How to Shopping on Taobao in China
Taobao, a leading e-commerce platform in China under Alibaba, is the largest e-commerce platform in the country. You can purchase an extremely rich variety of products on it — ranging from fashion clothing, electronic products, and household items to unique handicrafts and local specialties, with everything you could need. It boasts user-friendly features such as an intuitive search system, detailed product reviews, and secure payment methods (including Alipay), catering to both daily shopping needs and consumers looking for good deals. Whether you're searching for popular electronic gadgets, traditional Chinese crafts, or affordable daily necessities, Taobao connects you with millions of sellers, often offering competitive prices and convenient delivery services. It is not just a shopping app, but a one-stop platform that allows you to explore a wide range of products and experience the vitality of China's online market.
There are two types of sellers on Taobao. One is Tmall, which runs on a B2C (that's Business-to-Consumer) model. The other is individual Taobao sellers, who use the C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer) model. These two kinds of sellers have different credit rating systems—I'll go into more detail on that later.
I. How to register and obtain a Taobao account
I'll explain how to register a Taobao account on the computer and mobile ends respectively.
- Computer end: Open the website https://world.taobao.com/. You can select the country ① and language ② in the upper left corner. Currently, only Chinese and English are supported. Then click "please register" ③.
By default, registration is done via a verification code sent to your mobile phone number. You can also register and log in by linking accounts such as Apple, Google, or Facebook. Once logged in successfully, you can start shopping on Taobao.
- Registering and logging in via the mobile app: First, download the Taobao app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. After installing the app, open it and select "Account" in the bottom right corner.
Once you've completed the registration, log in to your Taobao account, and then you can start enjoying your shopping spree!
II. How to shop smartly on Taobao
Everyone will tell you that once you’ve registered on Taobao, all you need to do is search for what you want using the app. But here’s the thing: that way, you’ll only find stores that support English searches—and those are *extremely* rare. Less than 0.5% of Taobao’s stores and products show up in English searches.
Why? Most Taobao sellers are part-timers, offering small but unique items—like authentic handcrafted goods, budget-friendly finds, and other hidden gems with great value.
Take this example: There’s a tiny store selling empty MAKE UP FOR EVER eyeshadow palettes for just 18.8 RMB (less than $3), while the official Taobao store prices them at 60 RMB (around $8). But since this small shop hasn’t enabled English features, you won’t find it or its products when using the app in English mode.
The smart move? Set your region to China and search using Chinese keywords or even images. That way, you’ll uncover the best deals and most suitable products out there.
Let me give another example. Suppose I’m a farmer in South Africa with an orchard to tend to. Most tractors in South Africa are made in China, but they’re really expensive. So I want to buy a tractor directly from China. Taobao is China’s biggest shopping platform, but when I search for "tractor" on it, I can’t find any products. However, if I switch to Chinese and search for "拖拉机" , a 20-horsepower tractor costs only around $800.
III. How to find reliable Taobao sellers?
To find reliable sellers on Taobao, you can refer to its credit rating system, which differs between Tmall and individual Taobao sellers.
Tmall stores are mostly business entities with stricter entry requirements. Their credit is reflected by indicators like "DSR scores" (Description, Service, Shipping), which are updated regularly. Generally, Tmall stores have relatively standardized operations, but there’s still a possibility of brush-up reviews (faked positive feedback) to boost ratings, though it’s less common compared to smaller sellers.
Individual Taobao sellers are rated by a "heart/diamond/crown" system based on transaction volume and customer reviews. However, brush-up behavior is more likely here—some sellers artificially inflate sales and reviews. To spot reliable ones, focus on detailed, genuine-looking reviews with real photos, and check the consistency of long-term rating trends rather than just high scores.
Here’s a practical tip to tell if a store’s reviews are genuine: compare sales volume with the number of reviews. If a store has very high sales but few reviews, its products are likely quite reliable. On the other hand, if a store has low sales but a lot of glowing reviews—many with photos, or numerous photo reviews added on the same day—the product listing is probably fake. It’s best to avoid buying from such stores.
