S.C. Code Ann. § 39-19-50

Except as otherwise permitted or required under the provisions of Chapter 7 of Title 36, a person taking cotton on storage as a warehouseman, for hire or not, is prohibited from using any of such cotton or allowing anyone else to use or consume any of such cotton in manufacture or otherwise without the written consent of the owner. Any such person violating the provisions of this section shall answer to the owner thereof suing therefor in punitive damages not to exceed five thousand dollars and shall also answer for any special or other damages which any such owner may suffer by such unlawful conduct.