Subtitle 19 – Checkout Bag Surcharge
Current through 2026-01-20. Source: COBRA Register Volume 04, Issue 02. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Chapter 01 – General Provisions
Balt., Md., COBRA § 05.19.01.01 (2026)
Regulation .01 Authority.LinkCopy Citation
These rules and regulations are promulgated by the Department of Finance pursuant to <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|28">City Code Article 28</cite>, Subtitle 32.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 05.19.01.02 (2026)
Regulation .02 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
In <cite data-path="05.19.01">this chapter</cite>, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
1.
“Bag surcharge” means the $0.01 of the $0.05 collected by a Retailer and remitted to the City for each bag provided to customers pursuant to <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|28|§32-4">City Code Article 28, § 32-4</cite>.
2.
“Checkout bag” has the meaning stated in <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|28|§32-1">City Code Article 28, § 32-1</cite>.
3.
“Plastic checkout bag” has the meaning stated in <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|7">City Code Article 7</cite>, §62-1.
4.
“Retailer” has the meaning stated for “Dealer” in <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|7">City Code Article 7</cite>, §62-1.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 05.19.01.03 (2026)
Regulation .03 Plastic Checkout Bags Prohibited.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Effective January 1, 2022, subject to exceptions defined in <cite data-path="05.19.01.03">this regulation</cite>, retailers are prohibited from supplying customers with plastic checkout bags to carry or hold purchased items.
B.
Only paper or compostable bags may be provided by a retailer to customers in the City of Baltimore.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 05.19.01.04 (2026)
Regulation .04 Exceptions.LinkCopy Citation
<cite data-path="05.19.01.04">This regulation</cite> does not apply to:
1.
checkout bags that meet the definition of “plastic checkout bag” in <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|7">Baltimore City Code Article 7</cite>, §62-1; and
2.
checkout bags provided to customers solely for the purpose of carrying purchases of:
(a)
fresh and derivative fish;
(b)
meat and poultry products;
(c)
unpackaged fruits, nuts, vegetables, confectionery, fresh cheese, and baked goods;
(d)
ice;
(e)
foods and goods obtained at a farmers’ market;
(f)
prescription drugs obtained from a pharmacy;
(g)
newspapers; and
(h)
dry-cleaned goods.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 05.19.01.05 (2026)
Regulation .05 Registration.LinkCopy Citation
A.
To comply with the requirements of <cite data-path="05.19.01.05">this regulation</cite>, a retailer must register online at cityservices.baltimorecity.gov/bagtax.
B.
Only one user ID and password shall be allowed per account.
C.
Frequently asked questions and answers are available at <u>www.baltimoresustainability.org</u>.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 05.19.01.06 (2026)
Regulation .06 Taxpayer Identification Number.LinkCopy Citation
A.
A retailer must apply to the Baltimore Finance Department for a taxpayer identification (ID) number.
B.
The provided ID shall uniquely identify each eligible retailer location.
C.
Chain retailers must request individual tax ID per location.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 05.19.01.07 (2026)
Regulation .07 Monthly Report.LinkCopy Citation
A.
A retailer must provide the Baltimore City Director of Finance a monthly, detailed report of all bags provided to customers by location.
B.
The report must be filed online at cityservices.baltimorecity.gov/bagtax.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 05.19.01.08 (2026)
Regulation .08 User Fee for Checkout Bag.LinkCopy Citation
For the use of a checkout bag, a retailer must charge a user fee of $0.05, pursuant to <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|28">Baltimore City Code Article 28</cite>, Subtitle 32.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 05.19.01.09 (2026)
Regulation .09 Payments.LinkCopy Citation
A.
A retailer must remit monthly the total amount yielded by the bag surcharge to the Baltimore City Director of Finance.
B.
A retailer must remit the total amount yielded by the bag surcharge by location.
C.
The bag surcharge is due on or before the 25th day of the month following the month of collection.
D.
Payments must be made online at cityservices.baltimorecity.gov/bagtax.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 05.19.01.10 (2026)
Regulation .10 Calculation of Monthly Payments and Reporting Requirements.LinkCopy Citation
A.
If a retailer provides 300 or more checkout bags to customers, the bag surcharge is triggered.
B.
No tax is due for any month in which fewer than 300 checkout bags are provided to customers.
C.
A retailer shall report zero bags for any month in which the retailer provides fewer than 300 checkout bags to customers.
D.
Notwithstanding <cite data-path="05.19.01.10|C.">subsection C of this section</cite>, if a retailer provides fewer than 300 checkout bags to customers in any given month, the retailer must aggregate the number of bags provided to customers over multiple consecutive months.
E.
When a retailer provides a total aggregate of at least 300 bags to customers pursuant to <cite data-path="05.19.01.10|D.">subsection D of this section</cite>, a retailer is required to file a report with the City for that month and remit the appropriate bag surcharge. F. Partial payments will not be accepted.
F.
High bag sales.
(1)
If a retailer reports providing more than 300 bags to customers in a month, the bag surcharge would be for the total number of bags reported.
(2)
If the retailer does not remit the appropriate bag surcharge, penalties will be assessed.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 05.19.01.11 (2026)
Regulation .11 Receipt Itemization.LinkCopy Citation
Pursuant to <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|28">Baltimore City Code Article 28</cite>, §32-4, each receipt a retailer gives a customer must itemize and show the bag surcharge, if any, on the customer’s bill.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 05.19.01.12 (2026)
Regulation .12 Record Keeping.LinkCopy Citation
A.
A retailer must keep complete and accurate records of all transactions involving exempt and non-exempt checkout bags.
B.
A retailer must provide documentation that supports the retailer’s general accounting system.
C.
The retailer’s records must be available for inspection and audit by the City during all business hours.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 05.19.01.13 (2026)
Regulation .13 Penalties.LinkCopy Citation
A retailer who fails to comply with the provisions of the <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|28">City Code Article 28</cite>, Subtitle 32 and <cite data-path="05.19.01.13">this regulation</cite> will be penalized in accordance with <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|28|§32-6">City Code Article 28, § 32-6</cite>.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 05.19.01.14 (2026)
Regulation .14 State Sales and Use Tax.LinkCopy Citation
The $0.01 bag surcharge collected by a retailer and remitted to the City for each bag provided to customers pursuant to <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|28|§32-4">City Code Article 28, § 32-4</cite> cannot be included in the calculation of the Maryland Sales and Use Tax pursuant to the <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gtg|11102">Tax-General Article, § 11102, Annotated Code of Maryland</cite>.