Taobao International Shipping: Everything You Need To Know

I am getting tons of requests for a detailed tutorial on Taobao consolidated shipping. In another post, I have stressed a whole lot about it, but it still seems that I don’t clarify myself enough.

Many beginners still are not clear what Taobao consolidated shipping is. So in this post, I will make an attempt to explain basics of Taobao consolidated shipping and how to use it.

1. how does it work

Taobao Global Consolidation and Shipping,also called Taobao Cargo,Taobao CSCL,is a Taobao official forwarding service for international buyers.

Step 1: First payment

You submit orders with this option selected and make the first payment for order value+domestic shipping fee from seller to China forwarder’s warehouse.

Step 2: Seller ship orders to forwarder warehouse

Seller will be shown the forwarder warehouse address with your unique ID on the order page and send orders to the forwarder warehouse.

Step 3: Warehouse receive your orders

Warehouse receive it ,weigh it,update you the weight and shipping fee from your account.

Step 4: Second payment

you can log in and make the second payment for the International shipping fee (from forwarder’s warehouse to your destination address).

they will consolidate and ship all your orders in one parcel to your address.

2. Does it support my country

As of April 2022, Taobao supports a total of 14 countries and regions from North America, Oceania, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, and they are:

USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Philippines, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

3. what they can’t ship

The short version

there are total 100+ types of items taobao will not ship abroad,most of them,we will never order it on taobao,so I listed 8 of the most common types of items that we usually mistakenly order:

1. Items exceed size or weight restriction:

Each forwarder has set a restriction for the max weight and size of the parcel they will accept,make sure your parcel are not too long or too heavy.

2. Food

tea, instant noodles, bamboo products, etc.;

3. Liquid, paste, powdered items:

Cosmetics like perfume,lipstick,foundation,nail polish,pencils,pens,alcohol,thermometer,ink etc..

4. Knife and Gun

survival knife,toy gun,water bb gun

5. Electronic device

humidifier,rice cooker,electric toy,vacuum cleaner,etc

6. Magnetic items or parts

Magnets, audio equipment such as audio, motors, speaker, compasses, coils, etc.

7. Battery and items with inbattery

Mobile phones, computers,power banks,watches, lithium battery

8. Branded, fake,replica, counterfeit items

The full version

Here is the full list of prohibited items, if you are curious, you can go and take a look at it.

4. Taobao Shipping rate, Size and weight limits

In order to make it easier for you to understand the shipping costs, weight and size limits of Taobao official shipping to each country, I have created a table for each country, and firstly I will explain the meaning of each column in the table:

forwarder

Here are the forwarders that Taobao cooperates with for each shipping option, each one matches a different warehouse address.

if you have any problems regarding shipping, you will have to contact your warehouse to solve them.

And once the seller ships out your goods, you can’t change shipping methods anymore, because it means switching between different forwarder warehouses which is a very complicated thing.

Warehouse

The warehouse location is the city where the seller ships your goods to, usually in the south of China.

Local Delivery

This is who is responsible for the delivery when the goods arrive in your country.

Shipping rate

Now we are in the middle of a global epidemic, so shipping rates are much more expensive than before, I believe after the epidemic, the rates will be lowered to the original level.

Size and weight limits

All forwarders have maximum weight and size limits, if your package exceeds those limits, they may reject to ship your package.

And even if the package gets accepted and delivered, it could rack up additional charges.

So, after you place an order, especially if your product is heavy or very long, I suggest you contact the seller to make sure the weight and volume of your package are within the allowable shipping limits.

5. Taobao to USA shipping cost

Taobao now supports two shipping options to the U.S., which are Taobao consolidated shipping by air and Taobao consolidated shipping by sea.

Taobao consolidated shipping by Air

The forwarder is Cainiao, which is also a subsidiary of Alibaba Group.

  • Shipping solution name: Air freight(集运空运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Warehouse location: Zhongshan(中山市)
  • Local delivery: USPS,door to door
  • Shipping rate: First 0.5kg: 119 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 63 RMB
  • Size limits: Maximum Length≤80CM,L+W+H≤150CM
  • Weight limits: ≤22 kg

Taobao consolidated shipping by Sea

Taobao’s sea shipping rates are calculated based on the weight of your package,

If the actual weight of your package is less than 20kg, it will be calculated using the small parcel rate.

Once it exceeds 20kg, it will be calculated according to the rate of large parcels.

  • Shipping option name: Official Consolidation-Sea shipping(集运海运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate(small parcel):
    0<W≤5kg: fixed 250RMB per parcel
    5<W≤20kg: First 0.5kg: 61 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 21 RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(small parcel):
    Consolidated parcel: Maximum Length≤200CM, L+W+H≤266CM, Total weight≤20kg
  • Shipping rate(big parcel):
    20<W≤30kg: 27RMB per kg
    W>30kg: 40RMB per kg
  • Size and Weight limits(big parcel):
    Consolidated parcel: Maximum Length≤200CM, L+W+H≤266CM, Total weight≤65kg

If the actual weight of your parcel is less than 20kg, but the size of the parcel exceeds its limit(Maximum Length>80CM, L+W+H>160CM),

they will charge an additional surcharge of 300 RMB.

