AB-17 – Promotional Activities and Restrictions
What wholesalers and suppliers must report when conducting promotional events
Maryland updated the promotional activities form used by wholesalers and suppliers, adding new requirements for reporting giveaway items and event costs and reinforcing limits on promotional spending to ensure compliance with trade practice regulations.
What you need to know
- A revised promotional activities form must be used
- Giveaway items and costs must be clearly reported
- Strict limits apply to giveaways and event expenses
- Promotional activity participation is limited per retailer
Who This Applies To
This guidance applies to:
- Wholesalers
- Suppliers
- Businesses conducting promotional activities at retail locations
What Changed
Maryland revised the Schedule of Planned Promotional Activities form (COT/ATTU-752).
You must:
- Stop using old versions
- Begin using the updated form immediately
New Reporting Requirements
The updated form requires you to report:
- Number of giveaway items
- Cost per item
- Total estimated cost of incidental expenses
This information must be clearly documented for each promotional event.
Giveaway Limits
Giveaway items must:
- Cost no more than $5 per item
The number of items allowed:
- Depends on the size of the retail account
Incidental Expense Limits
Incidental expenses:
- Are limited to $100 per promotional event
These include:
- Event-related costs (excluding giveaway items and staff time)
Alcohol Purchase for Promotions
Suppliers or wholesalers may:
- Spend up to $100 to purchase alcohol for consumers
Conditions:
- Must be purchased at the retail licensee’s regular price
Promotional Activity Limits
For each retail licensee:
- A supplier or wholesaler may participate in no more than 3 promotional events per year
Third-Party Restrictions
If using third parties to conduct promotions:
- Activities must comply with Maryland regulations
- Non-compliant requests will not be approved
What This Means for Businesses
Businesses should:
- Use the updated form for all promotional activities
- Track giveaway items and costs carefully
- Ensure all expenses stay within allowed limits
- Monitor how many events are conducted per retailer
Important Notes
- Requests that do not meet requirements may be denied
- Promotional activities are closely regulated under trade practice laws
- Accurate reporting is required for approval
Need Help?
For questions about promotional activities, contact the ATCC: 410-260-7314 ext. 2 or [email protected]