Shopping on Taobao in 2025? Here’s What Beginners Should Know

Taobao is a treasure trove of great deals, unique products, and endless choices—but if you’re buying from outside of China, it’s a slightly different game. Here’s your no-fluff guide to make sure your shopping experience goes smoothly from start to finish.

1. Real-Name Verification Is a Must

Before you even add an item to your cart, there’s one thing you need to know: Taobao requires real-name authentication for all users.

If you're a Chinese citizen, you’ll use your 18-digit Resident Identity Card number—a unique ID issued by the Chinese government.

If you're not a Chinese citizen, your passport is the only acceptable form of identification.

Why It Matters

Without completing real-name verification, your account may be limited or even frozen, and you won’t be able to make purchases.

This verification applies to both:

• Your Taobao account
• Your Alipay account (required for payment/refund)

What Is the “ID Number” on Taobao?

For Chinese users, it’s their government-issued ID number.For non-Chinese users, it refers to your passport number, used to confirm your identity during the verification process.

2. Common Reasons for Account Suspension

Getting your account frozen after placing an order? You're not alone. These are some frequent triggers:

• Switching between multiple phone numbers
• Logging in from different devices (phone → laptop → tablet)
• Using a language/region that doesn’t match your payment profile

Tip: Try to use a single device and stable network for logins. Avoid frequent switching.

3. Does Taobao Have an English Version?

Yes—but only for some countries. For example, users in Malaysia can access a localized version in English. If you don’t see that option, the default interface will be in Chinese.

If you’re not confident in Chinese, tools like Google Translate can be a lifesaver, or you might want to shop through someone who speaks the language.

The English version of Taobao is currently supported in the following countries:

• Malaysia

• Thailand

• Canada

• Singapore

• Australia

Make sure your app is updated to version 10.48.20 or later to access the English interface.

4. Understand Your Shipping Options

Not every country on Taobao ships internationally. Here's how it works:

Option 1: Official Taobao Global Shipping

Available to select countries / regions:

• 🇸🇬 Singapore
• 🇲🇾 Malaysia
• 🇹🇼 Taiwan
• 🇺🇸 United States
• 🇨🇦 Canada
• 🇦🇺 Australia
• 🇯🇵 Japan
• 🇰🇷 South Korea
• 🇳🇿 New Zealand
• 🇰🇭 Cambodia
• 🇹🇭 Thailand
• 🇻🇳 Vietnam
• 🇭🇰 Hong Kong & 🇲🇴 Macau

This option is great if you’re in one of the supported regions. However, it doesn’t support sensitive items, restricted goods, or all product categories.

Option 2: Third-Party Consolidation Services (No Proxies)

Live elsewhere? You’ll need a third-party shipping forwarder to ship directly from Taobao.

Popular options:

• Cainiao Consolidation (Taobao’s official partner)
• JYS Service (known for flexible shipping to 80+ countries, including Peru, Hungary, UAE, etc.)

These shipping forwarders allow you to ship multiple parcels to a China-based warehouse, consolidate them, and forward them internationally—saving on cost and hassle. Some even handle sensitive items or special requests (like fragile goods or custom packaging).

5. How to Pay on Taobao (Without a Chinese Bank Card)

Worried about payments? Don’t be. Taobao now supports various global-friendly payment methods:

Accepted Methods:

• Alipay+ (e-wallets like Touch 'n Go, GCash, etc.)
• Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard)
• Lazada Wallet (in supported regions)
• Online Banking (for local banks in Southeast Asia)
• Google Pay
• Alipay Mainland (for those with a China bank account)

Overseas card payments can fail—especially for larger orders. To reduce failure rates, consider using Alipay (international version) linked to your card.