How to Buy Food Grade Ethanol in South Carolina
Quick Answer: Buying Food-Grade Ethanol in South Carolina for Business Use
Short answer: a state permit is generally required. For industrial and B2B use, South Carolina conditions the purchase of 190/200-proof food-grade (non-denatured) ethanol on holding a state permit or license (Special Food Manufacturer’s License (food manufacturing only) — no general industrial-buyer exemption confirmed), under S.C. Code §§61-6-20(a)(1), 61-10-60, 61-10-70. Federal TTB rules for the seller apply on top of this. This is general information, not legal advice.
You can also check any state at a glance using our interactive tool: Ethanol Shipping Rules by State.
Who This Guide Is For
Simple Solvents sells exclusively to businesses — extraction labs, manufacturers, cosmetics and pharmaceutical companies, and other industrial buyers — for industrial, scientific, and manufacturing use. We do not sell to individual consumers and we do not sell for beverage use. This guide covers three product types: non-denatured (food-grade) 190/200-proof ethanol, specially denatured alcohol (SDA), and completely denatured alcohol (CDA).
South Carolina’s Rules for Industrial & Business Buyers
S.C. Code §§61-6-20(a)(1), 61-10-60, 61-10-70. $200 filing fee + $1,400 biennial license fee (food-manufacturer path); retail-druggist scientific/chemical sales capped at 5 gallons; undenatured alcohol manufactured in SC generally may not be sold in SC. Confirm exact applicability to a non-food extraction buyer directly with SCDOR.
- Permit/License: Special Food Manufacturer’s License (food manufacturing only) — no general industrial-buyer exemption confirmed
- Agency: South Carolina Dept. of Revenue
- Conditions: $200 filing fee + $1,400 biennial license fee (food-manufacturer path); retail-druggist scientific/chemical sales capped at 5 gallons; undenatured alcohol manufactured in SC generally may not be sold in SC. Confirm exact applicability to a non-food extraction buyer directly with SCDOR.
Denatured Alcohol (SDA & CDA)
Specially Denatured Alcohol (SDA): Federal TTB Part 20 permit for SDA; no additional SC SDA requirement located.
Completely Denatured Alcohol (CDA): No separate SC CDA add-on located.
The Federal Baseline (Applies in Every State)
Regardless of state, sellers of tax-paid, non-denatured (food-grade) alcohol must be registered as TTB liquor dealers under 27 CFR Part 31 (Form 5630.5d) and generally must sell in bulk containers of more than 1 U.S. gallon, with required recordkeeping. Buyers of ordinary tax-paid, non-denatured alcohol typically need no separate federal permit. Buyers of specially denatured alcohol (SDA) need a federal TTB Industrial Alcohol User Permit (27 CFR Part 20, Form 5150.33). Tax-free (non-tax-paid) alcohol follows a separate, narrower federal path (27 CFR Part 22) that most industrial buyers of tax-paid product do not need.
Ordering Food-Grade Ethanol from Simple Solvents
- Confirm your business’s specific permit needs (if any) using this guide and, where noted, your state agency.
- Visit SimpleSolvents.com and choose the product and grade (non-denatured, SDA, or CDA) that fits your process.
- Complete checkout with your business shipping and billing information.
- Provide any required permit documentation if your state requires it for your order.
- Track your shipment using the tracking information we provide after your order ships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to buy food-grade ethanol in South Carolina for business use?
Generally yes. South Carolina requires Special Food Manufacturer’s License (food manufacturing only) — no general industrial-buyer exemption confirmed from South Carolina Dept. of Revenue for qualifying industrial/business purchases.
Does this apply to denatured alcohol (SDA/CDA) too?
Federal TTB Part 20 permit for SDA; no additional SC SDA requirement located. No separate SC CDA add-on located.
Is this guide for personal or beverage use?
No. Simple Solvents sells only to businesses for industrial, scientific, and manufacturing use — never to individual consumers and never for beverage use.
Bonus: Beverage Alcohol Rules
This guide only covers industrial and business use of ethanol. South Carolina has separate rules for beverage alcohol that do not apply to Simple Solvents’ business customers: Separate SCDOR beverage three-tier and direct-shipping regimes apply.
This information is provided for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Regulations change. Please confirm your specific requirements with South Carolina Dept. of Revenue and your own counsel before placing an order. Research confidence: Medium-Low.