You can also read our blog post about gift cards.

{July 15, 2010} VICTORIA, BC - These days, companies seem to be moving away from traditional punch cards and issuing pre-paid purchase cards instead.  We would like to remind consumers and businesses that in BC,  gift cards (a.k.a. pre-paid purchase cards or gift certificates) are not permitted have expiry dates or fees except in certain circumstances.

Some of these exceptions include:

• Mall cards are allowed to have expiry dates and charge fees.
• Gift cards for a specific service or item (as opposed to an amount of money) can have expiry dates.
• Telephone cards, pre-loaded credit card or tickets for events are not considered pre-paid purchase cards (or gift cards).

Also please remember that the law does not apply to any gift cards purchased prior to November 2008.

There is more to know about BC's gift card law, we invite you to read our Frequently Asked Questions. You can also check out our consumer tips for buying gift cards.  If you still have questions, please contact our Inquiry Centre toll free at 1-888-564-9963 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Consumer Protection BC is a not-for-profit corporation that was created to strengthen consumer protection in BC and enforce consumer protection laws. We balance the interests of all parties to promote a marketplace that is fair for both BC consumers and businesses. We license and inspect specific industries, respond to inquiries through our inquiry centre, investigate alleged violations of consumer protection laws, and educate consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities under the law.