Illustration of Search Related Violations and Enforcement Actions

 

 

In order to ensure the search experience of buyers and provide a fair competition environment for sellers, LAliExpress Platform will continuously take efforts against search related violations.

LAliExpress Platform will monitor and take enforcement actions against search related violations according to this Illustration of Search Related Violations and Enforcement Actions (these “Rules”).

 

PART I DISPLAY OF PRODUCT INFORMATION: ABUSE IN POSTING

Chapter I Categories Put Wrong

1.1. Definition
“Catogries Put Wrong”refers to the product category selected or set to post a product is inconsistent with the actual category of the product, for instance, the product category selected or set for “fabric” is “wedding dress” and the special transaction items such as gifts / additional shipping fees / price difference / VIP / drop shipping are not categorized as other special categories.
“Catogries Put Wrong”may result in display of the product on the website under a wrong category. The LAliExpress Platform will regulate and deal with the problems of product categorization. Please note that you are required to check your product categorization and rectify the wrong category, and to select / fill in the correct category information for newly posted products.

1.2 Enforcement Actions against “Catogries Put Wrong”
Enforcement actions includes adjusting search rankings, deleting the products and taking the products off shelves will be taken against the products displayed under the wrong categories. Measures of adjusting search rankings will be taken against all products or part of the products (including products involved in “Catogries Put Wrong” and products not involved in “Catogries Put Wrong”) in a store whose products listed in violation of these Rules reach a certain amount. In the case of serious violation, all products in the store will be blocked. In the case of significant violation, the seller’s account will be frozen or closed.

1.3 Illustrations (including but not limited to the following)

1.3.1“Catogries Put Wrong” Example 1

Example: NuBra is wrongly put under the category of dress.

Example: Frame case is wrongly put under the category of watchband.

1.3.2 “Catogries Put Wrong” Example 2: special links for payment such as links for additional shipping fees / price difference / VIP

Special links (such as special order links for a specific customer, additional shipping fees / price differences, balance payment or refund, special links for payment, discount or coupon, customized commodity, down payment, AE gift card, gift, mobile top-up, overseas warehousing, presale and other special links) are not put under the designated special categories in compliance with the relevant rules.

Example: Links for additional shipping fees / price difference are put under the category of tools and other categories, instead of special category.

Chapter 2 Title Description Violation

2.1 Definition

Title Description Violation refers to abuse of key words of titles, such as titles with unclear product names, titles with repetitious keywords, product names in titles inconsistent with actual product names, titles inconsistent with categories, brand names in titles inconsistent with actual brand names and units in titles inconsistent with available units in stock, etc.

2.2 Enforcement Actions against Title Description Violation

Enforcement actions including adjusting search rankings, deleting the products and taking the products off shelves will be taken against the products involved in Title Description Violation. Measures of adjusting search rankings will be taken against all products or part of the products (including products involved in violation and products not involved in violation) in a store whose posted products in violation of these Rules reach a certain amount. In the case of serious violation, all products in the store will be blocked. In the case of significant violation, the seller’s account will be frozen or closed.

2.3 Illustrations (including but not limited to the following)

2.3.1 Title abuse

Product names in titles are inconsistent with the actual product names.

Example: the actual products are hairpin, but the word “Headband” appears in the title.

2.3.2 Titles with repetitious words

Keywords are repeatedly used in product title description.

Example: keyword “Shoes” is repeatedly used in product title description.

 

Chapter 3 Attributes Select Wrong

3.1 Definition

Attributes Select Wrong refers to the product attribute selected is inconsistent with the actual attribute of the product, although the category of the product posted is correctly selected.

Attributes Select Wrong may result in display of the products on the website under a wrong attribute. The LAliExpress Platform will regulate and rectify those products containing wrong attributes. Please note that you are required to check your product attributes and rectify the wrong ones, and to select / fill in the correct attribute information for newly posted products.

3.2 Enforcement Actions against Attributes Select Wrong

Enforcement actions including adjusting search rankings, deleting the products and taking the products off shelves will be taken against the products involved Attributes Select Wrong. Measures of adjusting search rankings will be taken against all products or part of the products (including products involved in violation and products not involved in violation) in a store whose posted products in violation of these Rules reach a certain amount. In the case of serious violation, all products in the store will be blocked. In the case of significant violation, the seller’s account will be frozen or closed.

3.3 Illustrations (including but not limited to the following)

3.3.1 Attributes Select Wrong Examples

Example: the neckline of the product is round neck, but the seller posts it as "V-Neck ".

