Consumer Rights and Everyday Transactions in China: Retail Purchases, Online Shopping, Service Contracts, Refunds, and Consumer Protection

Consumer Rights and Everyday Transactions in China: Retail Purchases, Online Shopping, Service Contracts, Refunds, and Consumer Protection

Introduction

Everyday consumer transactions are an essential part of life in China. Foreign residents and visitors purchase goods in physical shops, order products through major e-commerce platforms, use mobile applications to arrange transport and food delivery, subscribe to digital services, book accommodation, purchase travel services and enter into contracts for repairs, telecommunications, education, fitness and other activities. These transactions are often convenient, fast and highly integrated with digital payment systems. However, the legal rights and remedies available to consumers are not always immediately apparent to people unfamiliar with Chinese law.

China has developed a substantial legal framework for consumer protection. Its principal instrument is the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests, commonly referred to as the Consumer Rights Protection Law. Originally adopted in 1993 and substantially revised in 2013, the law establishes consumer rights, business operators’ obligations, complaint procedures and remedies for unlawful commercial conduct.

The framework has since been supplemented by the E-Commerce Law, the Product Quality Law, the Civil Code, the Advertising Law, the Price Law and a number of administrative regulations. Particularly important is the Regulation on the Implementation of the Consumer Rights Protection Law, which entered into force on 1 July 2024 and provides more detailed rules concerning online transactions, prepaid services, consumer information, product safety, advertising and dispute resolution.

Further regulatory developments have strengthened the supervision of digital commerce. The Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Online Transactions were amended in 2025. New measures governing online platform rules and livestream commerce entered into force on 1 February 2026. These developments are relevant to consumers purchasing goods through digital marketplaces, social media platforms and livestream sales channels.

For foreign residents, the legal framework is important for two reasons. First, Chinese consumer law provides protections that may apply to their ordinary purchases and services in China. Second, the practical exercise of those rights may involve procedures, digital platforms, documentation and administrative institutions that differ from those in their home countries.

This article examines the principal consumer rights in China, the legal obligations of sellers and service providers, the rules governing online purchases and refunds, the protection of consumers against misleading practices, and the procedures available when a transaction goes wrong.

1. The Legal Framework of Consumer Protection in China

Chinese consumer protection is based on several interconnected legal instruments. The Consumer Rights Protection Law provides the general framework, while other laws regulate particular aspects of commercial activity, contractual obligations, product safety and administrative supervision.

1.1 The Consumer Rights Protection Law

The Consumer Rights Protection Law is the central statute governing transactions between consumers and business operators.

The law applies to individuals who purchase, use goods or receive services for personal or household consumption. Article 2 establishes the general principle that consumers’ rights and interests are protected when they purchase or use goods or receive services for living consumption needs.

The law is therefore primarily concerned with consumer transactions rather than commercial acquisitions made by businesses for their own operational or resale purposes.

It establishes several fundamental rights, including:

• the right to safety;
• the right to obtain truthful information;
• the right to make independent purchasing decisions;
• the right to fair transactions;
• the right to receive goods and services of appropriate quality;
• the right to compensation for legally recognised losses;
• the right to protect personal information;
• the right to seek assistance from consumer organisations and administrative authorities.

The 2013 amendment strengthened the rules governing online purchases, unfair contractual terms, personal information and remedies for fraudulent commercial conduct. The revised law has been in force since 15 March 2014.

1.2 The 2024 Implementing Regulation

The Regulation on the Implementation of the Consumer Rights Protection Law was promulgated by State Council Decree No. 778 on 15 March 2024 and entered into force on 1 July 2024.

It provides more detailed rules on the obligations of business operators and the protection of consumers in contemporary commercial environments.

The regulation addresses, among other matters:

• product and service safety;
• accurate commercial information;
• online transactions;
• livestream sales;
• personal information;
• prepaid consumption;
• protection of elderly consumers and minors;
• consumer complaints and mediation;
• business operators’ responsibilities when commercial activities are transferred or discontinued.

It is particularly relevant because many consumer problems arise not from the absence of general legal rights but from uncertainty about how those rights should operate in specific commercial situations.

1.3 The E-Commerce Law

The E-Commerce Law, effective from 1 January 2019, establishes rules for electronic commercial activity.

It regulates e-commerce operators, online platform operators, merchants using digital marketplaces and other participants in online transactions.

Its provisions address business registration, disclosure of commercial information, electronic contracts, consumer protection, platform responsibilities, transaction records and dispute resolution.

The law is especially important for foreign residents who use Chinese online marketplaces. It helps determine which obligations belong to the seller and which responsibilities may arise for the platform through which the transaction takes place.

1.4 The Civil Code

The Civil Code, effective from 1 January 2021, provides the general contractual framework for consumer transactions.

Its provisions on contracts regulate the formation, interpretation, performance and termination of agreements. They also address liability for breach, damages, standard contractual terms and the consequences of certain defective or misleading contractual arrangements.

Consumer protection legislation and the Civil Code operate together. A consumer may have statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Protection Law while also relying on contractual remedies under the Civil Code.

1.5 Other relevant legislation

Several additional legal instruments may become relevant depending on the transaction.

The Product Quality Law establishes requirements concerning product quality, manufacturer and seller responsibility, and compensation for damage caused by defective products.

The Advertising Law regulates commercial advertising and prohibits misleading or deceptive promotional practices.

The Price Law addresses pricing conduct and prohibits specified forms of unlawful pricing.

The Personal Information Protection Law regulates the collection, use, storage and transfer of personal information, including information collected during commercial transactions.

The Food Safety Law is relevant to food purchases, restaurants, delivery services and food-related commercial activities.

Together, these instruments create a broad system in which consumer rights are protected through civil remedies, administrative supervision and, in certain circumstances, criminal law.

2. Who Qualifies as a Consumer?

Understanding who qualifies as a consumer is important because the special protections of consumer legislation are not necessarily available in every commercial transaction.

2.1 Personal and household consumption

The Consumer Rights Protection Law is directed principally at natural persons who purchase or use goods or receive services for living consumption needs.

Examples include:

• purchasing clothing or household appliances;
• buying groceries;
• ordering food through a delivery application;
• subscribing to a telecommunications service;
• purchasing a personal computer;
• obtaining repair services;
• buying tickets for entertainment;
• purchasing personal travel services;
• enrolling in a private language course.

The legal character of a transaction depends on its actual purpose and circumstances, not merely on the identity of the person making payment.

2.2 Foreign nationals

The Consumer Rights Protection Law does not establish a general exclusion for foreign nationals. A foreign resident who purchases goods or services in China for personal consumption may therefore fall within its protective framework.

