South Carolina's Cottage Food Law
South Carolina allows individuals to produce and sell certain homemade food products under its cottage food law. If you operate from your personal home kitchen, you can legally make and sell non-potentially-hazardous foods without going through a commercial licensing process. The law covers shelf-stable baked goods, jams, jellies, candy, and similar products that don't require refrigeration to remain safe.
You can sell your products directly to consumers through farmers markets, roadside stands, and other in-person venues. Online orders are permitted, which means you can take orders through a website or social media. However, shipping is not allowed, so every sale must result in a direct handoff to the buyer. You cannot sell through third-party retail stores or wholesale to restaurants.
Your annual gross sales cannot exceed $35,000. No permit, license, or registration is required before you start selling, which removes a common barrier for new producers. South Carolina's law is relatively accessible compared to many other states, and the online ordering allowance gives your business meaningful reach beyond local foot traffic. As the cottage food community grows, staying current with any legislative updates will help you plan confidently.
Quick Summary
South Carolina cottage food law allows:
- •Baked goods (cakes, cookies, breads, pastries)
- •Jams, jellies, and preserves
- •Candies and confections
- •Dried herbs and spices
- •Roasted nuts
- •Granola and trail mix
Not allowed:
- •Meat and poultry products
- •Refrigerated or perishable items
- •Low-acid canned goods
- •Dairy-based products requiring refrigeration
- •Alcoholic beverages
- •Products with meat-based fillings
Sales limit: $35,000 per year
Annual Limit
$35,000/year
Permit Required
No
Online Orders
Allowed
Shipping
Not Allowed
Permitted Foods
- ✓Baked goods (cakes, cookies, breads, pastries)
- ✓Jams, jellies, and preserves
- ✓Candies and confections
- ✓Dried herbs and spices
- ✓Roasted nuts
- ✓Granola and trail mix
- ✓Honey
Prohibited Foods
- ✗Meat and poultry products
- ✗Refrigerated or perishable items
- ✗Low-acid canned goods
- ✗Dairy-based products requiring refrigeration
- ✗Alcoholic beverages
- ✗Products with meat-based fillings
Labeling Requirements
- ✓Producer's full name and home address
- ✓Product name
- ✓Complete ingredient list
- ✓Allergen disclosure
- ✓Net weight or volume
- ✓Statement: 'Made in a home kitchen that is not inspected by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture'
Starting a Home Bakery in South Carolina
Once you understand the cottage food rules, most South Carolina home bakers focus on three things:
- →Pricing recipes so they are profitable
- →Creating compliant labels
- →Managing orders and preorders
endvr helps South Carolina bakers do all three in one place.
Tools for South Carolina Cottage Food Bakers
Create compliant labels in seconds
endvr's label maker automatically includes the South Carolina required disclaimer and allergen labeling — so your labels are always inspection-ready.
South Carolina allows online orders
Launch an online bakery storefront
Since South Carolina permits online cottage food sales, endvr gives you a simple storefront where customers can browse, preorder, and pay — no website required.
Common Questions South Carolina Bakers Ask
Can I sell baked goods from home in South Carolina?+
Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in South Carolina?+
How much can I earn selling cottage food in South Carolina?+
Can I take orders online in South Carolina?+
Can I ship cottage food products in South Carolina?+
What foods can I sell from home in South Carolina?+
What labeling is required to sell cottage food in South Carolina?+
Common South Carolina cottage food questions
Bill tracking data provided by LegiScan