Virginia Law

Article 2. Motor Fuel Licensing.

A. A person shall obtain a license issued by the Commissioner before conducting the activities of:

1. A refiner, who shall be licensed as a supplier;

2. A supplier;

3. A terminal operator;

4. An importer;

5. An exporter;

6. A blender;

7. A motor fuel transporter;

8. An aviation consumer;

9. A bonded importer;

10. An elective supplier; or

11. A fuel alcohol provider.

B. A person who is engaged in more than one activity for which a license is required shall have a separate license for each activity, except as provided in subsection C.

C. 1. A person who is licensed as a supplier shall not be required to obtain a separate license for any other activity for which a license is required and shall be considered to have a license as a distributor.

2. A person who is licensed as an occasional importer shall not be required to obtain a license as a distributor.

3. A person who is licensed as a distributor shall not be required to obtain a separate license as an importer if the distributor acquires fuel for import only from an elective supplier or permissive supplier. Such licensed distributor shall not be required to obtain a separate license as an exporter.

4. A person who is licensed as a distributor or a blender shall not be required to obtain a separate license as a motor fuel transporter if he does not transport motor fuel for others for hire.

2000, cc. 729, 758; 2003, c. 781; 2004, c. 340; 2012, c. 363.

A. An applicant for a license as an importer shall indicate whether he is applying for a license as a bonded importer or an occasional importer.

B. A person shall not be licensed as more than one type of importer. A bulk user who imports motor fuel from a terminal of a supplier who is not an elective or a permissive supplier shall be licensed as a bonded importer. A bulk user who imports motor fuel from a bulk plant and is not required to be licensed as a bonded importer shall be licensed as an occasional importer. A bulk user who imports motor fuel only from a terminal of an elective or a permissive supplier shall not be required to be licensed as an importer.

2000, cc. 729, 758.

A person who conducts the activities of a distributor or a permissive supplier may obtain a license issued by the Commissioner for that activity.

2000, cc. 729, 758.

A bulk user of motor fuel shall not be licensed as a distributor.

2000, cc. 729, 758.

A. To obtain a license under this article, an applicant shall file an application with the Commissioner on a form provided by the Commissioner. An application shall include the applicant's name, address, federal employer identification number, and any other information required by the Commissioner.

B. An applicant for a license as a motor fuel transporter, supplier, terminal operator, importer, blender, distributor, or aviation consumer shall satisfy the following requirements:

1. If the applicant is a corporation, the applicant shall either be incorporated in the Commonwealth or authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth;

2. If the applicant is a limited liability company, the applicant shall be organized in the Commonwealth or authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth;

3. If the applicant is a limited liability partnership, the applicant shall either be formed in the Commonwealth or authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth; or

4. If the applicant is an individual or a general partnership, the applicant shall designate an agent for service of process and provide the agent's name and address.

C. An applicant for a license as a supplier, terminal operator, blender, or permissive supplier shall have a federal certificate of registry issued under 26 U.S.C. § 4101 that authorizes the applicant to enter into federal tax-free transactions in taxable motor fuel in the terminal transfer system. An applicant who is required to have a federal certificate of registry shall include the registration number of the certificate on the application for a license under this section. An applicant for a license as an importer, an exporter, or a distributor who has a federal certificate of registry issued under 26 U.S.C. § 4101 shall include the registration number of the certificate on the application for a license under this section.

D. An applicant for a license as an importer or distributor shall list on the application each state from which the applicant intends to import motor fuel and, if required by a state listed, shall be licensed or registered for motor fuel tax purposes in that state. If a state listed requires the applicant to be licensed or registered, the applicant shall provide the applicant's license or registration number of that state. A licensee who intends to import motor fuel from a state not listed on his application for an importer's license or a distributor's license shall provide the Commissioner written notice of such action before importing motor fuel from that state. The notice shall include the information that is required on the license application.

E. An applicant for a license as an exporter shall designate an agent located in Virginia for service of process and provide the agent's name and address. An applicant for a license as an exporter or distributor shall list on the application each state to which the applicant intends to export motor fuel received in Virginia by means of a transfer that is outside the terminal transfer system and, if required by a state listed, shall be licensed or registered for motor fuel tax purposes in that state. If a state listed requires the applicant to be licensed or registered, the applicant shall provide the applicant's license or registration number of that state. A licensee who intends to export motor fuel to a state not listed on his application for an exporter's license or a distributor's license shall provide the Commissioner written notice of such action before exporting motor fuel to that state. The notice shall include the information required on the license application.

