South Carolina AG announces state’s price gouging law in effect

Gas_4571 — Motorists take advantage of a July 2024 promotion sponsored by Americans for Prosperity-Georgia. As part of the promotion, the group lowered gas prices at a Chevron in Dunwoody temporarily to $2.389 per gallon of regular unleaded gas, which the group said was the national average price per gallon in January 2021. (Photo by Todd DeFeo/The DeFeo Groupe)

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said the state’s law against price gouging is now in effect since Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency to support South Carolina’s ongoing response to wildfires burning across the state.

McMaster issued Executive Order 2025-10, declaring a state of emergency to support South Carolina’s ongoing response to wildfires burning across the state. This order enhances ongoing emergency response efforts as firefighters work to contain the wildfires affecting various regions.

In addition, the order states that a ban on any outdoor burning shall remain in effect until further notice.

“According to the State Fire Marshal, there are response operations going on for more than 175 wildfires across the state affecting thousands of acres,” Wilson said in a statement. “We could see normal price increases, and those are not considered price gouging under our law.

“But we may see businesses and individuals looking to unfairly take advantage of the situation through price gouging of food, gasoline, lodging, and other commodities as defined by the statute,” Wilson added. “By our law, that’s a criminal violation and an unfair trade practice.”

South Carolina’s price gouging law is a general prohibition of unconscionable prices during times of disaster. It is in effect until the state of emergency expires or is terminated. Price gougers can be charged for excessive pricing, a misdemeanor offense punishable by a $1,000 fine and/or 30 days in jail.