Taobao, recognized as China’s largest e-commerce platform, has revolutionized the way consumers shop. With a vast array of products ranging from everyday items to unique and specialized goods, Taobao caters to a diverse customer base, offering convenience and a wide range of choices at competitive prices. As a subsidiary of the Alibaba Group, Taobao has established itself as a dominant player in the online retail space.
“Can you shop on Taobao and have items shipped to the United States? The answer is yes. In fact, Taobao allows shopping and shipping to many countries around the world. The main considerations are the cost of shipping and whether there are any restrictions on the items you wish to purchase. Let’s discuss this in more detail.”
What is Taobao?
Taobao is one of China’s largest online retail and shopping platforms, and since its establishment in 2003, it has become an important player in the e-commerce sector both in China and globally. Taobao is renowned for its vast assortment of products, convenient shopping experience, and competitive prices. For American users, the appeal of Taobao lies in the access it provides to a wide range of unique products, including handicrafts, designer brands, and everyday items, often offered at more affordable prices and many of which are hard to find in the US market.
The Difference Between Taobao and Tmall
Taobao and Tmall (Tmall) are both shopping platforms under Alibaba Group, but they have different positioning and target audiences. Taobao primarily caters to individual sellers and small businesses, offering a free market environment where anyone can open a store and sell goods. In contrast, Tmall is more of a premium platform, specifically serving brand merchants and formal large retailers, with all merchants on Tmall required to undergo a strict vetting process. For American users, both Taobao and Tmall are accessible for purchases in the US, which means shopping on Tmall could be considered safer and the quality of goods more guaranteed, although the prices might be slightly higher than those on Taobao.
Taobao’s Language Interface
The primary language interface of Taobao is Chinese, which may pose a challenge for American users who do not understand Chinese. Nevertheless, by utilizing the automatic translation feature of browsers or installing specific translation plugins, American users can still browse and shop on the platform relatively conveniently.
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Payment Options for Shopping on Taobao
For American users, Taobao offers a variety of payment methods, including Alipay, international credit cards, and debit cards. Shopping on Taobao with internationally issued credit cards (except in Washington State) incurs a handling fee of 3% of the purchase price of the goods. Additionally, banks in the United States may charge a foreign transaction fee (FTF) of 2-3%. It is advisable to use a travel card that does not have a foreign transaction fee.
Customer Service for Taobao in the US
Taobao offers a degree of customer support for English-speaking customers, aimed at assisting English-speaking international shoppers with any questions or issues they may encounter during the shopping process. We have mentioned this in a previous article; please refer to the article “How can I Contact Taobao Customer Service?” for more information.
How can American buyers register for Taobao?
Let’s look at how US users can register on Taobao. While Taobao is primarily in Chinese, you can choose the English interface during registration.
Open world.taobao.com (Please remember to open the international version) and click on “（免费注册）Free Registration.”
Here, you can see an option for “English” on the right side; click on it, and you’ll see the interface change to English. Then, select “United States US+1.” Enter your US phone number and click to “Request verification code”. You will receive a verification code on your phone;
Enter this code and click “Agree and Register.”
Currency Conversion to USD for Shopping on Taobao from the US
When shopping on Taobao from the United States, currency exchange is an important consideration. Prices on Taobao are listed in Chinese Yuan (CNY), and you will need to convert these into US Dollars (USD) to understand the actual costs. Many online currency converters can assist you with this. Additionally, Taobao supports settings for different currencies. For more detailed information on how to change currency on Taobao, please refer to my previous article, “How to Change Currency on Taobao?”
Can items purchased on Taobao be shipped to the United States?
Yes, products purchased on Taobao, whether from Taobao or Tmall, can be shipped to the United States. Taobao offers a variety of international logistics solutions, including official consolidated shipping services, third-party freight forwarding services, and Taobao Agent Services, to meet the needs of overseas buyers. When making a purchase, buyers can choose the appropriate shipping method based on the weight, volume, and their specific requirements for the goods. However, shipping costs, delivery times, and potential customs duties are factors that need to be considered when choosing to ship to the US. Each option has its characteristics and factors to consider
3 Ways to Ship to the United States
1. Taobao Official Consolidation (Official Consolidated Shipping)
- Advantages: Taobao Official consolidation Shipping is usually provided by Taobao itself, ensuring the safety and reliability of the logistics. By using the official logistics service, buyers can enjoy relatively lower shipping costs and more direct tracking services.
- Disadvantages: Not all items support direct shipping to the US, and in some cases, the cost of official consolidated shipping may be higher than that of third-party logistics.
2. Third-Party Freight Forwarding Services (Forwarding Services)
- Advantages: Third-party freight forwarders offer a wider range of logistics options, including but not limited to package consolidation services, which can significantly reduce shipping costs, especially when purchasing multiple items from different sellers.
- Disadvantages: Using a third-party freight forwarder can increase the handling time of packages, may incur additional service fees, and might not be as direct and transparent in terms of logistics tracking and customer service as official consolidated shipping.
3. Taobao Agent Services
- Advantages: Taobao Agent services provide convenience for US buyers who are not familiar with the Taobao platform, do not speak Chinese, or cannot find the official consolidated shipping option. Agents can assist with the purchasing process (including checking items and confirming with photos with the buyer), logistics arrangements, and possible returns or exchanges.
