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Same permits apply to: mini grocery.
Most extra rules for a sari-sari store are about how you sell, not what you file. Price tags are required on retail goods. If you sell cigarettes, you cannot sell within 100 meters of a school or public playground, you cannot sell to minors, and you must post a notice saying so. Vape buyers must be 18 or older, shown by a valid government photo ID. The one owners miss most: the 100 meter rule.[1,2,3]
Sari-sari store setup checklist
- Measure the distance from your store to the nearest school or playground fence
- Print and post the no-sale-to-minors notice if you sell cigarettes
- Decide how you will check IDs for vape buyers
- Make price boards for shelves and jars
- Check if any stock counts as household pesticide
- Ask the city about a liquor permit before selling beer or gin
Before you stock cigarettes or vapes
RA 9211 prohibits the sale of tobacco products within 100 meters of any point of a school or public playground perimeter. Measure from the fence line, not from the gate.[2]
If your store passes that test, the same law bars sales to minors, requires you to verify age when in doubt, and requires a clear notice that selling tobacco to minors is unlawful.[2]
For vapes and heated tobacco, RA 11900 sets the minimum age at 18 and requires you to check a valid government photo ID.[3]
Price tags on tingi items
The Consumer Act requires price tags or markings on consumer products sold at retail. For basic necessities and prime commodities, a missing price tag counts as prima facie evidence of profiteering under the Price Act.[1]
Tingi items like sachets and single candies are hard to tag one by one. A price board for each row or jar is simpler and easier to update.
Insect spray and other pesticides
FPA licenses dealers and retailers of fertilizer and pesticides. If you sell insect spray, ask FPA if you need a license. FPA sets the fee.[4]
Questions people ask
- Can I sell cigarettes if my store is beside a school?
- Not within 100 meters of any point of the school's perimeter.
- What if I am not sure a buyer is 18?
- For tobacco, you must verify age when in doubt. For vapes, you must check a valid government photo ID.
- Do I need an FPA license for selling insect spray?
- You may. FPA licenses dealers and retailers of fertilizer and pesticides and sets the fee. Ask FPA if your insect spray stock needs a license.
- Is there a cheaper way to register a small store?
- See our BMBE guide to check if registering as a barangay micro business enterprise fits your store.
Sources
Checked 13 November 2026. We link the agency's own page for every requirement. Rules change; confirm with the office before you pay.
- DTI warns business owners, establishments that price tag is a must · Department of Trade and Industry · 6 May 2022
- Republic Act No. 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003) · Lawphil (text of RA 9211) · 23 June 2003
- Republic Act No. 11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act) · Lawphil (text of RA 11900) · 25 July 2022
- Citizen's Charter 2025 (External Services) · Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority · November 2025
The extra permits, in one table
| Permit or registration | Agency | When it applies | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price tags on all consumer products sold at retail[1] | DTI | always | Not published |
| Price tag on basic necessities/prime commodities[1] | DTI | if selling basic necessities or prime commodities | Not published |
| FPA license if retailing household pesticides[4] | Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority | if retailing household pesticides | Set by FPA; ask FPA |
Rules and exemptions
Selling rules that apply
- No tobacco sales within 100 m of schools and public…: Sale or distribution of tobacco products is prohibited within 100 meters of any point of a school or public playground perimeter (RA 9211 Sec. 10)[2]
- No tobacco sales to minors; verify age when in doubt: Retailers may not sell tobacco to minors and must verify age when in doubt (RA 9211 Secs. 9, 12)[2]
- Post notice that sale of tobacco to minors is unlawful: Establishments selling tobacco must post a clear, conspicuous notice that sale to minors is unlawful (RA 9211 Sec. 11)[2]
- Sell vapes/HTPs only to 18+; check valid government photo ID: Vapes/HTPs: minimum age 18; retailers must check a valid government photo ID (RA 11900 Secs. 6-7)[3]