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Category 1 of 25 · Hawaii

Aromatics

Candles, Incense, Diffusers & Scent Products

General Consumer Product
None req'd
License
DCCA / CPSC
Agency
4.5%
GET
Fire/Flammable
Risk

What's Covered / What Needs More

✓ What's Covered

  • Soy, paraffin, and beeswax candles sold direct at markets or online
  • Reed diffusers, wax melts, and incense sticks/cones
  • Room and linen sprays that make no drug/therapeutic claims
  • Selling under your own brand name with a General Excise Tax (GET) license

✕ Needs More

  • No fire-safety or ingredient testing regime — you self-certify to CPSC flammable-fabric and labeling rules
  • No HDOH food permit applies (these are not food products)
  • Essential-oil blends that claim to 'treat', 'cure', or 'heal' cross into unlicensed drug claims
  • Interisland/export shipments of dried botanicals used in sachets may still need HDOA agricultural inspection

How to Get Compliant

A

Register the business

File a trade name and get a Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) license from the Dept. of Taxation before your first sale.

B

Label for safety

Include a full ingredient/wax list, a fire-safety warning (never leave burning candle unattended, keep away from children/pets/drafts), net weight, and your business contact info.

C

Sell through any channel

No HDOH permit or HDOA registration applies to finished candles/incense — sell at markets, retail consignment, or online statewide.

Quick Reference

Sales ChannelRequirementNotes
Farmers market / craft fairGET license onlyNo food permit — not a food product
Online / shipped in-stateGET license, CPSC-compliant labelingConfirm carrier rules for flammable wax/oils
Wholesale to a shopGET license (wholesale rate 0.5%)Retailer may request a Certificate of Resale
Dried botanical sachets, interislandGET licenseHDOA inspection may apply if raw plant material is included

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a health permit to sell candles in Hawaii?
No. Candles, incense, and diffusers are not food, so HDOH food permitting does not apply.
What GET rate do I pay?
4.5% on Oahu/Maui/Kauai retail sales (4% state + 0.5% county surcharge); Hawaii County is 4.5% as well as of 2026. Wholesale sales are taxed at 0.5%.
Can I claim my diffuser blend 'relieves anxiety'?
No — therapeutic or medical claims turn the product into an unapproved drug under FDA rules regardless of state law.
Can I ship candles to other islands?
Yes, by common carrier; check the carrier's own flammable-goods packaging rules, separate from any state permit.

Printable Checklist