobacco retailers. For instance, in Dallas, if you sell tobacco paraphernalia, you cannot operate within 1,500 feet of another shop.
Before you launch:
Getting ahead of those requirements helps avoid delays, fines, or forced relocation.
When your tobacco sales certificate arrives, post it where customers and inspectors can see it, as required by Texas law. You can now legally sell tobacco, but you’ll have to follow compliance rules:
Inspectors from the Comptroller’s office can show up unannounced. If you violate any part of the law, the penalties stack up quickly, starting with fines and escalating to license suspension or permanent revocation.
Now you know how to get a tobacco license in Texas, but what does it take to run a successful shop? You need a reliable point of sale (POS) system that keeps you compliant, organized, and ready for inspections from day one.
Cigars POS is built specifically for tobacco retailers. It helps you track inventory, verify age, apply taxes at checkout, and keep clean records for every sale.
Start your free trial today and get a reliable system before your first sale.