The Gift Card
S.C. Code 39-1-55 — no expiration inside a year unless printed on the front in capitals, and fees stated or not charged
Not before the first anniversary. A retailer may not sell a gift certificate or gift card that expires before the first anniversary of its sale, unless the expiration date is on the front in capital letters of at least ten-point font. A card with a date that does not follow the rule expires on the first anniversary instead.
A fee or a shrinking value must be stated. A condition that the card loses value over time, or that a fee comes off the balance after a while, must be stated clearly on the card, its envelope, or the receipt. A card that does not state it may be redeemed at any time for its original value, less what the holder has spent.
Federal law sets its own, longer rules for many gift cards, and the stricter rule governs. A particular card is a question for the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Sources for this section (1)
- S.C. Code 39-1-55 — Gift certificates; expiration; notice of expiration and conditions relating to use
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Carolina attorney.