Transient Merchant License

MN Statues 329.099-.17  MS Statue Chapter 297A.83

The term transient merchant means any person, individual, co-partnership, limited liability company, and corporation, both as principal and agent, who engages in, does, or transacts any temporary and transient business in the State of Minnesota, either in one locality, or in traveling from place to place in this state, selling goods, wares, and merchandise; and who, for the purpose of carrying on such business, hire, lease, occupy, or use a building, structure, vacant lot, or railroad car for the exhibition and sale of such goods, wares, and merchandise.

The term transient merchant does not include a seller or exhibitor in a firearms collector show involving two or more sellers or exhibitors.

Any person, either as principal or agent, conducting business as a transient merchant without having first obtained a license is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Application Process

The following required documents must be completed and accepted prior to issuing a license. Forms can be downloaded online but must be printed, signed, and mailed or delivered to our office.

• Application for Transient Merchant License
  • Requires Notary Public Signature (Notary services available on-site)
• Form SP: C1 – License Applicant Information
• Certification of Compliance with Minnesota Workers' Compensation Law
• Appointment of County Auditor as Agent
  • Requires Notary Public Signature (Notary services available on-site)

Additional Required Documents

• A Surety Bond, conditioned on the terms as stated in Minnesota Statutes, section 329.11, in the amount of $3,000 must accompany the license application.
  • The bond should be made payable to Goodhue County
• An itemized list of merchandise to be offered for sale, listing:
  • A description of each item
  • The serial number of each item, if any
  • The owner's actual cost of each item
  • A designation by number corresponding with a number to be affixed to each item by a tag which shall be kept fastened to the item at all times until sold.
• A copy of the seller’s permit as issued under section 297A.83 or a written statement from the applicant stating that the applicant is not offering for sale any item that is taxable under Chapter 297A.

Validation

Licenses are:

• Valid for one year from the date of issuance
• Valid at one sale location only
• Not valid for more than one person, unless that person is a member of a co-partnership
• Not valid outside of the county in which it is issued

Fees & Applications

Transient Merchant License Application

• The license fee is $150 for each sale location
• We will accept payment by cash, check, or money order
• Checks should be made payable to Goodhue County

Penalties

Every person, either as principal or agent, that conducts any one of the following actions without first obtaining a license is guilty of a gross misdemeanor:

• Engages in, does, or transacts any business as a transient merchant
• Conducts any sale, sell, or exposes for sale any goods, wares, and merchandise
• Advertises, represents, or holds forth any sale of goods, wares, and merchandise