Guide on how to buy and ship from Xianyu (idlefish) 闲鱼 app

Discovering Hidden Treasures on Xianyu

Xianyu (闲鱼), also known as Idle Fish, is China’s biggest second-hand marketplace app owned by Alibaba. What started as a platform for locals to sell pre-owned items has now evolved into a goldmine of collectibles, rare items, cosplay gear, and even new unused products sold at a bargain. While it’s not officially built for international buyers, many ecommerce resellers and niche collectors are finding clever ways to tap into this platform. If you’re curious about sourcing unique or discounted items from China, Xianyu could be the treasure trove you’ve been looking for.

What You Can Find: 

Limited-Edition Collectibles

• Designer toys, figurines, and art pieces: Mysterious vintage toys, collaborations, and rare drops.

• Sneakerheads’ dreams: One-off colorways, limited collaborations, or customs.

• Anime, manga, and idol merchandise

“Nearly New” Items

• Sometimes users gift items and never use them—making them essentially new.

• Great for beauty products, baby gear, gadgets, or tools.

• High value, but with bargain prices—like full skincare sets still in sealed boxes.

Cosplay & Props

• Costumes, wigs, foam props, weapon replicas, battlewear.

• Often home-sewn or hand-crafted, sold by fellow cosplayers.

• Some sold only once, others upcycled—often cheaper than new.

Albums, Books, Media

• Photo books, K-pop albums, Box Sets, limited-edition releases.

• English or translated used novels, manga runs, and collector music packs.

• Hard-to-find items—such as indie zines, original vinyls, or writings from now-closed stores.

Clothes, Shoes & Bags

• Branded fashion: streetwear, luxury preloved designer, vintage pieces.

• Rare Zara or H&M lines, vintage wuxia robes, or qipao dresses.

• Footwear including Chinese sneakers, international brands, or custom cleats.

Trading Cards & Idol Cards

• Card packs from mobile games, idol photocard, Pokémon/Japan imports.

• Authentic Betty, TOMY, Pokémon, K-Pop photocards and print sets.

• Rare cards in new or sealed condition—great for collectors.

Electronics & Hobby Gear

• Drones, lenses, audio gear, DIY boards, retro gaming systems.

• Some devices are grey-market models (non-China sellers), others imported from Japan/New US.

• Mods, accessories, or unused parts—often at big discounts.

Niche & Vintage Items

• Antique decor, sixties vases, retro posters, old-school phones.

• Handmade crafts, artisan pottery, vintage homewares, and analog gear.

• Gardening accessories, rare spice sets, or imported office supplies.

Toys & Miniatures

• Plushies, collectibles, model kits.

• Custom mini paint models, resin-made figures from indie gigs.

• Brands like Gundam, Hot Toys, Soundwave, alongside China-only releases.

How to Use Xianyu Efficiently

Getting Started with Xianyu from Outside China

• Proxy purchasing through agents (like Com&Buy).

Search Like a Pro

• Use Chinese keywords, filter on “近新品” (near new/gently used) and price.

• Access hidden categories via hashtags or group tags like “玩具/模型区”, “宅/动画战队”.

• Sort filters by “包邮” (free shipping).

Communicating with Sellers

Ask about:

• Item’s history, lifespan, and condition details.

• Shipping and packaging quality (“包装现状如何?”).

• Request extra photos, provenance info, if authenticity is a concern (especially for idols items).

Payment & Shipping

• Alipay in-app makes it smooth; escrow protects both buyer and seller.

• For overseas shipping, use trusted package forwarding warehouse solutions.

Tips for Finding Rare or High-Value Items on Xianyu

Xianyu isn’t just about bargains—it’s a treasure trove for collectors, flippers, and trend-savvy resellers. But finding gems among millions of listings requires strategy. Here’s how to get the most value out of your searches.

Use the Right Chinese Keywords

Instead of searching in English, always use simplified Chinese for better results. Here are some effective keywords for niche categories:

• “闲置” – idle or unused (great for new/unopened items)

• “限量” – limited edition

• “绝版” – out-of-print / no longer produced

• “动漫周边” – anime merchandise

• “手办” – figurines/model kits

• “原箱” – original boxed

• “日版” / “美版” – Japanese or US edition

Combine terms for deeper filtering, like:

“绝版 手办 原箱” = Rare out-of-print figurine with original box.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Xianyu

While Xianyu is a goldmine for second-hand gems and rare finds, navigating it as a non-local buyer can be tricky. Here are some common mistakes international users make—and how to avoid them:

1. Assuming Everything Listed Is Available
   Unlike Amazon or Taobao, Xianyu doesn’t automatically remove sold listings. Many sellers leave up old posts for display or comparison purposes. If you don’t confirm with the seller, you might waste time trying to buy an item that’s no longer in stock.

