Selling at and running markets in South Carolina.
South Carolina vendors at events need a $50 Revenue Department Retail License, except one-time sellers at admission-charging special events or craft sellers with a $20 Artist and Craftsman License. Cottage-law foods need no permit. The Department of Agriculture authorizes event food vendors through the event coordinator's application.
Updated
Sales tax.
Retail License
Sellers register through MyDORWAY, collect the 6% statewide sales tax plus any local taxes, and file returns. SCDOR says selling without a valid license can bring fines up to $500 per occurrence. Unprepared food meant to be eaten at home is generally exempt from the state tax, while meals and drinks for immediate consumption are taxable.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)
- When
- Anyone selling at a retail event (no admission fee), selling more than once in 24 months at a special event, or selling at one festival a year; one license per location
- Fee
- $50 non-refundable fee
Artist & Craftsman License
This license lets craft-show-only sellers collect the 6% statewide tax plus local taxes. Anyone who also sells elsewhere, including online, needs the Retail License instead, and sellers at no more than four shows a year of 11 consecutive days or less may need neither.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)
- When
- Artists and crafters who sell only at craft shows and festivals, products they created or assembled, more than four times in a fiscal year
- Fee
- $20 non-refundable fee
Special Event Return (FC-1) and Special Event Affidavit (FS-152)
One-time special event sellers do not need a Retail License but must complete and submit the Special Event Return and Affidavit. SCDOR representatives provide the forms at the event; sellers who have not received them by the end of the event are told to email SCDOR.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)
- When
- Vendors who sell at a Special Event (an event that charges admission) only once in a 24-month period
Selling homemade food (cottage food).
At a glance: no registration or permit. Compare all 50 states.
Home-based food production (Cottage Law)
SCDA says home-based food producers do not need a retail food permit when they sell non-time/temperature-controlled foods directly to consumers or retail stores within South Carolina. Labels must show the producer's name and address (or an SCDA ID number), the product name, ingredients, allergens and a required statement that it was made without state inspection. Cheesecake, bottled beverages, charcuterie, and hot and barbecue sauces are not allowed.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), Retail Food Safety
- When
- Home cooks selling shelf-stable foods such as cakes, cookies, dried herbs and spices, roasted nuts and high-acid pie fillings
Temporary food permits.
Event authorization for temporary food service establishments
SCDA authorizes food vendors at events through the event coordinator, who completes the Event Authorization application listing the vendors and foods served, and receives SCDA authorization before food service begins. Vendors must follow Regulation 61-25 and SCDA may inspect during the event or order vendors to stop.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), Retail Food Safety
- When
- Food vendors at a fair, trade show or other transitory gathering, operating at a fixed location up to 14 consecutive days
- Timing
- Applications recommended 14 days in advance of the event
Farmers markets and produce.
Farmers market or seasonal series authorization
The same Event Authorization application has a box for a farmers market or seasonal series, filled in by the sponsoring community organization and event coordinator with the list of food vendors. SCDA lists several low-risk items, such as jams, jellies, dried fruit and popcorn, as exempt from the retail food permit.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), Retail Food Safety
- When
- Farmers markets and seasonal series that offer food vendors (Regulation 61-25, section 9-11)
Business registration.
No statewide business license; local licenses
South Carolina has no statewide business license; each county and municipality may issue its own, and some require both. Business One Stop notes the SCDOR Retail License is separate from a local business license and you typically need both.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- South Carolina Business One Stop; county and municipal governments
- When
- Vendors and organizers operating in South Carolina counties or municipalities that require a business license
Other state rules.
