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
Anyone selling handmade goods at retail in Connecticut must get a Sales and Use Tax Permit before making any sales, and DRS says this explicitly includes selling at a flea market, craft show, trade show, antique show, or fair, even for a single day. The requirement applies regardless of how many sales you make.
Register online through myconneCT; a printable permit is available immediately after online registration, with the official permit mailed afterward.
Connecticut has no temporary or event-only permit; craft show vendors need the standard permit even for one day of selling, displayed prominently at the booth or table. The permit is valid for two years and renews automatically at no cost while your account is in good standing.
The casual or isolated sales exemption covers only items the seller originally acquired for their own use, sold outside the regular course of business, like a one-off garage sale. Someone who makes goods specifically to sell at craft fairs is engaged in retail selling and does not qualify.
A single statewide rate of 6.35 percent with no local sales taxes. Most goods including handmade items and clothing are taxed at 6.35 percent, with a 7.75 percent luxury rate on clothing over $1,000 and jewelry over $5,000, and an annual Sales Tax Free Week in August for qualifying clothing under $100.
Connecticut has no general state business license; licensing is industry specific, and a handmade-goods vendor typically needs only the DRS permit at state level. Sole proprietors using a business name must file a trade name (DBA) certificate with the town clerk where they do business.
Selling without a permit carries a civil penalty of $250 for the first day and $100 for each additional day, plus a possible criminal fine up to $500 and/or up to three months imprisonment per offense.
Anyone selling handmade goods at retail in Connecticut must get a Sales and Use Tax Permit before making any sales, and DRS says this explicitly includes selling at a flea market, craft show, trade show, antique show, or fair, even for a single day. The requirement applies regardless of how many sales you make.
Sales and Use Tax Permit (Seller's Permit), issued by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS). Cost: $100 one-time registration fee; renewal is free. Register online through myconneCT; a printable permit is available immediately after online registration, with the official permit mailed afterward.
The casual or isolated sales exemption covers only items the seller originally acquired for their own use, sold outside the regular course of business, like a one-off garage sale. Someone who makes goods specifically to sell at craft fairs is engaged in retail selling and does not qualify.
A single statewide rate of 6.35 percent with no local sales taxes. Most goods including handmade items and clothing are taxed at 6.35 percent, with a 7.75 percent luxury rate on clothing over $1,000 and jewelry over $5,000, and an annual Sales Tax Free Week in August for qualifying clothing under $100.
Connecticut has no general state business license; licensing is industry specific, and a handmade-goods vendor typically needs only the DRS permit at state level. Sole proprietors using a business name must file a trade name (DBA) certificate with the town clerk where they do business.
Browse upcoming craft fairs in Connecticut with booth fees and application deadlines, read our picks for the best Connecticut craft fairs, and use the booth ROI calculator to plan your season.
Last verified: 2026-06-11. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.