New regulation in China protects returns for online purchases

Global Business

China has enhanced its protection for consumers with new regulations regarding online shopping. Online shopping customers will now be able to return opened goods and get a full refund within seven days without providing any reason. CCTV’S Mi Jiayi has the story.

New regulation in China protects returns for online purchases

China has enhanced its protection for consumers with new regulations regarding online shopping. Online shopping customers will now be able to return opened goods and get a full refund within seven days without providing any reason. CCTV'S Mi Jiayi has the story.

Highlights:

  • China’s current law on online shopping was put into effect on March 15 last year. It says customers can return the goods they buy online within seven days without excuses, but didn’t specify if items in opened boxes could be returned.
  • Most online retailers have set up their own return policy saying that returned items should have their packaging intact and remain in original condition, but the new regulation this year has made it clear that online retailers who refuse or delay to process the returns could be subject to fines as high as 500,000 yuan.
  • China’s online shopping sector has been suffering from high return rate for years, especially during sales peaks like double-11 or black Friday.