Direct answer: A manufacturer website can choose not to publish prices, but once it does, they must be true, accurate and conditional: product/model, specification, unit of measure, tax, currency, MOQ, freight/installation, validity and applicable customers. No low-price bait then a higher checkout, and no invented list prices or discounts.
This guide is for marketing, sales, export, finance, legal, IT and website vendors at Changzhou manufacturers. It covers whether to publish product prices, what to show, how to show ranges and how to accept the page. Information is current to 31 October 2026. It is public regulation and project method, not legal or tax advice; clear-price marking, price comparisons, promotions, export quotes and contract terms are governed by current rules, company policy and legal/finance review.
Not publishing a price is allowed; publishing one requires truth. A price is not a number—it is price plus conditions plus validity. Homepage-low/detail-high, invented list prices and hidden freight/installation are the highest-risk patterns.
Should the website publish prices at all?
Custom/project manufacturers can use inquiry-only pricing; standard products, spare parts and consumables fit fixed or range prices. The question is not whether to publish, but whether the price is true, conditional and maintainable.
Changzhou manufacturers vary widely: non-standard equipment, moulds and engineering projects are hard to price accurately on a website; standard parts, wear parts, consumables and services fit public or range pricing. Inquiry-only is not itself a problem. The problem is "contact us for a low price" or "lowest in the market" bait that leads to a much higher quote, or a price page that never gets updated. The goal is not to look cheap but to tell the customer what configuration, quantity and transaction conditions the price corresponds to, reducing mismatches and disputes.
| Approach | Fits | Benefit | Risk/acceptance focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inquiry only | Non-standard equipment, moulds, projects | Avoids mismatch; keeps quoting flexibility | No implied fake low price; respond fast |
| Range/"from" price | Standard products with configurations | Gives a price anchor | Conditions/config/quantity stated |
| Fixed public price | Standard parts, spares, consumables, services | Less back-and-forth; easy comparison | Tax/freight/installation/validity |
| Member/dealer price | Channels, repeat or volume customers | Protects the price architecture | Login/permissions/audit; not mixed publicly |
The choice is editorial; sellers of goods/services should mark prices as required, and exceptions for specific categories/locales follow the 2022 Provisions on Clearly Marked Prices and Prohibition of Price Fraud and local regulator guidance.
Which price elements must be stated?
At minimum: product name, specification, unit of measure, tax status, currency, MOQ, freight/installation, validity and applicable conditions. Miss one and every customer compares on a different basis.
The Price Law requires clear price marking when selling goods or providing services, stating product name, origin, specification, grade, unit of measure, price or service item and fee standard; no adding charges above the marked price and no unmarked fees. The 2022 Provisions add that marking must be true, accurate, aligned with the goods and prominent; where different transaction conditions produce different prices, the conditions and corresponding prices must be shown; prices must be updated when they change. A website price page should put those conditions next to the number, not hide them in a contract or a sales call.
| Element | What to write | Evidence | Common gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name/model | Matches product page, contract and invoice | Model cross-reference | Series name instead of model |
| Spec/config | Configuration, options, software version | Config table | Only "standard configuration" |
| Unit of measure | Piece/set/metre/kg/hour | Quotation | Missing or mixed units |
| Tax status | VAT included/excluded, rate/invoice type | Finance confirmation | "Tax included" without rate |
| Currency | CNY/USD/EUR; FX date | Quotation | Ambiguous currency symbol |
| MOQ | MOQ, volume tiers, sample price | Price list | Unit price without MOQ |
| Freight/install | Included or extra; installation/commissioning/training | Service list | Added after the marked price |
| Validity/region | Price validity, applicable region/customer | Version log | Valid forever/one global price |
The element list is editorial; clear-price content, form and update rules follow the 2022 Provisions; tax/invoice treatment is confirmed with finance.
How should range or "from" prices be shown?
State the configuration, quantity, region and validity behind the range. Do not attract clicks with the lowest configuration's "from" price and then close at a much higher price; do not invent list prices or discounts.
