China

There are no special consumer rights for expired Giftcards. Under consumer protection rules, providers must clearly state expiry dates; otherwise, sanctions by the market supervision authority may apply.

Giftcard sales in China are widespread, especially via platforms such as Alibaba or WeChat. Providers must document transactions electronically and comply with data protection requirements under the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL).

Giftcards in China are treated as advance payments for tax purposes. VAT is generally charged upon redemption. There is no official distinction between single-purpose and multi-purpose Giftcards, but practice is aligned with international standards.

China has no specific national law on Giftcard validity. Under general contract law, a limitation period of three years applies. Many companies voluntarily limit validity to one or two years but must clearly communicate this.