How do I obtain an itinerant merchant's or craftsman's card?

An itinerant merchant is anyone selling products at fairs and exhibitions, or on a non-sedentary basis. Whether it's a fairground activity or a foodtruck, you'll need specific accreditation to operate your business.

This card is called a "Carte commerciale ambulante" or "Carte artisanale ambulante", depending on the nature of your activity. It's essential if you want to set up in a village square, or get a place in a market, for example.

To obtain this status, you must be registered with the RCS (Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés), the Répertoire des Métiers or as a micro-entrepreneur.

Here's everything you need to know to obtain your itinerant merchant or artisan card.

What professions are covered by the travelling salesman or craftsman card?

The "carte de commerçant ou d'artisan ambulant" (itinerant trader's or craftsman's card) is compulsory for all persons whose activity takes place outside the commune in which the company is domiciled.

Let's take an example. You are a baker, with a store (which is also your head office) and an itinerant truck. If the latter only goes to markets in the same commune as your store, you don't need a travelling salesman's card.

If you're going to markets in other towns, you'll need to have it.

Here is a list of all the situations in which you may need to obtain an itinerant tradesman's card:

• You carry on business outside the municipality where your home or main establishment is located
• As a micro-entrepreneur, you carry out an activity outside the municipality in which your establishment is located.
• You have been homeless for more than 6 months
• You're an artist or showman, and your show is travelling, or your attraction is mobile.

It's important to point out that obtaining this card is not enough to have the right to operate on the public highway. In addition, you need to apply for authorization from the municipality where you will be working.

Who are the professionals exempt from obtaining this card?

There are, however, a number of professions exempt from the need to hold an itinerant trader's card :

• Sales agents
• Door-to-door sales representatives (VRP)
• Press salespersons
• Cab drivers
• Freight carriers
• Shopkeepers or craftsmen carrying out sales rounds or providing services in one or more communes from a fixed establishment (home repairs, bread or grocery sales in rural areas, for example).

How do I get my card?

To obtain an itinerant merchant's or craftsman's card, you need to go to the Center des Formalités des Entreprises (CFE) nearest to your head office. If you're a merchant, it's the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie. If you're a craftsman, it's the Chambre des Métiers et de l'Artisanat.

The appropriate form must be transferred to the CFE by e-mail, on site or by post.

The card is issued for 4 years, renewable as required. It has been invoiced at €30 since August^1, 2020. While waiting for it to be issued, a 1-month provisional certificate can be issued to the entrepreneur filing an application.

Itinerant traders and craftsmen are often on the move, and don't always need complex and costly premises to run their business properly. It's therefore in their interest to use the services of domiciliation companies to simplify day-to-day operations and save money.

Using the services of a domiciliation company, you can obtain a business address in a business center, for as little as a few dozen euros a month.

Much more than just a mailbox, domiciliation companies lighten your day-to-day workload by taking care of many low value-added tasks: daily mail management, switchboard with call forwarding, administrative, accounting and legal assistance, and meeting room rental are all at your disposal.

With SeDomicilier, it only takes 5 minutes to obtain a certificate of domiciliation! All your services are then available in a personalized and secure virtual office!