Does Taobao Ship to USA?

Taobao, also known as China's version of Amazon, is one of China's e-commerce giants, peaking with over 800 million users.

But can Taobao ship to US? Yes, Taobao provides delivery services to the United States, but the Taobao platform and most of the sellers on the platform only speak Chinese

Because of these language barriers, American users cannot purchase products on Taobao without any problems.

So is there a way to solve this problem? In this article, you will be able to talk about all the information about purchasing products on Taobao.

Let's start with the basics!

What Is Taobao?

Founded in 2003, Taobao is an internet website based out of Hangzhou owned by Alibaba. Chinese designed, over 20 years old. Consumer-to-consumer (C2C) platform a Originally, Dangdang was positioned as a rival to EachNet (a Chinese online shopping site under the eBay era).

After defeating Eachnet, Taobao secured a whopping market share of 60%.

With over 1 billion product listings, it is often said that you can buy alanalyze which of these methods is best for you.most anything on Taobao.

Due to the large number of product listings and the high price competition, products on Taobao are relatively cheap.

Does Taobao Ship to the US?

Yes, Taobao does allow shipping to the US. However, the process is very complex.

Taobao did not provide delivery services outside of mainland China in the early days, but recently the platform has supported delivery services to the following countries and regions:

• USA
• Australia
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Japan
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Hong Kong
• Malaysia
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Philippines
• Cambodia

If you hold citizenship in any of the aforementioned countries and regions, you are eligible to register on Taobao and have products shipped.

Products on Taobao That Cannot Be Shipped to the US.

Taobao offers a wide variety of products, but not all items can be shipped to the US.

The platform has certain policies for export goods, and some sensitive items are not allowed to be shipped.

Taobao’s official shipping does not cover these items, and Taobao will not be responsible if your goods are detained.

However, these products can be shipped more securely through Taobao agents.

Sensitive Items

The following is a list of products considered too sensitive by Chinese shipping authorities:

1) Medicines or chemicals

Medications and chemicals, whether solid or liquid, fall under the category of sensitive items.

Taobao has restrictions on exporting medications.

2) Foods

Food is prohibited because it is perishable.

There is not enough space to store any food, even if it has a long shelf life.

3) Magnetic Items

Magnetic items are considered hazardous because they can interfere with aircraft signals.

Therefore, aviation rules and regulations strictly prohibit the transportation of magnetic items.

However, they can be transported by sea or land using specialized packaging.

4) Liquids

Liquids such as shampoo, toothpaste, or liquid soap are considered sensitive items.

There is always a risk of leakage during transportation, so these items are not allowed.

5) Batteries

Batteries are unsafe in many ways. Particularly during flights, the presence of batteries can interfere with signals.

Taobao does not allow the shipping of items containing batteries, such as smartphones.

6) Valuables

Valuable items such as gold, silver, gemstones, or artworks are considered sensitive due to their susceptibility to theft and damage, and therefore cannot be shipped.

7) Politically Sensitive Items

Items that contain politically sensitive content or controversial information related to the Chinese government are considered sensitive and may be seized.

These items can include digital media and printed media, such as videotapes, USB drives, CDs, drives, newspapers, or posters.

8) Flammable Items

Items that could potentially catch fire or cause a fire are considered sensitive.

These items include deodorants, perfumes, oils, glues, and similar products.

Prohibited Items

The following items are undoubtedly seen as a clear danger to authorities and cannot be shipped under any circumstances.

1) Drugs

Not surprisingly, addictive substances such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and cannabis are classified as prohibited items for shipping.

2) Explosive Items

For obvious reasons, the explosives would not pass muster with the authorities.

Gunpowder, matches, fireworks, pesticides, and similar items are strictly prohibited from being shipped.

3) Animals

Any form of animals will be seized by Chinese port customs.

Animal hides, meat, or bones are prohibited from being shipped. Pets are also included.

4) Firearms

Chinese authorities prohibit the shipment of firearms, gunpowder, ammunition, knives, swords, or any type of weapon.

5) Items That Exceed the Max Weight/Length

Although items that exceed weight or volume limits can be shipped, additional fees will be charged.

If your item surpasses the length of 80 cm, then it counts as an excess.

