CODE OF VIRGINIA

CONDITIONS FOR HANDLING CHARGES AND SHIPPING CHARGES (§ 59.1-420)

A. It shall be unlawful to notify a person that he will receive a gift, prize or
item of value and that as a condition of receiving the gift, prize or item of
value he will be required to pay any money, or purchase or lease (including
rent) any goods or services, if any one or more of the following conditions
exist:

   1.  The shipping charge exceeds:
               
            

      a.  The cost of postage or the charge of a delivery service in the business
      of delivering goods of like size, weight, and kind for shipping the gift,
      prize or item of value from the geographic area in which the gift, prize or
      item of value is being distributed; or

      b.  The exact amount for shipping paid to an independent fulfillment house
      or an independent supplier, either of which is in the business of shipping
      goods for shippers other than the offeror of the gift, prize or item of
      value; or

   2.  The handling charge exceeds the lesser of five dollars or the actual cost
   of handling.

B. This section shall apply to all offers of prizes, gifts or items of value
covered by this chapter.

HISTORY: 1989, c. 689.