For large parcels, they will also charge an additional surcharge of 300 RMB.

6. Taobao to Canada shipping cost

Like the US, Taobao officially offers only one shipping solution to Canada, which is by Taobao consolidated shipping by air.

Here is the detailed information on this shipping method:

  • Shipping solution name: Air freight(官方集运-空运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Warehouse location: Guangzhou (广州市)
  • Local delivery: door to door
  • Shipping rate: First 0.5kg: 130 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 68 RMB
  • Size limits: Maximum Length≤80CM,L+W+H≤150CM
  • Weight limits: ≤20 kg

7. Taobao To Australia Shipping Cost

Taobao provides three shipping solutions to Australia, which are:

  • Taobao consolidated shipping by air
  • Taobao consolidated shipping by sea
  • Taobao global direct Shipping(by air)

And for all shipments by air, the package also supports self-pickup. When you place your order, you can check the pickup option(自提取件) and choose the pickup address.

The self-pickup shipping rate is cheaper than door-to-door.

Taobao consolidated shipping by air

  • Shipping option name: Official Consolidation-Air Freight(官方集运-空运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Warehouse location: Dongguan(东莞市)
  • Local delivery: door to door or self-pickup
  • Shipping rate(door to door): First 0.5kg: 62 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 49 RMB
  • Shipping rate(self-pickup): First 0.5kg: 58 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 49 RMB
  • Size limits: Maximum Length≤90 CM,L+W+H≤160 CM
  • Weight limits: ≤20kg

Taobao consolidated shipping by Sea

  • Shipping option name: Official Consolidation-Sea shipping(官方集运-海运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Warehouse location: Dongguan(东莞市)
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate(small parcel): First 0.5kg: 66 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 7 RMB
  • Size limits(small parcel): Max Length≤90 CM,L+W+H≤160 CM,Volume ≤ 0.1m3
  • Weight limits(small parcel): ≤20kg
  • Shipping rate(large parcel): First 0.5kg: 66 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 7 RMB plus handing fee 150 RMB per shipment
  • Size limits(large parcel): Maximum Length≤350 CM,L+W+H≤720 CM,Volume > 0.1m3
  • Weight limits(large parcel): 20kg<billable weight<500kg

Taobao global direct Shipping(by air)

  • Shipping option name: Official Direct Shipping(官方直送)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Warehouse location: Dongguan(东莞市)
  • Local delivery: Door to Door or Self-Pickup
  • Shipping rate(door to door): First 0.5kg: 62 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 49 RMB
  • Shipping rate(self-pickup): First kg: 58 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 49 RMB
  • Size limits: Maximum Length≤90 CM,L+W+H≤160 CM
  • Weight limits: ≤5kg

About Tax and GST

If the total value of your order is less than 1000 AUD, you don’t need to pay the customs duty because it is already included in the shipping cost.

GST will also be collected by Taobao in advance when you pay for international shipping, or maybe they will not charge it sometimes.

In short, when you spend less than 1000 AUD in total, you don’t need to worry about duty and GST.

When your total cost exceeds 1000 AUD,

You will need to pay customs duty as required by the Australian Government and Customs.

Your local logistics provider will contact you by phone/text and they will assist you with the customs clearance process.

8. Taobao to New Zealand shipping cost

Taobao offers two shipping solution to New Zealand, which are Cainiao consolidated shipping by air and Cainiao consolidated shipping by sea.

Air shipping service is provided by two forwarders,which are Cainiao and COE logistics. But you can’t choose which forwarder to use, Taobao will automatically choose one for you.

Here are the rates and shipping restrictions of the forwarders:

Consolidated shipping by air(Cainiao) shipping info:

  • Shipping solution name: Cainiao consolidated shipping by air(菜鸟集运空运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Warehouse location: Dongguan(东莞市)
  • Local delivery: door to door
  • Shipping rate: First 0.5kg: 45 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 40 RMB
  • Size limits: Maximum Length≤120 CM,L+W+H≤180 CM
  • Weight limits: ≤23kg

Consolidated shipping by air(COE logistics) shipping info:

  • Shipping solution name: Cainiao consolidated shipping by air(菜鸟集运空运)
  • Forwarder name: COE logistics
  • Warehouse location: Dongguan(东莞市)
  • Local delivery: door to door
  • Shipping rate: First 1kg: 110 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 35 RMB
  • Size limits: Maximum Length≤150 CM,L+W+H≤220 CM
  • Weight limits: ≤30kg

Consolidated shipping by Sea shipping info:

  • Shipping solution name: Cainiao consolidated shipping by sea(菜鸟集运海运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Warehouse location: Dongguan(东莞市)
  • Local delivery: door to door
  • Shipping rate: First 0.5kg: 23 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 7 RMB
  • Size limits: Maximum Length≤300 CM,L+W+H≤500 CM
  • Weight limits: ≤300kg

9. Taobao To Singapore Shipping Cost

Taobao has a lot of users in Singapore, so they provide 3 shipping methods to Singapore, which are

  • Taobao consolidated shipping by air
  • Taobao consolidated shipping by sea
  • Taobao global direct Shipping(by air)

When you choose to ship by air as your shipping method, you can also choose to pick up your package or have it delivered to your door.

by default, it is door to door. if you want to pick up yourself, you can check the pickup option(自提取件) and choose the pickup point when placing your order.

