The “carte de commerçant ambulant” (itinerant merchant’s card), mandatory for certain itinerant businesses, must be renewed every four years. It allows sales on markets, covered market halls and public thoroughfares, particularly when the trader operates outside the commune in which he or she is domiciled.
Itinerant merchant card
The “carte de commerçant ambulant” (itinerant salesman’s card) enables itinerant salesmen to carry on their business legally. It is issued by the Centre de Formalités des Entreprises (CFE), i.e. :
- For retailers: the relevant Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI).
- For craftsmen : Chambre des Métiers et de l’Artisanat (CMA).
What is the “carte de commerçant ambulant”?
This professional card authorizes its holder to sell products or services on a mobile basis, without a fixed commercial establishment, and provides a legal framework for the business.
To obtain it, the retailer must :
- register with the Trade and Companies Registry,
- and provide proof of address,
- as well as where to store its merchandise.
It is valid for four years throughout France, and specifies the identity of the retailer and the products sold. Merchants must comply with the regulations applicable to their activity (standards, hygiene, safety); they are subject to controls, must be able to present their card and issue invoices.
For whom is it mandatory?
An itinerant merchant’s card is compulsory when the professional travels outside the commune in which he/she is domiciled, or when he/she has no fixed address.
Non-French residents who are nationals of a member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area are also required to hold a “carte de commerçant ambulant” (itinerant merchant’s card), obtained from the CCI (Chamber of Commerce and Industry) responsible for the commune in which they mainly carry out their activity.
When should it be renewed?
The renewal must be carried out at least 1 month before the expiry date of the current card. Once the process has begun, the merchant has 2 months after this date to complete it. Once this period has elapsed, the application will no longer be considered a renewal, but a new initial application. A timely renewal means that you can continue to do business legally, without interruption.
Renewal formalities
To renew your itinerant merchant’s card, you need to follow certain steps and submit certain documents.
Putting together a renewal file
In order to proceed with renewal, companies must compile a complete file comprising a number of supporting documents. The documents required may vary according to each situation, but certain basic elements must be provided:
- Form n°14022*02 duly completed and signed
- A photocopy of both sides of the current itinerant merchant’s card
- Proof of address less than 3 months old (electricity bill, rent receipt, etc.)
- A recent passport-size photo of the contractor, head-on and bare-headed, in regulation format
- A cheque for €30 made payable to the relevant CCI to cover administrative costs
Depending on the situation, additional documents may be required, such as a K-bis extract for companies or a certificate of tax regularity.
Sending the file and processing time
Once the file has been compiled, it must be sent by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt to the relevant Chamber of Commerce and Industry, i.e. the one responsible for the entrepreneur’s place of residence or the company’s principal place of business, or handed in directly at the CCI counter.
Processing time is generally 15 working days from receipt of the complete application. During this period, if the professional needs to continue his business activity, he can apply for a provisional card by returning the old one.
Apply online
Some CCIs now offer the possibility of applying for renewal online, via their website, to save time and avoid sending the form and documents by post.
By following these steps, and submitting a complete file, professionals have every chance of obtaining their new card quickly and continuing their business activities with peace of mind.
Competent bodies
To renew your traveling salesman’s card, you need to know which organizations to contact.
The Chambers of Commerce and Industry, privileged partners
In France, the main bodies responsible for issuing and renewing itinerant merchant cards are the Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Each CCI covers one or more départements, so you need to contact the one corresponding to your place of residence or business address.
To find the contact details of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in your area, consult the national directory on the cci.fr website.
Chamber of Trades and Crafts
For micro-business owners, the local Chambre des Métiers et de l’Artisanat can also provide additional information, and can be contacted for any questions relating to artisan status.
A few tips for effective renewal!
Several actions on the part of the craftsman are inseparable from a rapid and effective renewal:
- Apply early: you can apply for a renewal 1 month before your current card expires.
- Carefully compile your file: all the required supporting documents must be properly assembled before submitting your application; an incomplete file could delay renewal processing.
- Respect deadlines: once your application has been submitted, the CCI takes an average of 15 days to issue your new card.
- Apply for a provisional card in an emergency: if the card is about to expire and the merchant needs to continue trading, he can apply to the CCI for a provisional card while the new one is being sent out.
By following this advice and speaking to the right people, you’ll have every chance of obtaining your new traveling salesman’s card as quickly as possible.
How easy is it to renew your card?
Renewing a traveling salesperson’s card is a relatively straightforward process, but one that requires certain deadlines to be met and specific documents to be submitted. By applying to the appropriate bodies and following the procedure within the set deadlines, professionals can easily obtain their new itinerant merchant card.