The fact that a person holds a foreign passport does not, by itself, transform an ordinary consumer transaction into a commercial transaction.

However, practical questions may arise concerning identification, evidence, communication with sellers and access to administrative complaint systems.

Foreign residents should preserve transaction documentation and provide accurate identification information when using formal complaint procedures.

2.3 Business purchases

A transaction made for commercial purposes may fall outside the ordinary definition of consumer activity.

For example, a company purchasing computers for its employees or a trader purchasing goods for resale is generally acting in a commercial capacity rather than as a consumer.

Such transactions are principally governed by contract law, commercial legislation and other applicable rules.

The distinction matters because some special consumer remedies, including the statutory threefold compensation mechanism for fraudulent conduct, are associated with transactions qualifying as consumer purchases.

2.4 Consumers using digital platforms

A consumer does not lose legal protection merely because the transaction takes place through an application, website, social media account or livestream.

The Consumer Rights Protection Law and E-Commerce Law apply to relevant online commercial activities. The 2024 Implementing Regulation and the amended rules on online transactions further clarify the responsibilities of online operators and platforms.

3. Fundamental Consumer Rights

The Consumer Rights Protection Law establishes a set of rights designed to protect individuals against unsafe goods, misleading information, unfair commercial practices and improper treatment by business operators.

3.1 The right to safety

Consumers have the right to personal and property safety when purchasing or using goods and receiving services.

Business operators must ensure that products and services meet the applicable safety requirements.

This obligation is not limited to goods that are obviously dangerous. It can also apply to household appliances, electronic devices, food products, children’s products, cosmetics, vehicles and other goods that may cause injury or property damage if defective.

Article 7 of the 2024 Implementing Regulation reinforces the obligation of business operators to ensure that goods and services, including free samples, gifts and trial products, meet the requirements necessary to protect personal and property safety.

Where a product contains a defect or safety risk, the operator may have obligations to warn consumers, withdraw the product, arrange a recall or provide appropriate remedies.

3.2 The right to truthful information

Consumers are entitled to obtain accurate information about the goods and services they purchase.

This includes relevant information about:

• the nature and quality of the product;
• its principal characteristics;
• its quantity and composition;
• its price;
• its intended use;
• safety warnings;
• applicable limitations;
• after-sales services;
• the identity of the seller or service provider.

Article 20 of the Consumer Rights Protection Law requires business operators to provide truthful and comprehensive information and prohibits misleading or deceptive promotional conduct.

For online transactions, the information should be sufficiently clear to enable consumers to understand what they are purchasing before completing the transaction.

A seller should not describe an imitation product as an original branded item or advertise a service with benefits that are not actually provided.

3.3 The right to independent choice

Consumers have the right to decide whether to purchase a product or service and which commercial operator to use.

Business operators should not impose unreasonable restrictions on consumers’ choices.

The law also prohibits certain forms of compulsory or bundled transactions. A business should not use technical arrangements, misleading interfaces or contractual conditions to force consumers into purchasing additional products or services without a proper basis.

3.4 The right to fair transactions

Consumers are entitled to fair treatment concerning price, quality, quantity, contractual obligations and payment arrangements.

A business operator should not impose unfair conditions, conceal important costs or exploit a consumer’s lack of information.

The right to fair transactions is closely connected with the law’s restrictions on standard contractual terms and misleading pricing.

3.5 The right to compensation

Where a consumer suffers legally recognised loss because of a business operator’s unlawful conduct, the consumer may be entitled to compensation.

The form of compensation depends on the circumstances. It may include:

• refund of the purchase price;
• repair;
• replacement;
• reimbursement of service fees;
• compensation for property damage;
• compensation for personal injury;
• statutory additional compensation in cases of fraud or specified serious product defects.

The existence and amount of a remedy depend on the applicable legal requirements and available evidence.

3.6 The right to personal information protection

Consumers have the right to protection of their personal information.

Commercial operators frequently collect information such as names, telephone numbers, addresses, payment details, delivery information and purchasing histories.

Article 29 of the Consumer Rights Protection Law requires operators to collect and use consumer information lawfully and for proper purposes. The Personal Information Protection Law provides a broader framework, including special protections for sensitive personal information.

A seller should not collect excessive information, disclose consumer data unlawfully or use personal information in ways inconsistent with applicable legal requirements.

3.7 The right to dignity and lawful treatment

Consumers must not be subjected to unlawful humiliation, defamation, searches of their persons or belongings, or restrictions on personal freedom by business operators.

This right is relevant to disputes involving retail security, commercial premises and certain service providers.

A shop may take lawful measures to protect property and investigate suspected misconduct, but it does not have unrestricted authority to search consumers or deprive them of their freedom.

4. Retail Purchases in Physical Shops

Purchasing goods in physical shops remains a major part of everyday commercial activity in China. The legal framework governing retail transactions is broadly applicable to supermarkets, department stores, electronics shops, clothing retailers, pharmacies and other commercial premises.

4.1 Product descriptions and quality

Article 23 of the Consumer Rights Protection Law requires business operators to ensure that goods possess the quality, performance, purpose and useful life reasonably required under normal conditions of use.

Where a seller describes a product through advertising, product information or physical samples, the actual product should correspond with the quality represented.

This principle is important in transactions involving electronic devices, furniture, clothing, appliances and other goods where the consumer relies on descriptions or demonstrations before purchasing.

A seller cannot ordinarily avoid responsibility merely by arguing that the consumer should have independently discovered a defect that was not properly disclosed.

However, a defect that was clearly disclosed before purchase and lawfully accepted by the consumer may affect the available remedies.

4.2 Receipts and proof of purchase

Article 22 requires business operators to issue invoices or other purchase or service documents in accordance with applicable rules and commercial practice. Where a consumer requests such documentation, the operator must provide it.

Consumers should retain receipts, electronic invoices, payment confirmations and other evidence of the transaction.

A receipt may establish the date of purchase, price, identity of the seller and the nature of the goods or services supplied.

For foreign residents, an electronic receipt or invoice may be particularly useful when seeking a refund, submitting an insurance claim or raising a complaint.

4.3 Defective products

Article 24 of the Consumer Rights Protection Law provides remedies where goods or services fail to meet applicable quality requirements.

Depending on the relevant national rules or contractual arrangements, the consumer may request:

• return of the goods;
• replacement;
• repair.

Where no applicable national rule or agreement provides otherwise, the law permits a consumer to return non-conforming goods within seven days of receipt. After that period, the consumer may return the goods where the legal conditions for termination are satisfied or seek repair or replacement where appropriate.

