intrastate

Intrastate refers to activities that occur within a single state or subnational jurisdiction, as opposed to interstate activities that cross state or provincial borders. In legal and regulatory contexts, intrastate commerce is business conducted wholly within one state, including the transportation of goods, the sale of products, and the provision of services that do not pass from one state to another.

In the United States, the distinction is commonly discussed alongside interstate commerce in relation to the Commerce Clause. Congress has authority over interstate commerce, while intrastate matters are generally within the purview of states. Federal regulation can reach intrastate activity if it has a substantial effect on interstate commerce or if a federal statute explicitly addresses intrastate actions.

Examples include intrastate trucking, local retail sales, and utilities that operate only within a single state. Licensing, taxes, safety standards, and consumer protections are typically governed by state law for intrastate activities.

The term is also used in other countries to describe activities confined to a single subnational unit. The distinction between intrastate and interstate commerce is a common feature in discussions of regulation, taxation, and economic policy.