According to the e-commerce supervision and management regulation released by Beijing Administration for Industry and Commerce on its website, from August 1, 2008, profit-making online shops from Beijing should get a business license before starting operation.

However, the regulation also says that nonprofit online shops that aim at selling or exchanging personal use items do not need to register.

For the convenience of customers, the regulation says e-business managers should publicize information such as their company names, business addresses, online shop names, IP addresses and how to contact them.

In addition, e-commerce service suppliers that offer online trade platform are responsible to check the business license of their contracted shops and set up records for the completed deals. These records should be kept for no less than two years. If these services suppliers are found offering services to unlicensed operators, they will also be punished.