Taobao Sale Calendar 2025: China’s Biggest Shopping Festivals

Chinese New Year Prep Sales (January 2025)

Festive red lantern decorations signal the start of Chinese New Year shopping – a time for fresh goods and big sales.

What & When: The Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) is China’s biggest holiday, and the shopping frenzy starts early January 2025, peaking just before Lunar New Year on January 29, 2025. Taobao’s “New Year Festival” sale is all about preparing for the holiday – think of it as the Chinese equivalent of a pre-Christmas shopping rush. Sales typically kick off a few weeks before the New Year and sometimes include post-holiday clearance after the festivities.

Promoted Products: During these New Year prep sales, you’ll find great deals on holiday essentials and traditional goodies. Popular categories include festive decorations (red lanterns, couplets, fairy lights), new clothing for the New Year, gift boxes of snacks and teas, kitchenware for big family dinners, and home goods to freshen up the house. It’s also common to see discounts on fashion and electronics as people treat themselves with year-end bonuses.

Key Discounts & Benefits: Many shops offer coupons or “满减” deals (e.g., spend ¥300, get ¥30 off) to entice buyers. International shoppers buying from China can take advantage of these deals through an agent. For example, if you’re using an agent like Sugargoo, they can apply seller coupons at checkout and bundle multiple New Year items together. This means you enjoy the same discounts as local Chinese shoppers. The benefit of shopping this sale from overseas is access to authentic holiday items (like special edition zodiac-themed products or regional snacks) that might be hard to find locally. Even after adding shipping, the deep discounts and China’s low prices can make it a bargain.

Shopping Tips: Start early! Shipping delays are common as the holiday nears, because sellers and couriers gradually stop operations when workers go on vacation. Try to place orders by mid-January at the latest. (Many Taobao shops will actually pause shipping about a week before the New Year.) Also, communicate with your agent about any urgent items – some agents offer expedited processing before the holiday. Utilize parcel consolidation: buy decorations, gifts, and outfits from different Taobao stores and ship them together via your agent’s consolidation service to save on international freight. And don’t forget to use the quality check service if available – for example, Sugargoo can provide quality check photos of your items before shipping, giving you peace of mind that delicate decor or electronics arrived intact.

Warnings: Timing is everything. If you want your goods in hand before the Chinese New Year (say, to host your own celebration overseas), you’ll need to order very early and use a fast shipping method – realistically, it may be tough due to the tight timeline and holiday mail backlog. Otherwise, be prepared for your parcel to ship out after the holiday (once China’s post resumes normal operations). Also, watch out for fluctuating prices: some sellers may gradually raise prices as the holiday approaches, knowing last-minute shoppers are less price-sensitive. If you spot a good deal on New Year candy tins or that silk cheongsam you want, grab it early. Lastly, avoid ordering during the actual holiday week – your order will likely sit waiting until businesses reopen. Patience is key when buying from China during the Spring Festival, but the cultural goodies and savings are worth it!

Women’s Day Sale (March 8, 2025)

What & When: March brings International Women’s Day (3.8), and Chinese e-commerce has turned it into a major sale event. The 3.8 Women’s Day Sale typically runs in the first week of March (with the main discounts peaking on March 8th itself). Some promotions may start around March 1 or 5 as a “warm-up” and then culminate on 3/8 23:59. It’s often branded as “Queen’s Day” or “Goddess Day” on shopping sites – an occasion to celebrate women with some retail therapy. 🎉

Promoted Products: As you might guess, this festival spotlights anything and everything that might appeal to female shoppers. Expect high discounts on beauty products, cosmetics, fashion, handbags, jewelry, and women’s apparel. Big cosmetics brands on Tmall (like Estée Lauder, L’Oréal, etc.) often roll out limited edition gift sets or 2-for-1 deals. Fashion retailers push new spring collections with special coupons. Even categories like home decor, fitness gear, or books targeted at women see promotions. (And fun fact: March 7 is informally “Girls’ Day” in some Chinese colleges, so younger women’s fashion and skincare might get extra love on 3/7.)

Key Discounts & Benefits: This sale is a great chance for overseas shoppers to pick up Asian skincare and makeup at prices lower than usual. For instance, you might see a facial mask bundle go down to ¥38 or a high-end lipstick at 50% off for the 3.8 theme. These are genuine discounts backed by brands – a big win if you’re abroad and typically pay import markups for the same products. If you buy from Taobao via an agent, you’ll still get these deals applied. Many items will have platform-wide discounts (like “¥40 off every ¥300” across participating Women’s Day items). International buyers can stack these savings and then ship everything in one box. An extra benefit: since this isn’t as globally famous as 11.11, shipping is relatively smooth – you won’t face the crazy delays of bigger festivals. It’s a nice mid-season perk to refill your vanity or wardrobe.

Shopping Tips: Fill your cart early. A lot of Women’s Day deals will pop up a few days beforehand. You can add items to your cart during the warm-up period and be ready to check out the moment the sale starts (often midnight on March 5 or March 8, depending on the promotion window). This way, you secure the discount before popular items sell out in your size or shade. Keep an eye out for flash sales on March 8 – e.g,. hourly specials where a limited quantity of a handbag goes for 50% off. Also, use store coupons: many shops issue exclusive 3.8 coupons (like “满200减20”) – your agent should be able to apply these when they purchase for you. If you’re new to using a Taobao agent, see our How to Buy from Taobao via Sugargoo guide to understand how to submit items and coupons. And don’t shy away from buying “sensitive” items like cosmetics or lotions – just check your agent’s shipping restrictions. Sugargoo, for example, can advise which shipping methods allow liquids or perfumes.