- Disadvantages: Taobao Agent services usually charge a certain fee. Moreover, when buying items through an agent, it may be difficult for buyers to communicate directly with the seller, potentially weakening control over specific product requirements and after-sales service.
When choosing the suitable logistics solution, buyers should consider the nature of the goods, their budget for shipping costs, delivery time, and personal preferences. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s best to choose the one that best suits your needs.
How long does it take for a package to be delivered to the United States?
The delivery time for packages shipped from Taobao to the United States can vary significantly depending on the chosen shipping method: official consolidated shipping, third-party freight forwarding services, or using a Taobao agent, with both air and sea transport offering different time efficiencies. Here’s an overview of what to expect with each option:
Official Consolidated Shipping
- Official consolidated shipping typically strikes a balance between cost and delivery time. Packages shipped this way can take approximately 10 to 20 days to arrive in the US, but sea transport might extend up to 50 days. This option is generally more reliable as it is officially supported by Taobao, providing tracking and customer service support.
Third-Party Freight Forwarding Services
- The delivery time with third-party freight forwarding services can vary widely based on the efficiency of the agent, the chosen service, and the shipping route. Generally, these services can range from 7 to 30 days. Some agents offer expedited options that might deliver faster but at a higher cost, while standard options are slower but more economical.
Using a Taobao Agent
- When using a Taobao agent, the delivery time includes not only the shipping time from China to the US but also the agent’s inspection and processing time. This process can take from 15 to 30 days or more, depending on the efficiency of the agent and the shipping options they choose. Agents might offer faster shipping methods for an additional fee.
It’s important to note that these time frames are estimates and can be affected by factors such as customs clearance, holidays, and logistic delays. Additionally, potential customs duties and taxes on international shipments can also influence the choice of shipping method, as some options might be better at handling such requirements than others.
How much does it cost to ship to the United States?
The cost of shipping to the United States also depends on the method of shipment and the specifics of the goods. Generally, the cost of using official logistics or a third-party freight company is relatively higher, but the service is more convenient and reliable; whereas shipping through a Taobao agent might be relatively cheaper, but could incur some additional intermediary fees.
In most cases, for air freight of general goods, the cost is approximately 70 yuan per 500g for the first weight and 50 yuan per 500g for the additional weight; for sea freight of general goods, the current cost is 38.9 yuan per 1kg for the first weight and 34.9 yuan per 1kg for the additional weight.
Potential customs duties or tax rates for US buyers on Taobao purchases
For American users purchasing items through Taobao, the potential customs duties or other taxes largely depend on the type of goods, their value, and the specific regulations of U.S. Customs. U.S. Customs allows personal import items below a certain value to be exempt from customs duties, but this exemption limit can vary depending on different situations and over time. Once the exemption limit is exceeded, customs duties will need to be paid based on the classification of the goods. Generally, imported goods valued under $200 may not incur any customs duties, while goods valued under $2,000 will be subjected to customs duties based on the value of the package.
- Customs Duties: The customs duty rates for imported goods in the U.S. are determined based on the specific classification of the goods, following the Harmonized System Code. The duty rates for different types of goods can range from zero to over 20%.
- Sales Tax: In addition to customs duties, sales tax may also be required depending on the state where the recipient is located. Sales tax in the U.S. is levied by state governments, and tax rates vary by state.
- Other Fees: Additionally, there may be other fees, such as storage fees and processing fees, which are usually charged by the courier company or third-party logistics provider.
To accurately understand the potential customs duties and taxes, it is recommended to consult the official website of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or a professional import agent before making a purchase. Moreover, the chosen method of logistics (such as official consolidated shipping or through a third-party freight forwarder) can also affect the final taxes and handling fees required.
Prohibited and Sensitive Items from Taobao Shipped to the United States
When purchasing items on Taobao, it’s crucial to know which goods are prohibited from being exported from China or cannot be purchased due to export restrictions. These items are classified as “prohibited items” and may be refused by general freight agents or even Taobao’s official consolidated shipping services.
- Various drugs and infectious items
- Narcotics and psychotropic substances
- Cultural relics, antiques, weapons, and other items prohibited from circulation by the state
- Items harmful to China’s politics, economy, culture, and morals
- Radioactive materials and hazardous goods
- Flammable and explosive items
- Chemical waste, medical waste, etc.
- Battery-powered items (excluding electronic products with lithium batteries)
- Magnetic objects
- Radio transceivers, encryption communication devices, etc.
- Chemical drugs, medical products
- Toxic substances, infectious items, corrosives
- Various gases, liquids
- Precious metal products and valuables
- Currency in circulation, gambling equipment, etc.
- Plants and animals, natural resource specimens
- Items harmful to public health
- Perishable items, fresh and frozen meat
- Restricted goods related to national welfare and people’s livelihood
- Natural resources like forest resources and minerals
- Items with sensitive shapes or that cannot be disassembled internally
- Fertilizers, cigarettes, food, CDs
- All medications
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Conclusion
Despite Alibaba Group having a platform specifically for overseas users, such as AliExpress for Americans, we can see that many Americans still purchase items from Taobao through various means. This is because Taobao offers a wider variety of items at more favorable prices. We hope this article is helpful for Americans shopping on Taobao.