Self-pickup points are provided by POPStation and ParkNParcel. You will receive an SMS and email notification once the parcel is delivered to your pickup points.

Taobao consolidated shipping by air to Singapore

  • Shipping option name: Official Consolidation-Air Freight(官方集运-空运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Warehouse location: Dongguan(东莞市)
  • Local delivery: Door to Door or POPStation pickup or ParkNParcel pickup
  • Shipping rate(Door to Door): First 0.5kg: 19 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 15 RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(Door to Door): Max Length≤100 CM,L+W+H≤160 CM,Total weight≤30kg
  • Shipping rate(POPStation or ParkNParcel pickup): First 0.5kg: 18 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 15 RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(POPStation pickup): Volume≤42*37*61 CM,Total weight≤25kg
  • Size and Weight limits(ParkNParcel pickup): L+W+H<100 CM, Total weight≤10kg

Taobao consolidated shipping by Sea to Singapore

  • Shipping option name: Official Consolidation-Sea shipping(官方集运-海运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Warehouse location: Guangzhou(广州市)
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate(small parcel): First 1kg: 21RMB, Next 1kg: 7.4RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(small parcel):
    Consolidated parcel: L+W+H≤500cm, Volume ≤ 0.5cbm, Total weight≤30kg
    And single parcel: L+W+H≤180cm, Weight≤25kg
  • Shipping rate(big parcel):
    Volume≤0.5cbm: 225RMB per parcel
    Volume 0.5-1 cbm: 450RMB per cbm
    Volume >1 cbm: 450RMB per cbm
  • Size and Weight limits(big parcel):
    Consolidated parcel: L+W+H≤500cm, Volume > 0.5cbm, Total weight between 30kg -500kg
    And single parcel: L+W+H>180cm, Weight>25kg

Taobao global direct Shipping(by air) to Singapore

  • Shipping option name: Official Direct Shipping(官方直送)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Warehouse location: Dongguan(东莞市)
  • Local delivery: Door to Door or Self-Pickup
  • Shipping rate(door to door): First 0.5kg: 22 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 15 RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(door to door): Max Length≤100 CM,L+W+H≤160 CM,Total weight≤30kg
  • Shipping rate(self-pickup): First kg:20 RMB, Next 0.5kg:15 RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(self-pickup): Volume≤42*37*61(cm),Total weight≤25kg

About Tax and GST

If you choose sea shipping, 7% GST will be charged.

Big parcel handling fee

if your orders contain a big parcel(weight >30kg or L+W+H>300cm), you will be charged a handling fee when you pay for shipping cost.

For sea shipping

you will be charged a big parcel handling fee if your consolidated parcel contains an oversize or overweight parcel, the handling fee is 10RMB per order.

for oversize or overweight goods that needs to assist with a crane or other special equipment, they will charge you 400RMB offline for the use of the equipment.

for fragile goods that need wooden shelves, they will charge you 120RMB offline.

10. Taobao To Malaysia Shipping Cost

Because Malaysia is a large country, shipping costs vary greatly, so Taobao divided Malaysia into eastern and western to calculate shipping costs.

Taobao To West Malaysia Shipping Cost

Taobao provides 3 shipping methods to West Malaysia, which are

  • Taobao consolidated shipping by air
  • Taobao consolidated shipping by sea
  • Taobao global direct Shipping(by air)

When you choose shipping by air as your shipping method, you can also choose to pick up your package or have it delivered to your door.

by default,it is door to door. if you want to pickup yourself, you can check the pickup option(自提取件) and choose the pickup point when placing your order.

Self-pickup points are provided by Yunda Express. You will receive an sms and email notification once the parcel is delivered to your pickup points.

Taobao consolidated shipping by air to West Malaysia

  • Shipping option name: Official Consolidation-Air Freight(官方集运-空运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Warehouse location: Dongguan(东莞市)
  • Local delivery: Door to Door or Self-pickup
  • Shipping rate(Door to Door): First 0.5kg: 15 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 14 RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(Door to Door): Max Length≤100 CM,L+W+H≤160 CM,Total weight≤30kg
  • Shipping rate(Self-pickup): First 0.5kg: 14 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 14 RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(Self-pickup): Max Length≤80 CM,L+W+H≤150 CM,Total weight≤25kg