Additionally, when checking product reviews, don’t stick to the default order. Instead, sort them by date—this way, you’ll get access to more authentic customer feedback.
First image: An individual Taobao seller with a 5-diamond credit rating, having sold approximately 5,000 to 10,000 products.
Second image: Product reviews sorted by default order, showing that most are positive.
Third image: The same product, with reviews sorted by date, revealing some negative comments.
IV. Taobao Seller Credit Rating
The Taobao star rating system classifies levels mainly based on the evaluation points accumulated by sellers. Each "positive review" a seller receives earns 1 point, a neutral review gives no points, and a negative review deducts 1 point. The specific grading criteria are as follows:
Heart level: Points within 250 are represented by red hearts, divided into 5 levels.
1 heart: 4 - 10 points
2 hearts: 11 - 40 points
3 hearts: 41 - 90 points
4 hearts: 91 - 150 points
5 hearts: 151 - 250 points
Diamond level: Points from 251 to 10,000 are represented by blue diamonds, also divided into 5 levels.
1 diamond: 251 - 500 points
2 diamonds: 501 - 1,000 points
3 diamonds: 1,001 - 2,000 points
4 diamonds: 2,001 - 5,000 points
5 diamonds: 5,001 - 10,000 points
Crown level: Evaluation points from 10,001 to 500,000 are represented by blue crowns, with 5 levels as well.
1 crown: 10,001 - 20,000 points
2 crowns: 20,001 - 50,000 points
3 crowns: 50,001 - 100,000 points
4 crowns: 100,001 - 200,000 points
5 crowns: 200,001 - 500,000 points
Golden crown level: Credit levels with more than 500,000 points are represented by golden crowns, totaling 5 levels.
1 golden crown: Over 500,000 - 1,000,000 points
2 golden crowns: Over 1,000,000 - 2,000,000 points
3 golden crowns: Over 2,000,000 - 5,000,000 points
4 golden crowns: Over 5,000,000 - 10,000,000 points
5 golden crowns: Over 10,000,000 points
V. How to pay on Taobao?
When shopping on Taobao, payments can usually be made via Alipay or credit cards. Here are detailed introductions to both methods:
Alipay is a powerful payment tool, and it is recommended as the preferred option. However, you need to register an Alipay account in advance. The specific steps are as follows:
- Download and Register: Search for "Alipay" in your mobile app store or Google Chrome to download the app. In the English interface, use your mobile phone number to register: click "Register Account", select "International Version", and enter the 6-digit SMS verification code received to complete registration.
- Set Payment Password: Tap "Me" at the bottom right of the screen, then click the "Settings" icon at the top right. Select "Payment Settings" → "Payment Password" in sequence, and enter a frequently used 6-digit number as your payment password as prompted.
- Real-Name Verification: In the "Settings" interface, click "Account and Security" and follow the prompts to complete verification (you need to select "Passport" and enter relevant information).
- Bind Bank Card: Tap "Me" → "Bank Card", click the "+" at the top right, enter your overseas bank card details (including card number, expiration date, CVV, etc.), re-enter your 6-digit payment password, and the binding is successful when "Added Successfully" is displayed.
- Complete Payment: After placing an order on Taobao, select Alipay as the payment method to finish the transaction.
Taobao supports payments via international credit or debit cards, such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. After placing an order, select the credit card payment option and enter your card number, expiration date, security code, etc., to complete the payment. However, Taobao charges a 3% handling fee, and the payment amount will be settled in RMB. Your bank will convert it to the corresponding foreign currency based on the daily exchange rate, which may incur an additional 1%-1.95% foreign currency transaction fee.
