Is it legal to buy crab ropes

Whether purchasing bound crabs is legal depends on the specific purpose of the binding rope. Chinese law does not prohibit the sale of bound crabs, but if the weight of the binding rope is too high, it may be suspected of consumer fraud. The sale of crab binding ropes is a common phenomenon in the circulation of aquatic products, mainly aimed at fixing crab claws to prevent transportation damage. The State administration for Market Regulation has clearly stipulated that the net content of goods should exclude inedible parts. If the weight of the tied rope exceeds a reasonable range, merchants need to clearly indicate the proportion of rope weight on the packaging. Some regions, such as Jiangsu Province, have issued local standards stipulating that the binding rope material must be biodegradable and the weight must not exceed 5% of the crab's own weight. If consumers find that the tying rope has become heavier due to water immersion or the use of industrial ropes with excessive heavy metals, they can complain and report to the market supervision department.

Some unscrupulous merchants will indirectly increase their selling prices through methods such as thick tying ropes and multi-layer wrapping, which violates the provisions of the Consumer Rights Protection Law on fair trade. In 2021, a seafood market in Zhejiang province investigated and dealt with a violation case where the proportion of rope weight reached 30%. It is recommended to choose a reputable merchant when making a purchase. On site, it is required to remove the binding rope and weigh again, and keep the shopping voucher as a basis for rights protection.

Consumers should actively understand the local aquatic product sales regulations, pay attention to whether the binding rope is obviously too heavy or has water absorption when purchasing, and may request the merchant to provide the weight of the peeled product. If it is found that the total price of crabs and ropes is significantly higher than the market price, or if there is an odor or abnormal color in the ropes, it should be reported to the 12315 platform in a timely manner. It is recommended to prioritize cold chain packaged crab products for daily purchases, which not only avoids the risk of weight shortage but also meets food safety requirements.