How to Report Counterfeit Goods Bought on Xianyu

The whole thing started because of the latest guide to spotting genuine versus fake AirPods Pro. I ended up buying counterfeit earbuds, but I didn't have time to waste on fighting for my rights—whether it's government offices or platform customer service, they always call during work hours to drag out details, which is annoying. So I didn't pursue it further, but I did spend half an hour organizing my thoughts here. As an old hand at dispute resolution (that's me, the victim), here's what I learned.

First, avoid confirming receipt of high-value items as early as possible. If you do confirm receipt, insist that the courier open the package in your presence so you can verify the product right then and there. It's best to record the unboxing video and get a statement from the courier on camera: note the exact time of signing, the platform used, and the product confirmed. The more specific, the better—it prevents later disputes and allows you to ask the courier to serve as a witness. Just mention that you're pursuing legal action and suspect the courier swapped the goods, and the company will immediately call back from headquarters saying they're willing to cooperate. If things move forward, they may even let the courier take time off to appear with their ID to support your case. This is the most crucial human evidence, and it also protects you from accusations of intentionally sending back fakes to claim compensation.

If you suspect the product is fake, report the seller for selling counterfeits on Xianyu immediately and demand triple compensation under the "fake one, compensate three" rule. Also, look up the transaction record in your Alipay statement and file a fraud complaint for selling fake goods.

Beyond that, make every effort to obtain evidence proving authenticity or falsity:

① Compare the item with a genuine product from an official store or use official comparison images. Make sure to clearly label which image is from the official source and which is what you received, and mark the differences directly on the image.

② Obtain an authentication report from the brand itself or from a certified appraisal agency. Combine this with the courier's witness statement.

③ Save chat records where the seller admits to selling counterfeits. Guide the conversation to draw out the admission, then end the chat immediately to preserve it as evidence.

④ Collect detailed screenshots of other buyers' complaints about fake products (these serve as historical supporting evidence).

⑤ Compare your item with identical products you already own, or follow online guides for spotting counterfeits.

The most important pieces of evidence are ②, ③, and ④. Once you have those, you can file a formal complaint.

For consumer disputes, start with the platform's customer service and escalate to human agents. If that doesn't resolve the issue or you're unsatisfied with the outcome, file a complaint through 12315. If you're still not satisfied, consider taking legal action to protect your rights.

You can also join forces with others to collectively defend your rights. See how to effectively file complaints or protect your rights in China. Legal channels are truly the most effective remedy. If you escalate to higher-level administrative departments, be sure to highlight their inaction and potential bribery or cover-ups, and file complaints against the entire chain of administrative bodies involved.

For legal proceedings, contact platform customer service and request the real-name information of the other party (the seller). Explain that you need this information to pursue legal action.

Contact customer service and request that they disclose the seller's real-name information for use in court:

Apply via the link below by filling out the form on your mobile phone: https://t.tb.cn/1uraaMh2NtbD0Ck4sOFAII

Backup link:

http://t.tb.cn/3p8faUPRR4O4c1j8rDgABZ

When filing a lawsuit, be sure to name two parties:

First, the platform itself—specifically, the corporate entity behind Xianyu:

Zhejiang Alibaba Xianyu Network Technology Co., Ltd.

Legal representative: Ding Jian

Company address: Room 566, 5th Floor, Building 3, No. 969 Wenyi West Road, Wuchang Street, Yuhang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province

Contact number: 0571-85022088

The second party is the seller's real-name information provided by the platform. With solid evidence, there's virtually no chance of losing the case. The cost is roughly 50 yuan.

Why sue the platform? Article 38 of the E-Commerce Law states: "If an e-commerce platform operator knows or should know that the goods sold or services provided by operators on its platform fail to meet the requirements for protecting personal or property safety, or that there are other infringements on the lawful rights and interests of consumers, and fails to take necessary measures, it shall bear joint liability with such platform operators in accordance with the law."

In other words, the platform has a regulatory duty. If negligence causes losses, the platform is responsible for compensation. That's why you must include the platform's corporate entity—when the seller disappears and can't be contacted, leaving you unable to recover damages, the platform bears the loss. Typically, counterfeit claims result in triple compensation, or a minimum of 500 yuan if the actual loss is lower. Of course, if you lose the case, you'll bear all litigation costs.