It should be noted that Taobao transactions are highly secure: the payment from buyers first goes into Taobao's platform account, and the platform will only transfer the funds to the merchant after the buyer confirms receipt of the goods or the system automatically confirms receipt. In addition, all Taobao merchants have paid a relatively high amount of deposit on the platform. If there is a problem with the transaction, buyers can apply to the platform to freeze the merchant's funds until the dispute is resolved.
VI. Can Taobao products be shipped directly to my home?
Shipping goods from Taobao to foreign countries mainly relies on two methods: official international logistics services and third-party consolidation/forwarding companies. Here is a detailed explanation:
Taobao's official international logistics services cover the following major countries and regions (as of July 2025):
- Asia: Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Hong Kong (China), Macau (China), Taiwan (China).
- North America: United States, Canada.
- Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Netherlands.
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.
In addition, some third-party logistics companies (e.g., Cainiao, SF Express) extend services to more regions such as the Middle East (e.g., Saudi Arabia, UAE) and South America (e.g., Mexico).
Taobao partners with Cainiao, SF Express, etc., to provide one-stop door-to-door services. The process is as follows:
Logistics Options:
- Economy (Sea/Land Transport): Suitable for bulk goods, with a delivery time of 30–60 days and a freight cost of approximately ¥15–30/kg.
- Standard (Airline ): Delivery time of 7–15 days, with a freight cost of approximately ¥40–80/kg.
- Express (DHL/UPS): Delivery time of 3–5 days, with a freight cost of approximately ¥100–150/kg.
Example: Shipping 10kg of clothing from China to the US via standard air transport costs about ¥500–800, while sea transport costs ¥300–500.
Cost Components:
- Base Freight: Calculated based on weight or volume (length × width × height / 6000), whichever is larger.
- Surcharges: For remote areas, residential delivery, and fuel surcharges (approximately 5%–15% of the freight).
- Customs Duties and VAT: Borne by the buyer, with rates varying by country (e.g., goods valued ≤$800 are duty-free in the US; EU VAT ranges from 15%–27%).
Operation Steps:
- Select "International Delivery" on the order checkout page and fill in the English address (including country, postal code, and phone number).
- The system automatically calculates the freight, which can be paid via Alipay or credit card.
Ideal for countries not covered by official logistics or for consolidating multiple packages:
Process:
- Goods are first shipped to a consolidation warehouse (e.g., Guangzhou, Yiwu), then consolidated and repackaged for unified shipping overseas.
- Some companies offer free storage (e.g., 30 days), photo inspection, and packaging reinforcement as value-added services.
Costs:
- Domestic Shipping Fee: Approximately ¥5–15/kg (waived if the seller offers free shipping).
- International Shipping Fee: Similar to official logistics, but some companies provide discounts (e.g., free shipping for orders over a certain amount).
- Other Fees: Consolidation fee (approximately ¥10–30 per order), insurance fee (1%–3% of the goods’ value).
Recommended Companies:
- Cainiao Consolidation: Covers 15 countries, supports DDP (duty-paid delivery), with North American orders growing by over 30%.
- SF International: Fast delivery (3–5 days) but with higher costs.
- 4PX: Cost-effective, suitable for small and light items.
Restricted Items:
- Prohibited items include animal/plant products, dangerous goods, and counterfeit goods.
- Sensitive items (e.g., food, cosmetics) require special customs clearance; some logistics companies (e.g., Super Ray) offer dual clearance and tax-inclusive services.
Customs Clearance Documents:
- A copy of your ID/passport and declared value of goods (recommended to be below the local duty-free threshold) are required.
- Some countries require a certificate of origin or quality inspection report (e.g., EU CE certification).
Logistics Timeliness:
- Official logistics: 7–15 days for Europe/North America, 3–7 days for Southeast Asia.
- Third-party consolidation: May experience delays of 5–10 days during peak seasons (e.g., Black Friday, Chinese New Year).
After-Sales Protection:
- Taobao offers a "Global Free Shipping Program," with return shipping subsidies available in some countries.
