Can Canadians Buy from Taobao? Absolutely! Here’s How

Does Taobao Ship to Canada?

Yes! Taobao offers international shipping to many regions, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and, of course, Canada. With this global reach, Taobao has become a go-to marketplace for international buyers.

Real User Experience (from Reddit): Many Canadian buyers confirm that Taobao shipping works smoothly. Most prefer Consolidated Shipping (集运) for lower costs, while others noted that Direct Mail is faster but pricier. One buyer mentioned receiving packages within 1–2 weeks via air freight without extra customs fees, while another reminded that luxury items or replicas could increase the chance of customs inspections.

Two Ways to Buy from Taobao and Ship to Canada

When purchasing items on Taobao, you have two main options:

• Self-Ordering: You buy directly from Taobao and choose the right international shipping method for your goods.
• Taobao Agent: You send the product links to an agency, and they handle the purchase and shipping for you.

For those who enjoy a bit of a challenge, self-ordering is a fantastic choice. If you prefer assistance, agencies can simplify the process, but this guide focuses on self-ordering for independent buyers.

Step-by-Step: How to Buy from Taobao Yourself

1. Register a Taobao Account

Start by creating a Taobao account via phone number. Some Canadian users on Reddit also suggested using Alipay for smoother checkout and to complete real-name verification with a passport if needed.

2. Set Your Location and Currency

After successfully logging in, configure your location and currency to ensure a seamless shopping experience.

1. Go to “Settings” (设置) > “Country/Region, Language, Currency” (国家/地区、语言、货币).
2. Select “Country/Region” (国家/地区) > “Canada” (加拿大).
3. Set “Payment Currency” (支付币种) to “Canadian Dollar" (CAD 加拿大元).
   

3. Add a Canadian or Third-Party Warehouse Address

Once your settings are updated, add your delivery address. Reddit users shared that adding either a direct Canadian address or a consolidation warehouse works well—just make sure the name matches your Taobao/Alipay real-name details to avoid issues.

• For a Canadian Address: Go to “Settings” (设置) > “Delivery Address” (收货地址) > “Add New Address” (新增地址). Enter your Canadian address.
  
• For a Third-Party Warehouse Address: Copy the warehouse's address provided by the shipping company. For example:
  Name：Cassie（JYS001）
  Address: Shen zhen city, Guangdong province
  Phone number: +86 18033xxxx47
  Post Code: 518129

  4. Paying on Taobao

  Many buyers in Canada report no issues paying with international credit cards or PayPal via Alipay. Just ensure you complete real-name verification in Alipay first, otherwise payments may fail.

  1. Add the item to your cart: “Add to Cart” (加入购物车).
  2. Go to “Shopping Cart” (购物车) > Select the item > “Checkout” (结算).
  3. Scroll to the bottom and select “Use a New Credit/Debit Card” (使用新的Credit/Debit Card). Enter your card details:
     • Card Number
     • Cardholder’s First and Last Name
     • Expiry Date
     • CVV Code

• 5. Choosing a Shipping Method

  If you use a 3rd - party Taobao forwarding service, you don’t need to select a shipping method on the Taobao app. 

  Taobao provides various shipping options based on your needs.

  • Official Taobao Shipping Options:
    • Direct Mail - Air Freight (直邮 - 空运)
      
    • Direct Mail - Sea Freight (直邮 - 海运)
    • Consolidated Shipment - Air Freight (集运 - 空运)
      
    • Consolidated Shipment - Sea Freight (集运 - 海运)
      

  Community Insight: In the Reddit thread, Canadian shoppers overwhelmingly preferred consolidated air shipping. They found it reliable, cost-effective, and rarely faced extra customs charges. However, those who ordered replicas or luxury items reported higher risks of customs inspection. So, for everyday items, consolidated shipping is best; for luxury goods, be prepared for possible duties.

• Note: For the English version of the site, only direct shipping is available. The Chinese version provides more shipping options.

  6. Tracking Your Logistics

  • For Third-Party Forwarding: Navigate to “My Taobao” (我的淘宝) > “My Orders” (我的订单) > “Pending Receipt” (待收货).
  • For Official Taobao Shipping:
    • Direct Mail: Go to “My Taobao” (我的淘宝) > “Cross - Border Logistics” (跨境物流) > “Logistics Order” (物流订单).
    • Consolidated Shipment: Check under “Pending Consolidation” (待集运) in the same section.