North Carolina follows the federal CARD Act baseline with some additional consumer protection provisions for misleading practices.
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 North Carolina
North Carolina follows the federal five-year minimum, with state consumer protection enforcement for misleading practices.
Dormancy and service fees in North Carolina
Federal CARD Act limits apply.
Cash redemption for small balances
No state-mandated requirement.
Disclosure requirements
Federal Regulation E disclosures apply, supplemented by NC consumer protection standards.
Unclaimed property and escheatment
North Carolina's unclaimed property statute may apply with single-merchant exemptions.
Enforcement and penalties
The NC Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division enforces state rules.
Recent updates
No material state-level changes in the last 24 months.
Last reviewed: May 24, 2026. Statutes change. Verify the current text of the cited statute before acting on this summary.
North Carolina compliance checklist
A short operational checklist for selling gift certificates in North Carolina. Adapt with counsel before publishing your final policy.
- Set expiration to five years or none.
- Disclose fees at sale.
- Maintain redemption records.
Frequently asked questions about North Carolina gift card law
Can a Raleigh restaurant charge a $1 dormancy fee after one year?
Only with extensive disclosure. Most NC merchants avoid dormancy fees.
Related legal basics
- Do Gift Certificates Expire? — A practical overview of federal and state rules on gift certificate expiration, written in plain English.