   Tip: Always ask “还在吗？” (Is this still available?) before placing an order or sending payment.




2. Paying for a Deposit Thinking It's the Final Price
   Some sellers list items marked “仅定金” (deposit only), meaning you’re just paying a portion of the full cost. Buyers sometimes assume they’re getting a bargain, only to find out there's more to pay later.

   Tip: Watch for keywords like “定金” (deposit), “尾款” (remaining balance), or “拼邮” (shared shipping). If unclear, ask the seller directly: “总价是多少?” (What’s the total price?)




3. Not Checking Item Size or Measurements
   Chinese sizing often differs from Western standards, especially for clothes, shoes, and accessories. Some buyers receive items that are far too small—or in the case of homeware or bags, much smaller than expected.

   Tip: Ask for exact measurements in cm or inches. Use phrases like “请问尺寸是多少?” (What are the dimensions?) or “可以拍尺码图吗?” (Can you send a size photo?)




4. Assuming the Seller Speaks English
   Xianyu is a domestic marketplace built for Chinese users. Most sellers only speak Mandarin and may not understand English. Sending messages in English could be ignored or misunderstood.

   Tip: Use simple Chinese phrases (or tools like Com&Buy’s “Ask the Seller” service) to communicate effectively. Even using auto-translated Chinese greatly improves your chances of a reply.




5. Believing All Photos Reflect the Current Condition
   Some sellers use stock photos or old images from when they first bought the item. This doesn’t always show the true current state—there may be scratches, fading, or missing parts.

   Tip: Always request recent photos: “可以拍今天的照片吗?” (Can you take today’s photo?) or “有瑕疵吗?” (Are there defects?)




6. Not Accounting for Domestic Shipping or Delays
   Xianyu items are usually shipped within China first before reaching a forwarding warehouse. Some sellers also indicate they won’t ship during holidays, vacations, or busy seasons—especially students or part-time sellers.

   Tip: Check shipping status: look for terms like “暑假不发货” (won’t ship during summer) or “不接急单” (no urgent orders). Ask about handling times before confirming your purchase.




7. Ignoring the Listing Description Tags
   Important cues are often hidden in subtle text. For example:

   • “仅展览” ➜ Display only, not for sale

   • “暂挂欣赏” ➜ Just listed for fun, not selling

   • “面交” ➜ Seller requires face-to-face pickup (not possible for overseas buyers)

   Tip: Carefully translate the full listing. If unsure, ask an agent or use a translation tool to clarify the seller's intent.




8. Forgetting That Some Items Are Upcycled or Modified
   Sellers often resell DIY kits, repainted models, or partially used cosmetics—items that may not be factory-sealed. Some may be broken, refurbished, or altered for artistic effect.

   Tip: Ask if it’s a modified version: “这是原装的吗?” (Is this the original version?) or “有修改过吗?” (Was it modified?)

By avoiding these mistakes, you can shop on Xianyu more confidently—and discover rare gems without frustration.

Xianyu Glossary : Tips on what to look out for from the listing

• 9.5成新 ➜ Product condition is 95% New

• 预售 or 定制品 ➜ Preorder

• 仅定金 ➜ Deposits

• 卖掉了 or 已售出 ➜ Sold out

• 套出 ➜ Selling out as whole set/bundle only

• 仅展览 ➜ Display only; listing not for sale

• 勿拍 or 需要联系 ➜ Contact first before order

• 直拍 ➜ No need pre-inquiry

• 暂不出 ➜ Temporarily not for sale

• 暂挂欣赏 ➜ Temporarily listed for appreciation/admiration

• 已预订 or 已预留 ➜ Reserved not for sale

• 需提确 ➜ Prepayment

• 面交 ➜ Self Collect in person (Note: Com&Buy does not support this option)

• 暑假不发货 ➜ Not available during summer vacation

• 不接急单 ➜ No urgent orders

• 拼邮, 收到货后再发, 后期补尾款 ➜ Orders that require to wait a long time to ship

If you have questions about the condition of an item or its stock level, explore our Ask the Seller service.

Want to Start?

Download the Xianyu app, create an Alipay account, and explore using the tips in this guide.

Need help purchasing or forwarding shipments?

Let Com&Buy assist — we help international buyers receive, check, and ship their Xianyu treasures safely, with no hassle.