Taobao
How to Buy from Taobao Outside China
Prepare a useful Taobao buying request, confirm the right options and separate the product price from the costs of getting it to you.
Start with the exact item
When you find something on Taobao, save the product link or copy the complete app share text. Keep a screenshot of the option you want, especially when a listing has several sizes, colors, bundles or models. A product title alone can leave too much room for interpretation.
You can send that information to Merqelio Buy without registering for a customer account on this website. You do not need to turn the Chinese text into English first. The initial request is reviewed by a person and does not automatically place an order.
Explain the specification in a way that can be checked
A useful request includes:
- The full product link or app share text.
- The selected color, size, model or version, copied as shown where possible.
- The quantity for that particular option.
- Questions about dimensions, material, included parts or visible condition.
- Your destination country and any timing requirement.
If you want two different sizes, add them as separate items or make the quantities and options unambiguous in the specifications. If a choice cannot change, say so. Do not assume a seller will treat a similar name or photograph as an identical product.
Ask the questions before paying
The review may involve asking the seller whether the selected option is available, what is included and how domestic delivery is handled. Some questions cannot be answered from a listing photograph. A screenshot with the relevant area identified can help communicate what you need checked.
If the price or specification differs from what you expected, review that difference before approving a purchase. Merqelio Buy does not automatically replace an unavailable option with another color or model.
Read the quote as several separate costs
The seller’s product price is not necessarily the amount needed to receive the item internationally. Domestic shipping, buying assistance, agreed optional inspection or packaging, international shipping and applicable payment or destination charges are distinct components.
Before proceeding, ask which costs are confirmed and which still need measurement or review. A shipping estimate made before the parcel is packed may change once its actual weight and dimensions are available. The website does not promise a live carrier rate or an exchange rate that has not been configured.
For a single-platform Taobao order, the buying fee is 5% of the product subtotal, with a US$5 minimum, when it is up to CNY 300. Above CNY 300 and up to CNY 2,000, it is 8% of that entire subtotal; above CNY 2,000, it is 5%. The subtotal includes the selected items and quantities, with domestic shipping, international shipping and taxes excluded from the fee base. The percentage and USD minimum are compared using the exchange rate confirmed in the quote. Requests combining platforms receive a manually confirmed fee. See the published buying fee schedule.
Decide what should happen after arrival
Tell us in advance if you need photographs of a particular part, a quantity check, extra protection or original packaging retained. A photo inspection documents agreed visible details; it is not professional authentication or technical testing.
If you are buying from several sellers, eligible goods can be reviewed for consolidation. This can simplify the shipment, but the final cost depends on the packed parcel and available route. Removing a retail box requires your agreement because it can affect protection, return options or collector value.
Warehouse storage is free for 30 days. The start date and any extended-storage fees are confirmed in your quote before storage is extended.
A simple request example
“Please check this Taobao listing. I need two units of the navy, medium option shown in the screenshot. Please confirm the listed measurements and whether the accessory is included. Destination: Canada. Keep the original retail boxes.”
That is enough to start a focused discussion. Avoid sending account passwords or payment information. Your reference number, when a request is successfully saved, is the useful detail to keep for later follow-up.