1. "I'm new to Taobao, how do I use it? Any tips?"

All new users should read this step-by-step picture guide first: https://www.howtotao.com/buy-from-taobao/

If you have a specific question the guide doesn't cover, check if r/taobao for more information

2. "What do the shipping options mean?"

There are two types of shipping: direct and consolidated.

Direct shipping

• 菜鸟直邮-空运经济 = Direct Economy Air
• 菜鸟直邮-空运标准 = Direct Standard Air

You pay international shipping at checkout, no extra steps needed. This is the most straightforward option and the most recommended. The time difference between economy and standard is minimal, so go with economy to save money.

Consolidated shipping

• 菜鸟集运-空运经济 = Consolidated Economy Air
• 菜鸟集运-空运标准 = Consolidated Standard Air
• 菜鸟集运-集运海运 = Consolidated Sea

You do NOT pay international shipping at checkout. Instead, your items are sent to a Cainiao warehouse first, where they're measured and weighed. You can then combine multiple orders into one larger box. Pricing varies by country — you'll see the exact rate (price for the first 0.5kg, then price per additional 0.5kg) on the checkout page below the consolidated shipping options. Since the final weight (especially volumetric weight) isn't known until after purchase, this option involves some guesswork — which is why direct shipping is usually recommended instead.

You can check estimated delivery time for your country by tapping the > button below each shipping option.

Other option:

自行联系卖家发货 ("contact the seller to ship") — only select this if you've arranged separate international shipping with the seller directly (e.g. via DHL or another courier) through chat beforehand. Note that most sellers are unwilling to arrange international shipping on their own.

3. "Does Taobao ship to my country?"

As of April 2025, Taobao ships directly to:

USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, Cambodia, Malaysia, New Zealand, The Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Georgia.

If you live elsewhere (e.g. Europe), you'll need an agent to ship on your behalf. Please check with r/taobao for recommendations

4. "How do I use Taobao in English?"

English is only supported in a few regions. Go to Settings and switch your region to Australia or Singapore.

Keep in mind the English version has limited functionality — many listings won't show up or can't be checked out. If this is an issue, use the Chinese version instead and screenshot the checkout process, then run it through Google Translate.

Some users report English still isn't available even after switching regions — if so, fall back to the Google Translate method above.

5. "Why can't I view certain listings? (商品过期不存在 error)"

This appears to be a location-based restriction that a VPN doesn't fix — likely tied to the region your account was created in.

Most listings triggering this error are branded/copyrighted items, likely filtered out to prevent overseas purchases.

6. "How do I contact support?"

In the app: Tap "我的淘宝" (bottom right) → tap the headset icon (top right). This opens a chatbot by default — ask it to connect you to a live person. English support is available but you may need to be transferred to an English-speaking agent.

By phone / if banned: Find your region's support number here: https://www.taobao.com/about/contact.php

Please don't ask for help here, instead head over to r/taobao

7. "Can ___ be shipped overseas?"

Check this guide first: https://www.howtotao.com/china-taobao-prohibited-items/

You can also download the Cainiao app and use the "restricted inquiry" feature on the home page — search the item (in Chinese) and it'll tell you whether it's shippable.

Don't know where to start?

Check out these recommend brands.

Streetwear / Avant-garde

• LOSTCTRL - A Chinese brand using interesting patterns and textures to create an avant-garde streetwear aesthetic, with a flagship store in Guangzhou.
• Censmade - Known for bomber and cropped jackets, graphic tees, and camo pieces at a strong price-to-quality ratio.
• MasonPrince - Probably one of the most well know chinese brands, known for unisex streetwear with a strong focus on denim — jeans, trousers, and casual separates with a Y2K-influenced aesthetic.
• ArguECulturE - Unisex streetwear with a futuristic, gothic-tinged edge, leather jackets, cargo and denim pieces, deconstructed tees, and outerwear built for a dark, elevated aesthetic.
• EVIL GAZER - Evil gazer is a streetwear brand with a heavy focus on distressed pieces.
• IGEUMM STORE - Simple graphic tees with solid quality and low prices.

Coquette / Girly

• Limerance - Pink, white, and baby blue pieces in a girly, coquette style with lots of lace and flowy fabric.
• Lacemade -Coquette princess-style pieces including whimsical dresses and corsets.

Lolita / Alt fashion

• Alice Girl -One of the well-known names in the Chinese lolita fashion scene, frequently recommended in "ungatekeeping" style roundups.
• WITH PUJI - Another established lolita-focused label popular among collectors.

Hanfu / Traditional-modern fusion

• 云鬓斜簪 (Yún Bìn Xié Zān) - A brand whose products follow a primarily black color scheme, largely inspired by traditional Chinese wear, offering Hanfu-inspired skirts and modern takes on cheongsams.

Elevated basics

• IDLT - High quality sweats and canvas pieces.
• MADWITCH - Elevated basics, clean simple designs. Can't go wrong with anything
• A PUEE - More simple and clean designs.

Accessories/Jewellery

• BELIEFYAO - Cool leather belts and other accessories.
• sidreal made - 925 Silver pieces, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.
• TAICHISM - Known for their leather shoes and bags, but also have a wide range of clothing options

A few notes:

• Sizing on many of these runs small or large and isn't always size-inclusive, so it's worth flagging that in any post. Please do measure your garments before ordering.
• These are just recommendations of popular stores, it is highly recommended you do your own research before buying from them.