Kōļļā · Marshall Islands

China’s Market Regulator Opens Reporting Channel for Counterfeit Inspection Reports in Traditional Craft Markets

Foreign founders dealing in jewellery, precious metals, redwood, or ceramics should note China’s new whistleblowing channel for fake testing reports and certificates, and understand the compliance expectations for labs, sellers, and online platforms.

What Foreign Founders Need to Know About China’s New Reporting Channel for Fake Inspection Reports

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has published a notice establishing a reporting channel for counterfeit inspection and testing reports and certificates in traditional craft markets. The notice, dated 16 April 2026, targets fraud in four product categories: jewellery and jade, precious metal ornaments, redwood products, and ceramics. For foreign founders whose China operations touch these categories—whether as importers, brand owners, e-commerce sellers, or lab service users—the notice signals closer scrutiny of testing documentation and certification claims.

The reporting channel is part of a campaign called “打假清源” (roughly “crack down on fakes and clean up the source”). It invites reports on specific types of misconduct and provides contact details for submitting information.

Who and What Can Be Reported

The notice lists four categories of reportable conduct. Each category applies to the four traditional craft product sectors mentioned above.

1. Illegal workshops, hideouts, and intermediaries

Reports may target operations that forge inspection and testing reports or inspection and identification certificates for jewellery and jade, precious metal ornaments, redwood products, and ceramics. The notice refers to these as “black workshops,” “black hideouts,” and “black intermediaries.”

2. Fraudulent practices by producers and sellers

Producers and sellers in these sectors may be reported for forging, altering, misappropriating, or trading in inspection and testing reports or certificates. The same applies to using false reports or certificates to pass off inferior goods as superior, to substitute fakes for genuine items, or to engage in misleading marketing.

3. Testing institutions acting beyond their scope

Inspection and testing bodies for these products can be reported if they conduct testing beyond the scope of their qualification accreditation, or if they issue false or seriously inaccurate testing reports.

4. Online platforms and operators

E-commerce platforms, livestreaming platforms, and related operators in these product sectors may be reported for creating fake websites, links, or accounts that offer false testing institutions, certificates, or reports. The notice also covers the unverified use of terms such as “inspection and testing,” “CMA,” “CNAS,” “guaranteed pass,” “no sample submission,” “inspection-free,” and “direct certificate issuance” in online search and promotion. These keywords are flagged as potentially misleading when used without proper qualification checks.

How to Submit a Report

The notice provides two direct channels for reporting:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 010-88651775 (available on weekdays from 9:00–11:30 and 14:00–17:00)

Reports can also be submitted through the 12315 platform or the 12315 hotline to the local market regulation authorities.

To help with verification and follow-up, the notice encourages real-name reporting. Reporters are asked to complete the “Traditional Craft Market ‘Crack Down on Fakes and Clean Up the Source’ Reporting Information Collection Form” accurately. The form is attached to the original notice.

The authorities state that they will strictly follow confidentiality rules and protect the lawful rights and interests of reporters and complainants.

Practical Implications for Foreign Founders

If your China-based company sells jewellery, precious metal products, redwood items, or ceramics, or if you rely on testing reports and certificates for these products, this notice is relevant to your compliance planning. The reporting channel means that competitors, consumers, or business partners can flag suspected fraud directly to SAMR or local market regulators.

Foreign founders should pay particular attention to the following areas:

• Verify your testing providers. Ensure that any inspection or testing institution you use holds the appropriate qualification accreditation for the specific product and test. Using a lab that operates outside its accredited scope could expose your business to regulatory risk.
• Check the accuracy of certificates and reports. Confirm that reports and certificates are genuine, unaltered, and correspond to the actual goods. The notice treats forging, altering, misappropriating, and trading in such documents as reportable misconduct.
• Review your marketing claims. If your online listings or livestreams use terms like “CMA,” “CNAS,” “guaranteed pass,” “no sample submission,” “inspection-free,” or “direct certificate issuance,” make sure you can substantiate these claims and that any referenced testing body is properly qualified. The notice specifically flags unverified use of these keywords.
• Monitor platform accounts and links. If you operate on e-commerce or livestreaming platforms, ensure that your accounts, links, and websites do not misrepresent testing services or certificates. The notice covers fake websites, links, and accounts that offer false testing institutions or documents.
• Keep records. Maintain documentation of your testing arrangements, supplier qualifications, and product claims. Good records can help you respond if a report is made about your business.

What This Means for Company Registration and Operations

Foreign founders setting up or running a company in China should note that this notice does not create new registration requirements. However, it reflects a broader enforcement focus on the integrity of testing and certification in traditional craft markets. When selecting business scope, suppliers, and service providers, consider whether your activities fall within the four product categories. If they do, build compliance checks into your procurement and marketing processes.

The notice also reminds companies that China’s market regulators use public reporting channels and the 12315 system to gather information. Even if your business is not the target of a report, maintaining accurate documentation and transparent claims can reduce the risk of regulatory attention.

For foreign founders who are new to the Chinese market, the key takeaway is that testing reports and certificates are treated as important trust documents. The authorities are actively inviting reports on fraud in these areas. As a result, it is prudent to work only with qualified testing institutions and to ensure that your product listings and marketing materials accurately reflect the status of your goods and certifications.

Next Steps

If you are planning to register a company in China or are already operating in one of the affected sectors, consider reviewing your testing and certification arrangements now. The reporting channel is open, and the authorities have made clear that they will follow up on reports. Taking a proactive approach to compliance can help protect your business reputation and reduce operational risk.

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

For assistance with company registration and ongoing compliance in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.