[Complete Guide to Shopping on Taobao] Step-by-Step Instructions, Best Payment Methods, and Tips!

• This article is for reference only as it is merely a translated version of the Japanese article below.
  【タオバオ買い方完全ガイド】手順からお得な支払い方法・注意点まで徹底解説！ (Japanese version)

Taobao has won many fans thanks to its vast selection, affordable prices, and unique fashion items.

However, those using it for the first time may find themselves wondering, “I don’t understand Chinese,” “How do I make a purchase?” or “How do I handle payments?” and might feel uncertain about the process.

This article is a comprehensive guide for beginners, explaining everything from payment to delivery, with essential tips to ensure a smooth and cost-effective shopping experience on Taobao.

Before starting to shop on Taobao, be sure to refer to this guide.

What is Taobao?

Source: taobao.com

“Taobao” (淘宝网) is a Chinese online shopping site established in 2003 by the Alibaba Group.

It mainly operates on a C2C (consumer-to-consumer) business model, and it’s often said that there is nothing that can’t be found on Taobao, as products across all categories are available.

As of the end of March 2021, Taobao had over 150 million annual users, making it a very familiar shopping site in China. It is as widely used as Rakuten Ichiba is in Japan.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Taobao

One of the main advantages of Taobao is that individual consumers can purchase items starting from a single unit.

Additionally, it boasts a broader product lineup than other online malls, which adds to its appeal.

However, there are some disadvantages. Since most of the sellers are individuals, prices can sometimes be higher than those found on Alibaba, which specializes in wholesale.

Furthermore, the level of service from sellers is not standardized, meaning that until a purchase is made, it can be difficult to assess the quality of the product or the service of the store.

Steps to Shop on Taobao

The following are the steps to purchase items on Taobao. Keep in mind that you must register an account before searching for products on Taobao.

Registering an Account

1. Access Taobao (淘宝)
2. Click on “免费注册” (Free Registration) in the upper left corner of the homepage
3. Click on “同意协议” (Agree)
4. Register a mobile phone number

【画像：taobao.com】

Once registration is complete, you can log in and begin searching for products.

Product Search

Products can be searched by keyword or by category.

Source: taobao.com

Once the desired product is found, check its details. The listed price, such as “￥69.00,” is in Chinese Yuan. The equivalent price in Japanese Yen is displayed in gray text just below it.

When the destination is set to “Overseas,” the page will show the shipping cost within China and the estimated delivery time. Since these are only estimates, it’s recommended to confirm with the shop via chat for accuracy.

Source: taobao.com

After choosing a product, click “Buy Now” or “Add to Cart” to proceed to checkout.

Select Delivery Address and Shipping Method

On the next screen, register the delivery address and choose the shipping method.

There are two options for “Cross-Border Shipping Method”:

• “Official Consolidation – Air Freight”: Taobao’s official forwarding service, which allows multiple packages to be consolidated into one shipment.
• “Direct Shipment from Seller”: Direct shipping from the seller.

Using Taobao’s official forwarding service requires both a forwarding process and payment for international shipping.

If opting for direct shipment from the seller, be sure to ask through chat whether they can deliver to Japan and confirm the shipping cost.

Once the shipping method is decided, click “Submit Order (提交订单).”

Select Payment Method

Source: taobao.com

First, set a password for Alipay. Alipay is an electronic payment service operated by the Alibaba Group.

Even if paying by credit card on Taobao, registration with Alipay is necessary because credit card payments go through Alipay.

After registering with Alipay:

1. Enter the credit card number on the next screen and click “Next (下一步).”
2. On the following screen, input card details and click “Confirm Payment (确认收款).”

With that, the payment is complete!

The status of your package can be checked from “My Taobao (我的淘宝)” at the top right of the homepage.

Source: taobao.com

The displayed information is as follows:

• 待付款: Payment Pending
• 待发货: Awaiting Shipment
• 待收货: In Transit
• 评价: Awaiting Review
• 退款/售后: Cancellations, returns, etc.

Additionally, the tracking number for items in transit can be checked under “Track Logistics (查看物流).”

Important Points to Note When Shopping on Taobao

No English Language Support

Taobao’s website does not support English, which can be inconvenient for non-Chinese users.

Additionally, most interactions with sellers are conducted in Chinese, which may feel challenging for some.

A recommended solution is to use Google Chrome’s page translation feature.

By clicking the icon in the top-right corner and selecting English, the page content will automatically be displayed in English.

