South Carolina’s law against price gouging is now in effect following a state of emergency declaration by Governor Henry McMaster ahead of an expected winter storm. Attorney General Alan Wilson made the announcement, emphasizing the importance of preparation.
“This is just a precaution, and we’re not seeing any impacts yet, but we have to be prepared. If this storm does cause problems, we could see normal price increases for goods and services, and those are not considered price gouging under our law. But we may see businesses and individuals try to unfairly take advantage of the situation through price gouging of food, gasoline, lodging, other commodities, and services like tree removal, as defined by the statute. By our law, that’s a criminal violation and an unfair trade practice,” Attorney General Wilson said.
The state’s price gouging statute (SC §39-5-145) prohibits charging excessive prices for essential goods or services during emergencies. The law remains active until the state of emergency ends or is canceled. Violations can result in misdemeanor charges with penalties up to $1,000 in fines or 30 days in jail.
Wilson noted that regular changes in pricing are permitted under the law; only unjustified increases intended to exploit emergency conditions are considered illegal. Residents who suspect they have been targeted by price gouging are encouraged to collect documentation and report incidents to the Attorney General’s office via email or through their website at https://www.scag.gov/price-gouging/. Reports can also be made by phone.
The South Carolina Attorney General’s office serves as the chief prosecutor and legal counsel for the state. It manages divisions related to criminal justice, civil litigation, consumer protection, victim support services, and public education on safety and financial issues. The office also maintains transparency by sharing updates on its official website.
