三部门联合发布：不得拒收现金！2026年2月起施行

Core Viewpoint - The People's Bank of China, in collaboration with the National Development and Reform Commission and the Financial Regulatory Administration, has issued the "Regulations on Cash Payment and Services," which will take effect on February 1, 2026, prohibiting arbitrary refusal of cash payments and discriminatory measures against cash transactions [2][4]. Group 1: Purpose and Scope of the Regulations - The regulations aim to uphold the legal status of the Renminbi, prevent and rectify the refusal of cash payments, and meet the diverse payment service needs of the public, thereby creating a conducive environment for cash circulation alongside various payment methods [4]. - The regulations consist of 19 articles that address prominent issues in cash payment services and establish a series of targeted norms [4]. Group 2: Key Provisions - A significant highlight is the guarantee of payment choice, mandating that all service providers, except in legally defined special circumstances, must accept cash payments and cannot require or induce others to refuse cash [6]. - For self-service and card management scenarios, the regulations provide flexible guidelines, ensuring that self-service devices accommodate cash payments in cases of mobile payment failures or equipment malfunctions [6]. - Financial institutions are required to facilitate cash deposit and withdrawal services and must have sufficient cash self-service machines available [6]. Group 3: Consumer Protection and Complaints Mechanism - The regulations establish a mechanism for public complaints, allowing individuals who encounter cash refusal or discriminatory practices to gather evidence and report to local branches of the People's Bank of China, which will investigate and publicly disclose penalties [6][7]. - The necessity for these regulations is underscored by recent cases where institutions were penalized for refusing cash payments, highlighting the inconvenience faced by specific groups, particularly the elderly [7]. Group 4: Public Feedback and Implementation - During the drafting process, the regulatory bodies received 25 valid feedback submissions, most of which were incorporated into the final regulations, enhancing clarity and operational feasibility [8]. - Public suggestions included clarifying terms like "without justifiable reason" and detailing requirements for cash acceptance in essential sectors such as dining and transportation [8].