The total length, width, and height should not go beyond 150 cm.

Similarly, the maximum weight allowed for an item is 22 kilograms. Anything above this mark will cause issues for you.

Note that these limits may slightly vary based on the shipping line.

6) Replica Items

Chinese authorities consider shipping counterfeit products of well-known brands to be a violation of copyright.

Any counterfeit goods that resemble the original in appearance will be seized at the port.

How to Register a Taobao Account in the US?

We mentioned that the Taobao website is entirely in Chinese.

Luckily, Google Chrome can help you complete the registration process by translating the page into English.

While Chrome's translator isn't completely accurate and has a ton of grammatical errors, it's good enough to help you sign up.

You can also download Google Translate to help you through the sign-up process.

Like any other platform, you just need to provide Taobao with some basic information.

Here are the step-by-step instructions for signing up on Taobao.

• Visit Taobao's registration page.
• Enter your phone number and click the orange button.
• Taobao will now display a confirmation dialog. Clicking it will resolve the dialog.
• Enter the verification code sent to your phone number.
• Once Taobao approves the code, you’ll be directed to the official homepage and browse through its millions of products!

The registration process is not complicated at all.

Now that you have signed up for a Taobao account, the next step is to ship your products to the United States.

How to ship from Taobao to the United States

There are many ways to ship from Taobao to the United States. Let's take a look at each one and then analyze which of these methods is best for you.

Taobao Official Logistics

Although this is the safest way to buy and deliver Taobao via their official logistics, its definitely not a walk in the park. Taobao has only air and sea as their delivery services. You need to have an address in the US so they can ship it there for official Taobao delivery. On the Taobao homepage, locate "Delivery Address" on the left sidebar and click into it to input in your correct personal address using a US-based code. Save after doing so. The first step is to add the items you want to purchase, and other facilities which support fast shippingee. Clicking on it will bring you to this page: Facemask store on Taobao.

For international users, there are two payment methods.

The first payment you make will consist of:

• The value of your products
• Shipping costs to deliver to a freight warehouse.

This payment will cover half of the shipping process and will be considered completely separate from the subsequent process.

When your goods arrive at the warehouse, you will receive a confirmation SMS on the phone number you registered with.

The next step is to ship your goods from the warehouse to your personal address in the United States. Please note that your goods can be stored in the warehouse for free for up to 20 days.

With this, the next part of your shipping procedure begins. Taobao's freight forwarder will now request payment to consolidate your products and ship them internationally.

Once the payment is completed, all that remains is to wait for the goods to be delivered to you.

Third-Party Freight Forwarders

Another way to ship from Taobao is to use a third party freight forwarder.

Freight forwarders can handle shipments from China to the United States.

You will need to register on their website and make a note of the address they give you.

Then set it as your Taobao shipping address.

When you purchase an item on Taobao, the item will be shipped to that freight forwarder's address. The freight forwarder will then ship the item to you.

This process is basically the same as the official Taobao shipping method, except that a third party handles your shipping process and you pay a fee.

Taobao Agents

Sourcing products from Taobao can be a tedious process. There is a lot of manual work involved, which can be problematic.

If things seem too complicated, then hiring a Taobao agent might be a good idea.

Taobao agents are individuals who are willing to complete the Taobao buying process for you.

They can also be full-fledged companies that handle shipping, but generally speaking, Taobao agents can do more than just ship your products.

Taobao agents can negotiate/buy items on your behalf, inspect the items, and ensure delivery to your door. And there will be no language barriers.

Of course, hiring a Taobao agent will cost more than completing the buying process yourself.

However, if you are not familiar with the details of the Chinese buying process, then hiring a Taobao agent might be more useful to you.

How to Browse Products on Taobao

Browsing products was tricky for English speakers until Taobao’s image search feature came.

Though you can rely on Google translate for translating search queries into Chinese, the translation can sometimes be inaccurate.

So, the most accurate way to search and browse products on Taobao is through the image search button.

In the search bar, you’ll find a camera symbol that allows you to choose an image of a product.

Once you hit enter, Taobao will display the closest results to your product image.

The best part is that Taobao even lets you crop the image if multiple products exist.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship from Taobao to the US?