"From ¥9,800" is the most common and most error-prone pattern. Customers assume ¥9,800 buys a usable product, while the company may mean a bare unit, the smallest specification, excluding freight/installation/software. A safer approach puts the conditions on the same screen: configuration, quantity, region, tax/freight/installation, validity. If configurations vary widely, use a price table or configurator instead of one "from" figure. Price comparisons (list price, original price, promotional price) must be true and accurate; unsupported "original" prices, raising the price before a discount, and homepage-low/detail-high are high-risk.
| Scenario | Allowed | Not allowed | Basis/advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| "From ¥X" | Configuration/quantity/region/validity on the same screen | Number only, conditions hidden | State conditions first |
| List/original price | Real, verifiable historical or recommended price | Invented or unsupported comparison | Keep price records |
| Promotional discount | Rules, scope and dates match reality | Raise price before discounting | Keep before/after evidence |
| Homepage vs detail | Same price or explained difference | Lower on homepage, higher on detail | Explicitly prohibited online |
| Dealer comparison | Identified as channel/contract price | Dealer price presented as public price | Permissions/labels |
Price comparison, discount and online marking rules follow Articles 16–20 of the 2022 Provisions; whether a specific promotion is compliant depends on evidence and legal review.
How should dealer and customer-specific prices be handled?
Separate public and contract prices: dealer/key-account prices sit behind login or in a dedicated quote, not mixed into public pages. Price differences for equal transaction conditions need a basis to avoid discrimination issues.
Manufacturers typically have public retail, dealer, project and repeat-customer prices. Public pages fit the recommended/standard/range price; dealer and key-account prices belong behind login or in offline quotes to avoid channel conflict and customer comparison. Segmented pricing is not a free pass: the Price Law prohibits price discrimination among other operators with equal transaction conditions. Different volume, payment terms, delivery, service or region can justify different prices, but the conditions must be explainable and documented. Do not put internal price lists, customer lists or discount permissions on publicly crawlable pages.
| Price type | Website treatment | Evidence | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public standard | Public page with conditions | Price list/version | Never updated |
| Range/config | Price table/configurator with range | Config-price matrix | "From" price misleading |
| Dealer | Login/dedicated quote, not public | Authorisation/permission log | Channel conflict/leak |
| Project/key account | Offline quote/contract | Quote approval | Unequal treatment without basis |
| Repeat customer | Dedicated agreement, not public | Contract/renewal | Screenshot circulation |
Price segmentation is editorial; discrimination, discount and contract terms follow the Price Law, competition/contract rules and company policy.
How should price changes, promotions and caching be accepted?
Price changes need approval and version records; synchronise page, quotes and dealer materials; check CDN/browser caches and old links so customers do not see expired prices.
The most common online price incident is not a typo but an old price that never came down: sales sends a new quote while the website still shows last year's price; a promotion ends but the page remains; CDN cache is not purged; an old product page is still indexed. Treat price as controlled content: who may edit, who approves, when it takes effect, how long old versions are retained, which channels must sync (website, social, brochure, dealer pack, quotation). Promotions need start/end dates and rules, with restoration afterwards; a price change should check homepage, listing, detail, structured data and caches.
| Scenario | Action | Evidence | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Routine change | Approve → edit → purge cache → sync quote template | Approval/version/timestamp | Old and new coexist |
| Promotion start/end | Set dates; restore after; rules consistent | Promotion rules/screenshots | Expired promotion stays live |
| FX movement | Update currency/FX date/validity | FX record | Old rate used for months |
| Dealer price change | Update login area/dealer materials | Channel notice | Dealer quotes old price |
| Old links/cache | 301/retire/purge CDN; check indexing | Fetch test | Customer sees old price |
| Quote template | Same source as website; versioned | Template version | Sales/site mismatch |
The change process is editorial; prices must be updated promptly under Article 6 of the 2022 Provisions; caching/301 handling follows the website's technical setup.
How should the price page connect to inquiry and quoting?