Chapter 4 Repeated Posting of Products

4.1 Definition

Repeated Posting of Products refers to the products information posted is identical with or substantially similar in terms of main information (such as image, title, price, attribute, etc.) with other products posted in the same store or in other stores opened by the same seller or by the same entity as identified by the LAliExpress Platform o based on multiple factors.

Please be reminded that Repeated Posting of Products is strictly prohibited. The seller shall avoid directly using the main images of the posted products or copying the titles and attributes of the posted products when posting new products. In addition to showing the differences in the main images, the seller shall also fill in key information on the products such as title, attribute and other detailed description.

4.2 Enforcement Actions against Repeated Posting of Products

Enforcement actions including adjusting search rankings, deleting the products and taking the products off shelves will be taken against the products involved in Repeated Posting of Products. Measures of adjusting search rankings will be taken against all or part of the products (including products which violate these Rules and products which do not violate these Rules) in a store whose posted  products in violation of these Rules reach a certain amount. In the case of serious violation, all products in the store will be blocked. In the case of extremely serious violation, the seller’s account will be frozen or closed.

4.3 Illustrations (including but not limited to the following)

4.3.1 Repeated Posting of Products Example 1: Repeated Posting of Products with same main image

Example: for the same product in the same store, if the main image of one product is exactly the same as the other and their titles, attributes, prices and other information are substantially similar, the product would be identified as Repeated Posting of Products.

4.3.2 Repeated Posting of Products Example 2: Repeated Posting of Products with different angle/background/color, etc.

Example: for the same product in the same store, if the main images of the product are only different in shooting angle or background, and the attributes, price and other information of one product is substantially similar to the other, the product would be identified as Repeated Posting of Products.

4.3.3 Repeated Posting of Products Example 3: multiple stores opened by the same seller or same entity identified by LAliExpress Platform based on multiple factors post or sell the same product repeatedly.

Example: if the main images of the products are only different in color, and their attributes, prices and other information are substantially similar, the product would be identified as Repeated Posting of Products.

Chapter 5 Other Description Violations

5.1 Definition

Other Description Violations refer to non-standard display of product information which does not constitute Categories Put Wrong, Title Description Violation, Attributes Select Wrong or Repeated Posting of Products, which includes that: 1) the main images of products do not conform to the required standard, such as images comprising text only, images that may cause discomfort; 2) the measurement units of products do not follow the typical standard for sale, for instance, shoes are not sold in pairs; or 3) units of products posted are inconsistent with available units in stock and other descriptions which may easily lead to buyers’ complaints. For example, units of the product posted are 100pcs/lot while the units in stock are only 50pcs

5.2 Enforcement Actions against Other Description Violations

Enforcement actions including adjusting search rankings, deleting the products and taking the products off shelves will be taken against the products involved in Other Description Violations. Measures of adjusting search rankings will be taken against all products or part of the products (including products involved in violation and products not involved in violation) in a store whose posted products in violation of these Rules reach a certain amount. In the case of serious violation, all products in the store will be blocked. In the case of significant violation, the seller’s account will be frozen or closed.

If Other Description Violations also constitute other improper posting actions provided in Article 86 (6) of the LAliExpress Platform Rules for the LAliExpress Sellers, the LAliExpress Platform also has the right to take actions against the seller pursuant to this Article 86 (6).

PART II PRICE RELATED VIOLATIONS

Chapter 1 Unfair Low Price

1.1 Definition

Unfair Low Price refers to the fact that a seller posts a product at a low price which deviates substantially from the regular sale price of the product.

1.2 Enforcement Actions against Unfair Low Price

Enforcement actions include adjusting search rankings, deleting the products and taking the products off shelves will be taken against the products involved in Unfair Low Price. Measures of adjusting search rankings will be taken against all products or part of the products (including products involved in violation and products not involved in violation) in a store whose posted products in violation of these Rules reach a certain amount. In the case of serious violation, all products in the store will be blocked. In the case of significant violation, the seller’s account will be frozen or closed.

If a seller involves in a large amount of Unfair Low Price violations, the LAliExpress Platform also has the right to take actions against the seller pursuant to the LAliExpress Rules for Unfair Low Price Competition.

1.3 Illustrations (including but not limited to the following types)

1.3.1 Unfair Low Price Example 1

The product usually sold at a price of more than US$30 is posted for sale at a low price that deviates substantially from the regular sale price.

