Idaho D2C Compliance — Honey
GUIDE #13
HONEY
Raw and processed honey, comb honey, honey-based products
Idaho Direct-to-Consumer Compliance Guide — Updated for 2026
| License / Permit Required? | No license to sell honey itself; hive registration required above 50 colonies |
| Primary Governing Law | Idaho Direct-to-Consumer Commerce Act (Title 37, Ch. 2, Idaho Code; SB 1283, eff. 3/20/2026) (honey sales); Idaho Code Title 22, Ch. 25 — Bee Inspection Law (apiary registration) |
| Covered by the Direct-to-Consumer Commerce Act? | Yes |
OVERVIEW
Honey is explicitly listed as an allowed cottage/direct-to-consumer product. The separate regulatory piece is beekeeping itself, not the honey sale: commercial beekeepers with more than 50 colonies must register their bees annually with ISDA and pay a registration fee plus a small per-colony assessment; hobbyists under 50 colonies are exempt from registration (though it's recommended for pest/disease protection).
CORE IDAHO DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER COMMERCE ACT RULES
No license, permit, registration, fee, or routine inspection is required to sell qualifying homemade shelf-stable or perishable food/drink products direct to consumers.
Sales must be direct, informed-consumer transactions occurring entirely within Idaho — production, processing, packaging, sale, and delivery must all happen in-state. No interstate shipping.
Allowed sales channels: your home, farm, or ranch; a farm stand or farmers market; a cooperative market; and online/mail-order/delivery as long as the whole transaction stays inside Idaho.
Not allowed: wholesale sales, consignment, sales to restaurants/retail stores/grocers, or resale by the buyer.
The law does not apply to restaurants or food trucks, and it does not override federal meat inspection law or Idaho's separate raw-milk/dairy statute.
WHAT'S ALLOWED
Raw honey, filtered/processed honey, comb honey, creamed/whipped honey, honey infused with fruit or herbs.
REQUIREMENTS & LABELING
Display a conspicuous sign, product label, or card stating: "This product is not subject to government food safety inspection or licensing requirements. It may contain allergens."
Include your name and contact information (address, phone, or email).
Include a full ingredient list if the product has two or more ingredients.
Label net weight accurately and avoid adulteration (no undisclosed syrup blending) — mislabeled honey is a common enforcement issue nationally.
If you keep more than 50 colonies, register with ISDA by July 1 each year and pay the registration fee ($10 for the first 50 colonies, 10¢ per additional colony) plus applicable honey advertising assessment.
LICENSING / REGISTRATION
Apiary registration with ISDA required only above 50 colonies (or if requesting an inspection/health certificate for interstate movement of bees).
WHAT'S PROHIBITED
Selling honey blended with syrup or other adulterants without disclosure.
Wholesale/retail-store supply or interstate shipping under the Act.
RECORDKEEPING
Product sold
Date of production and date of sale
Quantity sold
Where the item was produced (your home, farm, or ranch)
Where each ingredient was produced or acquired (e.g., a specific grocery store or farm)
Hive/colony counts and registration renewal dates if registered.
SALES TAX (APPLIES TO EVERY CATEGORY ON THIS LIST)
Idaho has no sales-tax exemption for cottage/home producers. Once you make more than two retail sales in a 12-month period, you need an Idaho seller's permit (free from the Idaho State Tax Commission).
Selling at a single event or only occasionally? A temporary seller's permit (valid 90 days) may fit instead of a regular permit.
Idaho residents selling less than $5,000/year and meeting other conditions may qualify for the small-seller exemption (no permit needed) — confirm eligibility with the Tax Commission.
Farmers-market and event vendors: register with the event/promoter and apply for your permit at least ~10 days before the event.
Idaho State Tax Commission — tax.idaho.gov/salesusehub — (208) 334-7660
AGENCY CONTACTS
ISDA Apiary Program — agri.idaho.gov (Treasure Valley 208-332-8650 / Magic Valley 208-736-2195)
Disclaimer: This guide summarizes Idaho and federal law as understood in September 2026, based on the Idaho Direct-to-Consumer Commerce Act (SB 1283), Idaho Statutes, IDAPA rules, and the agencies cited above. It is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws, rules, and fees change — confirm current requirements with the listed agency before you begin selling, and re-check periodically.