Tourism and Everyday Purchases: Seven-Day Returns, Fraud Compensation, and Payment Records

Consumer rights protection rules apply equally when foreign nationals purchase goods or receive services in China. Goods bought online, by television, telephone, or mail order can in principle be returned without reason within seven days of receipt, except for legally excluded goods such as customized items and fresh or perishable products. Whether a physical store offers no-reason returns or exchanges depends on the law and the merchant's commitment; it cannot be assumed in every case.

Additional compensation may be claimed for fraud

Under the Law on the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests, where a business operator commits fraud in providing goods or services, the additional compensation is three times the price paid for the goods or services. If that additional amount is less than RMB 500, it is calculated as RMB 500. Whether conduct constitutes fraud in the legal sense depends on the evidence; ordinary dissatisfaction with taste or service does not automatically qualify.

Preserve the complete transaction trail after payment

When using a foreign bank card, cash, or mobile payment, first confirm acceptance marks and the platform's identity verification requirements. After payment, keep orders, contracts, chat records, invoices, and product photographs. Do not send payments with an unidentifiable purpose to an unfamiliar personal account.

The legal basis is the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests. For bank card and mobile payment procedures, see the People's Bank of China's Payment Guide for Foreign Nationals in China. Time-sensitive rules such as payment limits are subject to the platforms' latest announcements.