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For vendors · 50 statesSelling baked goods on Etsy
Short answer
From a home kitchen, usually only within your own state, and only if your state allows shipping or mail orders. Cottage food laws generally do not cover sales across state lines, so selling to buyers anywhere in the US on Etsy typically requires a licensed commercial kitchen.
Updated November 15, 2026.
What each state allows
From our sourced cottage food research, last checked November 15, 2026. Rules change; confirm with your state agency.
| State | Online, delivery and shipping rules |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Phone and online orders OK if the buyer is in Alabama; deliver in person, by an agent, or by mail within the state |
| Alaska | Online sales allowed within Alaska; no sales to other states |
| Arizona | Online sales OK within Arizona with required disclosures on the listing. Foods without dairy, meat or poultry can be delivered by the preparer, an agent or a carrier; dairy, meat or poultry products must be delivered in person |
| Arkansas | In person, by phone or online; delivery by the producer, an agent, a third-party vendor or mail/parcel. Out-of-state sales only if federal and other-state rules are met |
| California | Phone and online orders OK within California; deliver in person, by mail or by third-party delivery |
| Colorado | Online orders OK, but the producer or a designated representative must deliver directly to the buyer in Colorado; no shipping out of state |
| Connecticut | Advertise and take orders online, but deliver person-to-person within Connecticut; no mail, UPS/FedEx or delivery apps |
| Delaware | No online sales; online advertising only. Direct sales within Delaware |
| District of Columbia | Online sales OK within the District; no sales or shipping outside DC |
| Florida | Online and mail-order sales OK; deliver in person, to an event venue, or by U.S. mail or a commercial carrier. Interstate shipping may raise federal issues; check with FDACS. |
| Georgia | Online and mail-order sales OK. Shipping out of state is subject to federal law and the other state's laws. |
| Hawaii | Online and phone orders OK; delivery in person, by an agent, by mail or by shipping is allowed |
| Idaho | Online and phone orders OK if production, sale and delivery all happen inside Idaho; no out-of-state sales |
| Illinois | Online sales, delivery and home pickup OK. Only shelf-stable foods may be shipped, in tamper-evident packaging, and never out of state. |
| Indiana | Online and phone orders OK; deliver in person, by mail or by carrier inside Indiana only, in tamper-evident packaging. Keep buyer delivery addresses for 1 year. |
| Iowa | Online and phone orders OK; deliver in person, by an agent, or by mail. Interstate sales must also meet federal law. |
| Kansas | Internet sales with shipping OK; for buyers in other states, follow the receiving state's rules |
| Kentucky | Orders and payment may be taken online or by phone, but the food must be handed over in person in Kentucky (pickup or delivery); no shipping |
| Louisiana | The statute does not address online orders or shipping; check with the Louisiana Department of Health |
| Maine | Not addressed in DACF guidance; check with DACF |
| Maryland | Sales by personal delivery or mail are allowed inside Maryland only; no out-of-state sales |
| Massachusetts | Internet and mail sales to consumers are allowed with the local permit; out-of-state sales must follow federal law and the other state's rules |
| Michigan | Internet, mail order and third-party delivery are allowed inside Michigan only, if the buyer can talk with you (in person or by video) before the sale |
| Minnesota | Online sales allowed inside Minnesota, but you or your employee must hand over the food in person; no shipping of human food until Aug 1, 2027 (pet treats may be shipped) |
| Mississippi | You can advertise online and on social media, but no online, mail-order or shipped sales; sales must be in person, inside Mississippi |
| Missouri | Online sales OK only when both the seller and the buyer are in Missouri; sales must be direct to the consumer |
| Montana | Local Food Choice Act: in-state, direct to the end consumer only. Cottage food: you may advertise and take orders online or by phone, but the sale must be face to face; no shipping or courier delivery |
| Nebraska | Orders for pickup or delivery OK. Non-perishable food may be shipped by US mail or a commercial carrier; perishable (TCS) food must be delivered by the producer in person |
