Published by ChinaMNC · Wangyi

Tongchuan Enforces New Electronic Scale Rules: What Foreign Founders Operating in China Need to Know

Tongchuan's new electronic pricing scale regulations affect all businesses using scales for trade, including retail, food service, and markets. Foreign founders must ensure compliance by key deadlines to avoid penalties.

Practical takeaways for foreign founders

Tongchuan City’s market regulator has issued a reminder to all businesses using electronic pricing scales for trade settlement. The new national rules, already in force for type evaluation and with verification rules coming in 2027, impose stricter technical and traceability requirements on scales. For foreign founders running retail, food service, or wholesale operations in China, this means your weighing equipment must meet the new standard, and you need to plan procurement and verification before the deadlines to avoid business disruption or penalties.

Who must comply?

The new rules apply to electronic pricing scales with a maximum capacity of 100 kg or less used for trade settlement. This covers all business scenarios in Tongchuan, including farmers’ markets, supermarkets, restaurants, fresh food stores, and mobile vendors. If your China company uses scales to determine the price of goods sold to customers, you are in scope.

Key deadlines and transition arrangements

• January 8, 2026: The new national Program for Type Evaluation of Electronic Pricing Scales (Trial) took effect. Manufacturers have already stopped producing scales under the old rules.
• January 8, 2027: The supporting Verification Regulation for Electronic Pricing Scales (Trial) takes effect. From this date, scales under the old rules are prohibited from being sold, repaired, or verified. All public fair scales in Tongchuan markets must be replaced with compliant new scales.
• January 8, 2030: Previously verified networked electronic scales may continue to be used until this date, after which all scales in the city must be upgraded to the new standard.

Businesses should note that the transition period is finite. The regulator advises all operators to purchase and verify new equipment in advance according to these timelines to avoid illegal operations due to overdue equipment.

Technical requirements: the three core advantages

Compared with older devices, the new electronic pricing scales have upgraded security and traceability features. These are not just technical details—they affect how you procure and maintain equipment.

• Automatic lock on cover opening: The device automatically locks if the cover is opened, requiring exclusive authorization to unlock. This prevents tampering by dismantling or modifying the scale.
• One scale, one code: Each scale has a unique QR code. Scanning it allows verification of the device’s authenticity and traceability information.
• Three codes and one seal: The standard requires three codes and one seal, all of which must be present. This blocks measurement cheating from the source.

For foreign founders, these features mean you should only purchase scales that meet the new standard and come with proper codes and seals. When sourcing equipment, verify that the supplier can provide compliant products and that the scales can be verified by the local market regulator.

Responsibilities for business operators and market organizers

The market regulator reminds business entities to procure and verify new equipment in advance according to the timelines. Market organizers (such as operators of farmers’ markets) must压实 their main responsibility by registering merchants’ equipment, maintaining ledgers, and promoting the new rules to urge merchants to complete replacement on schedule.

For foreign-invested companies that operate markets or manage multiple retail outlets, this means you need to establish internal processes to track scale inventory, ensure timely replacement, and keep records for inspections.

Enforcement and consumer complaints

The Tongchuan Market Supervision Bureau will strictly enforce the new rules, increase daily inspections and verification efforts, and severely punish illegal acts such as selling or using non-compliant pricing scales and measurement cheating. Consumers are encouraged to supervise and report issues such as inaccurate measurement or short-weighting by calling the 12315 hotline, keeping receipts as evidence.

Foreign founders should be aware that non-compliance can lead to penalties and reputational damage. Ensuring your scales are compliant is part of broader legal compliance for operating in China.

What this means for your China company registration and operations

While this notice focuses on measurement rules, it is part of the regulatory environment that foreign founders must navigate when setting up and running a business in China. Here are practical steps:

• Entity choice: If you plan to engage in retail or food service, you will likely establish a limited liability company (LLC) or a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE). The choice depends on your business scope and investment plans.
• Registration steps: After obtaining your business license, ensure your business scope includes the relevant activities (e.g., retail, food service). You will also need to register with the tax authorities and obtain any industry-specific permits.
• Compliance: Measurement compliance is one of many operational requirements. You must use certified equipment and comply with local market supervision rules. Keep records of equipment verification and be prepared for inspections.
• Local coordination: Work with local suppliers and verify that the scales you purchase meet the new national standard. Your landlord or market organizer may have additional requirements.

Foreign founders should also note that China’s regulatory framework is continuously updated. Staying informed about new rules—such as this scale regulation—helps you avoid disruptions and maintain good standing with authorities.

Call to action

For assistance with company registration, licensing, and ongoing compliance in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp or WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535. Our team can help you navigate the regulatory landscape and set up your operations smoothly.

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