The total shipping cost of an item depends mainly on the size or weight of the package.

Usually, the cost is calculated by checking the physical properties of the package.

If your package is heavy but covers a small area, then its shipping cost will be determined by its weight.

However, if it is light but covers a large area, then its volume is the determining factor.

This is why it is not recommended to ship bulky and lightweight products from Taobao, such as pillows.

Because the cost is based on the space occupied by the item, not the weight.

Taobao allows you to calculate the shipping cost for each package while waiting for consolidation.

Once your packages are ready for consolidation, go to the Cross-border Logistics Management section from the Taobao homepage.

Here, the website will automatically provide you with the exact shipping cost for each package.

Note: The above costs are only applicable to Taobao official logistics.

If you use a third party to ship your products, then you will need to pay additional fees for their services.

Tips for Optimizing Shipping Costs from Taobao to the US

Shipping from Taobao to Taobao the U.S isn’t as straightforward and may require a lot of trial and error before you finally find the fastest and cheapest way.

Taobao can give you access to the best prices on the global market, but if you can't optimize your shipping costs, then everything will be in vain.

When it comes to reducing shipping costs, third parties are simply out of the question.

This leaves us with only one option, Taobao official logistics.

You must be thinking, if the only option is Taobao's own delivery method, what other options are there?

Some strategies worth considering may reduce your shipping costs.

However, these require brainstorming, calculations, and testing.

1) Pick Products Wisely

The first step is to use Taobao's costing techniques and use them to your advantage.

Taobao's shipping costs are based on the weight or size of the package.

This means that an item with less space, less weight, and higher value is priced the same as an item with less space, less weight, and lower value.

In short, two items of the same size but with very different market values cost the same to ship.

You can choose a product with smaller size but higher intrinsic value and pay the same shipping cost.

We know that your product specifications may not always give you the freedom to choose, but this is a great way to save costs.

2) Have the Seller on Your Side

Although it’s almost impossible for Taobao sellers to understand English, having their help can bring you unexpected gains.

Not only can you negotiate the product cost with the seller, but you can also have them package your items to reduce shipping costs.

For example, by mixing your items, the possibility that you will be taxed separately for each item will be greatly reduced.

These tips require the seller to be on your side and are only possible if there is no language barrier between you and them.

3) Consolidate Your Orders Carefully

Choosing the frequency or quantity of items to combine can save you money during shipping.

Some sellers offer free shipping when your bill is over a certain amount. So make sure your shopping cart is filled with the corresponding amount.

FAQs about Shipping from Taobao to the US

How long does it take to place an order from Taobao and receive the goods in the United States?

In general, the Taobao products will arrive in America in 10-20 days.

Specifically, it takes 3-7 business days for Taobao to deliver your items to the forwarder.

In addition, the forwarder will then deliver the goods to your home address. That will take 7 to 14 days.

How do I pay for My Orders on Taobao?

Generally, the default payment method TaoBao applies is Alipay. So, remember to activate your Alipay account before you pay the item.

Meanwhile, you can use international payment methods like VISA, JCB, Mastercard, if necessary.

But there is one point you need to pay attention to. The international payment method is to lower your Alipay account, lifts will charge a 3% processing fee for this.

Best Shipping Method for Taobao?

Which is best shipping method for Taobao depends on which products are you buying.

If product is light weight and not much of a big item to handle, then you should go with air shipping. And if products are heavy, then obviously sea shipping will be best.

Which one is better, AliExpress or Taobao?

If you are not familiar with Chinese sellers and policies, AliExpress may be better for you

But if you are willing to research and put in some effort to get the best price, Taobao can save you a lot of money.

Final Thoughts

Once you start shopping from Taobao, you will understand why it is called the Amazon of China.

We can imagine what heights the Taobao platform would reach if it became more foreigner-friendly.

If you are not familiar with how Chinese e-commerce platforms work, you will definitely encounter some obstacles in the process of shipping from Taobao.

In this scenario, your best bet is to use the services of an agent willing to source Taobao products for you at the best rates.

And this is where HandHunt comes in. We can help you source your desired products from Taobao, all you have to do is find the product you need

Let us bridge the gap between you and Taobao. Our expert agents await your response!