Terms of Service

By accessing or using Koti (the “Platform”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, do not use Koti. These terms form a binding agreement between you and Koti, Inc. (“Koti,” “we,” “us”).

Koti is an online marketplace that connects buyers with sellers of cottage food products. Sellers list and sell food items prepared in permitted home kitchens under their state's cottage food laws. Koti facilitates transactions but does not prepare, store, ship, or handle any food. Koti is not a party to the sale of food between a buyer and a seller.

You must be at least 18 years old to create a buyer or seller account on Koti. Sellers who operate under a Family Operation account may feature a minor (Junior Maker) as the brand face, but the legal account holder, permit holder, and operator must be a parent or legal guardian. See our Junior Maker Legal Guide for details.

Sellers must hold a valid cottage food permit, registration, or equivalent authorization from their state or local health department before listing products. Sellers are solely responsible for:

• Complying with all applicable state and local cottage food laws
• Following labeling, packaging, and allergen disclosure requirements
• Staying within their state's annual sales cap
• Selling only within their state (cottage food operations are state-level; interstate sales are generally prohibited)
• Maintaining food safety and sanitation standards
• Accurately representing their products, ingredients, and permit status
• Collecting and remitting any applicable taxes

Koti may request proof of permit and may suspend or remove sellers who cannot provide valid documentation.

Sellers control their own listings, pricing, and availability. All listings must accurately describe the product, including ingredients, allergens, and production methods. Listings that misrepresent products, infringe intellectual property, or violate applicable laws will be removed.

When a buyer places an order through the Koti marketplace, Stripe Connect processes the payment. Koti never holds or takes custody of funds. Funds are routed directly to the seller's connected Stripe account, with Koti's commission deducted automatically.

Commission structure:

• Marketplace orders (discovered through Koti): 8% commission to Koti
• Koti Direct orders(from a seller's direct link): 0% commission
• Free listings: Sellers on the free tier do not process payments through Koti; commission does not apply

Standard Stripe processing fees apply to all transactions and are set by Stripe.

Sellers are responsible for preparing, packaging, and delivering or making available each order in accordance with their state's cottage food laws. Koti does not handle fulfillment. Disputes over quality, delivery, or product accuracy are primarily between buyer and seller, though Koti may assist in resolving disputes at its discretion.

Each seller sets their own refund and cancellation policy, which must be displayed on their storefront. For marketplace orders, Koti may issue refunds in cases of clear fraud, failure to deliver, or violation of these terms. Refund requests should first be addressed directly with the seller.

Users may not:

• List or sell products that violate cottage food laws (e.g., prohibited product categories, interstate sales)
• Sell food without a valid permit where one is required
• List products containing hidden ingredients or misrepresenting allergen information
• Use the Platform to harass, defame, or defraud others
• Circumvent Koti's commission system by directing marketplace customers off-platform
• Scrape, reverse-engineer, or abuse the Platform
• Create fake accounts, reviews, or products

Buyers may leave reviews for sellers after a verified purchase. Reviews must be honest, relevant, and free of personal attacks. Koti may moderate, remove, or edit reviews that violate these terms. By posting content on Koti, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display and distribute that content on the Platform.

Koti may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms, misrepresent permit status, receive repeated complaints, or engage in fraudulent or unsafe behavior. Sellers may close their accounts at any time; any pending orders must be fulfilled or refunded.

Koti is a marketplace platform, not a food producer or inspector. Products sold on Koti are prepared in private home kitchens under state cottage food laws, which have varying standards. Buyers should review each seller's permit class, ingredient list, and allergen disclosures before purchasing. Koti makes no warranty as to the safety, quality, or suitability of any product and disclaims liability to the fullest extent permitted by law.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Koti and its affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Platform, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, or goodwill, or any food-related illness or injury. Our total aggregate liability shall not exceed the greater of $100 or the fees we collected from you in the 12 months preceding the claim.

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Koti, its officers, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the Platform, your listings, your sales, or your violation of these terms or applicable law.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any disputes shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in San Francisco County, California, unless otherwise required by law.

We may update these terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated by email or through the Platform. Continued use of Koti after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

Questions about these terms? Email support@koti.market or visit our support page.