Taobao (淘宝) is the most popular shopping App in China. You can find almost everything on Taobao. If you want to buy products you couldn’t find on Amazon, you can try Taobao. Or you want to sourcing products for wholesale, you can also try Taobao. In this article, I will show you how to sign up Taobao account for foreigners. Getting a Taobao could be very helpful for your shopping online.
What is Chinese version of Amazon?
There are two main online shopping platforms like Amazon in China. One is Taobao(淘宝), and the other one is JD.COM(京东).
Taobao was launched in 2003, owned by Alibaba Group. Jack Ma led an 18 employees small company to start a new business model- an online shopping platform. This business model was copied from Amazon, though Amazon was only selling books at the very beginning.
You should know that China does not have many people get used to credit cards. So Jack Ma did a really smart move is launched Alipay.
Alipay is a third-party payment system, that almost beat the China banks. Alipay launched is a milestone of China payment system. If Alipay didn’t launch, you need to stand the worst bank service. I need to confess that Alipay and Taobao changed China’s payment system and shopping habits.
Another main payment in China is WeChat Pay, owned by the Tencent group. WeChat was launched later than Alipay, but due to the Tencent group is the owner of the only two instant message social media – QQ and WeChat. Which makes it grow fast.
WeChat pay is the main payment for JD.COM. Tencent group is competing with Alibaba, so Tencent group works with JD.COM to compete with Taobao.
Taobao English version
How can I use Taobao English version? Or how to change Taobao language?
Unfortunately, you can’t change Taobao language, Taobao only supports Chinese language. However, if you need to change Taobao language, you can use Google chrome browser to open Taobao.com and then translate the whole page.
Or you can use other translation tools to translate the Taobao page on laptop browser.
Besides, if you do need a English version of Taobao, then you should check out the AliExpress. AliExpress is an online shopping platform for foreigners. It was launched for global users who can’t understand Chinese language.
Is Taobao cheaper than AliExpress?
Generally speaking, Taobao is cheaper than AliExpress. But you should know that if order products in bulk, Taobao isn’t always cheaper than AliExpress.
The main reason why Taobao is cheaper than AliExpress is the shipping cost.
So, if you can find a cheaper shipping cost agent, then Taobao is a good choice for you.
Is Taobao shipping free?
Taobao is shipping free for mainland China users. Because there are many shipping companies and shipping services. So 99% of Taobao products are shipping free.
But if shipped to outside of mainland China, you need to pay for shipping fees. Because it needs extra shipping service and cost.
That’s why I said, if you buy in bulk, you can still choose Taobao rather than AliExpress. Because products in bulk cost lower shipping fees.
However, sometimes, you can get a better price on AliExpress as well, depending on whether AliExpress stores have an overseas warehouse or not. And how you negotiate with them.
NOTE: If you’re ordering from regions of China. The total shipping fees to your country are not being calculated until all your ordered items reach the ship-out center from various vendors. And if you want to return the items, you probably need to pay for the shipping fees.
How to sign up Taobao (淘宝) account?
You can register a Taobao account on the App or taobao.com webpage. I will both cover the App way and webpage way.
Register Taobao account (App)
- Search for “淘宝” on the Google play store or apple store.
- Open the Taobao淘宝 App.
- Click on 同意 to agree to the terms and privacy policy.
- Tap 好的 and allow 淘宝 the following permissions.
- Click on the bottom right corner 我的淘宝
- Tap 立即注册
- Select the region code and enter your phone number.
- Check the privacy policy and then click on 立即注册.
Register Taobao account (taobao.com)
- Open the browser on the PC and enter URL: Taobao.com
- Click on 注册.
- Select the region code and enter your phone number.
- Click on 获取验证码 to get an SMS verification code, and Enter it.
- Check the privacy policy and then tap 注册.
Do I need Alipay for Taobao?
Taobao is available for foreigners. You can use Taobao from outside of China. As for the payment, Alipay isn’t the only option for you.
You may need to know how to activate Alipay.
For mainland China users, you can use those payments:
- Alipay
- China Bank card
- China credit card
- Alipay Huabei (花呗)
- Alipay balance (支付宝余额)
For global users you can use those payments:
- VISA
- Master
- JCB
You might encounter an error when making a payment. You can contact their 淘宝 official supports to help you.
- 台湾Taiwan服务热线（+886）277054306
- 香港Hong Kong 及其他海外地区global 服务热线（+852）30183610
- 新加坡Singapore 服务热线（+65）31633159
- 马来西亚Malaysia 服务热线（+60）392125564
- 澳大利亚Australia服务热线（+61）383738606
Or contact their online support
Does Taobao take Paypal?
Sorry, Taobao is for Chinese users mainly. So Taobao does not support PayPal as payment.
What if I can’t create a Taobao account or Alipay account? You really need to buy some items from Taobao.
Don’t worry about that, contact me let me help you with that.
