GENERAL TONNAGE DEFINITIONS

Tonnage
The total quantity (by weight, typically in tons or metric tonnes) of fertilizer or soil amendment sold or distributed within a specific jurisdiction during a reporting period. This amount is used to calculate regulatory fees such as inspection fees or assessments.

Mill Assessment
A per-ton fee imposed by a regulatory agency on the sale or distribution of fertilizer or soil amendment products. The term is commonly used in California and refers to a regulatory assessment used to fund enforcement, research, and program administration.

Reporting Period
The specific time frame (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually) during which tonnage sales or distribution data must be reported to the regulatory agency.

Inspection Fee
A per-ton fee (sometimes synonymous with “tonnage fee”) assessed by the regulatory agency to fund the inspection and compliance monitoring of fertilizer and soil amendment products. Often bundled into or reported alongside the mill assessment.

WHO IS INVOLVED IN TONNAGE REPORTING

Licensee
A person or business that holds a valid license issued by a state or federal authority, allowing them to sell, distribute, or manufacture fertilizer or soil amendment products within a jurisdiction.

Registrant
The company or individual who registers a fertilizer or soil amendment product with a regulatory agency. The registrant is responsible for ensuring the product complies with labeling, composition, and reporting requirements.

Distributor
A person or company who sells or distributes a registered fertilizer or soil amendment product but is not necessarily the manufacturer or registrant. Distributors may still be responsible for tonnage reporting, depending on state rules and agreements.

Manufacturer
The company or facility that formulates, blends, or packages the fertilizer or soil amendment product. Manufacturers may also serve as registrants or distributors.

Primary Reporting Party
The entity responsible for submitting tonnage reports and paying associated fees. This may be the registrant, licensee, manufacturer, or distributor, depending on how roles are assigned in contracts and according to state laws.

TYPES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

Fertilizer
Any substance containing one or more recognized plant nutrients that is used for its nutrient content and is intended to promote plant growth. Fertilizers are typically labeled with nutrient guarantees (e.g., N-P-K).

Specialty Fertilizer
A fertilizer product designed for non-farm use such as home gardens, lawns, turf, nurseries, or ornamental plants. These are typically sold in smaller packages and may require different registration and reporting compared to agricultural fertilizers.

Soil Amendment
Any product added to soil to improve its physical or chemical properties—such as water retention, structure, aeration, or pH—rather than to supply nutrients. Soil amendments include materials like gypsum, humates, compost, and lime.

Exempt Products
Certain fertilizer or soil amendment products that are exempt from registration or tonnage reporting under specific criteria—e.g., custom blends, raw materials, or products used solely for research. Exemptions vary by state.

Custom Blend
A fertilizer or soil amendment mixture formulated to a specific customer's order and not offered for general sale. These may be exempt from registration but not always from tonnage reporting.