Once you’ve set up your Taobao account, you’re ready to start shopping and have items shipped to your door. While adding items to your cart is easy, there are a few things you should be aware of before placing your order. Based on my previous Taobao experiences, here are 7 tips to enhance your shopping experience and avoid overpriced shipping fees.

Table of Content

These tips are based on my experience and information from the Taobao website. Feel free to comment below if you have any additional questions.

Tip #1: Know Chinese

Taobao operates exclusively in Chinese, which can pose a challenge for non-Chinese speakers. While tools like Google Translate can assist with basic navigation, effective communication with sellers—whether for order inquiries or issue resolutions—often requires proficiency in Chinese. If you’re not fluent in Chinese, navigating Taobao can be difficult.

Alternative Solution: If you’re determined to shop on Taobao despite the language barrier, consider enlisting the help of a fluent Chinese-speaking friend or family member. Having someone who can read and write Chinese fluently can greatly facilitate communication with sellers, improving your overall shopping experience.

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Tip #2: Choose the Right Credit Card

Select a credit card that offers the best cashback for purchases in USD. Alipay, Taobao’s payment system, converts Chinese Yuan (CNY) to USD. Credit cards with UnionPay are also a great option as they can exempt you from currency conversion fees.

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Tip #3: Just Add to the Cart First

Shopping on Taobao is not a one-day process. Unlike other online stores, Taobao retains items in your cart indefinitely, even if they sell out. Adding items to your cart helps you find similar products with better prices or ratings over time.

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Tip #4: Plan Ahead and Wait for the Big Sale

Shopping on Taobao isn’t just about adding items to your cart—it’s a strategic process. Planning ahead and waiting for major sales can significantly enhance your shopping experience. Taobao regularly announces big sales well in advance, such as Women’s Day (March 8), Mid-Year (June 18), Singles Day (Nov 11), and Double 12 (Dec 12). These events offer substantial discounts and promotional offers.

Additional Benefit of Big Sales: During these peak shopping periods, Taobao usually ensures faster dispatch and delivery times for international orders. For instance, during Singles Day (Nov 11), Taobao guarantees dispatch within 24 hours and an estimated delivery time of 18 business days. If your parcel doesn’t arrive on time, you may even be eligible for compensation. Strategic shopping on these occasions can maximize savings and streamline your shipping experience.

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Tip #5: Assess Seller Ratings and Reviews

Checking seller ratings and reviews is crucial when buying from Taobao internationally, as highlighted in my previous guide. It’s essential to make informed decisions before making a purchase.

Always Check Seller Ratings and Buyer Reviews: Click on the “Rating 评价” to read reviews from other buyers. This step is similar to reviewing product feedback on platforms like Amazon. Pay attention to both positive and negative reviews to get a balanced perspective, as some overly positive reviews may not be genuine.

I always look for the button “Review with Photos and/or Videos 有图/视频”, so you can view the product quality more closely.

Avoid Sellers with Zero or Few Ratings: Avoid purchasing from sellers with minimal or no ratings. Instead, screenshot the product page and use the image search feature to find identical items from sellers with better reviews. This approach helps ensure a more reliable shopping experience on Taobao.

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Tip #6: Monitor the Shipping Cost

Taobao does not estimate international shipping fees until your products reach the warehouse. Here are two rules to keep in mind:

• Double the Product Price: Estimate the shipping fee to be equal to the product price. If the doubled price is acceptable, add the item to your cart.
• Avoid Large or Fragile Items: Large and heavy items, like storage boxes or furniture, often have unpredictable shipping fees due to overpackaging. Fragile items like ceramics and glass should also be purchased cautiously, as they can easily arrive damaged.

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Tip #7: Ask Sellers to Minimize Packaging

Since international shipping fees are based on the parcel’s weight when it arrives at the warehouse, ask sellers to minimize packaging. However, do not request this for fragile items. Always be polite to sellers, as they are more likely to accommodate your requests.

By following these tips, you can enhance your Taobao shopping experience and avoid unnecessary costs. Happy shopping!