Illinois pet food registration

Firm license
$30
annual, due Dec 31

Per product
$90
packages ≤10 lb · annual, due Dec 31

Tonnage
none for small packages
semiannual, due Jan 31 / Jul 31

How to file
mixed · USAPlants
Pay by check (paper), USAPlants online (per seed/P2 research; not visited)

You sign, pay and submit We fill the forms, compute the fee and tell you where it goes.

Details

Firm license fee	$30 $30 flat per licensee (the entity named on the label) per year or portion thereof; additional Illinois sites covered at no extra fee (505 ILCS 30/4(a); FAQ Q1–2)
Product fee	$90 No registration fee; instead a $90 annual 'inspection fee in lieu of tonnage' per pet food / specialty pet food product in containers of 10 lb or less, due at registration and at each annual renewal (505 ILCS 30/6(a)(4)). Products >10 lb or bulk: $0 at registration but subject to $0.30/ton semiannual inspection fee
Exempt	customer-formula feeds (products used in the blend must be registered) products already registered by another company, unless repackaged or relabeled
Tonnage note	$90/product/yr for pet & specialty pet food in packages ≤10 lb is paid 'in lieu of an inspection fee'; these products 'are not subject to the Illinois Commercial Feed Semi-Annual Inspection Fee' (FAQ Q7). Tonnage reports are generated by the Bureau and sent only to licensees selling livestock feed or pet food >10 lb; late: 15-day grace then 10% or $50, whichever is greater
Third-party filing	agent_signature: “Registration form IL406-0039 (forms/IL/il-commercial-feed-registration.pdf): 'Mailing Address Other than Licensee: Business Name / Address / City / State / Zip Code / Telephone #' and signature line '(Print or type name of authorized representative) (Signature of authorized representative) (Date)'. License form (forms/IL/il-feed-license-application.pdf): 'Business Name Other Than Licensee: … E.g. Companies as "DBA" or submitting registrations in "care of" a licensee requiring an alternate mailing address other than licensee.' — a separate submitting business block plus an 'authorized representative' (not officer) signature; no agent login exists (USAPlants IL is records-only).”
Before you file	License form child-support certification under the Il. Administrative Procedures Act (check one box, under penalty of perjury) Business FEIN on license form Label for each product listed on the registration form
Check payable to	Illinois Department of Agriculture
Mail to	Illinois Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Agricultural Products Inspection, State Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 19281, Springfield, IL 62794-9281

How the online filing goes

Online or paper?
Register for access (from user guide)
Account Page (from user guide)
Profile → Request Address Change (from user guide)

Your packet lists every value for each screen. No online payment was confirmed for feed. Pay by check payable to 'Illinois Department of Agriculture' mailed with the paper forms: $30 licence per year or portion thereof; $90 per pet food / specialty pet food product in containers of 10 lb or less, due at registration and at each annual renewal (in lieu of tonnage). Products >10 lb pay no registration fee but $0.30/ton semiannually ($25 minimum).

Forms

Good to know

Statute says product registrations are 'permanent unless amended or cancelled' (505 ILCS 30/4(a)) but the $90 small-package fee is annual and the IDOA pet-food page says 'All licenses and product registrations expire December 31st of each year' — budget $90/SKU/yr.
The license must be in the exact company name on the label — no DBA or c/o licensing (FAQ Q5).
Giving pet food away counts as distribution; home-made pet food is allowed but must be licensed, registered, labeled and made under cGMP.
Semiannual tonnage report is mailed by the Bureau only to firms with >10 lb or livestock products; a ≤10 lb-only treat brand should receive none.
Certificate of Free Sale ($20) only for products made in IL or firms whose primary site is in IL.

Agency

Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), Bureau of Agricultural Products Inspection (API)
https://agr.illinois.gov/animals/animalfeed.html
(217) 782-3817

Sources: Feed Frequently Asked Questions — IDOA · Pet Food as a Business — IDOA · Commercial Feed Registration Application · Commercial Feed License Application · 505 ILCS 30/4 Product Registration and Firm License · 505 ILCS 30/6 Inspection fees and reports · Illinois — AAFCO. Verified 2026-10-08. Not legal advice; confirm with the state before paying.