Taobao consolidated shipping by Sea to West Malaysia

  • Shipping option name: Official Consolidation-Sea shipping(官方集运-海运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Warehouse location: Guangzhou(广州市)
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate(small parcel):
    Weight(0 – 3kg): 17RMB per parcel
    Weight(3 -15kg): 9.5RMB per kg
    Weight(15 -30kg): 8.5RMB per kg
  • Size and Weight limits(small parcel):
    Consolidated parcel: L+W+H≤500cm, Volume ≤ 0.3cbm, Total weight≤30kg
    And single parcel: L+W+H≤180cm, Weight≤30kg
  • Shipping rate(big parcel):
    Volume≤0.3cbm: 210RMB per parcel
    Volume >0.3cbm: 700RMB per cbm
  • Size and Weight limits(big parcel):
    Consolidated parcel: L+W+H≤500cm, Volume > 0.3cbm, Total weight between 30kg -500kg
    And single parcel: L+W+H>180cm, Weight>30kg

Taobao global direct Shipping(by air) to West Malaysia

  • Shipping option name: Official Direct Shipping(官方直送)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Warehouse location: Dongguan(东莞市)
  • Local delivery: Door to Door or Self-Pickup
  • Shipping rate(door to door): First 0.5kg: 14 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 14 RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(door to door): Max Length≤100 CM,L+W+H≤160 CM,Total weight≤30kg
  • Shipping rate(self-pickup): First 0.5kg:12RMB, Next 0.5kg:14RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(self-pickup): Max Length≤80 CM,L+W+H≤150 CM,Total weight≤25kg

Taobao To East Malaysia Shipping Cost

Taobao provide 3 shipping methods to East Malaysia, which are

  • Consolidated shipping by air
  • Consolidated shipping by sea
  • Global direct Shipping(by air)

As of May 2021, Taobao has not opened a self pick-up service in East Malaysia, only West Malaysia is available.

Taobao consolidated shipping by air to East Malaysia

  • Shipping option name: Official Consolidation-Air Freight(官方集运-空运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Warehouse location: Dongguan(东莞市)
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate(Door to Door): First 0.5kg: 26 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 25 RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(Door to Door): Max Length≤100 CM,L+W+H≤160 CM,Total weight≤30kg

Taobao consolidated shipping by Sea to East Malaysia

  • Shipping option name: Official Consolidation-Sea shipping(官方集运-海运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Warehouse location: Guangzhou(广州市)
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate(small parcel):
    Weight(0 – 10kg): first 1kg:20RMB,next 1kg:13RMB
    Weight(10 -45kg): first 1kg:12.5RMB,next 1kg:12.5RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(small parcel):
    Consolidated parcel: L+W+H≤500cm, Volume ≤ 0.5cbm, Total weight≤45kg
    And single parcel: L+W+H≤180cm, Weight≤45kg
  • Shipping rate(big parcel):
    Volume≤0.5cbm: 525RMB per parcel
    Volume >0.5cbm: 1050RMB per cbm
  • Size and Weight limits(big parcel):
    Consolidated parcel: L+W+H≤500cm, Volume > 0.5cbm, Total weight between 45kg -500kg
    And single parcel: L+W+H>180cm, Weight>45kg

Taobao global direct Shipping(by air) to East Malaysia

  • Shipping option name: Official Direct Shipping(官方直送)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Warehouse location: Dongguan(东莞市)
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate(door to door): First 0.5kg: 25 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 24 RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(door to door): Max Length≤100 CM,L+W+H≤160 CM,Total Weight≤30kg

About Customs and tax

Sea shipping to Malaysia will charge 6% SST on order value.

For sea shipping to West Malaysia, your local courier will also charge a remote areas/islands fee for big parcel(volume>0.3cbm or weight >30kg).

Here is the list of islands (Islands) or remote areas that will be charged:

  • Langkawi, Panglao Island, Kedah Island, Tioman Island, Genting Highlands, Cameron Highlands- RM 100 per shipment
  • East Coast: Muadzam Shah, Endau Rompin – RM 50 per shipment
  • South Malaysia: Mersing in Johor, Pulau Kukup, Pengerang, Gesek in Negeri Sembilan – RM 50 per shipment
  • North Malaysia: Gerik, Padang Besar, Pengkalan Hulu, Kaki Bukit, Kuala Nerang, Pedu – RM 50 per shipment

11. Taobao To Hongkong Shipping Cost

Hong Kong is very close to mainland China, so Taobao offers three shipping options to Hong Kong:

  • Taobao consolidated shipping by Cainiao
  • Taobao consolidated shipping by SF-express
  • Taobao global direct Shipping by Cainiao

All three shipping methods support self pick-up or door to door delivery. you can choose the pickup address when you place your order.

Self-pickup points and parcel stations are provided by Cainiao,4PX and SF-express. You will receive an sms and email notification once the parcel is delivered to your pickup points.

