South Dakota Resale Certificate: How Resellers Get One (2026 Guide)

Last updated: August 6, 2026

Every wholesale application eventually reaches the same line: attach your resale certificate. For resellers registered in South Dakota, that document is the South Dakota Exemption Certificate (Streamlined Certificate of Exemption) — proof that you are buying inventory for resale, not consumption, so the supplier does not have to charge you sales tax.

This guide covers the South Dakota specifics: which agency issues what, the exact form, what it costs, how long it takes, and how your suppliers will verify it. It is part of our step-by-step wholesale sourcing roadmap.

The documents in South Dakota

Certificate: South Dakota Exemption Certificate (Streamlined Certificate of Exemption) (Form 2040 (SD Exemption Certificate; SST Form F0003 also accepted)). Prerequisite registration: South Dakota Sales Tax License. Issuing agency: South Dakota Department of Revenue.

How to get it, in order

  1. Register for the South Dakota Sales Tax License with the South Dakota Department of Revenue. Cost: $0. Typical timing: Online via SD Tax Application; typically a few days to ~1-2 weeks.
  2. Self-completed blanket certificate: buyer fills out the exemption certificate with its sales tax license number and gives it to the supplier; the state does not issue a separate resale document.
  3. Send the completed certificate to each distributor at account opening, and keep a copy — most suppliers keep blanket certificates on file so you do not repeat this for every order.

Out-of-state suppliers and buyers

Yes – SD is an SST member and accepts the SST/MTC uniform certificates and out-of-state tax ID numbers from unregistered out-of-state resellers.

How suppliers verify your certificate

South Dakota has no general public lookup for certificate numbers, so suppliers rely on the completed form itself being accurate and signed. Expect distributors to keep your certificate on file — supplier profiles in our catalogue note when a resale certificate is required at account opening.

FAQ

Does it expire?

No expiration; blanket certificates remain valid while info is accurate (suppliers often refresh every few years).

Can I buy wholesale without one?

Usually yes — but the supplier must then charge you sales tax, which comes straight out of your margin, and some distributors simply refuse accounts without resale documentation. Getting the certificate first is almost always worth it.

Anything specific to South Dakota?

State rate is 4.2% plus municipal taxes. Sellers must keep certificates on file to document exempt sales in an audit.

Facts above summarise official South Dakota Department of Revenue guidance; requirements change, so confirm current fees and forms at the agency site. Next step in the roadmap: choosing and verifying a supplier.