Necessary transportation expenses associated with returns, replacements and repairs under Article 24 are generally borne by the business operator.

This is distinct from the seven-day no-reason return right for online purchases, which is governed by Article 25 and has separate conditions.

4.4 The six-month evidential rule for certain durable goods

Article 23 contains an important evidential protection for consumers purchasing certain durable goods.

Where a dispute arises because a defect is discovered within six months after the consumer receives certain durable goods, including specified products such as motor vehicles, computers, televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners and washing machines, the business operator bears the burden of proof concerning the relevant defect.

The rule also covers certain decoration and renovation services.

This provision does not mean that every defect automatically establishes liability. It changes the evidential position in the specified categories of dispute and should be distinguished from the general rules governing product quality and contractual responsibility.

4.5 Product warranties and after-sales services

Chinese law provides a combination of statutory product-quality protections, sector-specific warranty arrangements and contractual after-sales commitments.

Certain categories of goods are subject to specialised repair, replacement and return arrangements, commonly associated with the consumer protection system known as the Three Guarantees.

The exact warranty period and remedy depend on the product category and applicable regulations.

Consumers should examine the warranty documentation and distinguish between:

• the manufacturer’s commercial warranty;
• the seller’s statutory obligations;
• any additional warranty purchased separately;
• the consumer’s general statutory rights.

A seller cannot necessarily avoid statutory responsibility merely because the manufacturer’s warranty has expired.

5. Online Shopping and the Seven-Day No-Reason Return Right

Online shopping is one of the most significant areas of consumer protection in China. Digital marketplaces allow consumers to purchase goods from merchants across the country, but they also create particular risks involving product descriptions, seller identity, payment, delivery and returns.

5.1 The seven-day return right

Article 25 of the Consumer Rights Protection Law establishes a seven-day no-reason return right for goods purchased through specified distance-selling methods, including online shopping, television shopping, telephone shopping and mail-order transactions.

The period generally begins on the day the consumer receives the goods.

The consumer may return eligible goods without having to establish that the product is defective or that the seller has committed a breach of contract.

This is an important distinction from ordinary purchases in physical shops. Chinese law does not establish a universal seven-day no-reason return right for every purchase made in a traditional retail store.

5.2 Goods excluded from unconditional return

The statutory no-reason return right does not apply to every category of goods.

Article 25 identifies several exclusions:

1. Goods customised according to the consumer’s requirements.
2. Fresh or perishable goods.
3. Downloaded or unsealed audiovisual products and digital products such as computer software.
4. Delivered newspapers and periodicals.

Other goods may also be excluded where their nature makes return inappropriate and the consumer confirms this at the time of purchase.

The final category should not be treated as an unrestricted permission for sellers to exclude ordinary goods from the statutory return system. The consumer’s confirmation and the nature of the goods remain relevant.

5.3 Condition of returned goods

Goods returned under the no-reason return right should remain in good condition.

The consumer may generally inspect the goods in a manner reasonably necessary to determine their nature, characteristics and functionality. However, use or handling that goes beyond reasonable inspection may affect the right to return them.

The question is not simply whether packaging has been opened. The relevant issue is whether the goods remain in a condition consistent with the statutory requirements and applicable interpretation of the return rules.

Consumers should retain original accessories, labels and packaging where reasonably possible.

5.4 Return shipping costs

Under Article 25, the consumer generally bears the freight costs associated with a no-reason return unless the parties have agreed otherwise.

This should be distinguished from a return arising because goods are defective or fail to meet quality requirements. Under Article 24, the business operator generally bears necessary transportation expenses associated with the legally required return, replacement or repair.

The legal basis for the return therefore matters.

5.5 Refund deadline

The seller must refund the purchase price within seven days after receiving the returned goods.

Consumers should preserve proof of dispatch and delivery because it can help establish when the seller received the returned item.

Where the seller refuses to refund an eligible return, the consumer may raise the matter through the platform’s dispute mechanism and, where appropriate, the available consumer complaint channels.

5.6 Online purchases of services

The statutory seven-day no-reason return right in Article 25 concerns goods sold through specified distance-selling methods. It should not automatically be extended to every service purchased online.

For example, a hotel reservation, online course, travel package, digital subscription or appointment service may be governed by the applicable contract, sector-specific rules and the Civil Code.

Consumers should examine cancellation conditions, service commencement dates, refund provisions and any legally applicable restrictions before making payment.

6. E-Commerce Platforms and the Responsibilities of Sellers

China’s E-Commerce Law recognises several categories of participants in online commercial activity. Understanding their respective responsibilities is essential when a transaction involves a marketplace rather than a direct purchase from a seller’s own website.

6.1 Online sellers

An online seller who supplies goods or services to consumers remains responsible for fulfilling the relevant contractual and statutory obligations.

These may include:

• providing accurate product information;
• delivering goods in accordance with the agreement;
• complying with product safety requirements;
• handling returns and refunds;
• protecting consumer information;
• responding to complaints;
• providing required invoices and transaction documentation.

A seller cannot automatically transfer all responsibility to the platform merely because the transaction occurred through a marketplace.

6.2 Platform operators

An e-commerce platform provides the digital environment through which merchants and consumers interact.

The E-Commerce Law imposes obligations concerning merchant verification, platform rules, consumer protection and cooperation with regulatory authorities.

Article 38 is particularly important. It establishes circumstances in which an e-commerce platform operator may bear liability where it knows or should know that goods or services offered by a platform merchant fail to satisfy requirements for personal or property safety or otherwise infringe consumer rights and interests, but fails to take necessary measures.

The provision also addresses certain situations involving consumer safety and platform knowledge.

Article 61 requires platform operators to actively assist consumers in protecting their lawful rights when disputes arise with merchants operating on the platform.

Article 62 requires e-commerce operators to provide original contracts and transaction records in dispute proceedings. Where relevant records are lost, falsified, altered, destroyed, concealed or withheld, the operator may incur legal responsibility.

6.3 Seller identification

Consumers should be able to identify the actual merchant responsible for a transaction.

The E-Commerce Law requires relevant operators to disclose business registration and other prescribed information.

This is important when a consumer purchases through a marketplace where the platform itself does not manufacture or directly sell the product.

The identity of the seller may determine which business operator should receive a complaint or refund request.

6.4 Platform dispute mechanisms

Online platforms commonly provide internal procedures for:

• refund requests;
• return applications;
• delivery disputes;
• complaints about product quality;
• disputes over seller descriptions;
• payment and transaction problems.

