If users sell through your platform, verify sellers, report required information, and retain transaction records for three years
In China, a marketplace must verify sellers' identity, address, contacts, and required permits and maintain registration files. Recheck and update them at least every six months. Report seller identity to market regulators and required identity and tax-related information to tax authorities. Retain product and transaction information for at least three years. Failures can lead to correction orders and, if uncorrected, RMB 20,000–100,000 fines.
What it takes
No single upfront fee, but verification, seller files, quarterly tax reporting, and three-year data retention require ongoing operational work.
What you may gain
The E-commerce Law requires incoming sellers and service providers to submit genuine identity, address, contact, and administrative permit information. Platforms must verify it, register it, create files, and periodically update verification. The detailed network trading rules require this at least once every six months. Seller identity must be reported to market regulation authorities, and identity and tax-related information to tax authorities under tax collection rules. Goods, services, and transaction information must be kept for at least three years from completion of the transaction. Failure brings an order to correct; missing the deadline can bring RMB 20,000–100,000 fines, while serious cases can bring suspension for rectification plus RMB 100,000–500,000 fines. Tax information is reported during the month following each quarter-end. The cited tax-reporting rules use corresponding penalties for failures to report on time. These duties apply in China.
Context & considerations
Sellers also generally need market-entity registration. Exceptions include individuals selling their own agricultural products or household handicrafts, personal-skill convenience services that legally require no permit, and sporadic small transactions. Article 8 of the online trading measures sets an annual transaction threshold of RMB 100,000 for the cited small-transaction category. Platforms must distinguish registered and unregistered sellers in their displays and may not delete consumers' reviews.
Research & references
Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (2018). E-commerce Law, Articles 10, 27, 28, 31, and 80. https://flk.npc.gov.cn/detail?id=2c909fdd678bf17901678bf8af050b81; State Administration for Market Regulation (2021). Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Online Trading, Order No. 37, Articles 8, 24, 25, and 31. https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2021/content_5602020.htm; State Council (2025). Provisions on Tax-related Information Reporting by Internet Platform Enterprises, Order No. 810, Articles 2, 3, 4, and 10. https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/2025/issue_12146/202507/content_7030983.html; State Taxation Administration (2025). Announcement on matters relating to tax-related information reporting by internet platform enterprises, Announcement No. 15 of 2025. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202506/content_7029727.htm