Chapter 2 Unfair High Price

2.1 Definition

Unfair High Price refers to the fact that a seller posts a product at a high price which deviates substantially from the regular sale price of the product.

2.2 Enforcement Actions against Unfair High Price

Enforcement actions including adjusting search rankings, deleting the products and taking the products off shelves will be taken against the products involved in Unfair High Price. Measures of adjusting search rankings will be taken against all products or part of the products (including products involved in violation and products not involved in violation) in a store whose posted products in violation of these Rules reach a certain amount. In the case of serious violation, all products in the store will be blocked. In the case of significant violation, the seller’s account will be frozen or closed.

2.3 Illustrations (including but not limited to the following types)

2.3.1 Unfair High Price Example 1

Example: the sale price of the Bikini Set is abnormal, which significantly deviates from the regular sale price.

Chapter 3 Low Price with High Shipping Fee

3.1 Definition

Low Price with High Shipping Fee refers to a low price set for the product with a high shipping fee which deviates from the regular shipping fees.

3.2 Enforcement Actions against Low Price with High Shipping Fee

Enforcement actions including adjusting search rankings, deleting the products and taking the products off shelves will be taken against the products involved in Low Price with High Shipping Fee. Measures of adjusting search rankings will be taken against all products or part of the products (including products involved in violation and products not involved in violation) in a store whose posted products in violation of these Rules reach a certain amount. In the case of serious violation, all products in the store will be blocked. In the case of significant violation, the seller’s account will be frozen or closed.

3.3 Illustrations (including but not limited to the following types)

3.3.1 Low Price with High Shipping Fee Example

Example: the shipping fee is abnormally high, which may easily leads to buyers’ complaints.

Chapter 4 Wrong SKU

4.1 Definition
Wrong SKU refers to abuse of SKU setting features (such as setting specifications, quantities, units, shipping fees and other information in an abnormal manner, or changing key product elements through setting of SKU) by the seller to post SKUs in high or low price that deviates from the regular price, or to post SKUs that are not available for sale (including not available for sale in a normal manner) or delivery.

4.2 Enforcement Actions against Wrong SKU

Enforcement actions including adjusting search rankings, deleting the products and taking the products off shelves will be taken against the products displayed under the wrong categories. Measures of adjusting search rankings will be taken against all products or part of the products (including products involved in violation and products not involved in violation) in a store whose products listed in violation of these Rules reach a certain amount. In the case of serious violation, all products in the store will be blocked. In the case of significant violation, the seller’s account will be frozen or closed.
If Wrong SKU also constitutes other improper posting specified in Article 86 (6) of the LAliExpress Rules for the LAliExpress Sellers, as applicable, the LAliExpress Platform also has the right to take actions against the seller pursuant to this Article 86 (6).

4.3 Illustrations (including but not limited to the following types)

4.3.1 Example 1 - zero inventory SKU: the inventory of a product’s SKU is set as 0 so that buyers are not able to purchase the product.

4.3.2 Example 2 – no real product for the SKU: the SKU is set without a real product, for instance, there exists no product image or no product size, and the SKU is described with vague words and expressions such as “freight”, “None” or "Other".

Example: the lowest price is set for the SKU without specific size in order to attract more traffic to the product.

4.3.3  Example 3 - SKUs in different categories: products in different categories (for instance, main parts and spare parts, a set of commodities and single items, tops and pants) are set as one product’s SKUs.

4.3.4 Example 4 - SKUs with different functions / of different materials: products (i) with different functions / of different materials and (ii) with large price differences (for instance, electric and non-electric products, PU and real leather products, high-end and low-end products) are set as one product’s SKUs.

4.3.5 Example 5 - “Wrong SKU” of overseas warehouse: products set with overseas warehouse cannot be delivered to the country where the overseas warehouse is located, or the setting of overseas warehouse is used to set low product price with high shipping fees, etc.

Example: products set with overseas warehouse cannot be delivered to the country where the overseas warehouse is located, for instance, a product can be shipped from “United States” but cannot be delivered to the United States.

Example: the setting of overseas warehouse is used to set low product price with high shipping fees, for instance, the price of the product shipped from China is US$10.08 with no shipping fee, and the price of the same product (in the same type and size) shipped from the United States is US$5.11 with a shipping fee of US$12.62, and the same product (in the same type and size) shipped from the United States with a price of US$5.11 cannot be delivered to countries other than the United States (prices are for display purposes only).

