1) What is the definition of fertilizer?
2) Do I need a license to sell my fertilizer products in Vermont?
3) I'm not sure my product needs to be registered, who should I contact?
4) How do I register my product? Can I do so online?
5) If I only sell my product online, do I need to register it?
6) Do soil amendments need to be registered?
7) What needs to be on a label?
8) Where do I send the labels?
9) My product is registered in another state, will you automatically accept my label?
10) My product is packaged in multiple sizes, do I need to register each size?
11) How is my registration fee determined?
12) Who is responsible for tonnage reporting, and what is the fee?
13) Can I use decimals in my guaranteed analysis of N-P-K or are only whole numbers accepted?
14) Where do I get my products tested for guaranteed analysis?
15) Who determines if a product is for agricultural use or is a specialty fertilizer?
17) Is tonnage reporting required for soil amendments, plant amendments and plant biostimulants?
19) I no longer want to sell my product(s), do I need to do anything?
20) Do I need to register my products every year?
21) I never received a renewal form, what should I do?
22) I have revised my labels; do I need to do anything?
23) If I already register my product as a pesticide, do I need to register it as a fertilizer?
1) Per 6 V.S.A. § 363, (5) "Fertilizer" means any substance containing one or more recognized plant nutrients that is used for its plant nutrient content and that is designed for use or claimed to have value in promoting plant growth or health, except unprocessed animal or vegetable manures and other products exempted by the Secretary.
2) A "license" is not required to sell/distribute fertilizer products in Vermont. However, you are required to register each of the products you wish to sell/distribute in Vermont.
3) For any questions concerning whether or not a product needs to be registered, please contact agr.feedseedfert@vermont.gov.
4) If you have an existing account, you can register your product online at any time. If this is a new account, you will need to submit a paper application.
5) You are required to register your products whether they are sold online or in retail locations in Vermont.
6) Starting in 2021, soil amendments, plant amendments and plant bio-stimulants need to be registered in Vermont.
7) Product name and brand name, grade guaranteed analysis, directions for use, name and mailing address of manufacturer/distributor, net weight and any precautionary statement.
8) Labels should be sent to agr.feedseedfert@vermont.gov.
9) Not necessarily. It will be accepted if it meets all Vermont requirements.
10) While we require registration of each grade or formation (liquid, granular etc), we do not require registration for each size of package.
11) The annual registration fee is $85 per product.
12) A person distributing fertilizer to a consumer must annually report and pay a tonnage fee. The sale or exchange of registered fertilizer or lime materials among importers, distributors, manufacturers or blenders are not subject to the tonnage reporting and fee requirements.
The agricultural use tonnage fee is $0.50 per ton with a minimum fee of $150. Specialty fertilizer tonnage fees are $30 per ton or a minimum of $150. Even if you did not have any sales in Vermont, you must pay the minimum tonnage fee, $150.
13) Vermont accepts fractional terms for all nutrients.
14) Your product can be tested at a lab of your choice.
15) The registrant determines if their products are for agricultural use or is a specialty fertilizer. Link for fertilizer tonnage reporting form.
16) Tonnage is due January 15th for the previous year. It should be submitted as soon as possible, but there is no late fee. Make checks payable to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Checks can be mailed to the address at the top of the reporting form. Alternatively, you may pay online. If you are unable to access your account online, please contact Licensing and Registration, agr.licensing@vermont.gov.
17) Yes you must report tonnage for soil amendments, plant amendments and plant biostimulants but there is no associated fee. Link for amendment tonnage reporting form.
18) Depending on the time of year, it can take up to 4-6 weeks to receive a certificate of registration. If we have a question regarding your label, you will receive a phone call from us. If have recently moved or changed your mailing address, please contact Licensing and Registration at 802-828-2436.
19) Please contact agr.licensing@vermont.gov or submit a letter stating that you no longer wish to register your product.
20) Your product(s) needs to be registered each year that it is offered for sale. The registration year for fertilizer is January 1st through December 31st.
21) If you registered a product (s) last year and have not received your renewal form by November 30th, please contact Licensing and Registration at agr.licensing@vermont.gov or 802-828-2436.
22) If there has been a slight change to your label, such as in graphics or font, you do not need to register your product as a new product. When there are significant changes, such as changes in N-P-K, you must register your product as a new product. If you have questions about whether or not a label is considered new send a copy of the label along with your questions to agr.feedseedfert@vermont.gov.
23) If your product is registered as a pesticide and makes fertilizer claims, it needs to be registered as a fertilizer, as well. Each grade needs to be registered.