Article 63 of the E-Commerce Law permits platform operators to establish online dispute-resolution mechanisms and requires the relevant rules to be made public.

Using the platform’s internal process may be the fastest way to resolve an ordinary transaction dispute. However, a platform’s internal decision does not necessarily replace the consumer’s statutory rights or access to administrative and judicial remedies.

7. Livestream Commerce and Social Media Shopping

Livestream shopping has become a significant feature of China’s digital retail environment. Consumers may purchase goods directly through livestreams hosted by influencers, merchants or other marketing participants.

The format can make shopping interactive and convenient, but it also creates risks where product claims, seller identity, promotional statements or commercial relationships are unclear.

7.1 The legal framework

Livestream commerce is subject to the Consumer Rights Protection Law, the E-Commerce Law, advertising legislation and the relevant online transaction regulations.

The Regulation on the Implementation of the Consumer Rights Protection Law specifically addresses operators providing goods or services through livestreaming and requires compliance with consumer protection obligations.

In addition, the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Livestream E-Commerce, promulgated in December 2025 and effective from 1 February 2026, establish more detailed regulatory requirements for livestream platforms and participants.

These measures address platform management, transaction information, consumer complaints, commercial conduct and cooperation with regulatory authorities.

7.2 Responsibility of livestream participants

Livestream transactions may involve several distinct participants:

• the platform providing the digital environment;
• the merchant selling the goods;
• the livestream room operator;
• the presenter or marketing participant;
• an agency or service provider managing the promotional activity.

The legal responsibility of each participant depends on their actual role, conduct and applicable legal obligations.

A presenter who makes a misleading commercial claim may create legal exposure under the relevant rules. A merchant remains responsible for the goods or services it supplies. A platform may also have obligations where it knows or should know about unlawful conduct and fails to take required measures.

7.3 Transaction records

The 2026 livestream commerce measures require platforms to establish mechanisms for preserving relevant transaction information.

This includes information such as livestream accounts, relevant livestream recordings, interaction records, product or service details displayed when the order is formed, customer-service records, payment information, logistics, returns and after-sales records.

The measures establish a general minimum preservation period of three years from completion of the transaction, subject to other applicable legal requirements.

This is important because livestream claims may disappear quickly from public view. Consumers should nevertheless preserve their own screenshots, recordings where lawfully obtained, order confirmations and payment records.

7.4 Misleading promotional claims

A consumer may be misled by statements that a product is officially certified, medically effective, endorsed by a particular organisation or available only for a limited period.

Such claims must be assessed under the applicable consumer protection and advertising rules.

A promotional statement is not necessarily a legally binding guarantee in every circumstance, but representations about quality, origin, performance and safety can be legally significant.

Consumers should retain evidence of the precise claims made when the purchase was completed.

8. Service Contracts and Everyday Commercial Services

Consumer protection extends beyond the purchase of physical goods. Many everyday transactions involve contracts for services.

Examples include telecommunications, internet access, home repairs, cleaning, fitness memberships, private education, beauty treatments, transport, accommodation and digital subscriptions.

8.1 Formation of service contracts

A service contract may be concluded in writing, electronically or through other legally recognised methods.

Under the Civil Code, contractual obligations may arise through offer and acceptance or other legally recognised methods of agreement.

The parties should be able to identify the service to be provided, the price, the performance period and the principal obligations of each side.

For more substantial services, consumers should request written contractual documentation rather than relying exclusively on verbal assurances.

8.2 Quality and performance

A service provider should perform the service in accordance with the agreement and applicable legal standards.

Where the service is materially different from what was promised, the consumer may have remedies under the Civil Code and consumer protection legislation.

For example, a repair business that fails to perform agreed work, a telecommunications provider that does not provide the contracted service or a private course provider that materially changes the promised programme may face contractual consequences.

8.3 Standard contractual terms

Many service providers use standard contracts that consumers are expected to accept without negotiation.

Article 26 of the Consumer Rights Protection Law requires business operators using standard terms to draw consumers’ attention to provisions of significant interest, including those concerning quality, price, performance, safety, after-sales services and civil liability.

Business operators may not use standard terms, notices or declarations to unfairly exclude or restrict consumer rights, reduce their own liability or impose unreasonable responsibilities on consumers.

The Civil Code also contains rules governing standard terms and their effect.

A provision stating that a business has no responsibility under any circumstances should not automatically be treated as legally valid merely because the consumer accepted the document.

8.4 Cancellation and termination

Consumers should distinguish between a statutory right to withdraw from a transaction and a contractual cancellation right.

A service contract may provide for cancellation within a specified period, but the applicable legal position depends on the nature of the service and the contract.

Where a provider fails to perform its obligations, the consumer may be entitled to terminate the contract or seek another remedy under the Civil Code.

However, a consumer does not automatically have a universal right to cancel every service contract without cost.

8.5 Telecommunications and digital subscriptions

Telecommunications services and digital subscriptions often involve recurring payments and automatic renewal.

Consumers should review:

• the monthly or annual fee;
• the duration of the subscription;
• automatic renewal provisions;
• cancellation procedures;
• early termination charges;
• data or usage limitations;
• additional service fees.

The consumer should also preserve evidence of cancellation requests and payment confirmations.

Where a provider continues charging after a valid cancellation, the consumer may have grounds to challenge the charges under the applicable contract and consumer protection rules.

9. Prepaid Services, Memberships and Deposits

Prepaid consumption is a particularly important area of consumer protection in China.

Consumers frequently pay in advance for services such as fitness memberships, beauty treatments, language courses, children’s educational activities, household services and other recurring arrangements.

The principal risk is that the business may close, relocate, change the service or become unable to fulfil its obligations after receiving payment.

9.1 Written contracts for prepaid services

The 2024 Implementing Regulation establishes more detailed requirements for businesses collecting advance payments.

Article 22 requires operators accepting prepaid payments to conclude a written contract with consumers.

The contract should specify matters such as:

• the particular goods or services;
• the price or fees;
• the method of performance;
• the arrangements for refunding unused advance payments;
• liability for breach of contract.

This requirement is especially important for long-term memberships and services involving substantial advance payment.

9.2 Obligation to provide the agreed service

A business that receives advance payment must provide the goods or services in accordance with the agreement.

It may not arbitrarily reduce the quality of the service or increase the agreed price.

Where the operator fails to provide the agreed goods or services, the consumer may request performance or a refund of the advance payment, subject to the applicable legal conditions.

9.3 Business closure or relocation

A business may encounter financial difficulties, close its premises or move to another location.

