What Is Taobao?
Taobao is one of the largest online marketplaces in China, operated by Alibaba Group. It offers millions of products at highly competitive prices, ranging from fashion and electronics to home goods, toys, and lifestyle items.
Similar to Amazon or eBay, Taobao mainly focuses on C2C (consumer-to-consumer) and small business sellers, which means:
However, Taobao is primarily designed for Chinese users, with Chinese-language listings, domestic-only shipping, and local payment methods. This is where comGateway comes in.
Can International Buyers Shop on Taobao?
Yes — international buyers can shop on Taobao, even without speaking Chinese.
With comGateway, you can easily overcome these barriers and shop from Taobao like a local.
How to Buy from Taobao with comGateway
Option 1: Ship to Your China Address
comGateway provides you with a personal China shipping address, which you can use directly at checkout on Taobao.
How it works
- Sign up and get your China address
- Place an order on Taobao
- Sellers ship domestically within China
- comGateway consolidates and ships internationally
Best for
- Experienced Taobao users
- Buyers with Alipay or supported cards
- Shoppers who want full control
Option 2: BuyForMe Service Recommended
If you don’t speak Chinese, can’t pay with Alipay, or want a fully hands-off experience, BuyForMe is the easiest solution.
comGateway will handle everything
- Place the order for you
- Handle payment
- Communicate with sellers
- Consolidate and ship internationally
Best for
- First-time Taobao shoppers
- Users without Alipay
- Anyone avoiding language risks
Why Buy from Taobao Instead of AliExpress?
While both platforms belong to Alibaba Group, they serve different audiences:
- Taobao — lower prices and a broader product range, but requires a China address or agent
- AliExpress — built for international buyers, with higher prices and limited selection
For the best prices and the most authentic Chinese shopping experience, Taobao + comGateway is the ideal combination.
Shipping & Delivery with comGateway
Once your items arrive at the comGateway warehouse, you can:
- Combine multiple orders into one shipment
- Choose air shipping
- Control costs by weight and delivery speed
Ideal for
- Clothing and shoes
- Electronics and accessories
- Designer toys and collectibles
- Multi-store or bulk orders
Start Shopping from China Today
Taobao opens the door to China’s massive online marketplace — and comGateway makes it accessible worldwide.
Get Your China Address
