Beginner’s Guide: How to Buy from Chinese Platforms and Ship Internationally via Third-Party Forwarders

Buying directly from Chinese platforms such as Taobao, 1688, or Pinduoduo is a great way to save money and access a wide range of products. However, for new users, the process can feel confusing. This guide will walk you through everything step by step:

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Step 1: Choose a Platform
 

Platform	Description	Language Support
Taobao	B2C & C2C (great for individuals)	Chinese only (use Google Translate)
1688	B2B (bulk prices, direct from factories)	Chinese only
JD.com / Tmall	Branded products	Some English options

If you’re a beginner, Taobao is a good place to start due to its user-friendly interface.

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Step 2: Create an Account
    1.    Go to https://world.taobao.com
    2.    Sign up using your phone number (international numbers supported)
    3.    Set your username, password, and shipping address (initially use the third-party forwarder’s warehouse address — more on that below)

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Step 3: Search for Products
    •    Use Google Translate to convert keywords from English to Chinese
e.g., “Wireless Earbuds” → “无线耳机”
    •    Copy and paste into the search bar
    •    Look for stores with:
    •    High sales volume
    •    Positive reviews (4.8+)
    •    Good ratings on “描述相符”, “服务态度”, “物流服务”

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Step 4: Contact the Seller

Click “联系卖家” (Contact Seller) to ask:
    •    Product availability
    •    Stock quantity
    •    Shipping weight/dimensions
    •    Whether the product includes batteries or liquid (important for shipping)

Basic messages you can send (use translation apps):

你好，我是海外买家。这个产品可以发到广东仓库吗？我用集运公司转运到马来西亚。谢谢！
(Hi, I am an overseas buyer. Can this item be sent to a warehouse in Guangdong? I use a forwarder to ship to Malaysia. Thank you!)


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Step 5: Add to Cart and Checkout

If everything looks good:
    1.    Add items to cart
    2.    Proceed to checkout

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Step 6: How to Pay

Payment Methods:
    •    Alipay (linked to your bank card & Passport)
    •    Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard) – accepted directly (May have 1-3% service charge)
    •    Taobao Top-up agents / Services (for 1688, which usually requires Alipay) (Newfly is provided this service)

For first-time users:
    •    Credit card is easiest on Taobao
    •    For 1688, consider using an agent or a trusted sourcing company

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Step 7: Use a Third-Party Forwarder (Newfly is provided this service)

Here’s how the full third-party forwarding process works:

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Full Process for Third-Party Forwarding

① Choose a Forwarder

Make sure they provide:
    •    A China warehouse address
    •    A system or WhatsApp to track your parcels
    •    Consolidation + repackaging services
    •    Options like sea freight or air freight
    •    with Registered of Company in Malaysia

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② Get the China Warehouse Address

Your forwarder will give you a Chinese address. It usually includes:
    •    Name
    •    Warehouse phone number
    •    Warehouse address
    •    Unique ID code (e.g., “YourName-280016”)

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③ Use This Address When You Buy

When placing your order on Taobao/1688:
    •    Replace your home address with the forwarder’s China warehouse address
    •    Add your unique ID so they know it’s your parcel

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④ Let the Seller Ship to the Warehouse

After payment, the seller will ship your product to the warehouse within 1–5 days.

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⑤ Forwarder Receives Your Parcel

Once received, the forwarder will:
    •    Notify you (via app or message)
    •    Take a photo NEWFLY provided this services
    •    Allow you to consolidate multiple packages (合包)
    •    Offer repacking (if needed)

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⑥ Choose Shipping Method to Your Country

Options include:
    •    Air freight (faster, 5–10 days, more expensive)
    •    Sea freight (cheaper, slower, 12–25 days)
    •    Some have tax-included services

You’ll need to:
    •    Fill in a declaration (item type, value)
    •    Pay for the shipping cost via bank transfer, card, e-wallet (varies by forwarder)

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⑦ Wait for Delivery to Your Country

Once shipped:
    •    You’ll get a tracking number
    •    Delivery goes to your local address (home, office, or pickup point)
    •    Some forwarders offer cash-on-delivery or customs pre-clearance

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Example Timeline:
 

Step	Time
Seller ships to warehouse	2–5 days
Forwarder processes parcel	1–2 days
Sea freight to Malaysia	10–20 days
Total	~2–4 weeks

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Bonus Tips for Beginners
    •    Always check seller reviews and ratings.
    •    Avoid fragile or sensitive items unless your forwarder supports them.
    •    Ask your forwarder if they can handle battery, cosmetics, or liquid items.
    •    For first-time purchases, try a small, low-value item to test the process.