On June 2nd, the Shanxi Provincial Market Supervision Administration issued a notice aimed at regulating pricing practices in sectors relevant to the upcoming national middle school and college entrance examination periods.
The directive establishes clear price boundaries, concentrating on four key areas around examination venues: accommodation, catering, transportation and parking, and online bookings. The goal is to prevent price gouging and fraudulent pricing during the peak exam season, ensuring students can prepare and take their exams with peace of mind.
The notice details industry-wide rules for clear price labeling and operational standards. Hotels and guesthouses must clearly display room rates, check-out times, and any additional charges at the front desk and are prohibited from arbitrary price increases.
Food service businesses are required to confirm prices before serving, with separate, clear pricing for items like utensils and napkins. Taxis must adhere to government-guided fares, while ride-hailing services should set reasonable prices, and exam-day transport services are forbidden from mid-trip price hikes.
Parking lots must post their fee schedules and any free parking durations clearly.
Major online platforms for accommodation booking, food delivery, and transportation must prominently display prices or fee standards within their applications. Once an order is confirmed, they are prohibited from imposing unilateral, last-minute price increases or forcing cancellations.
The notice states that market supervision authorities in Shanxi will increase inspection frequency around exam sites and on online platforms throughout the exam period. They will strictly investigate and penalize violations such as failure to clearly mark prices, breaching contracts to raise prices, and imposing unauthorized charges.
Students and parents encountering irregular pricing are advised to retain evidence such as receipts and order screenshots and can report issues through the 12315 or 12345 hotlines.
Comments