All tobacco dealers in the Cayman Islands are required to submit their applications for registration by Friday, Nov. I.

The Department of Commerce and Investment reminded tobacco dealers this week that applications submitted between Nov. 2 and Dec. 31 will attract a late charge fee that is 50 percent higher than the regular renewal rate.

Applications submitted between Jan. 1-31 will incur a late fee of 100 percent of the regular renewal rate.

“Any dealer who does not apply for a renewal before Jan. 31 must cease operations for one year before he or she is allowed to submit a new application,” a notice from the Department of Commerce and Industry said.

The Tobacco Law (2008) requires dealers to register their tobacco products annually. “Failure to comply means that persons are operating illegally and, therefore, they are subject to fines or prosecution,” said the department’s director, Ryan Rajkumarsingh.

The annual registration renewal fees are $500 for a retailer; $750 for a cigar bar; and $5,000 for a wholesale distributor.

The renewal application form must be submitted along with a current trade and business licence certificate, as well as written notification of any changes made since the last registration. Notable changes include includes items such as contact information, location, ownership, and trade of products information.