Commissioner Adam H. Putnam

Fertilizer Section

Florida Laws | FAQ | Related Links | Contact

The Fertilizer Section is responsible for enforcing the requirements of Florida's Commercial Fertilizer Law, Chapter 576, Florida Statutes and Chapter 5E-1, Florida Administrative Code.  Applicant(s) requesting to distribute fertilizer in the State of Florida with their name appearing on the fertilizer label as guarantor are required to complete the following registration requirements using the Fertilizer Regulatory Website online located at:  http://lims.flaes.org.

The Fertilizer Law requires fertilizer companies who plan to market fertilizer in Florida to be licensed with the Department and provide proof of a Surety Bond or Certificate of Deposit in the amount of $1,000. All registered licensees report monthly tonnage using the Fertilizer Regulatory Website and pay an inspection fee of $1.00 per ton for mixed fertilizer and fertilizer materials, including an additional $.50 per ton if the fertilizer contains nitrogen or phosphate. The inspection fee for liming materials and untreated phosphatic materials is $.30 per ton.

The Fertilizer Section is also responsible for licensing fertilizer companies and registration of specialty brand fertilizers sold in packages of 49 pounds or less and distributed for home and garden use. This Section is also responsible for the collection of all registration and license fees, tracking and recording the consumption of fertilizers sold in Florida, the collection of inspection and nitrogen fees, assessing and monitoring penalties against fertilizer licensees for distributing deficient plant food, and assessing penalties for the production of short weight fertilizers.

Florida Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Does one need a Fertilizer License in order to sell fertilizer in the State of Florida?
    Yes. The name that appears on the fertilizer label as guarantor must complete an Application For License using the Fertilizer Regulatory Website On-line. The license fee is $200 which expires on June 30th of each year. 

  2. Is one required to post a $1,000 Surety Bond or Certificate of Deposit (CD) with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services?
    Yes. All applicants applying for a Fertilizer License have an option to purchase a surety bond or certificate of deposit.

    Option I: The surety bond will be in the amount of $1,000 and obtained from your local insurance agent using the Department's Fertilizer Dealer's Bond Form DACS-13229. Once the applicant submit their Application For Fertilizer License On-line, the applicant should email a copy of their Fertilizer Dealer’s Bond and Power of Attorney to the following email address: aescompliancefert@freshfromflorida.com.

    Option II: The Certificate of Deposit will be obtained from a recognized financial institution doing business in the United States. The Assignment of Certificate of Deposit, Form DACS-13201, will be completed by the bank representative and the applicant. The Certificate of Deposit will be a continuous CD, retained by the applicant for security purposes.  Once the applicant submit their Application For Fertilizer License On-line, the applicant should email a copy of their Certificate of Deposit and Assignment of Certificate to the following email address: aescompliancefert@freshfromflorida.com.


  3. Is one required to register fertilizer offered for sale and sold in the State of Florida?
    Yes. "Specialty Fertilizer" requires registration. Specialty Fertilizer is fertilizer packaged in containers of 49 pounds or less AND distributed for home and garden use. The registration fee is $200 for each grade of Specialty Fertilizer. When the applicant submits their Application For Fertilizer License on-line, they will register their Specialty Fertilizer Products for the current fiscal year.

  4. Where can one find information in reference to Florida's labeling requirements?
    The Florida Commercial Fertilizer Law, Chapter 576, F.S., provides specific rules and regulations that will provide guidance to label your fertilizer products. See Fertilizer Rule 5E-1.003, F.A.C., Label Requirements For All Fertilizer Products.

  5. Is one required to pay inspection fees on fertilizers sold in the State of Florida?
    Yes. Every licensee will report their monthly tonnage sales using the On-line Fertilizer Regulatory Website and pay to the Department an inspection fee in the amount of $1.00 per ton for fertilizer sold in the State, including an additional $.50 per ton if the fertilizer contains nitrogen or phosphate. The inspection fee for raw ground phosphate rock, soft phosphate, colloidal phosphate, phosphatic clays and all other untreated phosphatic materials, gypsum, hydrated lime, limestone, and dolomite, when sold or used for agricultural purposes, will be $.30 per ton.

  6. Is one required to submit a statistical report of fertilizer tonnage sold in the State of Florida to the Department of Agriculture?
    Yes. This report covers all fertilizer movements other than wholesale. Each Licensee shipping or delivering fertilizers in other than wholesale movements in lots of one or more tons shall notify the department thereof. Licensees will submit this report using the On-line Fertilizer Regulatory Website

Back to Top

Related Links

Back to Top


Contact

If you have any questions regarding fertilizer licensing, registration or labeling, please contact:
William Cox
E-mail William.Cox@freshfromflorida.com
3125 Conner Boulevard, Building 8
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650
Phone: (850) 617-7860
Fax: (850) 617-7894

If you have any questions about the Fertilizer Laboratory, please contact:
Teresa Rygiel
E-mail Teresa.Rygiel@freshfromflorida.com
3125 Conner Boulevard, Building 7
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650
Phone: (850) 617-7836
Fax: (850) 617-7843

Back to Top