EXHIBIT 4.3 [FORM OF FACE OF INITIAL SECURITY] [UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY ("DTC"), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.] 1/ THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS THREE YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE 1/ To be included only if note is in global form. 2 SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE SECURITIES OF $250,000 FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY'S OR THE TRUSTEE'S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D), (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND IN THE CASE OF CLAUSE (E), A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS SECURITY IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE. THIS LEGEND Shall BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. 11-3/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE 2003 No. CUSIP No. $ CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to , or registered assigns, the principal sum of $75,000,000 on September 15, 2003. Interest Payment Dates: March 15 and September 15. Record Dates: March 1 and September 1. 3 Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side of this Security. Dated: , 1996 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. by _______________________ Name: Title: _______________________ Name: Title: TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION BANKERS TRUST COMPANY as Trustee, certifies [Seal] that this is one of the Securities referred to in the Indenture, by _____________________________ Authorized Signatory 4 [FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF INITIAL SECURITY] 11-3/8% Senior Subordinated Note due 2003 1. INTEREST Core-Mark International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above. The Company shall use its best efforts to have the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and, if applicable, a Shelf Registration Statement (each a "Registration Statement") declared effective by the Commission as promptly as practicable after the filing thereof. If (i) the applicable Registration Statement is not filed with the Commission on or prior to 45 days after the Issue Date, (ii) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or, as the case may be, the Shelf Registration Statement, is not declared effective within 105 days after the Issue Date, (iii) the Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated on or prior to 135 days after the Issue Date, or (iv) the Shelf Registration Statement is filed and declared effective within 105 days after the Issue Date but shall thereafter cease to be effective (at any time that the Company is obligated to maintain the effectiveness thereof) without being succeeded within 30 days by an additional Registration Statement filed and declared effective (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a "Registration Default"), the Company shall pay liquidated damages to each holder of Transfer Restricted Securities, during the period of such Registration Default, in an amount equal to $0.192 per week per $1,000 principal amount of the Securities constituting Transfer Restricted Securities held by such holder until the applicable Registration Statement is filed or declared effective, the Exchange Offer is consummated or the Shelf Registration Statement again becomes effective, as the case may be. All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to holders in the same manner as interest payments on the Securities on semi-annual payment dates which correspond to interest payment dates for the Securities. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of liquidated damages shall cease. The Trustee shall have no responsibility with respect to the determination of the amount of any such liquidated damages. 5 For purposes of the foregoing, "Transfer Restricted Securities" means each Initial Security until (i) the date on which such Initial Security has been exchanged for a freely transferable Exchange Security in the Exchange Offer, (ii) the date on which such Initial Security has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement or (iii) the date on which such Initial Security is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or is saleable pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act. The Company shall pay interest and liquidated damages, if any, semiannually on March 15 and September 15 of each year. Interest on the Securities shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from September 27, 1996. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Securities plus 1% per annum, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful. 2. METHOD OF PAYMENT The Company shall pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at the close of business on the March 1 or September 1 next preceding the interest payment date even if Securities are canceled after the record date and on or before the interest payment date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company shall pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of Securities (including principal, premium and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the holders thereof or, if no U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States is designated by any holder to the Trustee or the Paying Agent at least 30 days prior to the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion), by mailing a check to the registered address of such holder. 6 3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR Initially, BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, a New York banking corporation ("Trustee"), shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar. 4. INDENTURE The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of September 27, 1996 ("Indenture"), between the Company and the Trustee. The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the "Act"). Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of those terms. The Securities are general unsecured obligations of the Company limited to $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding (subject to Section 2.07 of the Indenture). This Security is one of the Initial Securities referred to in the Indenture. The Securities include the Initial Securities and any Exchange Securities issued in exchange for the Initial Securities pursuant to the Indenture. The Initial Securities and the Exchange Securities are treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture. The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the Incurrence of Indebtedness by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; the payment of dividends on, and redemption of, Capital Stock of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and the redemption of certain Subordinated Obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; Investments; sales of assets and Restricted Subsidiary Capital Stock; certain transactions with Affiliates of the Company; the sale or issuance of Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries; the creation of Liens; the lines of business in which the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may operate; the disposition of assets of the Company to Restricted Subsidiaries; and consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of the 7 Company's assets. In addition, the Indenture prohibits certain restrictions on distributions and dividends from Restricted Subsidiaries. 5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION Except as set forth in the next two paragraphs, the Securities may not be redeemed prior to September 15, 2000. On and after that date, the Company may redeem the Securities in whole at any time or in part from time to time at the following redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount), plus accrued interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the related interest payment date): if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on or after September 15 of the years set forth below: Redemption Period Price - ------ ---------- 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105.688% 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102.844% 2002 and thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.000% Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to September 15, 1999, the Company may redeem in the aggregate up to 30% of the original aggregate principal amount of Securities with the proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings by the Company following which there is a Public Market, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 111.375% plus accrued interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that at least 70% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Securities must remain outstanding after each such redemption. At any time on or prior to September 15, 2000, the Securities may also be redeemed as a whole at the option of the Company within 90 days after a Change of Control, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof plus (ii) the Applicable Premium plus (iii) accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record 7 on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date). 6. