Do you need a license to sell honey in South Carolina?

In most cases you can sell pure honey from your own bees in South Carolina without a food license.

Honey-specific beekeeper exemption (2022 Act, H.4854): direct to consumer up to 400 gallons (4,800 lb)/yr, no inspection. Wholesale-for-resale needs an inspected facility.

What your South Carolina honey label must include

Start with the federal basics that apply in every state:

  • The word "Honey" (you can name the floral source, like "Wildflower Honey", if it is the main source)
  • Net weight in both US and metric, in the bottom 30 percent of the front label
  • Your name and address
  • No ingredient list is needed for pure honey; add one the moment you add anything

Then, for South Carolina: Beekeepers under 400 gallons/yr are exempt from registration and inspection. Under the Home-Based Food Production path the label reads "PROCESSED AND PREPARED BY A HOME-BASED FOOD PRODUCTION OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO SOUTH CAROLINA'S FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS"; the honey-exemption path requires an address or SCDA ID.

For the full federal rules, including when a nutrition panel is required, see our honey labeling requirements guide.

The official South Carolina source

These rules are set by South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA). This reflects their published guidance; still confirm the current details before printing.

Read the official South Carolina guidance.

Quick checklist for South Carolina

  • The word "Honey"
  • Net weight in US and metric, bottom 30 percent of the front
  • Your name and address
  • The South Carolina statement or disclaimer described above
  • Optional but recommended: "Do not feed honey to infants under one year of age"