Gift Cards, Vouchers & Customer Credit Compliance Check

Gift cards, vouchers and store credit are a major seller in the run-up to Christmas, but they are also a regular source of consumer complaints and Trading Standards enquiries. A gift card is a contract, so the Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies: terms must be fair and transparent, and short expiry dates, hidden fees or refusing to honour a card can be challenged as unfair. If you sell online or by phone, the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 also require you to give clear pre-contract information and may give buyers a 14-day cancellation right on unused vouchers.

Since 6 April 2025 the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 has let the CMA fine businesses directly up to 10% of global turnover for unfair commercial practices, including misleading expiry or redemption terms. There are tax and financial risks too: HMRC treats single-purpose and multi-purpose vouchers differently for VAT, and customers holding unredeemed gift cards can lose their money if a business becomes insolvent. Checking your voucher terms, accounting and customer communications before the peak season helps you avoid complaints, refunds and enforcement action.

Use this free tool to check whether your gift cards, vouchers and customer credit comply with UK consumer law, VAT rules and good practice. Get a clear, plain-English action plan in minutes.