- It is advisable to choose insurance services to avoid loss or damage to packages.
Estimation Tools:
- The Taobao order page automatically calculates freight when you enter the address.
- Third-party company websites (e.g., Cainiao Consolidation, SF International) provide online quotes.
Cost-Saving Methods:
- Consolidate Packages: Combining multiple orders can reduce shipping costs (e.g., 60% savings for 5 items consolidated).
- Choose Tax-Inclusive Routes: DDP services, though with a 20% premium, avoid duty disputes.
- Take Advantage of Promotions: Taobao’s major sales (e.g., 618, Double 11) offer free shipping to some countries for orders over a certain amount.
Q: How is customs duty calculated?
A: Duty = Value of goods × Duty rate; VAT = (Value of goods + Duty) × VAT rate. For example, shipping ¥1,000 worth of clothing to Germany (10% duty, 19% VAT) incurs total taxes of ¥1,000×10% + (¥1,000+¥100)×19% = ¥309.
Q: Can I specify a logistics company?
A: Official logistics are assigned by the system; third-party consolidation allows self-selection (e.g., DHL, FedEx) but may require additional fees.
Q: How long does customs clearance take?
A: Normally 1–3 working days; may extend to 7 days if inspected or if documents are incomplete.
It is recommended to confirm the latest policies with Taobao customer service or logistics companies before placing an order to ensure smooth delivery of your package.
VI. Can large commodities be shipped?
As described in the previous article, I am currently in South Africa and have purchased a walking tractor via Taobao. However, I am not familiar with the customs clearance process and wonder if there is a more convenient and faster shipping method.
In fact, there are many domestic forwarding companies that offer customs clearance-inclusive services, which are not only professional but also reasonably priced. As I mentioned in another article, a walking tractor plus some farm tools, after being packed in a wooden crate with a volume of approximately 1.2 cubic meters, can be directly entrusted to a forwarding company to send to Johannesburg at a total cost of less than 3,000 RMB (about 400 USD). This price includes all expenses such as packaging fees, shipping fees, customs clearance fees, customs duties, and handling fees, with no additional charges required. Similarly, for most countries in Africa and South America, there are specialized forwarding companies that handle the transportation of large items, providing convenient and hassle-free services throughout the process.
VII. What should I do if the product purchased on Taobao has quality issues?
As China’s largest shopping platform, Taobao boasts a well-established after-sales service system. If the product you purchased has quality issues within the warranty period, you can follow these steps to resolve it:
First, you may communicate directly with the seller, who will usually take the initiative to negotiate a solution. If the seller refuses to handle your after-sales request, you can file a complaint with Taobao. Taobao has the authority and responsibility to manage its 入驻 merchants, and it will handle the issue impartially to ensure your legitimate rights and interests are protected.
If the above methods still fail to resolve your problem, please feel free to contact us at IMEXsourcing. We have a professional team of lawyers who can act on your behalf in handling complaints or lawsuits in China.
VIII. What Can IMEXsourcing Do for You in Your Taobao Shopping
During your Taobao shopping experience, IMEXsourcing offers multi-dimensional professional support to make cross-border shopping more convenient and efficient:
- If you have questions about product information, we can help translate product detail pages and communicate with sellers to confirm details, effectively avoiding misunderstandings caused by language barriers;
- For logistics, we will recommend reliable forwarding companies, coordinate to resolve issues such as transportation delays and package damage, and are particularly skilled in arranging cross-border transportation of large items;
- In case of after-sales disputes, in addition to the platform's regular handling procedures, our professional team can assist in negotiating with sellers and the platform; for complex disputes, our in-house legal team can provide compliant legal support and handle complaints or lawsuits on your behalf;
- Besides, we also provide value-added services such as price comparison and customs policy consultation to help you avoid potential risks in cross-border shopping.
We can also act as your agent throughout the entire process from procurement to transportation, providing you with one-stop service.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.