Pedlars Certificates
Eligibility for a pedlar’s certificate, how to apply, how much it costs, prohibited items, and the consequences of acting without a certificate.
A pedlar is someone who travels and trades on foot, going from town-to-town or house-to-house selling goods or offering their skills in handicrafts.
A pedlar must hold a certificate granted by a chief constable. The certificate is valid for one year and applies throughout the UK.
Eligibility
To apply for a pedlar’s certificate, you must:
- over the age of 17
- have lived in the local authority where you are applying for at least 28 days
How to apply
You apply for a pedlar’s certificate at your local police station.
You must bring:
- two photos of you
- a form of identity, such as a valid UK passport or driving licence
- proof of your address
- details of a referee
The certificate costs £12.25.
Prohibited items
The certificate does not let you sell:
- food or drink
- flowers
- medicines
- poisons
- gunpowder
- tobacco
Any person wishing to sell those items must make application to the local authority for to comply with food safety regulations.
Fines
Someone who acts as a pedlar without a certificate is committing an offence.
If you work as a pedlar without a certificate – or let someone else use yours – you could be fined up to £200.
You could also get a prison sentence of up to six months if you either:
- give false information when you apply
- make or carry a fake certificate