Alternatively, right-clicking on the page and choosing “Translate to English” will produce the same effect. While not 100% accurate, this tool allows for smoother navigation of foreign websites.

For those who are not confident in their Chinese language skills when chatting with sellers, using free translation services like DeepL or Google Translate is also recommended.

Source: taobao.com

Shipping Methods and Fees Can Be Confusing

The shipping fees displayed on Taobao product pages are typically the charges for delivery from the seller to a domestic warehouse within China.

To confirm the exact shipping cost to Japan, it is best to ask the seller through chat.

Even when using Taobao’s official forwarding service, “Official Consolidated Shipping – Air,” international shipping fees will apply.

Once the product arrives at the warehouse, a notification will appear on the user’s account page. By selecting the product to be shipped under the “Transaction Logistics” menu, the international shipping fee will be calculated. Follow the displayed steps to pay the shipping costs.

Customs Duty and Consumption Tax May Apply

When importing products from overseas for personal use, consumption tax may be incurred. Typically, the consumption tax for personal imports is applied to the total amount, which includes the product price, shipping, and insurance fees.

Customs duty may also apply to personal imports, calculated as follows:

Customs Duty = (Product Price + Shipping Fees + Insurance Cost) × Customs Rate

The customs rate varies depending on the product, so it is advisable to check the “Customs Tariff Rate Table” on the customs website.

Generally, if the total taxable amount is less than 10,000 JPY, customs and consumption tax are exempt.

However, there are exceptions, so refer to the Customs Tariff Act for more details.

What Are the Fees for Payments on Taobao?

When paying with a credit card on Taobao, a fee of approximately 6% to 6.8% is charged.

The breakdown is as follows:

Taobao’s Fee: 3%

When purchasing products from Taobao from Japan, the standard payment method is credit card.

A 3% fee is charged on the product price as Taobao’s service fee.

Credit Card Foreign Transaction Fees

Be aware that additional foreign transaction fees may also be charged by the credit card issuer.

These fees apply when making payments in currencies other than the card’s set currency.

The fees vary depending on the card type and issuer, but for transactions in Chinese yuan, the charges typically consist of:

Foreign Transaction Fee to Card Issuer: 2.2% – 2.6%
Brand Fee (VISA, MasterCard, etc.): 0.8% – 1.2%
Total: 3% – 3.8% in exchange and transaction fees

Two Recommended Debit Cards for Affordable Payments on Taobao

Finding great deals on Taobao can be exciting, but high fees can negate those savings.

For cost-effective payments on Taobao, two recommended debit cards are “Wise (MasterCard)” and “Revolut (VISA).”

First, let’s compare the fees with typical credit cards.

While standard credit cards charge around 2.4% – 3.4% in fees, Wise offers a rate of 1.18%. Revolut charges between 0% – 0.5% for weekday transactions.

By using Revolut on weekdays and Wise on weekends, users can minimize transaction fees to the lowest possible amount!

Let’s introduce the features of each card.

Wise

Source: Wise Payments Japan K.K.

Wise offers several advantages, including no annual fees and low foreign transaction fees.

It supports electronic payments, so purchases can be made directly from a smartphone, making it a convenient option for those who prefer not to carry a wallet or physical card. Wise is compatible with “Apple Pay” on iPhones and “Google Pay” on Android devices.

Another notable feature is its high level of security. Wise is registered with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau as a funds transfer provider, ensuring security comparable to that of a bank. This makes it a reliable choice for opening an account with confidence.

Revolut

Source: REVOLUT TECHNOLOGIES JAPAN

Revolut allows users to issue “disposable virtual cards,” which can be used for one-time transactions.

After a transaction is completed, the card information automatically disappears, minimizing the risk of misuse even if data leaks. Additionally, Revolut offers refund support, making it a secure option for overseas shopping.

Revolut has three different plans: Standard, Premium, and Metal. The top-tier Metal plan offers 1% cashback (up to 5,000 JPY), which means that spending 200,000 JPY covers the 1,980 JPY monthly fee.

[Limited Offer] Revolut Premium Plan Free for 3 Months

By signing up for the Revolut Premium Plan through this page, users can enjoy three months of free service, which usually costs 980 JPY per month.

This offer is ideal for those planning to travel abroad or looking to easily manage and hold foreign currencies.

Click the button below to access the three-month free offer for the Revolut Premium Plan.

This article has covered everything from registering on Taobao, how to make purchases, and recommended payment methods to important tips. Be sure to use this guide to enjoy cost-effective international shopping!