In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Carrier” includes a transportation agent. “Consignee” means a person selling farm products on commission. “Consignee” includes an agent, factor, and commission merchant.

A consignee of a farm product of a person in the State shall require the purchaser of the farm product to deposit with the consignee at the time of sale the full market value, as determined by the consignee, of each container used to hold and transport the farm product. If the purchaser returns the container to the consignee within 5 days in the same condition as the purchaser originally received it, the consignee shall refund the deposit to the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to return the container to the consignee within 5 days, the purchaser forfeits the right to the return of the deposit and the consignee shall pay the deposit to the owner of the container at the next settlement of accounts.

If the purchaser returns the container to the consignee: The consignee shall deliver the container within 48 hours to the carrier that delivered the container to the place of sale; and The consignee shall obtain a receipt for the container from the carrier. After the consignee delivers the container to the carrier: The consignee shall have no further responsibility for the container; and The carrier shall be responsible to the owner for the full value of the container until it has been returned to the point at which it was received from the owner.

A consignee who fails to comply with § 1-302(a) or § 1-303(a) of this subtitle shall pay to the owner the full market value of the container with and in addition to the price of the farm product in the container. A consignee who violates subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine of $5 for each violation and court costs.

After a sale of a farm product consigned for sale by a person in this State to a person engaged in the business of selling goods on consignment, the consignee shall transmit to the consignor within 24 hours after the sale a full account of the sale, including: The amount and price of the goods sold; and The name and address of the purchaser, including the house or business number, street, and city. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine of $5 for each violation, and court costs.

The penalties under Title 12 of this article do not apply to this subtitle.