Taobao consolidated shipping by Cainiao

  • Shipping option name: Official Consolidation-Air Freight(菜鳥官方集運-標準)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao/4PX
  • Local delivery: Door to Door or Pickup points or Parcel stations
  • Shipping rate(Door to Door):
    Weight(0< X ≤6kg): First 1kg: 17.6RMB, Next 0.5kg: 3.4RMB
    Weight(6< X ≤10kg): First 6kg: 55RMB, Next 1kg: 5.5RMB
    Weight(10< X ≤20kg): First 10kg: 70RMB, Next 1kg: 5.5RMB
    Weight(20< X ≤60kg): First 20kg: 120RMB, Next 1kg: 4.8RMB
    Weight(X>60kg): First 60kg: 300RMB, Next 1kg: 4RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(Door to Door): Max Length≤350CM,L+W+H≤600CM,Total Weight≤1000kg
  • Shipping rate(Pickup points): First 1kg: 9.7RMB, Next 0.5kg: 3RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(Pickup points): Max Length≤100CM,L+W+H≤200CM,Total Weight≤20kg
  • Shipping rate(Parcel stations): First 1kg: 12.4RMB, Next 0.5kg: 3RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(Parcel stations): Volume<39*10*41cm, Total weight≤3kg

Taobao consolidated shipping by SF-express

  • Shipping option name: Official Consolidation-SFexpress(菜鳥官方集運-順豐)
  • Forwarder name: SF-express
  • Local delivery: Door to Door or SF pickup points or SF locker
  • Shipping rate(Door to Door):
    Weight(0< X ≤20kg): First 1kg: 23RMB, Next 0.5kg: 4RMB
    Weight(20< X ≤100kg): First 20kg: 175RMB, Next 1kg: 7RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(Door to Door): Max Length≤150CM,L+W+H≤300CM,Single Parcel Weight≤30kg
  • Shipping rate(SF pickup points): First 1kg: 23RMB, Next 0.5kg: 4RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(SF pickup points): Volume<36*30*25cm, Total weight≤20kg
  • Shipping rate(SF Locker): First 1kg: 23RMB, Next 0.5kg: 4RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(SF Locker): Volume<36*30*25cm, Total weight≤5kg

Taobao global direct Shipping by Cainiao

  • Shipping option name: Official Direct Shipping(菜鸟官方直送)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Local delivery: Door to Door or Pickup points or Parcel stations
  • Shipping rate(Door to Door): First 1kg: 16RMB, Next 0.5kg: 3RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(Door to Door): Max Length≤100CM,L+W+H≤200CM, Weight≤20kg
  • Shipping rate(Pickup points): First 0.6kg: 6RMB, Next 0.5kg: 3RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(Pickup points): Max Length≤100CM,L+W+H≤200CM, Weight≤20kg
  • Shipping rate(Parcel stations): First 1kg: 11RMB, Next 0.5kg: 3RMB
  • Size and Weight limits(Parcel stations): Volume<39*10*41cm, Total weight≤3kg

12. Taobao To Japan Shipping Cost

Taobao offers 2 shipping options to Japan, one is consolidated shipping, and one is global direct shipping(newly added).

Taobao consolidated shipping to Japan shipping info:

  • Shipping solution name: Consolidation-4PX Express Sifang Express(集运-4PX递四方速递)
  • Forwarder name: 4PX(递四方)
  • Warehouse location: Shanghai(上海市)
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate: First 1kg: 72 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 20 RMB
  • Size limits: Maximum Length≤120 CM,L+W+H≤170 CM
  • Weight limits: ≤20kg

Taobao Global Direct Shipping to Japan shipping info:

  • Shipping solution name: Official Direct Shipping(官方直送)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate: First 0.5kg: 50 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 10 RMB
  • Size limits: L+W+H≤160 CM
  • Weight limits: ≤10kg

About Japan Customs duty and tax

The shipping cost you pay does not include duties and taxes, If your package is required by customs to pay taxes, your local logistics provider will contact you to pay offline.

Usually, Japanese customs impose high taxes on knitted goods, such as wool sweaters, cashmere sweaters, underwear, socks, bedding, etc.

You can check all the goods that will be taxed and the tax rates in this article.

If the actual weight or size of your package exceeds the permissible limit as stated in the form, it will likely be rejected at the warehouse, resulting in a delayed shipment.

13. Taobao To Philippines Shipping Cost

Taobao provide 3 shipping methods to Philippines, which are

  • Consolidated shipping by air
  • Consolidated shipping by sea
  • Global direct Shipping(by air)

Taobao Consolidated Shipping (by air) to Philippines:

  • Shipping solution name: Consolidated Shipping (by air)(官方集运-空运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate: First 0.5kg: 48 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 48 RMB
  • Size limits: Max Length≤110CM,L+W+H≤300CM
  • Weight limits: ≤25kg

Taobao Consolidated Shipping (by sea) to Philippines:

  • Shipping solution name: Consolidated Shipping (by sea)(官方集运-海运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate: First 0.5kg: 25 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 12 RMB
  • Size limits: Max Length≤600CM,L+W+H≤1000CM
  • Weight limits: ≤2000kg

Taobao Global Direct Shipping to Philippines:

  • Shipping solution name: Official Direct Shipping(官方直送)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate: First 0.5kg: 48 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 48 RMB
  • Size limits: Max Length≤120CM,L+W+H≤150CM
  • Weight limits: ≤10kg

About Philippines Customs duty and tax

This shipping quote includes customs duties. So you don’t need to pay extra customs duty.

