Fertilizer or Lime Registration

Manufacturers and distributors of products that are exclusively limited to Agricultural/Farm use would need to apply for the annual License to Manufacture and Distribute. The application fee for this license is $250 per year. This is an umbrella license that covers all Farm/AG use only products, these do not need to be registered individually. All Ag-use only products must be listed on the license application. Labels and/or product information sheets must be submitted for review at the time of the initial application or to add new product to an active license. Examples of Ag use only products include those sold for crops, orchards, floriculture, production greenhouses and nurseries, turf farms, etc.

All products that are distributed in Massachusetts and are not exclusively limited to Farm/Agricultural applications are considered a “Specialty” product and must be registered individually at $100 per product and renewed annually. Labels and/or product information sheets must be submitted for review at the time of registration. Examples of specialty products would be those distributed primarily for nonfarm use, such as golf courses, lawns, home gardens, landscape, houseplants, shrubbery, flowers, municipal parks, cemeteries, retail greenhouses and nurseries.

Any of the various forms of lime intended for fertilizing purposes or neutralizing acidity that is manufactured and/or distributed in Massachusetts is required to be registered individually at $100 per product and renewed annually. Labels and/or product information sheets must be submitted for review at the time of registration.

A Tonnage report is required to be submitted twice a year on or before January first and July first, setting forth the number of net tons of each grade of fertilizer, registered soil conditioner, and liming material distributed or sold in the commonwealth during the preceding six months. The last licensee or registrant in possession before distribution to a non-licensee or to a non-registrant shall be responsible for reporting the tonnage and paying the inspection fee, unless the report and payment has been made by a prior distributor. There is a fee of $0.15 per ton, with a minimum fee of $5.