Give a one-click path to inquiry/configuration and collect only necessary fields. State that the final quote governs, but do not use that sentence to hide false pricing.
A price page is not isolated. After seeing a price, customers ask "what does this configuration cost", "is there a volume discount", "what about freight/installation". The page should offer a clear next step: inquiry button, configurator, quote download, sales/dealer contact. Forms should collect only what is needed (product/model, quantity, application, region, contact, consent), not ID cards or financial statements up front. The page may say "final price subject to the quotation/contract", but only if the displayed price is true and conditional; a disclaimer cannot cure low-price bait and a high closing price.
| Connection | How | Evidence | Common failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price → inquiry | Button carries product/model/price context | Form test | Drops to a generic contact page |
| Config → price | Configurator shows range/"quote required" | Config matrix | Config changes, price does not |
| Volume/tier pricing | State quantity bands/discount conditions | Price list | Only "discounts for volume" |
| Form fields | Product/quantity/region/contact/consent | Field table | Over-collection |
| Response/SLA | Promise a reply time and assign an owner | Rota/CRM | Inquiry unanswered |
The connection checklist is editorial; form fields, consent and retention follow the PIPL and the company privacy policy.
What should export price pages include?
State currency, Incoterms, tax status, FX date and validity; do not mix CNY prices, FOB/CIF and different markets' VAT/duty bases.
Export price pages fail more often than Chinese ones: currency, FOB/CIF/EXW terms, whether destination charges/duty/VAT are included, FX date, validity and market-specific dealer prices—any missing item makes the customer compare on the wrong basis. Put "price + Incoterm + port + validity + FX basis" in one table; use separate pages/parameters for different markets instead of translating a CNY tax-inclusive price into English. The formal quotation/contract governs, but the page still must be true and verifiable.
| Item | What to write | Check | Do not |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency | USD/EUR/CNY with code/symbol | Quotation | Only "$" |
| Incoterms | EXW/FOB/CIF + port/destination | Incoterms version | Only "FOB price" |
| Taxes | VAT/duty/destination charges included or not | Finance/freight forwarder | Tax-inclusive price treated as FOB |
| FX/validity | FX base date, quote validity | FX record | Never updated |
| Market differences | By market/dealer/certification version | Regional price list | One global price |
The export checklist is editorial; Incoterms, taxes and contract terms are confirmed with finance, freight forwarders, counsel and the customer contract; this is not tax/trade compliance advice.
Launch acceptance checklist
Accept eight items: pricing strategy, price elements, range conditions, comparison/promotion, price changes, inquiry connection, export basis, permissions/evidence. Each needs an owner and evidence.
The checklist can be shared by marketing, sales, export, finance, legal, IT and vendors. The pass standard is not "the page has a price" but that customers understand what the price covers, the price is current, comparisons/promotions have a basis, inquiries are handled, export bases are not mixed and internal prices are not leaked.
| Check | Pass standard | Evidence | If failed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing strategy | Which items are fixed/range/inquiry; rules documented | Strategy doc | Redefine strategy |
| Price elements | Name/spec/unit/tax/currency/MOQ complete | Price list | Add fields/change template |
| Range conditions | Config/quantity/region/validity on the same screen | Page/screenshot | Add conditions/rewrite |
| Comparison/promotion | Real original price/discount, consistent rules, dated | Price records/promo rules | Remove/rewrite |
| Price changes | Approval, version, cache, channel sync | Change log | Add process/purge cache |
| Inquiry connection | Contextual button, necessary fields, owner responds | Form test/CRM | Fix form/routing |
| Export basis | Currency/Incoterm/tax/FX/validity clear | Quotation | Fix page/train |
| Permissions/evidence | Dealer prices not public; price versions traceable | Permission table/version repo | Tighten/record |
The acceptance checklist is editorial; clear-price, comparison, promotion, tax and contract requirements depend on regulations, finance/legal review and company policy.
Who should read this, who should not, and what decision does it support?