The 2024 regulation addresses these circumstances. Where an operator faces significant business risks that may affect its ability to provide services, it should stop collecting advance payments. Where it decides to cease operations or relocate its service premises, it must fulfil the relevant notification and refund obligations.

Consumers may have the right, under applicable rules or the contract, to demand continued performance or a refund of the unused prepaid balance.

This is particularly relevant to fitness centres, beauty salons and private education providers.

9.4 Refunds for unused balances

A consumer who has paid for services in advance but has not received them may have a claim for the unused balance.

The precise calculation may depend on the contract, the services already provided, applicable cancellation provisions and the reason for termination.

A business should not assume that every prepaid payment becomes automatically non-refundable merely because the consumer has signed a standard membership form.

9.5 Deposits

Deposits and advance payments should be distinguished.

A deposit may serve a specific contractual function, including securing performance or demonstrating an intention to enter into a transaction. Under the Civil Code, a properly constituted deposit may have consequences beyond an ordinary advance payment.

Consumers should therefore examine the terminology and contractual purpose of a payment before making it.

A payment described as a deposit in ordinary conversation is not necessarily a legally effective deposit under the Civil Code.

10. Pricing, Discounts and Promotional Offers

Price transparency is an essential part of consumer protection.

Consumers should be able to understand the actual price of goods and services before completing a transaction.

10.1 Displayed prices

Business operators should clearly display prices and fees in accordance with the applicable pricing rules.

A seller should not advertise one price and then impose undisclosed mandatory charges at checkout.

The price presented to consumers should correspond to the actual transaction conditions, including any compulsory service fees or other charges.

10.2 False discounts and misleading promotions

Promotional campaigns may create the impression that consumers are receiving a substantial discount when the advertised reference price is inaccurate or misleading.

The Advertising Law, Price Law and Consumer Rights Protection Law may all be relevant to such conduct.

Examples of potentially unlawful practices include:

• falsely claiming that a product has been reduced from a price at which it was never genuinely offered;
• advertising a discount that is subject to undisclosed conditions;
• concealing compulsory charges;
• using false scarcity claims;
• misrepresenting the availability of promotional goods.

Consumers should preserve screenshots of the original offer and the final payment information where a pricing dispute arises.

10.3 Online coupons and promotional conditions

Coupons, discount codes, loyalty points and promotional vouchers may be subject to conditions.

The operator should disclose material restrictions, including expiry dates, minimum purchase requirements and excluded products or services.

A consumer should examine these terms before relying on a promotional offer.

However, a business cannot necessarily rely on obscure or unfair conditions that were not properly disclosed.

10.4 Price changes after purchase

A seller generally cannot unilaterally change an agreed price after the contract has been concluded without a valid legal or contractual basis.

Where the parties have agreed on a particular price and the consumer has paid, an unexplained additional charge may constitute a breach of contract or an unfair commercial practice.

11. Misleading Advertising, Fraud and Unfair Commercial Practices

Consumer protection law addresses not only defective products but also dishonest commercial behaviour.

11.1 False or misleading representations

Article 20 of the Consumer Rights Protection Law prohibits business operators from providing false or misleading information about goods or services.

Misleading conduct may concern:

• product origin;
• brand identity;
• ingredients;
• technical specifications;
• quality;
• safety;
• effectiveness;
• commercial endorsements;
• the qualifications of service providers.

A seller who advertises a product as genuine when it is counterfeit may be engaging in fraudulent conduct.

Similarly, a service provider who knowingly misrepresents its professional qualifications or the services it can deliver may face legal consequences.

11.2 Fraudulent commercial conduct and threefold compensation

Article 55 establishes a significant consumer remedy where a business operator commits fraud in providing goods or services.

At the consumer’s request, the operator must provide additional compensation equal to three times the purchase price or service fee.

Where that calculated amount is less than RMB 500, the statutory additional compensation is RMB 500.

The provision is commonly described as the threefold compensation or three times compensation rule.

It is important to understand what this means. The additional compensation is calculated at three times the purchase price or service fee, subject to the minimum amount. It is not simply a universal right to receive three times every payment whenever a product is defective.

The consumer must establish the legally relevant fraudulent conduct. A poor-quality product, ordinary contractual breach or honest mistake does not automatically establish fraud.

11.3 Serious harm caused by defective products

Article 55 also addresses a more serious category of conduct.

Where a business operator knowingly provides goods or services with defects and thereby causes death or serious damage to health, the affected person may seek compensation under the relevant provisions and punitive compensation of up to twice the losses suffered.

This remedy is distinct from the ordinary threefold compensation rule for fraudulent consumer transactions.

11.4 False advertising

The Advertising Law prohibits false advertising and establishes responsibilities for advertisers, advertising operators, publishers and certain endorsers.

The legal responsibility of each participant depends on their role and conduct.

A consumer who relies on a misleading advertisement may have remedies under consumer protection, advertising and civil law, depending on the circumstances.

11.5 Counterfeit goods

The sale of counterfeit goods may involve violations of consumer protection law, product quality legislation, trademark law and other applicable rules.

Consumers should distinguish between a product that is simply unsatisfactory and a product deliberately misrepresented as an authentic branded item.

Evidence of authenticity claims, seller descriptions, packaging, serial numbers and payment records may be important in a dispute.

12. Product Safety, Recalls and Liability for Defective Goods

Product safety is a central concern of Chinese consumer protection legislation.

The Product Quality Law and Consumer Rights Protection Law establish obligations for manufacturers and sellers, while specialised rules regulate particular categories of products.

12.1 Manufacturer and seller responsibility

The Product Quality Law provides that sellers may be required to repair, replace or refund goods that fail to meet applicable quality requirements.

Article 40 identifies circumstances including products that lack required performance, fail to comply with stated product standards or do not correspond with the quality represented through product descriptions or samples.

The allocation of responsibility between manufacturer and seller may depend on the nature of the defect and the contractual and statutory framework.

12.2 Personal injury and property damage

Where a defective product causes personal injury or damage to property other than the defective product itself, product liability rules may apply.

Articles 41–43 of the Product Quality Law address liability for damage caused by defective products.

The injured person may, in appropriate circumstances, claim compensation from the manufacturer or seller. The party that compensates the injured person may subsequently seek recovery from another responsible party where the law permits.

The Civil Code also contains provisions concerning product liability.

12.3 Product recalls

Where products present safety risks, manufacturers and other responsible operators may have obligations under applicable legislation to take corrective action or arrange recalls.

Consumers should pay attention to official product safety notices and recall announcements, particularly where the product involves vehicles, electrical appliances, food, children’s goods or other products with significant safety implications.

