U.S. Bag Fees: State and City Single-Use Plastic Bag Bans and Paper Bag Fee Schedules
Reference for U.S. state and city-level single-use bag fees, plastic bag bans, and paper bag surcharges. Programs range from outright bans with mandatory paper bag fees to voluntary retailer programs.
This is a regulated fee — required or governed by law in the jurisdictions below.
Overview
A growing number of U.S. states and cities have enacted single-use plastic bag bans paired with mandatory fees for alternative bags (paper, reusable plastic). These laws aim to reduce plastic waste and incentivize reusable bag use. Programs vary widely: some states ban all single-use plastic checkout bags outright while requiring fees on paper bags, others impose per-bag fees without bans, and some municipalities have stricter rules than their state. Retailers must collect and remit the bag fees where applicable. Online merchants shipping products to covered jurisdictions may also need to account for bag fees if providing checkout bags with deliveries. There is no federal bag fee law; all programs are state or local.
Fee schedule by jurisdiction
7 jurisdictions with active fee requirements.
| Jurisdiction | Fee |
|---|---|
| California | 10¢ minimum per paper bag (plastic banned) |
| Washington | 12¢ per plastic film bag, 8¢ per paper bag |
| Oregon | 5¢ minimum per paper or reusable bag |
| New York | 5¢ per paper bag (plastic banned) |
| Colorado | 10¢ per bag (paper or plastic) |
| Portland, Oregon | 10¢ per paper bag (higher than state minimum) |
| Washington, D.C. | 5¢ per bag (paper or plastic) |
California
10¢ minimum per paper bag (plastic banned)
All retail checkout bags
Bans all plastic checkout bags including thicker 'reusable' plastic. Paper bags must be recycled content. By 2028, bags must be ≥50% post-consumer recycled.
Effective Jan 1, 2026
Washington
12¢ per plastic film bag, 8¢ per paper bag
Retail checkout bags
Increased from 8¢ plastic in 2025. Additional 4¢ penalty for bags ≥4 mils thick through Dec 2027. Bags must be ≥40% post-consumer recycled.
Effective Jan 1, 2026
Oregon
5¢ minimum per paper or reusable bag
Retail checkout bags (plastic banned)
Restaurants may provide paper bags at no cost. Local governments can set higher fees.
Effective Jan 1, 2020
New York
5¢ per paper bag (plastic banned)
Retail checkout bags
Statewide plastic bag ban. Paper bag fee set by counties that opt in.
Effective Mar 1, 2020
Colorado
10¢ per bag (paper or plastic)
Retail and restaurant checkout bags
Fee applies to both paper and plastic bags. Plastic bags banned statewide from 2024.
Effective Jan 1, 2024
Portland, Oregon
10¢ per paper bag (higher than state minimum)
Retail checkout bags
Local ordinance exceeds state 5¢ minimum
Washington, D.C.
5¢ per bag (paper or plastic)
All disposable carryout bags at retail food service establishments
One of the first bag fee programs in the US. Revenue funds Anacostia River cleanup.
Effective Jan 1, 2010
Enforcement
Retailers who fail to charge required bag fees or continue to provide banned bag types face fines from state or local environmental enforcement agencies. Penalties vary by jurisdiction but typically include per-violation fines and potential business license impacts.
Official sources
Shopify compliance
This is a mandatory fee — merchants selling in covered jurisdictions are legally required to collect it. Shopify requires that mandatory fees be clearly disclosed to customers before checkout. Use a Shopify app like Magical Fees to automate collection and ensure compliance.
This information is maintained by the Magical Apps team and reviewed annually. Always consult official government sources for the most current requirements.
Quick facts
- Regulation
- State and Municipal Single-Use Bag Fee and Ban Laws
- Country
- United States
- Jurisdictions
- 7
- Category
- Regulatory Surcharges
Explore U.S. State and City Single-Use Bag Fees and Bans in practice
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Australian Payment Method Surcharges
Australia allows payment method surcharges but caps them at the merchant's actual cost of accepting that payment type. The ban on excessive surcharges applies to Visa, Mastercard, and EFTPOS; American Express, PayPal, and BPAY are not regulated. The ACCC enforces compliance.
View fee schedule →CanadaCanadian Payment Method Surcharges
In Canada there is no federal ban on payment method surcharges. Merchants commonly add surcharges for credit card, PayPal, Klarna, and other alternative payment methods with clear disclosure. Card network and payment provider rules apply.
View fee schedule →GermanyGermany Payment Surcharge Rules
Under EU PSD2 and the Interchange Fee Regulation, merchants in Germany cannot add surcharges on card-based payments (debit and credit cards). Surcharges on PayPal, Klarna, and other payment methods not covered by the card surcharge ban are not prohibited at EU level; merchants may add them with clear disclosure where permitted by German consumer law.
View fee schedule →SpainSpain Payment Surcharge Rules
Under EU PSD2 and the Interchange Fee Regulation, merchants in Spain cannot add surcharges on card-based payments (debit and credit cards). Surcharges on PayPal, Klarna, and other payment methods not covered by the card surcharge ban are not prohibited at EU level; merchants may add them with clear disclosure where permitted by Spanish consumer law.
View fee schedule →European UnionEU VAT for E-Commerce (OSS and IOSS)
Reference for EU VAT rules for e-commerce: the One-Stop Shop (OSS) for distance sales within the EU and the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) for low-value imports (consignment value ≤ €150). Non-EU sellers must register and charge VAT; merchants often display it as a separate line at checkout.
View fee schedule →FranceFrance Payment Surcharge Rules
Under EU PSD2 and the Interchange Fee Regulation, merchants in France cannot add surcharges on card-based payments (debit and credit cards). Surcharges on PayPal, Klarna, and other payment methods not covered by the card surcharge ban are not prohibited at EU level; merchants may add them with clear disclosure where permitted by French consumer law.
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