59.1-420 - Conditions for handling charges and shipping charges. - Virginia Statutes

§ 59.1-420. Conditions for handling charges and shipping charges.

A. It shall be unlawful to notify a person that he will receive a gift, prizeor item of value and that as a condition of receiving the gift, prize or itemof 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 followingconditions exist:

1. The shipping charge exceeds:

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

b. The exact amount for shipping paid to an independent fulfillment house oran independent supplier, either of which is in the business of shipping goodsfor 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 costof handling.

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

(1989, c. 689.)