Pedlar’s must hold a certificate under the Pedlars Act 1871 granted by Chief Officer of Police in the district in which they have resided for one month prior to their application.  A pedlar's certificate authorises the holder to act as a pedlar within any part of the United Kingdom and remains in force for one year from the date of issue.  It can only be granted to persons over the age of 17 years.

It is not necessary for the following persons to obtain certificates:-

a) commercial travellers;

b) persons selling to or seeking orders from dealers who buy to sell again;

c) persons selling or seeking orders for books as agents authorised in writing by the publishers;

d) sellers of vegetables, fish, fruit or victuals;

e) persons selling or exposing for sale goods in any public market or fair legally established.

Persons carrying missionary bags from house to house selling small articles for domestic use and applying the proceeds for charitable purposes are not pedlar’s, nor are persons standing in the street to sell their goods who do not go either from house to house or town to town.

APPLICATION FOR A PEDLAR'S CERTIFICATE

Applications for the grant of a pedlar’s certificate will be made on a pedlar’s certificate application form.

Application forms are available from your local police station or as a download here.  Completed forms should be returned to your local Police Station.  On receipt of a completed application form an officer must be deputed to enquire into:

a) the reasons for the application;

b) whether the request is bona fide;

c) the suitability of the applicant to be granted a certificate;

d) the accuracy of the applicant's description;

e) whether the applicant is over the age of 17 years;

f) whether the applicant has resided in the area for at least one month prior to the application;

g) whether the applicant has any previous convictions recorded;

h) the referee's validity.

 

GRANT OF CERTIFICATE

The grant of a pedlars certificate is at the discretion of officers of the rank of Chief Inspector and above, to whom the Chief Constable has delegated authority.

Upon approval a pedlars’ certificate (form GEN/129) will be completed and the 'issue' and 'retained' portions signed by the granting officer.

REFUSAL OF CERTIFICATE

Where an officer refuses to grant a certificate the application and enquiring officer's report will be submitted.

Any person whose application has been refused should be warned and informed that any appeal against refusal must be made in writing within 7 days.

RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATE

An application for the renewal of a pedlar's certificate will be dealt with in the same manner as an application for a grant.

The enquiring officer will report upon any matter that may have arisen during the currency of the certificate which may affect the decision to renew.

LOSS OF CERTIFICATE

Where the holder of a pedlar's certificate reports that it has been lost, an officer of the rank of Chief Inspector or above for the area in which the original certificate was granted may, if satisfied that the loss is genuine, issue a certificate endorsed 'DUPLICATE - ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE LOST ' (DATE)'.

PAYMENT OF FEES

A fee of £12.25p is payable for the grant, renewal or replacement of a certificate.  The fee becomes payable on the grant, renewal or replacement and monies must not be accepted at the time of application.

When a pedlar's certificate has been granted, renewed or replaced, arrangements will be made for it to be sent to the appropriate District to be handed to the grantee on payment of the fee.

Delivery or non-delivery of the certificate will be indicated on the file.  A receipt will be issued to the applicant by the officer receiving the fee.