14. Taobao To Vietnam Shipping Cost

Taobao offers two shipping options to Vietnam:

  • Taobao consolidated shipping by land(官方集运-陆运)
  • Taobao global direct Shipping by land(官方直送)

Taobao Global Direct Shipping by land(官方直送) to Vietnam:

  • Shipping solution name: Official Direct Shipping(官方直送)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate(to Hanoi): 16 RMB per kg
  • Shipping rate(to Ho Chi Minh City): 18 RMB per kg
  • Shipping rate(to other areas): 19.5 RMB per kg
  • Size limits: Max Length≤120CM,L+W+H≤150CM
  • Weight limits: ≤10kg

Taobao Consolidated Shipping (by land) to Vietnam:

  • Shipping solution name: Consolidated Shipping (by land)(官方集运-陆运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate(to Hanoi): First 1kg: 16 RMB, Next 1kg: 14 RMB
  • Shipping rate(to Ho Chi Minh City): First 1kg: 18 RMB, Next 1kg: 16 RMB
  • Shipping rate(to other areas): First 1kg: 19.5 RMB, Next 1kg: 17.5 RMB
  • Size limits: Max Length≤120CM,L+W+H≤150CM
  • Weight limits: ≤80kg

About Vietnam Customs duty and tax

This shipping quote includes customs duties. So you don’t need to pay extra customs duty.

15. Taobao To Thailand Shipping Cost

Taobao provide 2 shipping methods to Thailand, which are

  • Taobao consolidated shipping by land
  • Taobao global direct Shipping

Taobao Global Direct Shipping to Thailand:

  • Shipping solution name: Official Direct Shipping(官方直送)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate(to Bangkok): First 1kg: 15 RMB, Next 1kg: 15 RMB
  • Shipping rate(to other areas): First 1kg: 16.5 RMB, Next 1kg: 16.5 RMB
  • Size limits: Max Length≤180CM,L+W+H≤300CM
  • Weight limits: ≤10kg

Taobao Consolidated Shipping (by land) to Thailand:

  • Taobao Consolidated Shipping (by land)(官方集运-陆运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate(to Bangkok): First 1kg: 16 RMB, Next 1kg: 14 RMB
  • Shipping rate(to other areas): First 1kg: 17.5 RMB, Next 1kg: 14 RMB
  • Size limits: Max Length≤180CM,L+W+H≤300CM
  • Weight limits: ≤80kg

About Thailand Customs duty and tax

This shipping quote includes customs duties. So you don’t need to pay extra customs duty.

for some remote areas, your local courier company will charge a 50-100 baht remote delivery fee at the time of delivery to you.

16. Taobao To South Korea Shipping Cost

Taobao provides 2 shipping methods to South Korea, which are

  • Taobao consolidated shipping
  • Taobao direct Shipping

Taobao Direct Shipping to South Korea:

  • Shipping solution name: Official Direct Shipping(官方直送)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate: First 1kg: 26 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 7 RMB
  • Size limits: Max Length≤100CM,L+W+H≤150CM
  • Weight limits: ≤10kg

Taobao Consolidated Shipping to South Korea:

  • Taobao Consolidated Shipping(官方集运-空运)
  • Forwarder name: Cainiao
  • Local delivery: Door to Door
  • Shipping rate: First 0.5kg: 17 RMB, Next 0.5kg: 8 RMB
  • Size limits: Max Length≤100CM,L+W+H≤160CM
  • Weight limits: ≤25kg

About South Korea Customs duty and tax

Shipping fees do not include taxes, so you may need to pay additional duties.

As required by the customs policy in Korea, you are required to fill in your Personal Customs Clearance Code (PCCC) when placing an order on Taobao, otherwise, you cannot complete the payment for the order.

South Korean citizens can generate a PCCC here.

Taobao requires that the phone number & name of the registered PCCC needs to be the same as the order recipient’s phone number & name,

The phone number format needs to be 010 + 8 digits, the name needs to be in Korean.

17. How do they calculate the total shipping cost

the shipping fee

Your parcel will be charged by either actual weight or volumetric weight – whichever is greater. Volumetric weight is a value derived from the size rather than the weight of your parcel and may apply if your parcel is particularly large and contains relatively light items.

The volumetric weight calculation formula Taobao forwarder use is L * W * H / 6000 = KG

An example: Let’s say a parcel is 50cmx20cmx20cm and weighs 2.5 kg.

  • Multiply the dimensions together to get 20000.
  • Divide by 6000 to get 3.33, which rounds up to 3.5.
  • That means the volumetric weight for this parcel is 3.5kg. Because the actual weight is 2.5kg, you will be charged for 3.5kg on this parcel because it is the greater of the two (volumetric weight vs. actual weight), making 3.5kg the chargeable weight.

GST and Customs taxes

here is the chart of tax threshold and rate listed:

Note:

The amount of this tax threshold is the total amount including the actual value of the goods and the freight, not only the value of the goods (except Singapore/Malaysia).

the amount of the Singapore/Malaysia tax threshold is subject to the value of the goods.

for Canadian:

if you choose official air transport, A 5% GST will be charged in advance when you pay the international shipping fee.

the service fee for remote areas

if you are from Hongkong, will charge a service fee for residential address(20 HKD) and remote areas(30 HKD).