A consumer should not continue using a product where a credible safety warning indicates that it may cause injury.

12.4 Proof and documentation

Product claims may require evidence of the purchase, the defect, the damage and the relationship between the product and the alleged harm.

Consumers should preserve:

• the product itself;
• original packaging;
• purchase receipts;
• warranty documents;
• product descriptions;
• photographs or videos of the defect;
• repair reports;
• communications with the seller;
• relevant medical or property damage documentation.

Where a product may present a safety risk, the consumer should avoid altering or disposing of it before obtaining appropriate advice or preserving evidence.

13. Consumer Personal Information and Digital Payments

Modern consumer transactions in China frequently involve extensive data collection. Ordering food, using transport applications, shopping online, registering for membership services or paying electronically may require consumers to provide personal information.

13.1 Personal information collected by businesses

The Consumer Rights Protection Law requires operators to collect and use consumer information in accordance with lawful, proper and necessary principles.

The Personal Information Protection Law establishes a broader legal framework governing personal information processing.

Businesses should explain the purpose, method and scope of collection and should not collect or use personal information unlawfully.

13.2 Sensitive information

Certain information receives additional protection because of its sensitive nature.

This may include financial account information, precise location information, biometric information and other categories defined by the Personal Information Protection Law.

Processing sensitive personal information generally requires a specific purpose, sufficient necessity, strict protective measures and separate consent, subject to statutory exceptions.

Consumers should be cautious when an ordinary purchase appears to require information that is not reasonably connected with the transaction.

13.3 Commercial messages and unsolicited marketing

Article 29 of the Consumer Rights Protection Law restricts the sending of commercial information without the consumer’s consent or request, or contrary to an express refusal.

Consumers should therefore be able to exercise control over certain forms of unsolicited marketing communications.

The broader personal information framework may also apply where contact details are used for targeted advertising or other commercial purposes.

13.4 Digital payment disputes

Foreign residents may use Chinese digital payment services, international bank cards or other payment arrangements.

A payment confirmation is useful evidence of a transaction, but it does not by itself establish that the goods or services were properly supplied.

Where a payment is made through a platform, consumers should preserve the transaction number, merchant identity, amount, date and relevant order details.

A payment dispute with a bank or payment provider is not necessarily identical to a consumer dispute with the seller. The appropriate procedure depends on whether the problem concerns unauthorised payment, a failed transaction, non-delivery or defective goods.

14. Consumer Complaints and Dispute Resolution

Chinese law provides several mechanisms through which consumers may seek to resolve disputes.

Article 39 of the Consumer Rights Protection Law identifies principal routes, including negotiation with the business operator, mediation through a consumer organisation, complaints to relevant administrative authorities, arbitration where an applicable agreement exists and litigation before a people’s court.

14.1 Direct negotiation with the seller

For ordinary disputes, the first step is often to contact the seller or service provider.

The consumer should clearly explain:

• what was purchased;
• when the transaction occurred;
• what went wrong;
• which contractual or statutory obligation was not fulfilled;
• what remedy is requested.

A written complaint through the platform’s messaging system or the seller’s official customer-service channel creates a record of the communication.

14.2 Platform complaint procedures

Where the purchase occurred through an online marketplace, the consumer may use the platform’s dispute mechanism.

The platform may request transaction information, photographs, delivery records or other evidence.

The consumer should submit relevant documentation and retain a copy of the complaint and the platform’s response.

Internal platform procedures can be convenient, but they do not necessarily prevent the consumer from using other lawful remedies.

14.3 Consumer associations

Consumer associations perform an important role in consumer protection.

They may provide assistance, information, mediation and support for consumers seeking to resolve disputes.

The China Consumers Association and local consumer associations operate within the consumer protection framework.

Their role is generally different from that of a court or administrative enforcement authority. A consumer association may assist in resolving a dispute, but it does not automatically possess the power to impose a binding judgment or award damages.

14.4 Complaints to market supervision authorities

Market supervision authorities are responsible for a broad range of regulatory matters, including consumer protection, product quality, pricing, advertising and certain online commercial activities.

The national consumer complaint and reporting system is commonly associated with 12315.

Consumers may use the 12315 telephone hotline or the national online platform to submit complaints and reports.

A distinction should be made between a complaint seeking assistance in resolving an individual consumer dispute and a report alleging that a business has violated administrative regulations.

The two procedures may lead to different administrative responses.

14.5 Updated complaint procedures in 2026

The State Administration for Market Regulation issued the revised Measures for the Handling of Complaints and Reports by Market Supervision and Administration Departments in December 2025. They entered into force on 15 April 2026.

The measures clarify the handling of consumer complaints and regulatory reports.

A complaint should generally include:

• the complainant’s genuine identity information;
• the name or identity of the business complained about;
• the relevant address or identifying information;
• a specific request for resolution;
• factual information supporting the complaint.

Under the new measures, the competent market supervision authority generally has seven working days to decide whether to accept or reject a complaint and notify the complainant.

Where a complaint is accepted and the parties agree to mediation, the authority may conduct mediation in accordance with its responsibilities.

Consumers should understand that an administrative complaint is not necessarily a guarantee that the authority will obtain a refund or compensation. The administrative authority’s role and the available civil remedies are separate questions.

14.6 Mediation

Mediation can be used through consumer associations, relevant administrative authorities or other legally recognised mediation organisations.

It may be particularly useful where the parties disagree about the quality of goods, the amount of a refund or the performance of a service.

Under the 2024 Implementing Regulation, where an administrative authority accepts a consumer complaint and the parties agree to mediation, the authority should generally complete the mediation within 60 days of acceptance. Time required for necessary appraisal or testing is excluded from that period.

Mediation is based on the parties’ agreement. If it does not produce a settlement, other remedies may remain available.

14.7 Arbitration

Arbitration may be available where the parties have entered into a valid arbitration agreement covering the dispute.

Consumers should not assume that every standard term referring to arbitration necessarily creates a valid and enforceable agreement. The relevant requirements of Chinese arbitration law and the Civil Code must be considered.

An arbitration clause should be examined carefully, particularly where the transaction involves an online service provider or a business located in another jurisdiction.

14.8 Litigation

Consumers may bring civil proceedings before a competent people’s court where the legal and procedural requirements are satisfied.

The claim may concern contractual breach, product liability, fraudulent commercial conduct, personal injury or another legally recognised cause of action.

Litigation may be appropriate where the financial or personal consequences of the dispute are substantial or where other procedures have failed.

Foreign residents should consider the relevant court’s jurisdiction, evidence requirements, language and translation arrangements, service of documents and the practical costs of proceedings.

