What’s the Cost of Non-compliance? Spoiler: It’s a Lot!!

Compliance for stuffed articles isn't just about checking a box—it has a real impact on your bottom line! If your stuffed articles are found non-compliant, it'll cost you. you might be subject costly to back fees and violations.

Here's a recap of the costs you will incur if you don't keep your products compliant.

Violations

Violations are no small matter. They can expose you to the risk of monetary fines and off sales or worse, including getting slapped with a misdemeanor and prison time.

• California: Each separate item is a separate offense

  • Fines up to $2,500
  • Misdemeanor
  • Prison time: 3–6 months
  • Off sales

• Connecticut

  • Fines up to $200
  • Off sales

• Delaware: Each separate item is a separate offense

  • Fines from $20–50
  • Prison time from 10 days to 10 months

• Detroit

  • Fines up to $100 for the second violation, and up to $500 for subsequent violations within one year
  • Misdemeanor
  • Prison time up to 90 days
  • Off sales

• Massachusetts

  • Fines from $25–500
  • Prison time up to 6 months
  • Off sales

• New York

  • Fines up to $1,000
  • Off sales

• North Carolina: Each day after written notice from the commissioner is a separate offense

  • Fines up to $2,500
  • Class 2 misdemeanor
  • Off sales

• Ohio: Each day in violation is a separate offense

  • Fines up to $500
  • Misdemeanor
  • Off sales

• Oklahoma

  • Off sales

• Pennsylvania: Each separate item is a separate offense

  • Fines from $50–100
  • Prison time from 1–6 months
  • Off sales

• Rhode Island

  • Fines up to $500
  • Misdemeanor
  • Prison time up to 6 months
  • Off sales

• Utah: Each separate item is a separate offense

  • Off sales

• Virginia: Each day in violation is a separate offense

  • Fines up to $25,000
  • Class 2 misdemeanor

• Washington, D.C.

  • Fines up to $500
  • Prison time up to 6 months

• West Virginia

  • Fines from $50–500 on first offense, and from $100–1,000 for subsequent violations
  • Misdemeanor
  • Prison time up to 30 days
  • Off sales

Late Fees

All licenses expire, and six government agencies add late fees to all unpaid license renewals on a certain date. They might not seem like a huge penalty, but trust us, they add up quick!

• California: $100 after expiration. $225 after 90 days ($325 total).
• Connecticut: $10 after expiration
• Detroit: $50 after expiration
• Oklahoma: $2.50 after expiration
• Utah: $25 after expiration
• West Virginia: $25 if expired past July 15th

You can always see when each regulatory agency will add late fees on our Late Fees page. Or sign up for a GRS-managed Monitored Service and we'll keep track of renewal dates so you don't have to!

Back Fees

If you don't renew your expired licenses, late fees aren't all you'll have to worry about. The same six states also add back fees when you finally renew your license, which you will have to pay for every year the license is expired.

• California: $751
• Connecticut: $100
• Massachusetts: $300.35
• Oklahoma: $5
• Pennsylvania: Amount varies each year
• Utah: $105

How Do I Stay Compliant?

That one's easy—lean on GRS to keep your stuffed articles in good standing with the law. Our team of compliance experts handle every element of compliance from proper registration to matters of ongoing compliance. We give you complete peace of mind that your products are fully compliant and you can avoid back fees and violations.

Not sure if your product is compliant? GRS offers law label audits, where we'll perform a thorough check of every element that could get you in trouble with the regulatory agencies. If we notice an issue, you can lean on us to fix it, too! Email us using the button below to request your audit.