18. step-by-step tutorial on how to use it

the following is a step-by-step guide on how to use Taobao Global Consolidation and Shipping:

Step 1: first payment

When making an order, please select or add a new address at the shipping address section, and then choose “After the consignment(集运)” “.

taobao cargo

you can click “Modification Service Provider” to choose your preferred forwarder based on their pricing and service standards.

After confirming your selection, proceed to payment and complete your order.

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Step 2: Manage Your Parcel

Click [跨境物流管理(cross-border logistics management)] in the upper right corner of world.taobao.com homepage or click here

cross border logistics management

Step 3: Choose parcels to be consolidated

Now you will see your parcels that are waiting to be consolidated.

select products that you want to consolidate. The system will automatically calculate the total weight(总重量) and the shipping fee(预计运费) of the consolidated goods, from the warehouse in China to your place.

After confirmation, click “One-click package settlement(一键合包结算)”.

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The official holding time in the warehouse is 20 days. If your parcels stay in the warehouse for not more than 20 days, you won’t need to pay for any extra detention charges. Else, you will be charged 1 RMB per parcel per day.

Taobao Consolidated Shipping allows consolidation of up to 20 orders! If you have more than 20 orders, it is recommended that you split them into different batches of consolidation and make payment accordingly.

Note: you will not receive any notification when orders reach the forwarder’s warehouse,you are advised to download “淘宝Lite” from App Store or Google Play. The “Logistics Helper” in the app will automatically send you the notification.

Step 4: second payment

After consolidating your orders, check the shipping method and delivery address. Then click “Checkout(提交并支付)”.You will then be prompted to make the second payment.

confirm%20your%20address

Now the international shipping fee payment settled. Check the status closely and wait for your parcels.

19. How can I contact the Taobao warehouse

There are two ways to get in touch with them,first is by aliwangwang,second is by livechat. they can understand and speak a litte English,so make sure you use simple and plain words.

aliwangwang with the forwarder

On the [物流订单(Logistics Order)] tab, click on the blue icon to consult with the forwarder Customer Service.

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contact your forwarder warehouse via LiveChat

Click the following forwarder link to have a live chat with them, if you are not sure which forwarder you are using, check it from this page.

Region Forwarder warehouse
United States 集运空运
Canada 官方集运-空运
Australia 官方集运-海运 官方直送 官方集运-空运
New Zealand 集运-4PX递四方速递 集运-中通速递
Japan 集运-4PX递四方速递
Singapore 官方集运-海运 官方集运-空运 官方直送
Malaysia 官方集运-海运 官方集运-空运 官方直送
Hong Kong 菜鸟-官方直送 菜鸟-官方集运 集运-顺丰速运
Macau 官方直送 集运-顺丰速运
Taiwan 官方集运-海运快递 官方集运-空运 集运-4PX递四方速递

That’s all. I hope that this post helped you understand consolidated shipping at a better level. Please leave a comment below, and let me know what you think!

You may also want to see step-by-step ordering from the Taobao guide for beginners.

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736 thoughts on “Taobao International Shipping: Everything You Need To Know”

  1. Hi Eric,
    I recently managed to pay the international shipping fee since they do not accept credit cards anymore via desktop. But after I paid via the mobile app, I went to my online banking and saw that besides charging me the shipping fee in SGD in Taobao SG, they also charged me another fee of USD 0.30 to taobao London GB. Is this normal? I just changed my card due to a fraud case and worried this may lead to one too. Could you advise?

      1. Hi Eric, I only need to buy 1 item from Taobao, but I accidently chose the consolidated shipping. And I’m so worried now. Will they ship just 1 item or will they cancel my order? Can you give me some advice? Thank you.

  2. Hi Eric,
    Can you please explain on this delivery method?
    So, it’s my second time buying things from Taobao (first time within this month as well). This time I find something confusing.
    Before that , the shipping method only air /sea freight consolidated. Now I see there are cainiao direct mail-sea freight 129 yuan and air freight 660 yuan.
    So, i just try to click the cainiao direct mail -sea freight and it’s counting the cross-border freight after item.
    So , is it the same as international shipping fee ? And do I need to pay any hidden fee or extra shipping fees?
    Because the items are $182 (+GST) and total amount including the cross border freight is $211 .
    Thank you.

    1. Yes, direct mail is the cainiao official international shipping, after you place an order, they ship directly to your address, direct mail is available in two types: sea and air.

      There are no hidden fees, but the shipping cost here is estimated based on the weight of the product the seller provide, if the goods arrive at the warehouse and they find a big difference between the actual weight and the estimated weight, they will ask you to pay additional international shipping costs but this does not happen very often.

  3. hi Eric,
    I recently bought some things ( mainly clothes) from taobao.
    I paid the shipping fee $171 NZD which calculated by cainiao on air-freight consolidated and mentioned there 8.2 kg.
    and I received the package yesterday and I check the weight was 3 kg.
    I actually don’t want to pay the fee at first ( more expensive than the package,doesnt make sense). I tried to let it go, but curiosity is taking control over you.
    is this counting as a overcharged? and am I able to claim it back?
    thank you.

