S.C. Code Ann. § 36-9-304 – Perfection of security interest in instruments, documents, and goods covered by documents; perfection by permissive filing; temporary perfection without filing or transfer of possession

(1) A security interest in chattel paper or negotiable documents may be perfected by filing. A security interest in money or instruments (other than certificated securities or instruments which constitute part of chattel paper) can be perfected only by the secured party's taking possession, except as provided in subsections (4) and (5) of this section and subsections (2) and (3) of Section 36-9-306 on proceeds.
(2) During the period that goods are in the possession of the issuer of a negotiable document therefor, a security interest in the goods is perfected by perfecting a security interest in the document, and any security interest in the goods otherwise perfected during such period is subject thereto.
(3) A security interest in goods in the possession of a bailee other than one who has issued a negotiable document therefor is perfected by the issuance of a document in the name of the secured party or by the bailee's receipt of notification of the secured party's interest or by filing as to the goods.
(4) A security interest in instruments or negotiable documents is perfected without filing or the taking of possession for a period of twenty-one days from the time it attaches to the extent that it arises for new value given under a written security agreement.
(5) A security interest remains perfected for a period of twenty-one days without filing where a secured party having a perfected security interest in an instrument (other than a certificated security), a negotiable document, or goods in possession of a bailee other than one who has issued a negotiable document for the goods:
1. (a) makes available to the debtor the goods or documents representing the goods for the purpose of ultimate sale or exchange or for the purpose of loading, unloading, storing, shipping, transshipping, manufacturing, processing, or otherwise dealing with them in a manner preliminary to their sale or exchange, but priority between conflicting security interest in the goods is subject to subsection (3) of Section 36-9-312; or
2. (b) delivers the instrument to the debtor for the purpose of ultimate sale or exchange or of presentation, collection, renewal, or registration of transfer.
(6) After the twenty-one day period in subsections (4) and (5) perfection depends upon compliance with the applicable provisions of this chapter.