15. Consumer Protection for Foreign Residents: Practical Considerations

Foreign residents can often exercise the same general consumer protections as other individuals participating in ordinary consumer transactions in China. Nevertheless, several practical issues deserve particular attention.

15.1 Identification and platform registration

Some Chinese commercial applications require a Chinese telephone number, local identity verification or a particular payment method.

A foreign passport may be accepted in certain circumstances, but procedures vary between platforms.

Foreign residents should use accurate identification information and avoid registering accounts through another person’s identity where this would create problems with payment, delivery or dispute resolution.

15.2 Language barriers

Consumer contracts, refund policies and platform rules may be written primarily in Chinese.

Foreign residents should not assume that a short English-language product description contains all relevant contractual terms.

Where a transaction is significant, the consumer should obtain a reliable translation of the applicable terms and preserve the original version.

15.3 Evidence of transactions

Consumers should retain:

• electronic invoices;
• receipts;
• order confirmations;
• screenshots of product descriptions;
• promotional claims;
• payment records;
• delivery information;
• warranty documents;
• customer-service correspondence;
• return and refund records.

This evidence may be essential when dealing with a seller, platform, administrative authority or court.

15.4 Cross-border purchases

Purchases from overseas sellers or transactions involving goods imported into China may raise additional issues.

The consumer may need to consider customs procedures, import restrictions, product standards, delivery arrangements and the identity of the party legally responsible for the transaction.

The fact that an online platform is accessible in China does not necessarily mean that every seller on that platform is established in China or subject to precisely the same practical enforcement arrangements.

Foreign residents should identify the contracting seller and examine the terms governing delivery, returns and dispute resolution.

15.5 Consumer transactions and immigration status

A foreign resident’s visa or residence permit does not generally determine whether the person qualifies as a consumer under the Consumer Rights Protection Law.

However, immigration documentation may be relevant when registering accounts, verifying identity or dealing with administrative procedures.

The legal nature of the purchase, rather than nationality alone, is the principal consideration in determining whether consumer protection legislation applies.

16. Common Misunderstandings About Consumer Rights in China

Several misconceptions can lead foreign residents to misunderstand their legal position.

First, the seven-day no-reason return right does not apply to every purchase. It principally concerns specified distance-selling transactions and has statutory exceptions.

Second, defective goods and no-reason returns are different legal situations. A defective product may give rise to remedies under Article 24 even where the no-reason return period has expired.

Third, a seller cannot automatically exclude statutory rights through a notice stating that goods cannot be returned under any circumstances. Unfair standard terms may be ineffective under consumer protection and contract law.

Fourth, a platform is not necessarily responsible for every act of every merchant using it. Platform liability depends on the relevant statutory conditions, including the platform’s knowledge and failure to take required measures in specified circumstances.

Fifth, the threefold compensation rule is not automatic whenever a product is defective. The consumer must establish the relevant fraudulent conduct.

Sixth, prepaid payments are not necessarily forfeited when a business closes. The 2024 Implementing Regulation strengthens the obligations of operators accepting advance payments and recognises refund rights in relevant circumstances.

Seventh, an online purchase of a service does not automatically carry the same seven-day no-reason return right as an online purchase of eligible goods. Service cancellation is governed by the relevant contract and applicable legal rules.

Finally, an administrative complaint is not the same as a court judgment. A complaint may help initiate mediation or regulatory investigation, but a consumer seeking a binding determination or compensation may need to pursue a separate civil remedy.

Key Takeaways

1. China’s principal consumer protection statute is the Consumer Rights Protection Law, substantially amended in 2013 and effective in its revised form since 15 March 2014.
2. The 2024 Regulation on the Implementation of the Consumer Rights Protection Law, effective from 1 July 2024, provides more detailed rules on online transactions, prepaid services, consumer information, product safety and dispute resolution.
3. Foreign nationals purchasing goods or services in China for personal consumption may benefit from the general consumer protection framework.
4. Consumers have rights to safety, truthful information, independent choice, fair transactions, compensation and protection of personal information.
5. Article 24 provides remedies for goods or services that fail to meet applicable quality requirements, including return, replacement or repair in the circumstances specified by law.
6. Article 25 establishes a seven-day no-reason return right for eligible goods purchased through specified distance-selling methods, subject to statutory exceptions.
7. Online sellers remain responsible for their contractual and statutory obligations. E-commerce platforms also have defined responsibilities under the E-Commerce Law.
8. Livestream commerce is subject to consumer protection and online transaction rules, including new supervisory measures effective from 1 February 2026.
9. Businesses accepting advance payments must comply with written-contract and performance obligations under the 2024 Implementing Regulation.
10. Article 55 provides additional compensation equal to three times the purchase price or service fee in cases of legally established consumer fraud, subject to a minimum of RMB 500.
11. Consumer disputes may be addressed through negotiation, platform procedures, consumer associations, administrative complaints, mediation, arbitration or litigation.
12. The revised market supervision complaint procedures effective from 15 April 2026 clarify the information required for complaints and the administrative handling process.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do Chinese consumer protection laws apply to foreigners?

Generally, yes. A foreign national who purchases goods or services in China for personal or household consumption may fall within the scope of the Consumer Rights Protection Law. The law does not establish a general exclusion based solely on foreign nationality.

2. Can I return goods purchased in a Chinese shop simply because I changed my mind?

Not automatically. The statutory seven-day no-reason return right principally applies to specified distance-selling transactions. For ordinary purchases in physical shops, the right to return goods usually depends on the seller’s policy, the contract or another applicable legal provision. Defective goods are subject to separate statutory protections.

3. Does every online purchase have a seven-day return period?

No. The seven-day right applies to eligible goods purchased through specified distance-selling methods. Customised goods, fresh or perishable goods, certain digital products and delivered newspapers or periodicals are excluded. Other goods may also be excluded under the statutory conditions.

4. Who pays for return shipping in China?

For an eligible no-reason return under Article 25, the consumer generally pays the return shipping cost unless the parties have agreed otherwise. Where goods are defective or fail to meet quality requirements and are returned, replaced or repaired under Article 24, necessary transportation expenses are generally borne by the business operator.

5. Can a Chinese seller refuse a refund by displaying a “no refunds” notice?

Not necessarily. A general notice cannot automatically override statutory consumer rights. Unfair standard terms that improperly exclude consumer rights or remove the operator’s legal responsibilities may be ineffective.