2000, cc. 729, 758; 2002, c. 7; 2012, c. 363.

A. An applicant for a license as a supplier may elect on the application to collect the tax due the Commonwealth on motor fuel that is removed at a terminal located in another state and has Virginia as its destination state. The Commissioner shall provide for this election on the application form. A supplier who makes the election allowed by this section shall be an elective supplier. A supplier who does not make the election allowed by this section shall be an in-state-only supplier. A supplier who does not make the election on the application for a supplier's license may make the election later by completing an election form provided by the Commissioner. A supplier who has not made the election shall not act as an elective supplier for purposes of this chapter.

B. A supplier who makes the election allowed by this section shall comply with all of the following with respect to motor fuel that is removed at a terminal located in another state and has Virginia as its destination state:

1. Collect the tax due the Commonwealth on the fuel;

2. Waive any defense that the Commonwealth lacks jurisdiction to require the supplier to collect the tax due the Commonwealth on the fuel under this chapter;

3. Report and pay the tax due on the fuel in the same manner as if the removal had occurred at a terminal located in Virginia;

4. Keep records of the removal of the fuel and submit to audits concerning the fuel as if the removal had occurred at a terminal located in Virginia; and

5. Report sales by the supplier to a person who is not licensed in the state where the removal occurred if the destination state is Virginia.

C. A supplier who makes the election allowed by this section (i) acknowledges that the Commonwealth imposes the requirements listed in subsection B of this section on the supplier under its general police power and (ii) submits to the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth only for purposes related to the administration of this chapter.

2000, cc. 729, 758.

A. An out-of-state supplier who is not required to be licensed under this chapter may elect to obtain a license and thereby become a permissive supplier. An out-of-state supplier who does not make this election shall not act as a permissive supplier for motor fuel that is removed at a terminal in another state and has Virginia as its destination state.

B. An out-of-state supplier who elects to be licensed as a permissive supplier shall comply with (i) the same requirements imposed on a supplier and (ii) all of the following with respect to motor fuel that is removed by the permissive supplier at a terminal located in another state and has Virginia as its destination state:

1. Collect the tax due the Commonwealth on the fuel;

2. Waive any defense that the Commonwealth lacks jurisdiction to require the supplier to collect the tax due the Commonwealth on the motor fuel under this chapter;

3. Report and pay the tax due on the fuel in the same manner as if the removal had occurred at a terminal located in Virginia;

4. Keep records of the removal of the fuel and submit to audits concerning the fuel as if the removal had occurred at a terminal located in Virginia; and

5. Report sales by the supplier to a person who is not licensed in the state where the removal occurred if the destination state is Virginia.

C. An out-of-state supplier who makes the election allowed by this section (i) acknowledges that the Commonwealth imposes the requirements listed in subsection B on the supplier under its general police power and (ii) submits to the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth only for purposes related to the administration of this chapter.

2000, cc. 729, 758.

A. An applicant for a license as a terminal operator, supplier, importer, blender, permissive supplier, distributor, or aviation consumer shall file with the Commissioner a bond or certificate of deposit. The bond or certificate of deposit shall be conditioned upon compliance with the requirements of this chapter, be payable to the Commonwealth, and be in the form required by the Commissioner. The amount of the bond or certificate of deposit shall be as follows:

1. For an applicant for a license as a (i) terminal operator, (ii) supplier who is a position holder or a person who receives motor fuel pursuant to a two-party exchange, (iii) bonded importer, or (iv) permissive supplier, the amount shall be $2,000,000; and

2. For an applicant for a license as (i) a supplier who is a fuel alcohol provider but is neither a position holder nor a person who receives motor fuel pursuant to a two-party exchange; (ii) an occasional importer; (iii) a distributor; (iv) a blender; or (v) an aviation consumer, the amount shall be three times the applicant's average expected monthly tax liability under this chapter, as determined by the Commissioner. The amount shall not be less than $2,000 nor more than $300,000.

B. An applicant for a license both as a distributor and as a bonded importer shall file only the bond or certificate of deposit required of a bonded importer. An applicant for two or more of the licenses listed in subdivision A 2 may file one bond or certificate of deposit that covers the combined liabilities of the applicant under all the activities, in which event the amount of the bond or certificate of deposit for the combined activities shall not exceed $300,000.

C. When notified to do so by the Commissioner, a person who has filed a bond or certificate of deposit and who holds a license listed in subdivision A 2 shall file an additional bond or certificate of deposit in the amount required by the Commissioner. The person shall file the additional bond or certificate of deposit within thirty days after receiving the notice from the Commissioner. However, the amount of the initial bond or certificate of deposit and any additional bond or certificate of deposit filed by the licensee shall not exceed $300,000.