It fits marketing, sales, export, finance, legal and website vendors at Changzhou manufacturers. It does not fit teams using low-price bait, invented list prices or treating the site as an e-commerce listing.
Who should read: marketing, sales, export, finance, legal, IT and website vendors at Changzhou manufacturers; teams building a price page, product catalogue, configurator or export quote page; anyone deciding "whether to publish, how to show ranges, how to state tax/freight, where dealer prices go, how prices get updated". Who should not: projects using "lowest in the market/contact for a low price" bait and a high closing price; teams without price approval/version control treating the website as a one-off brochure; teams expecting "subject to quote" to replace truthful pricing. Decisions supported: pricing strategy, price elements, ranges/comparisons, dealer permissions, price changes/caching, inquiry connection, export basis and launch acceptance.
Lingyi Information is a website and enterprise AI project services company, not a law firm, tax adviser or price regulator. This article does not replace clear-price, comparison, promotion, tax or contract advice. Changzhou projects are confirmed case by case for remote or on-site work; Lingyi is one candidate, not a local office/team, and does not promise price advantage, traffic or inquiries.
FAQ
Can the website choose not to publish prices?
Custom/project products can use inquiry-only pricing. Clear-price obligations apply to sellers of goods/services; which categories or situations may be exempt depends on local rules and legal review. Not publishing a price does not permit false "low price" claims or price fraud.
What should we watch with "from" or range prices?
State the configuration, quantity, region, tax/freight/installation and validity on the same screen. If configurations vary widely, use a price table or configurator instead of one "from" figure; do not attract clicks with the lowest configuration and close much higher.
Should website prices include tax? How do we show freight/installation?
State tax-included/excluded, rate and invoice type. If freight, installation, commissioning or training are extra, list the item/standard; do not add charges above the marked price or collect unmarked fees. Confirm tax treatment with finance.
Can dealer prices be public?
Usually not. Show standard/range prices publicly; put dealer/key-account prices behind login or in offline quotes. Price differences for equal transaction conditions need a basis to avoid discrimination and channel conflict. Do not put internal price lists or customer lists on publicly crawlable pages.
What if customers see an old price after a change?
Check homepage/listing/detail/structured data/old links/CDN cache, purge and 301/retire old pages; sync quote templates, dealer materials and sales scripts. Price changes need approval, version and timestamp; end promotions on time so expired prices do not stay online.
What should export quotes in USD/FOB include?
Currency code, Incoterm (EXW/FOB/CIF), port/destination, whether VAT/duty/destination charges are included, FX base date and validity; separate market/dealer prices. The formal quotation/contract governs, but the page must remain true and verifiable.
Bottom line
For a Changzhou manufacturer's price page, not publishing is allowed, but publishing requires truth: price + configuration + quantity + tax + freight/installation + currency + validity + conditions. Ranges, comparisons, promotions and dealer prices need a basis; changes need approval, cache purge and channel sync; inquiries must be handled.
Method and limits
This article is public regulation and project method, not a compliance certification or legal/tax advice for any company, product, price, promotion or contract. It uses no unpublished client prices, contracts or sales data. Price tables, range pricing and the acceptance checklist are editorial suggestions; clear-price marking, comparison, promotion, tax, export quotes and contract terms depend on current regulations, local regulator guidance, company policy and legal/finance review.
Sources
Information is current to 31 October 2026; each official/primary page governs its own scope, version and clauses.
- Price Law of the PRC (effective 1 May 1998): SAMR. Clear-price marking, no charges above the marked price or unmarked fees, no price fraud or discrimination.
- Provisions on Clearly Marked Prices and Prohibition of Price Fraud (effective 1 July 2022): SAMR. Price elements, transaction conditions, updates, online marking, comparisons/discounts and price-fraud conduct.
- Official interpretation of the 2022 Provisions: SAMR. Clear-price rules and the regulator's reading of price comparison/fraud.
- Advertising Law of the PRC (2021 amendment): SAMR. Price/discount claims must be true and verifiable, not false or misleading.