This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Permit and tax rules change, and your situation may differ. Always confirm current requirements with the official state agency linked in this guide, and consult a licensed attorney or tax professional for advice about your specific business.Last verified against official state sources: 2026-06-11
No permit, license, or routine inspection under the current law; the only paperwork is filing a copy of your ANSI-accredited food handler certificate with your county health department. Big change coming: on July 1, 2026, HEA 1424 replaces this law with a homestead vendor framework that drops the certificate requirement entirely.
Until June 30, 2026: yes, an ANSI-accredited food handler certificate filed with your county. From July 1, 2026: none; the new law bars any certification requirement not required federally.
Currently: non-TCS foods only (cakes, cookies, breads, sourdough, decorated cakes with non-TCS icing, dry mixes, hard candy, fudge, brittle, candy apples, cotton candy, jams, fruit pies, honey), plus whole produce and eggs. From July 1, 2026 the new homestead vendor law expands dramatically to include meat products, prepared foods, and pickled and fermented items.
Currently: any TCS food needing refrigeration: cheesecakes, cream, custard, and pumpkin pies, meat products (beyond limited frozen farm poultry and rabbit), cut melon, cut leafy greens, garlic in oil, and home-canned low-acid vegetables.
Direct to the end consumer only, anywhere in Indiana: farmers markets, roadside stands, craft fairs, festivals, from home, by phone, or online. Delivery in person, by mail, or by carrier is allowed within Indiana only (sealed tamper-evident packaging, shipping records kept one year); out-of-state shipping is expressly prohibited. No wholesale.
Annual sales cap: Currently none; the new law from July 1, 2026 sets a $1.5 million annual cap, which is effectively no limit for craft fair sellers.
Current label (or sign for unpackaged food): producer name and address, product name, ingredients by weight, net weight, date processed, and in at least 10-point type: 'This product is home produced and processed and the production area has not been inspected by the state department of health. NOT FOR RESALE.' Online sellers post each product's label on their site. From July 1, 2026 the required statement changes to: 'This product was produced in a private residence that is exempt from government licensing and inspection.'
Indiana exempts unprepared grocery-type food from its 7 percent sales tax, so most packaged baked goods and jams are exempt. Candy is taxable, but anything listing flour as an ingredient is not candy under Indiana's definition, so most cookies stay exempt while fudge and hard candy are taxable; mixed sellers need a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate.
State law strongly preempts local rules: local governments may not require licensure, certification, or inspection of compliant vendors, and local health officers cannot enforce stricter than IDOH guidelines. Market organizers can still set booth rules.
No routine inspections, but health departments can sample and inspect on complaints and order a stop to production and sales if an imminent health hazard exists.
Selling non-food crafts too? See the Indiana craft fair permit and sales tax guide.
Yes, under Indiana Home-Based Vendor law (IC 16-42-5.3) until June 30, 2026; replaced July 1, 2026 by the Homestead Vendor law (IC 16-42-5.4, HEA 1424). No permit, license, or routine inspection under the current law; the only paperwork is filing a copy of your ANSI-accredited food handler certificate with your county health department. Big change coming: on July 1, 2026, HEA 1424 replaces this law with a homestead vendor framework that drops the certificate requirement entirely.
Currently: non-TCS foods only (cakes, cookies, breads, sourdough, decorated cakes with non-TCS icing, dry mixes, hard candy, fudge, brittle, candy apples, cotton candy, jams, fruit pies, honey), plus whole produce and eggs. From July 1, 2026 the new homestead vendor law expands dramatically to include meat products, prepared foods, and pickled and fermented items. Currently: any TCS food needing refrigeration: cheesecakes, cream, custard, and pumpkin pies, meat products (beyond limited frozen farm poultry and rabbit), cut melon, cut leafy greens, garlic in oil, and home-canned low-acid vegetables.
Yes: Currently none; the new law from July 1, 2026 sets a $1.5 million annual cap, which is effectively no limit for craft fair sellers.
Direct to the end consumer only, anywhere in Indiana: farmers markets, roadside stands, craft fairs, festivals, from home, by phone, or online. Delivery in person, by mail, or by carrier is allowed within Indiana only (sealed tamper-evident packaging, shipping records kept one year); out-of-state shipping is expressly prohibited. No wholesale.
Current label (or sign for unpackaged food): producer name and address, product name, ingredients by weight, net weight, date processed, and in at least 10-point type: 'This product is home produced and processed and the production area has not been inspected by the state department of health. NOT FOR RESALE.' Online sellers post each product's label on their site. From July 1, 2026 the required statement changes to: 'This product was produced in a private residence that is exempt from government licensing and inspection.'
Indiana exempts unprepared grocery-type food from its 7 percent sales tax, so most packaged baked goods and jams are exempt. Candy is taxable, but anything listing flour as an ingredient is not candy under Indiana's definition, so most cookies stay exempt while fudge and hard candy are taxable; mixed sellers need a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate.
Browse upcoming craft fairs and markets in Indiana with booth fees and application deadlines, and use the booth ROI calculator to plan a profitable season.
Last verified: 2026-06-11. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.