North Charleston Sales Tax
South Carolina. Combined state + county + city. Category exemptions and how it compares to neighboring states.
Category exemptions in South Carolina
What gets taxed and what's exempt — these rules apply across the entire state of South Carolina, including North Charleston.
| Category | Rule | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | Exempt | Exempt from state; local hospitality tax may apply |
| Clothing | Taxed (full rate) | Everyday apparel and footwear. |
| Prescription drugs | Exempt | Prescribed medications dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. |
South Carolina sales tax holiday
At 9.00% combined rate, a $500 clothing purchase normally costs $45.00in tax. On the tax-free weekend (within caps), that's $0.00.
Sales tax on common amounts
| Purchase | Tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.90 | $10.90 |
| $50 | $4.50 | $54.50 |
| $100 | $9.00 | $109.00 |
| $250 | $22.50 | $272.50 |
| $500 | $45.00 | $545.00 |
| $1,000 | $90.00 | $1090.00 |
| $5,000 | $450.00 | $5450.00 |
| $10,000 | $900.00 | $10900.00 |
Border shopping — neighboring states
For larger purchases, driving to a neighboring state with lower sales tax can save real money. Top metro sales tax in each contiguous neighbor of South Carolina.
| State | Reference city | Rate | vs North Charleston | $1,000 savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (current) | North Charleston | 9.00% | — | — |
| North Carolina | Greensboro | 6.75% | -2.25% | $22.50 |
| Georgia | Savannah | 7.00% | -2.00% | $20.00 |
Use tax (state where you live) may still apply on out-of-state purchases for items shipped or for registered goods like vehicles. For everyday retail walked across the border, savings are realized at point of sale.
Other cities in South Carolina
Columbia has the lowest combined rate in our South Carolina coverage at 8.00% — that's 1.00% below North Charleston ($10.00 less per $1,000 spent).
Common questions
- What is the total sales tax rate in North Charleston?
- North Charleston, South Carolina charges a combined sales tax of 9.00%. That's 6.00% state tax plus 3.00% local (county + city + special district) on top.
- Are groceries taxed in North Charleston?
- South Carolina exempts unprepared groceries from state sales tax. Exempt from state; local hospitality tax may apply
- Is clothing taxed in North Charleston?
- Yes — South Carolina taxes clothing at the full combined rate of 9.00%. Look for the Tax-Free Weekend (First Friday-Sunday in August) when clothing, shoes, school supplies, computers (no price cap) are tax-free.
- How do I save on sales tax when shopping in North Charleston?
- Three levers: (1) the Tax-Free Weekend in First Friday-Sunday in August, (2) buy exempt categories (groceries, prescription drugs), (3) drive across the border if a nearby state has a lower rate.
Full data sources and formulas: /sources.
Estimate only — not tax advice. Local sales tax rates change frequently and may include special district levies not modeled here. Verify with the retailer or local taxing authority for large purchases. Category exemption rules and tax holidays change by year — check the South Carolina Department of Revenue for current rules. Methodology → South Carolina state rate →
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