Business with Commercial Scales

Legal Scales

· Only legal for trade scales may be used for direct sales to customers

· Look for the Roman Numeral “III” on a scale, this means it is legal in NH

· If it says “NOT LEGAL FOR TRADE” it is not permissible to use for direct sales to customers

Scale Placement

· Positioned where the customer can read the indications and observe the weighing operation

· Protected from environmental factors (wind, fans, rain, etc.)

· Installed in a firm, level position

Net Weight

· Must sell by net weight at all times.

· You can only include the product’s weight in determining the cost

· You can not include packaging (bags, boxes, paper, containers, etc.) in the weight of the product

· The “T” button on your scale is for Tare, use this to tare out (deduct) the weight of the packaging

· Prepacked items must have a net weight representation

Annual Certification

· Scales must be certified before being placed into service

· Scales must be certified annually and have a current certification seal

· It is your responsibility that this gets done every year

· Certification is to be done by NH licensed service technicians

(We are recognizing certifications from the States of Maine, Vermont & Massachusetts, but you must send in a copy of the certification paperwork for it to be valid.)

· If your business owns 3 or fewer 100 lbs or less scales and no other devices, you have the following options:

1. Hire a New Hampshire licensed service technician (prices vary so check prior to contracting).

2. Request to have your scale(s) tested (pass/fail) by a Weights & Measures official at no charge.

3. Bring your scale(s) to our Concord Office to be tested (pass/fail) at no charge.

License

· A license to operate a commercial scale is required by law

· A new license will be mailed to you every year

· The license is only valid if you return payment for the licensing fees

Posting License

· Post your license in a visible location near your scale (next to other state licenses is permissible)

· Your license needs to be available upon request

· If you want to, file the original license and post a photocopy

Updating a License

· If you add a scale to your business, you must inform this office (in writing) of the make, model , serial #, and capacity of the new scale

· If you replace a scale, you must inform this office (in writing) of the new scale (make, model, SN, capacity), and of the scale it is replacing (make, model, SN, capacity)

· This must be done before placing the new scale into service

· Please inform this office (in writing) of any other changes to your license

· All changes can be made on the Weighing & Measuring Device License Application found at www.agriculture.nh.gov. (Click on Division of Weights & Measures and go to Application Forms)

Licensing Fees

· Per scale, per year:

Capacity Fee

100lb or Less $18

100lb – 2000lb $27

2000lb – 5000lb $54

Over 5000lb $90

Vehicle Scales $180

STILL HAVE A QUESTION? GIVE US A CALL AT 603-271-3700