Published by ChinaMNC · Balinyou

China Consumer Goods Trade-In Program: Complaint Channels for Foreign Founders

Chifeng City publishes complaint channels for its consumer goods trade-in program. Foreign founders should note the reporting scope, channels, and compliance requirements to avoid penalties.

Chifeng City Opens Complaint Channels for Consumer Goods Trade-In Program

Foreign founders operating in China should be aware that local governments are increasingly enforcing rules around consumer subsidy programs. On April 24, 2025, the Chifeng City Development and Reform Commission published a notice detailing complaint and reporting channels for its consumer goods trade-in program. The program offers subsidies for replacing old consumer goods with new ones, and the notice aims to ensure that subsidies reach eligible recipients and that public funds are used properly.

For foreign founders, this notice is a reminder that participation in such programs—whether as a merchant or a consumer—comes with compliance obligations. Understanding the reporting scope and procedures can help avoid penalties and ensure smooth operations.

Scope of Complaints Accepted

The complaint channels cover issues arising in the application, review, and disbursement of subsidies for trade-in activities, as well as any conduct that disrupts market order. The scope is divided by sector:

• Commerce: automobiles, home appliances, home decoration and kitchen/bath products, 3C digital products, and electric bicycles.
• Transport: old operating trucks, new energy buses, and power batteries.
• Agriculture and animal husbandry: agricultural and animal husbandry machinery.
• Civil affairs: home-based elderly-friendly renovations.
• Market regulation: selling inferior goods as superior, price fraud that disrupts market order or harms consumer rights; and fraudulent subsidy claims (including fake applications) that disrupt market order or harm consumer rights.

Foreign founders involved in these sectors should ensure their subsidy applications are accurate and that their business practices comply with market regulations.

Reporting Channels by Sector

The notice provides specific contact details for each sector. Reports can be made by phone, email, or in person during working hours (9:00–12:00 and 14:30–17:30, Monday to Friday).

Commerce

• Phone: 0476-8820115
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: Room C620, Party and Government Comprehensive Building, Chifeng Municipal People's Government

Transport

• Phone: 0476-5890610
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: Room 413, Chifeng Transport Bureau, No. 10 Daming Street, Songshan District, Chifeng City

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry

• Phone: 0476-5869867
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: Room 507, Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Mechanization Management Section, Chifeng Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Bureau, No. 7 Quanning Street, Songshan District, Chifeng City

Civil Affairs

• Phone: 0476-8333372
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: Room D710, Party and Government Comprehensive Building, Yulong Street, Chifeng City

Market Regulation

• For counterfeit or price fraud: 12315 hotline (Municipal Market Regulation Bureau)
• For subsidy fraud: Phone: 0476-8331166; Email: [email protected]; Address: Criminal Investigation Detachment, Chifeng Public Security Bureau, No. 66 Yulong Street, Songshan District, Chifeng City

Reporting Requirements and Legal Obligations

Reports should include specific leads and relevant evidence. While anonymous reports are accepted, the authorities encourage real-name reporting with contact details to facilitate follow-up and feedback. Reporters must comply with laws and regulations, provide objective and truthful information, and be responsible for the authenticity of their materials. Fabricating or distorting facts, or inciting, organizing, coercing, or inducing others to report, is prohibited. Those who fabricate facts or make false accusations causing adverse consequences will be held liable according to law; suspected crimes will be referred to judicial authorities.

Foreign founders should note that these rules apply to all participants in the trade-in program. Merchants are called upon to abide by laws and regulations, operate with integrity, and strictly follow program rules to ensure the policy benefits both consumers and businesses.

Implications for Foreign Founders

If your company participates in consumer goods trade-in programs—whether as a manufacturer, retailer, or service provider—you should:

• Ensure that subsidy applications and claims are accurate and supported by documentation.
• Avoid any practice that could be construed as price fraud or misrepresentation of product quality.
• Cooperate with any investigations and respond to complaints through the proper channels.
• Keep records of transactions and communications related to the trade-in program.

Failure to comply could lead to administrative penalties or, in severe cases, criminal liability. The publication of these complaint channels signals increased scrutiny and enforcement.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.