Taobao is a godsend for homeowners. You know it, your neighbour knows it, everyone knows it. Can’t afford that $300 couch at a local store? Just add a similar one to your cart on Taobao for as little as $60, and it’ll arrive at your doorstep in a few weeks.
While shopping on Taobao opens up a world of incredible deals, the process of getting those items delivered internationally can be a headache, especially when it comes to finding reliable third-party forwarders. We’ve all heard of the horror stories of packages getting “lost” in transit, unexpected price hikes, or customer service that disappears the moment things go wrong.
What is a Taobao third-party forwarder?
A Taobao third-party forwarder is a service that helps international shoppers buy products from Taobao, and have them shipped to their home countries.
Taobao recently rolled out an English version of its app to cater to international users. However, it’s still a work in progress—some products don’t appear on the English version that are otherwise available in the Chinese one. Because of that, using a third-party forwarder might still be your safest bet to ensure your Taobao haul arrives without a hitch.
Some forwarding services even offer photo verification features so you can confirm your items before they’re shipped out, helping you avoid any nasty surprises or mix-ups in transit.
1. Superbuy—refund excess shipping
Image adapted from: Superbuy
Superbuy has a very straightforward service: they help you buy stuff, check that it’s not janky, then ship it to your doorstep. The site is also easy to navigate, so you won’t need to scratch your head at confusing buttons or tabs.
They refund any extra shipping fees at dispatch, which isn’t something you see often with other forwarders. And if anything goes sideways, their customer service team is just a message away to help you.
Their shipping fee structure may look a little confusing, but we’ve made it easy to digest. Basically, the shipping cost depends on your package’s size and weight, or its volumetric weight, whichever is greater. Volumetric weight is used when you have a lot of lightweight items, like if you’re buying storage boxes in bulk for your friends and family.
Do note that there is a first weight charge, which is the minimum weight of the parcel to be charged. Minimum weight varies depending on the shipping method, but if your package weighs less than this unit, you’ll still be charged the first weight unit.
They also charge a 10% service fee, which is higher than some other options.
Check out Superbuy here.
2. FreeShoppingChina—offers drop shipping services
Image adapted from: FreeShoppingChina
FreeShoppingChina helps smoothen your shopping experience on Taobao and 1688 (Alibaba) by filtering out irrelevant items, ensuring that you only see what you’re looking for. They also offer dropshipping services for online retailers and budding entrepreneurs.
International shipping fees to Singapore start at approximately $21 for the first 0.5kg, with each additional 0.5kg costing around $8. For parcels between 10 to 50kg, they cost approximately $11 per kg, while parcels over 50kg are charged at about $10 per kg. Note that there’s also an additional customs declaration fee of around $2.
Whether you’re an individual buyer or a business, they handle purchases of various sizes. One thing to consider, however, is that they mainly focus on Taobao and 1688, so if you’re looking for products from other platforms, you may need to explore other options.
Check out FreeShoppingChina here.
3. 42agent—“Shop For Me” service
Image adapted from: 42agent
If you want a “white glove” service, 42agent has a service that can shop for small items from various Chinese e-commerce sites for you. It’s like having a savvy friend in China who handles everything from chatting with the sellers to sorting out payments and shipping.
They also conduct thorough inspections before sending them off, and if you ask nicely, they’ll even do an unboxing video, all free of charge
They offer transparency in their pricing with no hidden fees. Reviews of 42agent have also praised the responsiveness of their customer service who keeps buyers informed throughout the entire buying and shipping process.
42agent charges an 8% service fee on the total item cost and domestic shipping, with a minimum charge of around $5.50. While this fee covers their full suite of services, it’s slightly higher than some competitors, making it something to consider if you’re on a budget.
Check out 42agent here.
4. Basetao—lowest service fees in the industry
Image adapted from: Basetao
Basetao has some of the lowest service fees in the industry, which is great news if you’re shopping on a budget. They also provide an insurance policy for shipments, ensuring that your purchases are protected. Additionally, Basetao offers up to 180 days of free storage, so that you can combine all your shipments into one neat haul without paying extra.
Some users have noted that their website can be tricky to navigate, especially for newcomers. And with no mobile app, smartphone users might find it a bit less convenient.
The estimated cost to ship a 4kg parcel with their E-express service is estimated at $57. This price includes the service fees, shipping fees, payment processing and customs clearance.
Check out Basetao here.
5. Panli—payment without currency conversion
Image adapted from: Panli
Foreign exchange fees can be quite daunting, especially if you’re planning to make a big haul. Fortunately, Panli lets you check out your cart with Paypal, so you can tack all the currency conversion fees to them instead of to your credit card. They also roll out promotions pretty often, so be sure to look out for those before checking out your cart.
Panli also provides a shipping fee estimation tool to save you the hassle of doing mental calculations, something most of us dread. But here are some things to note about Panli’s shipping service: they have a mandatory service fee of around $2 per package, and you’ll want to make sure your declared parcel value to Singapore stays under $400 to avoid additional duties and taxes at customs.
While Panli’s website includes an automatic translator, some product listings remain in Chinese, which can be a major hurdle for non-Chinese speakers. English support is available in moderate amounts, and it’s not as comprehensive as other platforms that offer fully localised interfaces and end-to-end services in English.
Check out Panli here.
6. Sugobuy—comprehensive service process
Image adapted from: Sugobuy
Worried about your parcel getting damaged during shipping? Sugobuy provides quality control checks to ensure your items are in good condition before being shipped internationally, along with warehousing services.
Their process covers product selection, payment, inspection and delivery and even free storage at their warehouse for up to 90 days. Additionally, they offer parcel tracking information so you can stalk your parcel.
Though Sugobuy provides a helpful service guide, their service fees and shipping costs aren’t clearly listed on the website, making it harder to compare prices. You’ll need to sign up and log in, select the goods you want to purchase, only then you will know the estimated costs for shipping.
Check out Sugobuy here.
7. Parcel Up—offers discounts on international shipping
Image adapted from: Parcel Up
Parcel Up offers discounted international shipping, which can be useful if you’re juggling multiple orders from different sellers. They also provide translation services, making it easier to communicate with sellers if you don’t speak Chinese.
With a secure gateway, transactions are kept safe, and their support for returns and exchanges helps take the hassle out of unexpected issues. Plus, they offer a Taobao shipping fee calculator to give you a clearer idea of what your final costs might be.
That said, keep in mind that Parcel Up charges a 10% service fee based on the item’s price, with a minimum fee of about $6. One drawback is the limited courier flexibility, as they only offer their own shipping services.
Check out Parcel Up here.
What are the benefits of using a forwarder instead of Taobao’s direct shipping?
Using a forwarder helps cut down shipping costs, lets you consolidate packages, and offers more shipping options and better customer support—way more than you’d get with Taobao’s direct shipping.
Plus, you get better control over your shipment since forwarders let you inspect your packages before they’re sent out. No more surprise fees or last-minute overcharges! Some even offer specialised shipping solutions, making it possible to ship items that Taobao normally restricts.
However, for single-item purchases where convenience is a priority, Taobao’s direct shipping might work just fine.
For more articles on Taobao buys:
- Ultimate guide to buying furniture on Taobao
- No-regret Taobao buys by Singaporean homeowners
- How this homeowner styled his condo with Taobao furniture
Cover image adapted from: Basetao Facebook, ParcelUp Facebook
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