6. What compensation can a consumer receive for fraud?

Under Article 55 of the Consumer Rights Protection Law, a business operator that commits fraud in supplying goods or services may be required, at the consumer’s request, to pay additional compensation equal to three times the purchase price or service fee. Where that amount is less than RMB 500, the statutory minimum is RMB 500. The consumer must establish the relevant fraudulent conduct.

7. Is an online marketplace responsible when a seller delivers counterfeit goods?

The seller may be directly responsible. The platform may also incur liability where the legal conditions are satisfied, including circumstances in which it knows or should know about unlawful conduct and fails to take necessary measures. The precise responsibility depends on the facts and applicable provisions of the E-Commerce Law and consumer protection legislation.

8. Can I recover unused money from a gym or beauty salon that closes?

Potentially, yes. The 2024 Implementing Regulation strengthens protections for prepaid consumption. Operators must enter into written contracts, provide the agreed services and comply with relevant refund obligations where they fail to perform. The consumer’s entitlement will depend on the circumstances, contract and applicable rules.

9. How can I complain about a Chinese seller?

You may first contact the seller or use the platform’s complaint mechanism. You may also seek assistance from a consumer association or submit a complaint through the 12315 system where the matter falls within the market supervision authorities’ responsibilities. Evidence of the transaction and a clear description of the requested remedy are important.

10. Can a foreigner use China’s 12315 complaint system?

Foreign residents may seek to use the consumer complaint system where the relevant complaint falls within the authority’s jurisdiction. Formal complaints require genuine identity information, details identifying the business, a specific request and supporting facts. The practical identification and submission requirements should be checked through the available official channels.

11. Can I sue a Chinese business for a consumer dispute?

Yes, where the requirements for civil proceedings are satisfied. A consumer may bring a claim involving contractual breach, defective goods, product liability or fraudulent conduct before a competent people’s court. Jurisdiction, evidence, translation and procedural requirements must be considered.

12. Does a consumer have a right to compensation if a product causes injury?

Potentially. The Consumer Rights Protection Law, Product Quality Law and Civil Code contain provisions addressing injury and damage caused by defective goods or unlawful commercial conduct. Liability depends on the relevant defect, damage, causation and applicable legal requirements.

Conclusion

China’s consumer protection framework provides a substantial body of rights and remedies for individuals purchasing goods and services in the country. The Consumer Rights Protection Law establishes the principal protections, while the Civil Code, E-Commerce Law, Product Quality Law, Advertising Law and other legislation address particular aspects of commercial transactions.

For foreign residents, the most important practical lesson is that consumer rights depend on the nature of the transaction and the legal basis of the complaint. The seven-day no-reason return right, for example, is not a universal cancellation right. It applies to eligible distance-selling transactions and operates separately from the remedies available for defective or non-conforming goods. Similarly, a consumer’s ability to recover a prepaid balance depends on the contractual and statutory circumstances, while compensation for fraud requires more than proof that a product was unsatisfactory.

The development of online commerce has made platform responsibility, transaction records, digital payments and personal information protection increasingly important. The 2024 Implementing Regulation, the revised online transaction measures and the regulatory framework for livestream commerce effective in 2026 reflect China’s continuing effort to address these challenges.

Foreign consumers should preserve receipts, electronic invoices, product descriptions, payment confirmations and correspondence with sellers. They should examine standard contractual terms before making substantial advance payments and use official complaint procedures when ordinary negotiation fails.

The legal framework does not eliminate every commercial risk, nor does every complaint automatically result in a refund or compensation. Nevertheless, an understanding of the applicable rights, obligations and dispute-resolution mechanisms enables foreign residents to participate in everyday transactions with greater confidence and to respond more effectively when a seller or service provider fails to meet its legal obligations.

Principal Legal Sources and Further Reading

1. Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests – the principal statute governing consumer rights, business obligations, returns, refunds, unfair commercial practices and compensation.
   https://www.samr.gov.cn/zw/zfxxgk/fdzdgknr/fgs/art/2023/art_0a323e046fba43f0b6e9e977f1e8d5fc.html
2. Regulation on the Implementation of the Consumer Rights Protection Law, State Council Decree No. 778, effective 1 July 2024 – detailed provisions on online consumption, prepaid services, business obligations and consumer dispute resolution.
   https://www.samr.gov.cn/zw/zfxxgk/fdzdgknr/bgt/art/2024/art_0aea188276a44f0baf940ab95ee00e0a.html
3. E-Commerce Law of the People’s Republic of China – regulates online operators, platform responsibilities, electronic transactions, transaction records and consumer dispute assistance.
   https://www.samr.gov.cn/wljys/gzzd/art/2023/art_3e75434c954b4cb9bd14867dacff26d1.html
4. Civil Code of the People’s Republic of China – the general framework for contracts, standard terms, contractual performance, termination, damages and product liability.
   https://english.www.gov.cn/archive/lawsregulations/202012/31/content_WS5fedad98c6d0f72576943005.html
5. Product Quality Law of the People’s Republic of China – regulates product quality, seller and manufacturer obligations, defective goods and compensation for product-related damage.
   https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/art/2019/7/31/art_104_67810.html
6. Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Online Transactions, as amended in March 2025 – rules governing online sales, platform transactions and the supervision of digital commercial activity.
   https://www.samr.gov.cn/zw/zfxxgk/fdzdgknr/fgs/art/2025/art_4b47c79b8d994a42bba4835997688faa.html
7. Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Livestream E-Commerce, effective 1 February 2026 – specific regulatory requirements for livestream platforms, merchants, presenters, transaction information and consumer dispute handling.
   https://www.cac.gov.cn/2026-01/07/c_1769516655383334.htm
8. Measures for the Handling of Complaints and Reports by Market Supervision and Administration Departments, effective 15 April 2026 – updated administrative procedures for consumer complaints and reports.
   https://www.samr.gov.cn/zw/zfxxgk/fdzdgknr/fgs/art/2026/art_e4d03a20c0fd49769e408c7bf3791ff5.html
9. Beijing Municipal Government – Seven-Day Unconditional Return Policy – an accessible explanation of the statutory online return right and its principal exceptions.
   https://english.beijing.gov.cn/consuminginbeijing/faqs/202112/t20211202_2552450.html
10. State Council – Regulations on the Implementation of the Consumer Rights Protection Law – government explanation of the 2024 implementing regulation and its principal consumer protection objectives.
    https://english.www.gov.cn/policies/latestreleases/202403/19/content_WS65f974b2c6d0868f4e8e53d1.html

This article is intended for general legal and educational information. It does not constitute legal advice on an individual consumer dispute or a particular commercial contract. The application of consumer protection rules depends on the nature of the transaction, the identity and role of the parties, the available evidence and the applicable national and local requirements.