Released: March 15, 2006

Help Desk FAQ

Can gift certificates have an expiration date or charge service fees?

Yes. However, while several states allow retailers to include expiration dates and charge service fees as long as they are conspicuously disclosed to the consumer, other states have enacted laws that prohibit these practices.

States that prohibit retailers to include expiration dates on gift certificates are California, Connecticut, Montana, New Hampshire (unless gift certificate is valued at more than $100), Rhode Island and Washington (except if no money was paid for gift certificate or if it is valid for artistic or cultural organizations and expiration date is disclosed to the user).

For the full California rules, visit the California Department of Consumer Affairs web site.

States that do not allow retailers to charge service fees include Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and Vermont. Retailers in Maryland can’t charge service fees for the first four years, and those in New York and Nevada for the first year.

If your state is not mentioned above and you would like to find out more about gift certificates, contact your local state consumer protection offices or visit the National Conference of State Legislatures,

Also, be aware that if you don’t use the gift certificate within a certain period of time - such as three or five years - the money that is left on the card may be subject to your state’s unclaimed property law. For more information, read this article: Expired gift cards: Whose money is it?

The Federal Trade Commission offers online Tips on Buying, Giving and Using Gift Cards.