A Guide on How to Buy Stuff from Taobao

Taobao is one of China’s largest online marketplaces, with 892 million monthly active users in 2023. Known for its competitive prices and vast product selection, it has become increasingly popular with international shoppers, including those in Singapore.

Currently, Taobao offers a global site accessible to customers in Singapore, Hong Kong, Macao and beyond. However, shopping on the platform can be complex and overwhelming, especially for those who may not read and fully understand Chinese. Moreover, there are some sellers on Taobao who may not be able to deliver items overseas.

Our guide not only helps you learn how to navigate the platform but also helps you buy things from Taobao.

Step-by-Step Guide on Shopping from Taobao’s Website

For customers who may be interested in buying items from Taobao but may not fully understand Chinese, this is how you can navigate the platform with ease:

1. Website Translation

If you’re unfamiliar with Chinese, use the Google Chrome page translation feature to set the Taobao page in your preferred language. Access the Taobao website via Google Chrome, then click the translation button in your browser’s search bar to switch the text to English or another language.

2. Register an Account

Once the website has been translated, click the Sign Up for Free button. Simply provide your phone number and wait for the verification code.

3. Set up Your Shipping Address

Once you’ve finished the registration process, set up your shipping address. To do so, click the button with your Taobao account number and go to account settings. Then, select “shipping address” from the sidebar and provide your preferred delivery address.

4. Search for Products

Now, it’s time to shop. The search bar can actually detect your search even if you type in English. However, the results may be limited. Therefore, if you are unable to do so, use Google Translate to convert your text to Chinese. While it may not be accurate, it can still be helpful.

5. Choosing a Product

When you find an item you like, review the product page carefully. Key details to check include:

• Product Specifications: Ensure the size, colour, and other details match your needs.
• Customer Reviews and Ratings: Learn about the product’s quality from previous buyers.
• Seller’s Reputation: Opt for sellers with high ratings and positive feedback to reduce risks.

It’s recommended that you take your time evaluating each product. That way, you can discern whether the product is the right one for you.

6. Adding Items to Cart and Checkout

Once you’re ready to make a purchase:

• Add to Cart: Click the cart icon to add the item.
• Review Your Cart: Double-check all product details and quantities.
• Checkout Your Order: Confirm everything is accurate, then click Checkout to complete your order.

7. Pay via Alipay

To complete your payment, you will be redirected to an Alipay page. In the upper left corner, switch to the "overseas" version of Alipay. From there, you can choose to pay using your Alipay balance or a credit card. Please note that a fee may apply for cross-border transactions.

If you're using Alipay for the first time, you will be prompted to create a six-digit payment password. This password will be required for every transaction verification. After setting up your payment password, you will be directed to a form to enter your credit card details. Once you've completed the form, you can proceed to finalize your payment.

How to Ship from Taobao to Your Address in Singapore

The three types of shipping methods most commonly used in Taobao are direct shipping, consolidated air freight, and consolidated sea freight.

• Direct Shipping: With direct shipping, each of your purchased items is registered at the Taobao warehouse and shipped individually to your address.
• Consolidated Air Freight: Consolidated air freight is a popular option for buyers purchasing multiple items. Taobao collects all your orders at their warehouse, combines them into a single shipment, and sends them to Singapore via air.
• Consolidated Sea Freight: Consolidated sea freight is ideal for large or heavy orders. Similar to air freight, your items are combined at the warehouse, but they are shipped to Singapore by sea.

How to Use a Non-Taobao Shipping Partner

If having your items directly delivered to your Singapore address is difficult, you can also opt for a non-Taobao shipping partner, such as Com&Buy, to assist with your purchases.

This is how we can help you with shipping from China to Singapore:

1. Register an Account with Com&Buy

Create an account on Com&Buy by providing the required details or logging in with your Facebook account for quick access.

2. Use the Provided Warehouse Address for Your Taobao Checkout

Once registered, you’ll receive the address of Com&Buy’s warehouse in China. Use this as your delivery address when checking out on Taobao.

3. Register Your Singapore Address on Com&Buy

Ensure your Singapore address is saved in the ‘Address Book Entries’ for seamless delivery.

4. Submit a Shipping Request

After completing your purchase, enter the product details in the Ship For Me form. For bulk orders, upload the details using an Excel file for convenience.

5. Make Payment and Wait for Delivery

Once your packages arrive at our warehouse, you’ll receive a payment notification. Complete the payment, and we’ll process your shipment for delivery straight to your door.

Other Ways to Shop on Taobao with Com&Buy

Com&Buy offers multiple convenient ways to shop on Taobao, making it easier than ever to access millions of products. In addition to purchasing directly through the Taobao website, you can use Com&Buy's Google Chrome extension or shop directly through our user-friendly website.

a. Com&Buy’s Taobao Google Chrome Extension

Simplify your shopping experience with the Com&Buy Taobao Google Chrome extension. With this powerful tool, you can browse and add items from Taobao, Tmall, and 1688.com directly to your Com&Buy cart. The extension streamlines the process, allowing you to submit orders or buy items in bulk without needing to navigate to the Com&Buy website. This is an excellent option for frequent shoppers or businesses that handle large orders, as it saves time and minimises manual steps.

b. Shop for Taobao Items on Category Pages

Com&Buy’s website features an intuitive shopping experience powered by an integrated Taobao API. This integration populates Taobao products directly onto Com&Buy’s platform, letting you browse, search, and shop for items without leaving the Com&Buy website.

Simply find the products you need by going through the different categories in the “Category” tab. You can narrow down your search by clicking through the sub-categories and providing your price range.

Once you’ve found what you’re looking for, add them to your Com&Buy shopping cart, and complete the checkout process. Afterwards, fill out the necessary shipping details, and Com&Buy will handle the rest.

Why Choose Com&Buy?

Com&Buy simplifies the Taobao shopping experience for Singaporeans by offering:

1. Chinese Shipping Address

Com&Buy provides you with a reliable warehouse address in China, which you can use during checkout on Taobao. This is especially useful for items that don’t ship internationally or for consolidating purchases into a single delivery.

2. Purchasing Assistance

If navigating Taobao feels overwhelming or if you’re unfamiliar with the platform, we provide a Shop for Me service, where our professionals handle the entire purchasing process on your behalf. Simply provide the item’s URL, and we will take care of the rest.

3. Package Consolidation

Save significantly on shipping costs by combining multiple purchases into one shipment. Com&Buy’s package consolidation service ensures that all your items are packed together for efficient and cost-effective delivery.

4. Reliable International Shipping

With Com&Buy, your items are securely shipped from their China warehouse to your doorstep in Singapore. Their dependable international shipping service ensures peace of mind, with packages tracked every step of the way.

5. Hassle-Free Shopping Experience

Whether you’re a first-time Taobao user or a regular shopper, Com&Buy takes the stress out of the process. Their comprehensive services allow you to focus on finding great deals while they handle the logistics.

Shop Items from Taobao with Com&Buy Today

Don’t let language barriers or the complexities of international shipping stop you from getting the items you want from Taobao. As a trusted shipping forwarder in Singapore, Com&Buy is here to provide a seamless and hassle-free experience. Whether you’re treating yourself, surprising your loved ones, or sourcing products for your small business, our dedicated team ensures your orders are handled with care and delivered reliably to your doorstep.

Start your Taobao shopping journey with Com&Buy today and enjoy a smooth, stress-free process. For more insights on our services, learn more about parcel forwarding and how it can benefit you.