Conditions for Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility to Act as a Retail Fuel Agent

Pursuant to Decree No. 83/2014/NĐ-CP, as amended by Decree No. 95/2021/NĐ-CP, a trader wishing to become a retail fuel agent must fully satisfy legal conditions relating to the enterprise, facilities, and personnel capacity. Once all conditions are met, the enterprise will be granted a Certificate of eligibility to act as a retail fuel agent by the Department of Industry and Trade.

The specific conditions are as follows:

Conditions for Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility to Act as a Retail Fuel Agent

1. The enterprise is lawfully established and has fuel trading registeredThe enterprise must:

• Be lawfully established in accordance with Vietnamese law; and

• Have fuel trading clearly registered as a business line in its Enterprise Registration Certificate.

This is the fundamental condition for participation in the fuel distribution system.

2. Has at least one qualified fuel retail outletThe agent must have at least one (01) fuel retail outlet that:

• Is owned or co-owned by the enterprise; and

• Has been granted a Certificate of eligibility for fuel retailing in accordance with Article 25 of Decree No. 83.

The retail outlet must fully comply with requirements on:

• National technical regulations applicable to fuel stations;

• Fire prevention and fighting (FPF) system;

• Safety distances;

• Environmental requirements; and

• Other specialized technical standards for fuel trading.

3. Personnel are trained in fire safety and environmental protectionManagers and employees directly engaged in fuel trading must hold:

• Certificates of training and professional instruction in fire prevention and fighting; and

• Certificates of environmental protection training in accordance with current regulations.

Given the hazardous and highly flammable nature of fuel products, this is a mandatory condition and is subject to frequent inspections.

To be recognized as a retail fuel agent, an enterprise must satisfy all three (03) conditions concerning: legal status, a qualified retail outlet, and trained personnel capacity.

As a key link in the fuel distribution system, the legal conditions for retail fuel agents are designed stringently to ensure absolute safety in fuel trading activities.

Retail fuel agents play an essential role in the nationwide fuel distribution network, directly serving consumers and bearing significant responsibility for fire and explosion safety, environmental protection, and product quality. Therefore, the law imposes a very strict set of conditions on enterprises, physical facilities, and personnel capacity before granting a Certificate of eligibility to act as a retail fuel agent.

Enterprises wishing to enter this field must carefully prepare retail infrastructure, complete legal dossiers, ensure compliance with fire safety and environmental standards, and maintain safe and stable operations.

With a team of experienced industrial and trade lawyers and legal experts who deeply understand both legal regulations and technical standards in fuel trading, Vietlink Law Firm is ready to accompany enterprises throughout the entire process: advising on conditions, reviewing infrastructures, preparing dossiers, applying for licensing, and supporting compliance during operations.

Vietlink is committed to providing comprehensive, accurate, and optimal legal solutions, enabling enterprises to operate fuel retail outlets in full compliance, safely, and sustainably.

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