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION Notice of redemption shall be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at his registered address. Securities in denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with the Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date interest ceases to accrue on such Securities (or such portions thereof) called for redemption. 7. PUT PROVISIONS Upon a Change of Control, unless the Company has elected to redeem the Securities pursuant to paragraph 5, any Holder of Securities shall have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the Company to repurchase all or any part of the Securities of such Holder at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Securities to be repurchased plus accrued interest to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date) as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture. 8. SUBORDINATION The Securities are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness, as defined in the Indenture. To the extent provided in the Indenture, Senior Indebtedness must be paid before the Securities may be paid. The Company agrees, and each Securityholder by accepting a Security agrees, to the subordination provisions contained in the Indenture and authorizes the Trustee to give such provisions effect and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for such purpose. 9 9. DENOMINATIONS; TRANSFER; EXCHANGE The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Security to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed) or any Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities to be redeemed or 15 days before an interest payment date. 10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes. 11. UNCLAIMED MONEY If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Company at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Company and not to the Trustee for payment. 12. DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time may terminate substantially all of its obligations under the Securities and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Securities to redemption or maturity, as the case may be. 13. AMENDMENT, WAIVER Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture or the Securities may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least 10 a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities and (ii) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any Securityholder, the Company and the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Securities to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, or to comply with Article 5 of the Indenture, or to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, or to make certain changes in the Subordination provisions, or to add guarantees with respect to the Securities or to secure the Securities, or to add additional covenants or surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company, or to comply with any request of the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture under the Act, or to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder, or to provide for the issuance and authorization of the Exchange Securities. 14. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (i) default for 30 days in payment of interest on the Securities; (ii) default in payment of principal on the Securities at maturity, upon redemption pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Securities, upon declaration or otherwise, or failure by the Company to redeem or purchase Securities when required; (iii) failure by the Company to comply with other agreements in the Indenture or the Securities, in certain cases subject to notice and lapse of time; (iv) certain accelerations (including failure to pay within any grace period after final maturity) of other Indebtedness of the Company if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) exceeds $5,000,000; (v) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company and the Significant Subsidiaries; (vi) certain judgments or decrees for the payment of money in excess of $5,000,000 and (vii) a Note Guarantee ceasing to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms). If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities may declare all the Securities to be due and payable immediately. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of Default which shall result in the Securities being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default. 11 Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Securities unless it receives reasonable indemnity or security. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Securityholders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders. 15. TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH THE COMPANY Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. 16. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company or the Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Securityholder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities. 17. AUTHENTICATION This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Security. 12 18. ABBREVIATIONS Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act). 19. CUSIP NUMBERS Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon. THE COMPANY SHALL FURNISH TO ANY SECURITYHOLDER UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE SECURITYHOLDER A COPY OF THE INDENTURE WHICH HAS IN IT THE TEXT OF THIS SECURITY IN LARGER TYPE. REQUESTS MAY BE MADE TO: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. 395 OYSTER POINT BOULEVARD, SUITE 415 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94080 ATTENTION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 13 ASSIGNMENT FORM To assign this Security, fill in the form below: I or we assign and transfer this Security to (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code) (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.) and irrevocably appoint agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him. _______________________________________________________________________________ Date: ________________________ Your Signature: ________________________________ Signature Guarantee:___________________________________________________________ (Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program) _______________________________________________________________________________ Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security. 14 CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES This certificate relates to $_________ principal amount of Securities held in (check applicable space) ____ book-entry or _____ definitive form by the undersigned. The undersigned (check one box below): / / has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Global Security held by the Depository a Security or Securities in definitive, registered form of authorized denominations and an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial interest in such Global Security (or the portion thereof indicated above); / / has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the transfer of a Security or Securities. In connection with any transfer or exchange of any of the Securities evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to the date that is three years after the later of the date of original issuance of such Securities and the last date, if any, on which such Securities were owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, the undersigned confirms that such Securities are being: CHECK ONE BOX BELOW: (1) / / acquired for the undersigned's own account, without transfer (in satisfaction of Section 2.06(a)(ii)(A) or Section 2.06(d)(i)(A) of the Indenture); or (2) / / transferred to the Company; or (3) / / transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or (4) / / transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or 15 (5) / / transferred to an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements (the form of which letter appears as Exhibit C to the Indenture; or (6) / / transferred pursuant to another available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee shall refuse to register any of the Securities evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other than the registered holder thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if box (4), (5) or (6) is checked, the Trustee or the Company may require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Securities, in its sole discretion, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Trustee or Company has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act. ______________________________ Signature Signature Guarantee: _________________________ ______________________________ Signature (Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a signature guarantee medallion program) ____________________________________________________________ 16 OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.08 of the Indenture, check the box: ___ / / --- If you want to elect to have only part of this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.08 of the Indenture, state the amount: $ Date: __________________ Your Signature: ______________________________________ (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of the Security) Signature Guarantee:___________________________________________________________ (Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program)