  4. Hello Eric – thanks for the wonderful guide.

    I have run into a problem with paying for consolidated shipping – I can’t pay using credit card anymore it seems and it doesn’t accept any other methods that I can use.
    I’m in Australia.

    Error message “alipay visa/mastercard/jcb credit card payment services will be offline on march 31, 2023. if you continue to use it, you can return to the previous page to choose foreign currency payment”

    I’ve cancelled the consolidation twice now and tried again to figure out payment.. but there’s only 1 button to consolidate and go to the payment screen, the same as always. I don’t see an option for ‘foreign currency payment’.

    Also – it says that I have the option to use my alipay balance – but as I don’t have a chinese bank account – I can’t add to alipay.

    My parcels are down to 1 day left to pay/consolidate. Please help! Thanks x

    1. HI,Kitty, yes,it removed the alipay visa/mastercard/jcb credit card payment services from their webpage, Their customer service suggests that you download their Taobao app, and then pay for the order inside the Taobao app.

      here is what they said:

      Open your Taobao app – [My Taobao] – [Settings] – [Account and Security] – [Payment Management] – set the payment method to “International/Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Payment “, [Currency] is set to the currency of your region.

      1. Thanks Eric – I’ve downloaded the app but I don’t read Chinese so I can’t figure out how to do what you suggested,

        Tried looking up translations etc but no luck.

        Is there a way to translate the app to English?

  5. Hi! I have recently paid for the consolidated shipping fee of all the orders that have already arrived in Taobao’s warehouse, now what? I don’t see anything showing that these orders have been been grouped and that shipping has been paid for it. Wjere can I check for details of that specific consolidation? Like, the tracking number and such.

  6. hi, can you please make a guide for placing an order and the shipping process on the taobao app? it seems to be different from the website and i can’t figure out how to use it

  7. Hi Eric, thanks for the guide!

    I’m trying to use Taobao warehouse consolidation for the first time. I have 2 packages from the same store that arrived to the warehouse within 7 days of each other. But on the “To be consolidated” page it seems like I can’t combine the 2 as they are split up into 2 different tabs and therefore cannot select them together, one is “Official Consolidation Air Freight Economy” and the other “Official Consolidation Air Freight”, any idea why I’m unable to combine them ?

  8. Hi Eric!
    I am a bit confused about the current volume restrictions for packages going to Canada. I just checked the “什么是官方集运?” page and it seems like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand currently have the same volume restrictions? I used Google Translate to check. Am I understanding the information correctly? Here is the link for where I found the information. https://world.taobao.com/helper/knowledge.htm?kid=11034579

    However, I do not see a volume restriction for Canada on the “加拿大官方物流价格及材积限制” page from this link here https://world.taobao.com/helper/knowledge.htm?spm=a312a.7762693.2015080302.6.qRsGbP&kid=20459965

    It only states the new pricing of 130 RMB for the first 0.5kg and 68 RMB after that.

    Can you please clarify the current restrictions and prices for packages heading to Canada?

    Thank you!

  9. Hi Eric,

    I originally had an Australian address as my shipping address, and now I want to change it to a domestic Chinese address.

    I tried changing it in the consolidation page but it mentioned that I still needed to add a new address even though I already changed it.

    What’s the issue here?

  10. Hello Eric!

    May i ask if how to measure L+W+H for consolidated shipping? Im unsure because my item is 150x6x28 (cm) so is the 150 (L) multiplied by the number of units i want ti purchase? Thank you so much for all the info, it’s a godsend!!!

  11. Hi Eric,
    I’m trying to consolidate sea shipping to buy multiple goods but also trying to purchase something that takes 25 days to deliver (as stated on the seller’s page). If I order the item that takes 25 days to deliver first, and then check out the other items that has 1-3 day expected delivery dates at a later time, will they all be shipped to the same warehouse in the end so I could consolidate the orders within 20 days? This is for Australia.

  12. Very useful, but please note that there are two different options for direct shipping to HK: fast and standard. Still trying to figure what is the difference between both.

  13. In the forwarding warehouse service, can I reship the goods to another Chinese address (private shipping company)?
    The goal is to benefit from the consolidation service only.

  14. I placed my order from 2 different shops, still waiting and then I discovered I had messages, which I didn’t see until today, it doesn’t appear the site shows you have messages. One states the money I paid was for domestic shipping, interesting when you consider they know it’s shipping to the U.S. Perhaps the site isn’t all that user friendly, or I made a mistake, which I hope can be rectified.

    The other merchant advised me : “You left a foreign address, you need to take a picture of the warehouse address on Taobao before delivery.” What does that mean? The seller hasn’t responded yet.
    They asked if I want simple packaging, which I assume is much like AliExpress. A very easy site to use and buy from.
    Still waiting on a response from both merchants, it’s morning there.Are these common issues? I’m close to canceling both orders.

      1. Thank you, Eric. That’s exactly what I did. I also tried again, the seller was very nice, though the other wasn’t helpful, but I do understand. I still had an issue. I’m going to try again soon, after re-reading your information, your site is VERY helpful.

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