Recently, the State Department of Commerce issued a notice to regulate online shopping promotions, emphasizing that all kinds of price frauds and false promotions must be eliminated, and fictional price discounts, use of misleading pricing or price means to deceive and induce consumers are strictly prohibited.

The notice requires that local commercial authorities should guide enterprises to promote sales in accordance with laws and regulations such as the “Anti-Monopoly Law,” “Consumer Protection Law,” “Advertising Law,” and “Trademark Law,” and promote online shopping companies in advance of promotional activities. Explain to the consumer the main information of the name, type, quality, price, freight, delivery method, return method and other information of the promotion product or service, and take safety protection measures to ensure that the promotion activity is safe and reliable.

The circular emphasizes that it is necessary to eliminate all kinds of price frauds and false promotions. It is strictly forbidden to use original price discounts, use misleading pricing forms, or price means to deceive or induce consumers, and not to reduce the after-sales of promotional merchandise (including prizes and gifts for sale). The level of service may not be refused on the grounds of promotion for returning goods or set up barriers for returning goods by consumers, and may not damage the legitimate rights and interests of consumers on the ground of retaining the final interpretation rights.

The circular also requires that all local commercial departments should strictly investigate and prosecute false propaganda; combine special actions to crack down on infringement of intellectual property rights and manufacture and sale of counterfeit and shoddy goods, carry out joint supervision with the departments of industry and commerce, quality inspection, and strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights.

The notice also pointed out that with the rapid development of online shopping, the competition among online shopping enterprises has become increasingly fierce. Discounts such as discounts, spikes, rebates, gift points, free shipping, etc. have become more normalized. The market has been stimulated and consumption has been stimulated. The sale of infringing and pirated goods, shoddy, false discounts, offline services and online promotional commitments are inconsistent, lack of standard network purchase and other issues.