Any licensee who disagrees with the Commissioner's decision requiring new or additional security shall be entitled to a hearing. Such matter shall, within thirty days, be scheduled for a prompt hearing before the Commissioner after written request for such hearing is received by the Commissioner.

2000, cc. 729, 758; 2006, c. 594.

A. The Commissioner may refuse to issue a license under this article to an applicant if (i) the applicant or (ii) any principal of the applicant has:

1. Had a license or registration issued under prior law or this chapter canceled by the Commissioner for cause;

2. Had a motor fuel license or registration issued by another state canceled for cause;

3. Had a federal Certificate of Registry issued under § 4101 of the Internal Revenue Code, or a similar federal authorization, revoked;

4. Been convicted of any offense involving fraud or misrepresentation; or

5. Been convicted of any other offense that indicates that the applicant may not comply with this chapter if issued a license.

B. For purposes of subdivisions 1, 2 and 3 of subsection A, it shall be sufficient cause for the Commissioner to refuse to issue a license if the canceled or revoked license, registration or Certificate of Registry was held by a business entity of which the applicant, or any principal of the applicant, was a principal.

2000, cc. 729, 758; 2003, c. 781.

Upon approval of an application, the Commissioner shall issue to the applicant a license and a duplicate copy of the license for each place of business of the applicant. A supplier's license shall indicate the category of the supplier. A licensee shall display the license issued under this chapter in a conspicuous place at each place of business of the licensee. A license shall not be transferable and shall remain in effect until surrendered or canceled.

2000, cc. 729, 758.

A. A licensee who discontinues in the Commonwealth the business for which the license was issued shall notify the Commissioner in writing of such discontinuance and shall surrender the license to the Commissioner. The notice shall state the effective date of the discontinuance and, if the licensee has transferred the business or otherwise relinquished control to another person by sale or otherwise, the date of the sale or transfer and the name and address of the person to whom the business is transferred or relinquished. The notice shall also include any other information required by the Commissioner.

B. If the licensee is a supplier, all taxes for which the supplier is liable under this chapter but are not yet due shall be due on the date of the discontinuance. If the supplier has transferred the business to another person and does not give the notice required by this section, the person to whom the business was transferred shall be liable for the amount of any tax owed by the supplier to the Commonwealth on the date the business was transferred. The liability of the person to whom the business was transferred shall not exceed the value of the property acquired from the supplier.

2000, cc. 729, 758.

A. The Commissioner may cancel the license of any person licensed under this article, upon written notice sent by certified mail to the licensee's last known address appearing in the Commissioner's files, for any of the following reasons:

1. Filing by the licensee of a false report of the data or information required by this chapter;

2. Failure, refusal, or neglect of the licensee to file a report required by this chapter;

3. Failure of the licensee to pay the full amount of the tax due or pay any penalties or interest due as required by this chapter;

4. Failure of the licensee to keep accurate records of the quantities of motor fuel received, produced, refined, manufactured, compounded, sold, or used in Virginia;

5. Failure to file a new or additional bond or certificate of deposit upon request of the Commissioner pursuant to § 58.1-2211;

6. Conviction of the licensee or a principal of the licensee for any act prohibited under this chapter;

7. Failure, refusal, or neglect of a licensee to comply with any other provision of this chapter or any regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter; or

8. A change in the ownership or control of the business.

B. Upon cancellation of any license for any cause listed in subsection A, the tax levied under this chapter shall become due and payable on (i) all untaxed motor fuel held in storage or otherwise in the possession of the licensee and (ii) all motor fuel sold, delivered, or used prior to the cancellation on which the tax has not been paid.

C. The Commissioner may cancel any license upon the written request of the licensee.

D. Upon cancellation of any license and payment by the licensee of all taxes due, including all penalties accruing due to any failure by the licensee to comply with the provisions of this chapter, the Commissioner shall cancel and surrender the bond or certificate of deposit filed by such licensee.

2000, cc. 729, 758; 2006, c. 594.

A. The Commissioner shall keep a record of (i) applicants for a license under this chapter; (ii) persons to whom a license has been issued under this chapter; and (iii) persons holding a current license issued under this chapter, by license category.

B. The Commissioner shall provide a list of licensees to any licensee, as well as to any unlicensed distributor who requests a copy. The list shall state the name and business address of each licensee on the list and may include other information determined appropriate by the Commissioner.

2000, cc. 729, 758; 2004, c. 340.