4.3.6 Example 6 - SKU set with abnormal price: some SKUs are set with abnormal prices which are obviously much higher or lower than the regular prices. For example, the price of the product in normal size and color is set at US$1 while the price of the same product in some other size and color is set at more than USD$400,000.

4.3.7 Example 7 - SKU with different quantity units: quantity units (such as the number of pieces) are set for non-quantity unit SKUs with large price differences, or the product is posted with abnormal quantity units, for instance, color options are set with different number of pieces instead of different colors and the price difference for different color options is relatively large; the products that shall be sold in pairs are set with the SKU of a single item of one pair and the SKU of one pair of the product.

Example: color options are set with different number of pieces, and the price difference between different color options is large and the lowest price does not match the product details displayed in the main product picture, which may easily lead to buyers’ complaints.

Example: for the products that are usually sold in pairs, one piece of the pair of the product and one pair of the product are set in the same product link.

4.3.8 Any other abnormal SKU settings with large price differences, which may affect buyers’ search and shopping experience.

 

PART III TRANSACTION RELATED VIOLATIONS

Chapter 1 Credit Sale Hype Up

1. Credit Sale Hype Up

1.1 Definition

Credit Sale Hype Up refers to increasing sales of a product and credit rating by abnormal means of transaction.

1.2 Enforcement Actions against Credit Sale Hype Up

1.2.1 If Credit Sale Hype Up is committed for the first time, the LAliExpress Platform will delete the relevant credit and sales, adjust the search rankings, delete the product, take the product off shelves, close the relevant order and refund the money, and deduct 6 points/time, 12 points/time, 24 points/time or 48 points/time or close the seller’s account depending on the seriousness of violation.

1.2.2 If Credit Sale Hype Up is committed for the second time or more, the LAliExpress Platform has the right to close the seller’s account directly regardless of the seriousness of violation. If the LAliExpress Platform does not take actions to close the seller’s account, it has the right to take other enforcement actions, including deleting the relevant credit and sales, adjusting the search rankings, deleting the product, taking the product off shelves, closing the relevant order and refunding the money, and deducting the points.

The LAliExpress Platform will announce on a regular basis of enforcement actions against sellers that have committed Credit Sale Hype Up, and will, at all costs, take all measures against sellers that sell fake and inferior products using their credit rating obtained through Credit Sale Hype Up and take legal actions against such sellers. Please note that the LAliExpress Platform highly values integrity and every seller must uphold this value.

Chapter 2 Product Change

2.1 Definition

Product Change refers to change of product through editing the key attributes of a product that has been posted for sale such as category, brand, model, configuration, material and function, etc, which results in the change of the posted product into another product. The seller shall post a new product if the product is upgraded. Editing of a product that has been posted for sale due to upgrade of the product will be regarded as Product Change.

2.2 Enforcement Actions against Product Change

Enforcement actions including adjusting search rankings, deleting the products and taking the products off shelves will be taken against the products involved in Product Change. Measures of adjusting search rankings will be taken against all products or part of the products (including products involved in violation and products not involved in violation) in a store whose posted products in violation of these Rules reach a certain amount. In the case of serious violation, all products in the store will be blocked. In the case of significant violation, the seller’s account will be frozen or closed.

2.3 Illustrations (including but not limited to the following types)

2.3.1 Example 1: product A is changed to product B of a completely different category.

(a): The product originally posted for sale is socks while the product currently displayed for sale is T-shirt.

(b): The product originally posted for sale is night lamp while the product currently displayed for sale is crystal light.

(c): The products originally posted for sale are tissues and sofas (posted in one and the same product ID, which is an example of Wrong SKU) while the products currently displayed for sale are sofas.

2.3.2 Example 2: product A is changed to product B of a completely different brand.

(a): The products originally posted for sale are Nike sneakers while the products currently displayed for sale are Adidas sneakers.

2.3.3 Example 3: product A is changed to product B of a completely different model, or the refurbished product is changed to a brand-new product.

(a): The product originally posted for sale is iPhone 6 while the product currently displayed for sale is iPhone 6s.

(b): The product originally posted for sale is refurbished iPhone while the product currently displayed for sale is brand new iPhone.

2.3.4 Example 4: product A is changed to product B with a different configuration

(a): The products originally posted for sale are toys without remote control function while the products currently displayed for sale are toys with remote control function.

(b): The products originally posted for sale are PU shoes while the products currently displayed for sale are genuine leather shoes.

In the event of inconsistency, ambiguity or conflict between the English and the non-English version of these rules, the English version shall prevail.