Admissions Tax License
Places of amusement must collect Admissions Tax of 5% of paid admissions, apply through MyDORWAY and file an Admissions Tax Return including the Admissions Worksheet; SCDOR says improper completion could bring a $500 penalty.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)
- When
- Promoters and hosts who charge patrons an admission fee to enter an event
- Fee
- No fee for the Admissions Tax License
Alcohol special event permits
SCDOR lists a Beer & Wine Special Event Permit (TBP), and Liquor and Donated Nonprofit Event permits issued only to nonprofits. Starting January 1, 2026, special events selling alcohol after 5 p.m. need liquor liability coverage of $500,000.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- South Carolina Department of Revenue, Alcohol Beverage Licensing (ABL)
- When
- Events or festivals that serve or sell beer, wine or liquor
What the state asks of market organizers.
SCDOR asks promoters and hosts to email it a list of participating vendors (name, business name, address, phone, email and Retail License number if provided) plus the event location, date and time, and whether the event charges admission. Vendors selling without a valid Retail License can be fined, and SCDOR provides a Retail License verification tool. Official page
City and county permits in South Carolina.
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 cottage law handout and FAQ read (dated 6/30/25 and 7/2025) state no annual sales cap; older bills and summaries mention a $15,000 cap, which was not found on the current Department pages.
- SCDA's event authorization forms state no fee. The retail food safety pages and 2025-2026 forms read are SCDA's; older DHEC pages on temporary retail food establishments may still appear in search results, so use the SCDA forms.
- The SCDOR events page says the Retail License is needed if you sell at only one festival per year at a retail event; the Special Event Return route applies only to admission-charging special events.
Common questions.
Do I need a sales tax permit to sell at a craft fair in South Carolina?
Retail License (South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)): Sellers register through MyDORWAY, collect the 6% statewide sales tax plus any local taxes, and file returns. SCDOR says selling without a valid license can bring fines up to $500 per occurrence. Unprepared food meant to be eaten at home is generally exempt from the state tax, while meals and drinks for immediate consumption are taxable. Artist & Craftsman License (South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)): This license lets craft-show-only sellers collect the 6% statewide tax plus local taxes. Anyone who also sells elsewhere, including online, needs the Retail License instead, and sellers at no more than four shows a year of 11 consecutive days or less may need neither.
Can I sell homemade food at a farmers market in South Carolina?
Home-based food production (Cottage Law) (South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), Retail Food Safety): SCDA says home-based food producers do not need a retail food permit when they sell non-time/temperature-controlled foods directly to consumers or retail stores within South Carolina. Labels must show the producer's name and address (or an SCDA ID number), the product name, ingredients, allergens and a required statement that it was made without state inspection. Cheesecake, bottled beverages, charcuterie, and hot and barbecue sauces are not allowed.
Who issues temporary food permits for events in South Carolina?
Event authorization for temporary food service establishments (South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), Retail Food Safety): SCDA authorizes food vendors at events through the event coordinator, who completes the Event Authorization application listing the vendors and foods served, and receives SCDA authorization before food service begins. Vendors must follow Regulation 61-25 and SCDA may inspect during the event or order vendors to stop.
What does South Carolina require of market and event organizers?
SCDOR asks promoters and hosts to email it a list of participating vendors (name, business name, address, phone, email and Retail License number if provided) plus the event location, date and time, and whether the event charges admission. Vendors selling without a valid Retail License can be fined, and SCDOR provides a Retail License verification tool.
Do I need a state business license to be a vendor in South Carolina?
No statewide business license; local licenses (South Carolina Business One Stop; county and municipal governments): South Carolina has no statewide business license; each county and municipality may issue its own, and some require both. Business One Stop notes the SCDOR Retail License is separate from a local business license and you typically need both.
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.sc.gov/tax-education/guides-flyers/events-festivals
- https://dor.sc.gov/businesses/apply-business-tax-account/licensing-retail-license
- https://agriculture.sc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Home-basedFoodProduction2025_digital.pdf
- https://agriculture.sc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/RF_SellingFoodFromHomeFAQ2025.pdf
- https://agriculture.sc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/RFEEventAuthorizationApplication2025.pdf
- https://agriculture.sc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/TempFoodServiceEstab2026.pdf
- https://scbos.sc.gov/business-compliance/licenses/business-license
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