Tobacco Products Distributor License
- Who needs it
- US manufacturer, Importer, Distributor or wholesaler, Online or remote seller, Retailer
- Agency
- IDOR
- Fee
- No fee is listed on Schedule REG-1-C for the Other Tobacco Products Distributor license (the $250 fee on that form is listed only for cigarette distributor, secondary distributor and machine operator)
- Bond
- By statute (35 ILCS 143/10-20, as amended by P.A. 104-468), no bond is required of a distributor applying for the first time or of a distributor with less than $50,000 of tax liability in the preceding year; other distributors file a bond set by IDOR of up to the lesser of 3 times average monthly tax liability or $50,000. A bond of 3 times average monthly liability is required after a revocation. IDOR's tobacco products page has not been updated and still says the bond is required (licensed cigarette distributors exempt), and IDOR's e-cigarette FAQ describes a $1,000 initial bond; confirm with IDOR (rev.regbond@illinois.gov).
- Term
- Annual per IDOR Q&A 275
- Renewal
- Does not renew automatically; IDOR sends a renewal notice and the renewal application should be completed at least 30 days before expiration. Exact expiration date not confirmed.
Required for in-state manufacturers and wholesalers selling to Illinois retailers or consumers, out-of-state sellers maintaining an Illinois place of business, and any retailer that buys tobacco products or e-cigarettes from an unlicensed or out-of-state supplier. Apply with Form REG-1 and Schedule REG-1-C (one schedule per location). IDOR may also authorize a manufacturer or distributor that is not otherwise subject to the tax to remit it; if adequate security is furnished, IDOR issues a license to remit the tax without charge (35 ILCS 143/10-20).
35 ILCS 143/10-20 (as amended by P.A. 104-468, eff. June 16, 2026); IDOR Q&A 224 and 275; Schedule REG-1-C (R-09/25); IDOR Tobacco Products Tax page Source