Georgia · Direct-to-Consumer Compliance · Category 16 of 24

Meats

Custom-exempt processing, small poultry exemption, and licensed meat sales — three distinct paths in Georgia

Dual-Path — Read Carefully

Not for sale — owner only

Custom exempt

Up to 20,000 birds/yr on-farm

Small poultry

State/federal inspection required

Retail meat sale

GDA Meat Inspection Section

Agency

What's Covered / What Needs More

✓ Generally Covered

Having livestock custom-slaughtered/processed under a GMIS Custom Exempt license — but that meat is marked 'Not For Sale' and returned only to the animal's owner
Selling your own poultry under the Small Poultry Exemption if you process up to 20,000 birds/year on-farm (domesticated birds only — not quail or other game birds)
Selling frozen poultry off-farm with a GDA mobile meat license
Selling any retail meat cuts once slaughtered/processed at a GDA state-inspected or USDA federally inspected facility

✕ Needs More / Watch Out

Selling 'Not For Sale' custom-exempt meat to the public — it's legally restricted to the livestock owner and their household/employees
Processing quail or migratory game birds under the small poultry exemption — Georgia law requires quail to come from an inspected source since 2016
Selling fresh (non-frozen) poultry off your farm location without the required license
Skipping state or federal inspection for any meat you intend to sell at retail, wholesale, or through a store

Three Steps to Compliance

Identify your path

Custom exempt (processing for the animal's own owner, marked 'Not For Sale') and small poultry exemption (up to 20,000 birds/year, on-farm, domesticated species only) are the two lighter-touch options; anything sold at retail needs state or federal inspection.

License with GDA Meat Inspection Section (GMIS)

Custom exempt facilities need a GMIS Custom Exempt license (no fee/renewal); small poultry producers follow GDA's Small Poultry Exemption Guidelines; frozen poultry sold off-farm needs a mobile meat license.

Step up to full inspection for retail meat

To sell red meat or poultry cuts through any retail, wholesale, or store channel, you generally need GDA state inspection or USDA federal inspection — this is the path for most producers scaling beyond farm-gate sales.

Quick Reference

Custom exempt	GMIS license, no fee; product marked 'Not For Sale,' returned to owner only
Small poultry exemption	Up to 20,000 birds/year on-farm, domesticated birds only (not quail/game birds)
Poultry sold off-farm	Must be frozen and requires a GDA mobile meat license
Quail	Must come from an inspected source since Georgia's 2016 quail law
Retail meat sale (any species)	Requires GDA state inspection or USDA federal inspection
Governing law	Georgia Meat Inspection Act, O.C.G.A. §26-2-60

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell meat processed at a custom-exempt facility?

No — custom exempt product is marked 'Not For Sale' and legally belongs only to the livestock owner, their household, or employees.

How many chickens can I process and sell from my farm?

Up to 20,000 domesticated birds per year on-farm under the Small Poultry Exemption; quail and other game birds don't qualify and must come from an inspected source.

Can I sell fresh chicken off my property?

No — off-farm sales must be frozen and require a GDA mobile meat license.

What if I want to sell beef at a farmers market?

You'll need your animal slaughtered/processed at a GDA state-inspected or USDA-inspected facility before it can be sold at retail, including at markets.

Printable Checklist

Identify custom exempt vs. small poultry vs. full inspection path
Get GMIS Custom Exempt license if processing for an owner only
Confirm bird species qualifies for Small Poultry Exemption (no quail/game birds)
Get mobile meat license for off-farm frozen poultry sales
Use GDA/USDA-inspected facility for any retail meat sales
Mark custom exempt product 'Not For Sale' and restrict distribution accordingly

MarketStand · Georgia Producer Compliance Series

This guide is general information, not legal advice, current as of September 2026. Georgia's cottage food, meat inspection, dairy, egg, plant, feed, and alcohol rules change — always verify current requirements with the Georgia Department of Agriculture (agr.georgia.gov), Georgia Dept. of Revenue Alcohol & Tobacco Division, and your local health department before selling.

Primary sources: Georgia Dept. of Agriculture (Cottage Food, Meat Inspection, Egg Law, Live Plant Program, Feed/Pet Food Program); HB 398 (2025); Georgia Raw Dairy Act, O.C.G.A. §26-2-450 et seq.; Georgia Meat Inspection Act, O.C.G.A. §26-2-60; Georgia Food Act, O.C.G.A. §26-2-20; GA Dept. of Revenue Alcohol & Tobacco Division; FDA (DSHEA, MoCRA, FSMA Produce Safety Rule, 21 CFR 108/111/113/114).