Selling at and running markets in Missouri.
In Missouri, every vendor making retail sales needs a Department of Revenue sales tax license, and organizers should collect tax ID numbers before the event. Cottage food law covers only baked goods, canned jams and jellies and dried herbs with no state permit. Event food stands answer to local public health agencies under state health department standards.
Updated
Sales tax.
Missouri sales tax license for special events (Form 2643S)
Anyone selling retail to the public at a special event must collect Missouri sales tax and hold a sales tax license, even for a hobby. The license covers sales in all Missouri cities and counties, and vendors report the city or county breakdown of event sales when filing.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Missouri Department of Revenue
- When
- Individuals and general partnerships selling at craft shows, farmers markets and similar events who do not sell in Missouri continually. LLCs and corporations use Form 2643A.
- Timing
- Contact the Department 3 to 4 weeks before the event
Selling homemade food (cottage food).
At a glance: no registration or permit, no sales cap. Compare all 50 states.
Missouri Cottage Law
There is no food permit or license for cottage food operations, but products must be labeled with the operation's name and address and a statement that the food is not inspected. Salsa, pickles, sauces, cut produce, meat, dairy, eggs and pet foods are not covered, and the 2022 update removed the annual sales cap.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
- When
- Individuals selling baked goods, canned jams or jellies, or dried herbs and herb mixes made in their home kitchen directly to consumers.
Temporary food permits.
Temporary food stands
The state sets standards, while local public health agencies handle routine inspections and enforcement and may add permit fees, training or stricter rules. Vendors should contact their local health agency before preparing or selling food at an event.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Local public health agencies, under Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services standards
- When
- Vendors selling food at fairs, festivals or similar events for no more than 14 consecutive days.
Farmers markets and produce.
Scale certification
Any device used to determine the price of a commodity should bear an approval seal from the division, which certifies commercial scales annually.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Missouri Department of Agriculture, Weights, Measures and Consumer Protection
- When
- Selling produce or other goods by weight at a farmers market or roadside stand.
Business registration.
Fictitious name registration; local business license
Missouri's starting-a-business steps point to the Secretary of State for entity and fictitious name filings, and to the local city or county for a business license and other permits. No general state vendor license is listed.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Missouri Secretary of State; local city or county
- When
- Operating under a name other than your own or the exact entity name, or when a city or county requires a license.
What the state asks of market organizers.
Missouri's Department of Revenue says event organizers do not sell, but all vendors who make retail sales must have their own Missouri tax ID number. Unregistered vendors should contact the Department 3 to 4 weeks before the event, so organizers should collect tax ID numbers before the event. Official page
City and county permits in Missouri.
Event permits, vendor licenses and food permits are mostly local. Pick your city or county:
Collect the paperwork with each application.
Ask vendors for their sales tax registration, cottage food registration or food permit and insurance certificate as required documents on your application form, and check them before you approve anyone.
Where the sources are unclear.
- The Missouri FAQ states no license fee. Form 2643S is revised 08-2023 and the Department's registration line is 573-751-5860 (businesstaxregister@dor.mo.gov).
- Missouri allows an exemption for sellers 65 or older whose handicraft income is no more than 50% of annual income, using Form 2478; see the same FAQ page.
- The cottage law statute (RSMo 196.298) describes production for sale at the individual's home and does not mention markets; the department's guidance says low-risk foods may be sold from stands where local laws allow, with labeling and a point-of-sale placard. Ask the local public health agency whether market sales are allowed.
- The department's temporary food page states no fee or lead time; these vary by local health agency.
Common questions.
Do I need a sales tax permit to sell at a craft fair in Missouri?
Missouri sales tax license for special events (Form 2643S) (Missouri Department of Revenue): Anyone selling retail to the public at a special event must collect Missouri sales tax and hold a sales tax license, even for a hobby. The license covers sales in all Missouri cities and counties, and vendors report the city or county breakdown of event sales when filing.
Can I sell homemade food at a farmers market in Missouri?
Missouri Cottage Law (Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services): There is no food permit or license for cottage food operations, but products must be labeled with the operation's name and address and a statement that the food is not inspected. Salsa, pickles, sauces, cut produce, meat, dairy, eggs and pet foods are not covered, and the 2022 update removed the annual sales cap.
Who issues temporary food permits for events in Missouri?
Temporary food stands (Local public health agencies, under Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services standards): The state sets standards, while local public health agencies handle routine inspections and enforcement and may add permit fees, training or stricter rules. Vendors should contact their local health agency before preparing or selling food at an event.
What does Missouri require of market and event organizers?
Missouri's Department of Revenue says event organizers do not sell, but all vendors who make retail sales must have their own Missouri tax ID number. Unregistered vendors should contact the Department 3 to 4 weeks before the event, so organizers should collect tax ID numbers before the event.
Do I need a state business license to be a vendor in Missouri?
Fictitious name registration; local business license (Missouri Secretary of State; local city or county): Missouri's starting-a-business steps point to the Secretary of State for entity and fictitious name filings, and to the local city or county for a business license and other permits. No general state vendor license is listed.
Sources.
This page summarizes official state sources and isn't legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with each agency.
Every fact on this page comes from these official pages, checked on 2026-10-11. Details change; tell us at hello@bzar.app if something here is out of date.
- https://dor.mo.gov/faq/taxation/business/special-event-sales.html
- https://health.mo.gov/sites/health/files/media/pdf/2026/03/home-based-kitchen-food-prod-guidance.pdf
- https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=196.298
- https://health.mo.gov/business-professionals/food-safety/retail-food-safety/temporary-food-events
- https://health.mo.gov/business-professionals/food-safety/retail-food-safety
- https://agriculture.mo.gov/weights/device/scales.php
- https://www.sos.mo.gov/business/outreach/starting_steps
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