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 making retail sales of taxable goods in New Jersey must register, and the state says this explicitly includes artists and craftspeople selling handmade items at craft shows and flea markets. You file Form NJ-REG at least 15 business days before your first sale, and the Certificate of Authority you receive must be displayed at your table, stand, or booth at every event.
Online registration issues a printable Business Registration Certificate immediately; the Certificate of Authority arrives by mail. You must register at least 15 business days before doing business.
New Jersey requires registration even for seasonal or occasional sellers. Publication ANJ-15 states registration is required even if sales are made only seasonally or occasionally, such as by a craftsman who periodically sells handmade items at shows. Certificates are nontransferable, and a seller with a permanent shop elsewhere should request a duplicate certificate to display at the event.
New Jersey exempts only true casual sales: isolated sales of items you originally bought for your own personal use, like a one-time yard sale. There is no dollar or event-count threshold, and selling handmade goods you created to sell does not qualify.
The statewide rate is 6.625 percent with no general local sales taxes, and most clothing is exempt. Urban Enterprise Zone reduced rates apply only to certified in-zone businesses, so a visiting craft vendor normally charges the full rate. Registered sellers file quarterly returns (Form ST-50) even for quarters with no tax collected; seasonal sellers can mark their active months on the NJ-REG.
New Jersey licensing is occupation specific; a craft vendor generally needs only the NJ-REG tax registration rather than a separate state business license. Still check the host municipality for local vendor or peddler permit rules.
Selling without registering exposes you to penalties and interest, including a late filing penalty of 5 percent per month up to 25 percent of tax due, late payment penalties, and interest.
Event promoters must register with the state and submit a vendor list (business name, address, tax ID, contact, items sold) to the Division of Taxation at least three weeks before the event, with updates for late additions. The Division reviews the lists and may contact vendors or visit the event.
Organizing an event? List your fair on TheCraftMap to reach thousands of vendors.
Anyone making retail sales of taxable goods in New Jersey must register, and the state says this explicitly includes artists and craftspeople selling handmade items at craft shows and flea markets. You file Form NJ-REG at least 15 business days before your first sale, and the Certificate of Authority you receive must be displayed at your table, stand, or booth at every event.
Business Registration (NJ-REG) with Certificate of Authority for Sales Tax, issued by the NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services / Division of Taxation. Cost: Free. Online registration issues a printable Business Registration Certificate immediately; the Certificate of Authority arrives by mail. You must register at least 15 business days before doing business.
New Jersey exempts only true casual sales: isolated sales of items you originally bought for your own personal use, like a one-time yard sale. There is no dollar or event-count threshold, and selling handmade goods you created to sell does not qualify.
The statewide rate is 6.625 percent with no general local sales taxes, and most clothing is exempt. Urban Enterprise Zone reduced rates apply only to certified in-zone businesses, so a visiting craft vendor normally charges the full rate. Registered sellers file quarterly returns (Form ST-50) even for quarters with no tax collected; seasonal sellers can mark their active months on the NJ-REG.
New Jersey licensing is occupation specific; a craft vendor generally needs only the NJ-REG tax registration rather than a separate state business license. Still check the host municipality for local vendor or peddler permit rules.
Browse upcoming craft fairs in New Jersey with booth fees and application deadlines, read our picks for the best New Jersey 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.