The Gift Card
Minn. Stat. 325G.53 — no expiration date and no service fee of any kind
In Minnesota, it is unlawful to sell a gift certificate that is subject to an expiration date or a service fee of any kind, including a dormancy fee. A gift certificate includes a gift card, stored value card or store card whose value goes down with each use.
The section does not apply to certificates the section lists, among them:
- Ones given free for loyalty, promotional, award, incentive or rebate purposes.
- Ones sold below face value or at a volume discount to employers or to nonprofit and charitable organizations for fundraising.
- Debit cards that reach a deposit account and fall under federal electronic fund transfer rules.
- Ones an employer gives an employee in recognition of service.
The full list of exceptions is in the section and is not reproduced here. Whether a card is covered is a question for a licensed Minnesota attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Minn. Stat. 325G.53 — Gift certificates and gift cards
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Minnesota attorney.