South Carolina § 12-28-1500 - Automated machine-printed shipping documents; manually prepared documents in certain circumstances; exemptions.

§ 12-28-1500. Automated machine-printed shipping documents; manually prepared documents in certain circumstances; exemptions.

(A) A person operating a refinery, terminal, or bulk plant in this State shall prepare and provide to the driver of every fuel transportation vehicle receiving motor fuel subject to the user fee into the vehicle storage tank at the facility an automated machine-printed shipping document setting out on its face:

(1) identification by address of the terminal or bulk plant from which the motor fuel was removed;

(2) date the motor fuel was removed;

(3) amount of motor fuel removed, indicating actual gallons and net gallons;

(4) state of destination as represented to the terminal operator by the transporter, the shipper or the shipper's agent;

(5) other information reasonably required by the department for the enforcement of this chapter.

(B) A terminal operator manually may prepare shipping papers as a result of extraordinary unforeseen circumstances, including acts of God, which temporarily interfere with the terminal operator's ability to issue automated machine-generated shipping papers. However, before manually preparing the papers, the terminal operator shall provide telephonic notice to the department and obtain a service interruption authorization number which the operator's employees shall add to the manually prepared papers before removal of each affected transport load from the terminal. The service interruption authorization number is valid for use by the terminal operator not more than twenty-four hours. If the interruption has not been cured within the twenty-four hour period, additional notices to the department are required and interruption authorization numbers may be issued upon explanation by the terminal operator satisfactory to the department.

(C) An operator of a bulk plant in this State delivering motor fuel subject to the user fee into a tank wagon or subsequent delivery to an end consumer in this State is exempt from this section.

(D) A terminal operator may load motor or diesel fuel, of which a portion is destined for sale or use in this State and a portion is destined for sale or use in another state. However, the split loads removed must be documented by the terminal operator by issuing shipping papers designating the state of destination for each portion of the fuel.

(E) Each terminal operator shall post a conspicuous notice proximally located to the point of receipt of shipping papers by transport truck operators. The notice must describe in clear and concise terms the duties of the transport operator and retail dealer under Section 12-28-1505. The department by regulation may establish the language, type, style, and format of the notice.

(F) A person who knowingly violates or knowingly aids and abets another to violate this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

HISTORY: 1995 Act No. 136, SECTION 2.