If you’ve ever tried buying from Taobao or 1688 from overseas, you probably hit the same wall pretty fast. The products look great. Prices are low. Options feel endless.
Then you reach shipping.
Most sellers don’t ship internationally. Some don’t even show overseas options. And once you start buying from more than one store, things get messy.
That’s usually when people start looking into using a forwarder in China.
This article walks through how the process actually works. Not the theory version, but the real, step-by-step flow—from placing orders on Taobao or 1688 to receiving a single package at your door.
Why Taobao and 1688 Are Hard to Ship From Directly
The platforms themselves aren’t the problem. Shipping is.
For overseas buyers, a few things tend to come up again and again:
- Sellers only ship within China
- Orders from different stores arrive separately
- International shipping costs feel unpredictable
- There’s no chance to check items before they leave China
- 1688 often has extra restrictions for individual buyers
Without a local address, most orders simply can’t move forward. That’s where a forwarder fits in.
A forwarder gives you something Taobao and 1688 sellers already understand: a domestic Chinese delivery address.
What a Forwarder in China Actually Does
At a basic level, a forwarder sits between you and the seller.
Instead of shipping to your country, sellers ship to the forwarder’s warehouse in China. From there, the forwarder handles everything related to international delivery.
In practice, that usually includes:
- Receiving packages from multiple sellers
- Holding items until everything arrives
- Checking packages for obvious issues
- Combining orders into one shipment
- Repacking to reduce size and weight
- Sending the final package overseas
For Taobao, this makes shipping possible.
For 1688, it often makes ordering possible in the first place.
Step 1: Sign Up and Get a Chinese Warehouse Address
The process starts with registration.
Once you create an account with a forwarder in China, you’re assigned a warehouse address. This is the address you’ll use when placing orders on Taobao or 1688.
Nothing ships internationally at this stage.
You’re just setting up a local delivery point inside China.
This step alone removes most of the barriers overseas buyers run into.
Step 2: Ordering From Taobao or 1688
After that, ordering feels much more familiar.
Buying From Taobao With a Forwarder
For Taobao, the flow is simple:
- Choose your product
- Enter the warehouse address at checkout
- Pay the item price and domestic shipping
- The seller sends it to the warehouse
From the seller’s point of view, it’s a normal domestic order.
Buying From 1688 With a Forwarder
1688 takes a bit more patience.
Some listings have minimum order quantities. Some sellers don’t deal with individual buyers. Product descriptions can also be brief, especially for factory listings.
Because of this, many people rely on forwarders that also act as buying agents. Instead of ordering directly, you paste the 1688 link into the platform and let the agent handle the purchase.
For small buyers, this avoids a lot of back-and-forth.
Step 3: What Happens When Packages Reach the Warehouse
Once your items arrive, you’ll usually see them appear in your account one by one.
This is where the forwarder starts adding real value.
Typical warehouse handling includes:
- Arrival confirmation
- Basic checks to make sure items match the order
- Optional photo inspections
- Temporary storage
- Combining multiple packages into one
If you ordered from several Taobao or 1688 stores, consolidation matters. Shipping one larger package is almost always cheaper than sending several small ones separately.
Many users also choose repacking to remove extra boxes and cut down on volumetric weight.
Step 4: Choosing International Shipping
After everything is ready, you pick how the package leaves China.
Shipping costs usually depend on:
- Final weight and size after consolidation
- Destination country
- Shipping line (air, tax-free route, express, etc.)
Most forwarders offer multiple options. Some are faster. Some are cheaper. The choice depends on how urgent the order is and how much you’re willing to spend.
Once confirmed, you pay the international shipping fee and the package is dispatched.
Step 5: Customs and Final Delivery
After leaving China, the shipment goes through customs before reaching your country.
In most cases, this part doesn’t require much action from the buyer. The forwarder handles export procedures, and local couriers handle final delivery.
Depending on where you live, import taxes or duties may apply. Rules vary by country, but experienced forwarders usually follow standard declaration practices to avoid unnecessary delays.
Taobao vs 1688 When Using a Forwarder
Both platforms work with forwarders, but they serve different needs.
Taobao is generally easier for individual buyers and smaller orders. It’s common for fashion items, daily goods, and personal shopping.
1688 focuses more on wholesale pricing and factory supply. It’s great for sourcing but often benefits from buying agent support and item inspection.
Using a forwarder helps bridge the gap for both platforms.
Common Questions People Ask
Can I combine Taobao and 1688 orders? Yes. As long as items arrive at the same warehouse, they can usually be shipped together.
Do I need to speak Chinese? Not necessarily. Many forwarders provide English interfaces and customer support.
How long does shipping take? It depends on the shipping line and destination. Most deliveries fall within one to three weeks.
Getting Started Without Making It Complicated
If your goal is simply to buy from Taobao or 1688 and get everything shipped overseas without juggling too many steps, choosing the right forwarder matters more than anything else.
Some platforms are built for exactly this kind of use. For example, services like Sugargoo let you handle Taobao and 1688 orders in one place, with options for basic item checks, combining multiple packages, and choosing from different international shipping lines once everything arrives.
Another thing many users find helpful is that Sugargoo doesn’t limit itself to forwarding only. It also works as a buying agent. Instead of dealing with sellers directly, you can paste a Taobao or 1688 product link and let the platform take care of the purchase. For individual shoppers or small buyers, this removes a lot of friction from the process.
