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Can I sell products or services online without violating e-commerce laws in Rhode Island? What are the requirements?

Selling Products or Services Online in Rhode Island

If you plan to sell products or services online in Rhode Island, you must comply with the state’s e-commerce laws. Here are the requirements you need to consider:

  1. Advertising of Rhode Island Grown Farm Products [1.1]

If you plan to advertise or sell farm products, eggs, poultry, and turkeys produced in Rhode Island as “native,” “native grown,” “Rhode Island grown,” or under terms of similar import, you must furnish proof that the products were grown or produced in Rhode Island if requested by the director of environmental management.

  1. Online Theft by Deception [2.3]

You must not use the Internet to purchase or attempt to purchase property from a seller with a mode of payment that you know is fictitious, stolen, or lacking the consent of the valid account holder.

  1. Requirements for Non-Collecting Retailers, Referrers, and Retail Sale Facilitators [4.2]

If you are a non-collecting retailer, referrer, or retail sale facilitator, you must comply with the requirements in subsections (F), (G), and (H) as applicable. You must either register in Rhode Island for a permit to make sales at retail and collect and remit sales and use tax on all taxable sales into the state or post a conspicuous notice on your website that informs in-state customers that sales or use tax is due on certain purchases made from you and that Rhode Island requires the in-state customer to file a sales or use tax return.

  1. Online Sale of Stolen Property and Online Fencing [2.1][2.2]

It is illegal to use or access the Internet with the intent of selling property gained through unlawful means or to sell stolen property using the Internet, knowing that the property was stolen.

In summary, you can sell products or services online in Rhode Island as long as you comply with the state’s e-commerce laws. You must furnish proof that the products were grown or produced in Rhode Island if requested, not use fictitious, stolen, or lacking the consent of the valid account holder mode of payment, comply with the requirements for non-collecting retailers, referrers, and retail sale facilitators, and avoid selling stolen property.

Source(s):
Jurisdiction

Rhode Island