How buying with an agent works
Most Chinese marketplaces, like Taobao, Weidian and 1688, don't ship abroad and only take Chinese payment methods. A shopping agent fixes that. You send the agent a product link and pay them; they buy the item for you, receive it at their warehouse in China, photograph it, and ship everything to you in one parcel.
You pay in two stages: first for the items (plus delivery to the warehouse), then later for international shipping once you know what your parcel weighs.
The eight steps
- Create an account with an agentSign up with your email and set your country and currency. Add your delivery address now so shipping quotes are accurate later.
- Top up or pay by cardMost agents let you pay per order by card or PayPal, or keep a balance. A balance can save on payment fees if you order often.
- Find an item and copy its linkCopy the product link from Taobao, Weidian or 1688. Our ordering guide shows which links work.
- Paste the link and pick the optionsPaste it into the agent's search bar, choose size and colour, and add a note for the buyer if anything needs checking.
- Pay for the itemYou pay the item price plus Chinese domestic shipping to the warehouse. Nothing international yet.
- Check the QC photosWhen the item reaches the warehouse (usually 3 to 7 days), staff photograph it. Check it with our QC guide, and return or exchange it if something's wrong.
- Build your parcel and pick a lineSelect the items to ship together, choose packaging options and a shipping line. See shipping lines explained.
- Pay shipping and track itPay the international shipping, then follow the tracking number until it arrives. Import tax may apply. See customs by country.
How long it takes
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Seller ships to the warehouse | 1 to 5 days |
| Arrival, QC photos and storage | 1 to 3 days |
| Packing your parcel | 1 to 3 days |
| International shipping | 7 to 25 days, depending on the line |
| Total | about 2 to 5 weeks |
First-order mistakes
- Shipping every item on its own. International shipping is the biggest cost. Wait until all your items arrive and ship them together.
- Ignoring volumetric weight. Shoe boxes are bulky. Removing them can cut the price a lot. Try the weight calculator.
- Guessing your size. Chinese sizes often run small. Compare the seller's size chart in centimetres with a piece of clothing you own.
- Skipping QC. Once a parcel leaves China, returns are almost impossible. Check every photo before you ship.
TipDo a small first order: two or three items. You'll learn the whole process for a few dollars of shipping before you build a big haul.