How to Start a Class A Cottage Food Business in South Carolina

South Carolina stands out among cottage food states for one major reason: there's no cap on how much you can earn. While many states limit cottage food sales to $15,000 or $35,000 per year, South Carolina lets you grow your business as large as your kitchen and energy allow.

This makes the Palmetto State an attractive place to test food business ideas, build a customer base, or even run a full-time cottage food operation. But like every state, South Carolina has specific rules you need to follow to stay legal and protect your customers.

Who This Guide Is For

This step-by-step guide walks you through setting up a Class A cottage food operation in South Carolina. You'll learn exactly what paperwork to file, which foods you can and can't sell, how to label your products, and where you're allowed to sell them.

Whether you're planning to sell homemade jams at farmers markets or ship your specialty cookies nationwide online, this guide covers what you need to know to start legally.

What Makes South Carolina Different

Before diving into the steps, here's what sets South Carolina apart from other cottage food states:

• No sales cap: Unlike most states, you can earn unlimited revenue
• Online sales allowed: You can sell through your own website, social media, or online platforms
• Intrastate only: You can only sell to customers within South Carolina
• Registration required: You need to register with the state, but it's simpler than a full license
• Limited wholesale: You can sell to some retailers, with restrictions

Step 1: Understand What You Can and Can't Make

South Carolina's Class A cottage food law covers "non-potentially hazardous foods" — items that don't require refrigeration and have low risk for foodborne illness.

Foods you CAN make:

• Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, pastries)
• Jams, jellies, and preserves
• Candy and confections
• Granola and cereal
• Vinegar and flavored vinegars
• Dried herbs and herb blends
• Popcorn and nuts
• Honey (if you're the beekeeper)

Foods you CANNOT make:

• Items requiring refrigeration (cheesecakes, cream pies, fresh pasta)
• Meat, poultry, or seafood products
• Canned vegetables or low-acid foods
• Fresh produce or cut fruits
• Beverages (except certain vinegars)
• Pet treats or foods

When in doubt, stick to shelf-stable baked goods and preserves. These are the safest categories and what most cottage food businesses start with.

Step 2: Register Your Business

South Carolina requires cottage food operators to register with the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). Here's exactly how to do it:

Download the application from the DHEC website. Search for "cottage food registration" on scdhec.gov.

Fill out the basic information:

• Your name and contact details
• Business name (can be your own name)
• Address of your kitchen
• Types of foods you plan to make
• Where you plan to sell

Pay the registration fee of $100. You can pay by check or money order with your application.

Mail your completed application to the address listed on the form. Processing typically takes 2-3 weeks.

Keep your registration current. South Carolina cottage food registrations are valid for two years and must be renewed.

Pro tip: Don't wait until you're ready to sell to register. Get this paperwork done early so you're not scrambling when your first customer wants to buy.

Step 3: Set Up Your Kitchen

Your home kitchen needs to meet basic food safety standards, but South Carolina doesn't require a separate commercial kitchen or inspection for Class A operations.

Kitchen requirements:

• Standard residential kitchen with running water
• Adequate refrigeration for ingredients
• Clean, sanitizable surfaces
• Proper food storage containers
• Hand washing facilities

Best practices:

• Deep clean your kitchen before each cooking session
• Store cottage food ingredients separately from family food when possible
• Keep pets out of the kitchen during food preparation
• Maintain a cleaning log (not required, but good practice)

You don't need special equipment beyond what most home cooks already have. A reliable oven, mixing bowls, measuring tools, and clean storage containers will handle most cottage food recipes.

Step 4: Master Your Labeling Requirements

Every cottage food product in South Carolina must include specific information on the label. Missing or incorrect labels are one of the most common ways cottage food producers get in trouble.

Required label information:

• Product name
• Ingredient list (in descending order by weight)
• Your name and address
• "Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to South Carolina's food safety regulations"
• Net weight or volume
• Allergen warnings if applicable

Label format example:

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Grandma's Chocolate Chip Cookies