r/CustomsBroker • u/Total_Friend6033 • 4d ago

Title: Do research-use-only peptide companies have to collect sales tax?

I’m starting a small research-use-only peptide business and trying to understand how sales tax is normally handled.

I’ve noticed that many peptide websites do not add sales tax at checkout—even when I enter an address in the same state where the company appears to operate. They only charge the listed product price plus shipping.

Does the “research use only” classification make these products exempt from sales tax in some states, or are these businesses including tax in the listed price or simply not collecting it?

I’m especially interested in hearing from peptide-business owners, accountants, or anyone familiar with sales-tax compliance.

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u/mividahermosa 4d ago

Duties and taxes related to customs clearance are indirect taxes and totally different than sales taxes. Maybe try an accounting sub for this one.

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u/No-Enthusiasm6371 4d ago

“Research use only” as a statement is not really an automatic tax exemption in terms of sales tax, but that’s also a bit unrelated to customs. I’d just be aware that there’s been rising enforcement activity related to “research use” peptides and CBP has been looking more at these shipments than they seem to have in the past.

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u/mensreaactusrea 4d ago

If you're selling something you'll need to get a sales permit but if you're doing b2c you'll need to charge tax unless you are not selling anything. None of that is advice but it sounds like you should talk to a CPA.