Maine is one of the strictest gift certificate jurisdictions in the country. Service fees cannot be charged for at least two years, balances under $5 must be redeemed in cash on request, and gift certificates generally cannot expire.
Federal context
Under the federal Credit CARD Act of 2009 and its implementing Regulation E (12 CFR 1005.20), gift certificates and most general-use and store gift cards sold in the United States must remain valid for at least five years from the date of issuance or last load. Federal law also restricts dormancy, inactivity, and service fees: a fee can generally be charged only if the card has been inactive for at least 12 months, the fee is disclosed, and no more than one fee is charged per month. State laws may add stronger consumer protections on top of this federal floor.
For a deeper federal explainer, see our CARD Act overview.
Expiration rules in Maine
Maine 33 M.R.S. §1953 prohibits expiration dates on most gift certificates. Operators should treat outstanding gift certificates as perpetual obligations.
Dormancy and service fees in Maine
Maine prohibits the imposition of any service fee or dormancy fee on a gift certificate for at least 24 months from the date of issuance. After 24 months, fees remain heavily restricted and require disclosure.
Most Maine merchants avoid fees entirely.
Cash redemption for small balances
Maine law requires cash redemption of any gift certificate balance below $5 upon the holder's request.
Disclosure requirements
Federal Regulation E disclosures apply, supplemented by Maine state requirements for clarity around the no-expiration and small-balance cash redemption rules.
Unclaimed property and escheatment
Single-merchant gift certificates in Maine generally do not escheat because they cannot expire. Open-loop bank-issued cards have separate treatment.
Enforcement and penalties
The Maine Office of the Attorney General enforces consumer protection rules. Violations can lead to civil penalties under the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Recent updates
Maine's framework has been substantively stable, though the state legislature periodically considers consumer protection amendments.
Last reviewed: May 24, 2026. Statutes change. Verify the current text of the cited statute before acting on this summary.
Maine compliance checklist
A short operational checklist for selling gift certificates in Maine. Adapt with counsel before publishing your final policy.
- Configure all gift certificates to never expire.
- Do not charge any service or dormancy fees, especially in the first 24 months.
- Train staff and POS for under-$5 cash redemption on request.
- Disclose terms clearly on the certificate.
- Maintain perpetual redemption records.
Frequently asked questions about Maine gift card law
What's the cash redemption threshold in Maine?
Under $5. Train your staff to redeem any sub-$5 balance in cash if the customer asks.
Can I charge a $1 monthly maintenance fee on Maine gift certificates?
Not in the first 24 months, and even after that the fee is heavily restricted. Most Maine merchants don't charge fees at all.
Related legal basics
- Do Gift Certificates Expire? — A practical overview of federal and state rules on gift certificate expiration, written in plain English.
- Can You Charge Fees on Gift Certificates? — Federal and state rules on inactivity, dormancy, and service fees for gift cards.