Do you need a license to sell homemade soap?

Author: Anjali Keeling  |  Last update: Monday, April 21, 2025

You might need to get a business license to operate legally, though this is on a state-by-state or even more local basis. You'll also need to adhere to specific FDA guidelines and regulations to market your soap, and it's your responsibility to properly label and ensure your product is safe to use.

Do I need FDA approval to sell homemade soap?

You don't need pre approval from the FDA in order to sell soaps and shampoos in the USA. However, you need to prove your products are stable and safe before you sell them.

Can I make my own soap and sell it?

Yes! Selling homemade soaps can be a profitable business, especially if you focus on quality ingredients, unique formulations, and effective marketing. Since you are interested in VedaOils, you can leverage their soap bases, essential oils, and natural additives to create high-quality products that appeal to consumers.

Can you sell homemade soap without a license?

Federally, there are no permits required because soap is specifically not a drug or a cosmetic, so the requirements for drugs or cosmetics do not apply at the federal level. You only have to label the ingredients.

Do you need a permit to make soap?

Pure cleansing soaps don't need FDA approval. However, if you market your soaps as moisturizing or having other benefits, it becomes a cosmetic product requiring FDA approval.

Ask-Anne Marie: Starting a Soap Business - Trademarks, Markets & More | Bramble Berry

Do you need insurance for soap making?

Yes. Product liability is essential for crafters who make and ship handmade goods. It provides coverage for bodily injury or property damage that happens after the sale.

Do you need to register for soap?

There is no separate registration for SOAP, and applicants do not submit a rank order list. If you have any additional questions about eligibility, please visit the NRMP website .

Can I legally sell homemade lotions?

Do I need to have my cosmetic products or ingredients approved by FDA? The law does not require cosmetic products and ingredients, except for color additives, to be approved by FDA before they go on the market. However, cosmetics must not be adulterated or misbranded.

Can you sell products without an LLC?

Being a sole proprietor is the simplest way to sell products or services online. However, keep in mind that there is no legal separation between the owner and the business in a sole proprietorship, meaning the owner is personally responsible for any liabilities such as debt or lawsuits.

Is it worth selling soap on Etsy?

Handmade soap and bath products are a great example of an easy-to-make product that can be sold on Etsy. These items are also something that people will buy as gifts for others, so it's good to have options in this category when you're browsing through the site.

What are the laws for soap making?

There are no specific regulations regarding soap; however, any household product that meets the definition of a hazardous substance under the FHSA must bear cautionary labeling warning of the principal hazard(s) associated with the product and enabling the consumer to use and store the product safely about the ...

How much do handmade soaps sell for?

Consumer Price Index for Handmade Soap

At the start of 2024, the US Average Consumer Price (ACP) for handmade soap was $3.59 per ounce. A 5-ounce bar of handmade soap is expected to sell for $17.95 (5 ounces × $3.59 average price per ounce = $17.95).

Can I sell handmade soap on Amazon?

Selling Soap on Amazon

Selling soap on the platform doesn't require approval from Amazon, but you must comply with all federal laws and regulations applicable to soap products. True soap that meets the definition of the term in the FDA's regulations is regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Can I sell soap that I make at home?

Community connection: Handmade soaps can be a hit at local markets and events, helping you build a strong community presence and brand loyalty. Online sales potential: Soap is easy to package and ship, making it an excellent product for online sales and for expanding your reach beyond local customers.

What can be sold without FDA approval?

The ingredients (except certain colors) and labeling of cosmetics, such as many perfumes, makeup, moisturizers, shampoos, hair dyes, face and body cleansers, and shaving preparations do not require FDA approval.

How do you legally label soap?

According to both CPSC and FDA guidelines, labels for soap packaging should include four main elements:
  1. Business name and address. Place your brand's or your distributor's name and address on the soap label. ...
  2. Identity statement. ...
  3. Ingredients list. ...
  4. Net weight.

At what point do I need an LLC?

When a business owner has personal liability protection, they can't be held personally responsible if the business suffers a loss. This means personal assets (car, house, and bank account) are protected. If your business already earns a profit or if it carries any risk of liability, you should start an LLC immediately.

Can I sell on Amazon without a business license?

While Amazon doesn't require a business license for you to become a seller (as most products sold there aren't federally regulated), you're still responsible for obtaining any necessary licensing for your business.

Is it illegal to run a business without an LLC?

It's also perfectly legal to open a business without setting up any formal structure. You'll gain simplicity but miss out on some key protections. Here's a look at the risks and benefits of starting a business without an LLC.

Can I legally sell homemade soap?

You might need to get a business license to operate legally, though this is on a state-by-state or even more local basis. You'll also need to adhere to specific FDA guidelines and regulations to market your soap, and it's your responsibility to properly label and ensure your product is safe to use.

How do I legally sell handmade items?

If you're selling your crafts to the public — either at craft fairs or on websites like Etsy, Facebook or Amazon Handmade — you'll need to officially register your crafting business. It's easy to get caught up in the fun of creating something and finding out people want to pay you for your craft.

Is the handmade soap market saturated?

Competition from Commercial Brands: The market is saturated with mass-produced soap brands that can offer lower prices due to economies of scale. This can make it difficult for handmade soap producers to compete on price, even if they emphasize quality and natural ingredients.

Can you sell soap without FDA approval?

Neither the product nor its ingredients need approval by FDA before they go on the market, except for any color additives it contains. It is your responsibility to make sure your product is safe for consumers when it is used as intended, and to make sure it is properly labeled.

How much is the soap fee?

Example: If you did not apply to any residency programs before March 17, 2025, and wish to apply through ERAS® during SOAP, you will need to pay the $99 application service fee.

How much is soap residency?

If you applied to any programs during the Main Residency Match Season, SOAP applications do not cost any additional fees. If you did not apply to any programs previous to SOAP, you will be expected to pay a $99 fee to ERAS.

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