| Nevada | No internet or phone sales with shipping or third-party delivery. You may take orders by phone or online if you hand-deliver in person; websites can be used for advertising |
| New Hampshire | Not under the exemption: internet and mail-order sales need a Class H homestead license |
| New Jersey | Online advertising, orders and payments OK; products must be handed to the customer in person in New Jersey. No mail or shipping |
| New Mexico | Internet sales and mail delivery OK to buyers within New Mexico; no out-of-state sales |
| New York | Internet sales OK within New York State only; no shipping out of state |
| North Carolina | Not directly addressed by NCDA&CS; products shipped by USPS/FedEx must be fully labeled. Ask NCDA&CS before selling out of state. |
| North Dakota | Sales must go directly from you to the end consumer for home use, including by delivery. A 2025 amendment (SB 2386) removed the old bans on internet, phone, mail and out-of-state sales; poultry products still can't be sold across state lines. |
| Ohio | Sales must stay in Ohio. ODA doesn't directly address online orders, and some county health departments say no internet sales, so check with ODA. |
| Oklahoma | Online and phone sales allowed. Shelf-stable foods can be shipped by a parcel carrier; foods needing refrigeration must be delivered by you directly to the customer. Interstate shipments must also meet federal labeling law. |
| Oregon | Online and mail-order sales allowed; keep each buyer's address and contact information |
| Pennsylvania | Internet sales are covered by the registration; selling across state lines may also need FDA registration |
| Rhode Island | Internet, mail and phone orders OK, but you or your designee must deliver in person to a customer in Rhode Island; no shipping |
| South Carolina | Online and mail-order sales allowed (since 2022); SCDA describes sales as within South Carolina |
| South Dakota | No remote sales: the food must be sold in the seller's physical presence and handed to the buyer by the seller or a household member |
| Tennessee | Shelf-stable (non-TCS) items: phone and internet sales OK within Tennessee, delivered by you, an agent, a third-party vendor or a carrier. Refrigerated (TCS) items: in person only. |
| Texas | Online orders OK within Texas if you, an employee or a household member personally delivers, and the label information is posted on your website before payment. No mail-order shipping. |
| Utah | Utah-only sales. Homemade Food Act: direct to the consumer (or through your designated representative). Check with UDAF before shipping. |
| Vermont | check with Vermont Department of Health |
| Virginia | Phone and internet sales OK to individuals in Virginia; deliver in person, by mail or by delivery service within the state |
| Washington | No internet or mail-order sales, and no sales outside Washington |
| West Virginia | Non-perishable foods: remote sales OK, delivered by you, an agent, a third-party vendor or a carrier. Perishable (permitted) foods: in-state only; check with WVDA. |
| Wisconsin | Baked goods: direct to consumers only; check with DATCP on shipping. Canned goods: no internet or out-of-state sales. |
| Wyoming | In-state only; sales must be directly between producer and consumer (or a designated agent) and may be delivered anywhere in Wyoming you both agree on. No interstate sales. |
If you want to ship nationwide
- Rent time in a licensed shared or commercial kitchen.
- Get the food establishment or processor license your state requires for that kitchen.
- Use full federal nutrition and allergen labeling unless an exemption applies.
- Pack for shipping: shelf-stable items only, sealed, with the ship date.
Selling locally instead is often simpler. Find a farmers market near you or read selling on Facebook Marketplace.
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Common questions
Can I sell homemade baked goods on Etsy?
Etsy sales usually mean shipping, and most cottage food laws only cover sales to buyers in your own state. Shipping homemade food to other states generally moves it out of cottage food and under federal commercial food rules. Some states allow shipping within the state; check yours.
Can I ship cottage food within my state?
Some states allow it, some require in-person delivery, and some allow only face-to-face sales. See the state table below.
How do bakers sell on Etsy legally?
Bakers who ship nationwide typically work from a licensed commercial or shared kitchen, follow federal labeling rules, and register with their state food regulator.
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