Warnings: The Women’s Day sale is relatively low-hassle, but a couple of things to note. First, authenticity – with cosmetics especially, stick to Tmall official stores or reputable sellers to avoid fakes. (If a deal looks too good to be true on a luxury brand, be cautious.) Using an agent’s quality check can help verify if the packaging and product look legit. Second, remember your time zone: March 8 midnight Beijing time is around March 7 morning in the U.S. and March 8 early afternoon in Europe. Don’t miss the sale window if you’re in a different zone – set a reminder if needed, or instruct your agent to purchase at the sale start. Lastly, while it’s called Women’s Day, nothing stops anyone from enjoying the discounts! Men, you can grab gadgets or streetwear, too – many stores use this as a spring sale for all. 😉

618 Mid-Year Mega Sale (June 18, 2025)

What & When: “618” Mid-Year Shopping Festival is one of the biggest sale events on the Chinese retail calendar – second only to Singles’ Day in scale. It officially peaks on June 18, 2025, but the promotions usually run June 1–18 (and even a pre-sale begins in late May). This festival started as JD.com’s anniversary sale (June 18), but now every major platform, including Taobao and Tmall, joins the party. For about two weeks, it’s a shopping extravaganza to boost mid-year sales.

Promoted Products: Everything. Seriously, 618 has massive discounts across all categories. You’ll find tech gadgets and electronics (it’s a prime time for phone upgrades or laptop deals, since 618 was tech-focused originally), home appliances, fashion and streetwear drops, kitchenware, furniture, toys – you name it. Brands often use 618 to launch summer product lines or clear older stock. For example, expect big home appliance markdowns (air purifiers, anyone?), as well as summer clothing sales (swimwear, sandals) and outdoor gear for the upcoming season. Smaller niche categories also shine; e.g., if you’re into anime collectibles or DIY tools, many niche Taobao sellers will piggyback on 618 traffic with their own discounts.

Key Discounts & Benefits: During 618, merchants compete fiercely, so the discount intensity is on par with Double 11. It’s common to see site-wide coupons like “¥50 off every ¥300 spent,” which can result in significant savings on large orders. Flash deals and limited-time spikes are everywhere. One key benefit for international shoppers: by mid-year, you might have a shopping list ready (things you’ve been eyeing since New Year), and 618 lets you buy in bulk at a nice cut. If you missed something during Double 11 last year, 618 is your chance in the first half of 2025. Also, 618’s timing means you can score deals and still get packages delivered well before any major holiday crunch. Shipping after June is usually smooth – no national holidays immediately after to jam up logistics. So your parcels should depart China in a timely manner. Another benefit: many Taobao agents (Sugargoo included) may run their own mid-year promotions – e.g., reduced service fees or special shipping discounts – to encourage you to shop 618 via their platform. Keep an eye on agent newsletters or site banners for any “618 bonus,” like extra cashback or coupons for international shipping.

Shopping Tips: Leverage the pre-sale. Starting at the end of May, a lot of 618 items go on “pre-sale,” where you pay a small deposit to reserve the item at the upcoming sale price. If you’re eyeing a high-demand item (say, a new smartphone or limited-edition sneaker), do the deposit through your agent to lock it in. Just remember to pay the remaining balance promptly when 618 arrives (usually June 18) – mark your calendar so you don’t forfeit the deposit. Another tip: combine orders to hit thresholds. Many 618 coupons require a minimum spend. It’s smart to add items from the same store or across Taobao to reach the ¥300 or ¥600 threshold and maximize your discount. You can ask your agent to check out all items together to apply cross-store “满减” offers. Also, participate in the fun and games: Taobao often has in-app games during 618 (like shaking your phone for coupons or “red envelope rain”). While some games need a Chinese phone number to play, others can be played in the app, and you can hand any won coupons to your agent to use. Don’t forget to consult reviews and use your agent’s inspection photos if you’re buying electronics or pricier goods – you want to be sure that the laptop turns on before it ships overseas! Lastly, pace yourself. The sale lasts over two weeks with different promos each day; you don’t have to buy everything on day one. You might snag better deals on June 18 itself for certain categories, but risk items selling out. I usually grab must-haves early (if the price is already good with coupons) and then do a second round on the 18th for any last-minute flash deals.

Warnings: Budget watch: With so many deals, it’s easy to overspend in the 618 hype. Make a list of what you actually need so you don’t end up with a cart full of “too good to skip” items that blow your budget (we’ve all been there!). Also, verify any seemingly huge discount – a few unscrupulous sellers might mark up prices on May 31, then “slash” them during 618. Check price histories if possible, or compare similar items to ensure the sale price is truly a bargain. Shipping and customs: While shipping is smoother than in November, you are sending possibly large combined shipments in June. If the package is very big or high-value, be mindful of customs in your country. It might be better to split into two shipments (e.g., one for electronics, one for clothes) to avoid a single box exceeding duty-free limits. And as always, watch for restricted items. 618 might have great battery pack or liquid skincare deals – those are fine to buy, just ensure you choose an appropriate shipping method via your agent (they can advise if something needs a special line). Lastly, keep receipts and order info – if any product arrives damaged or not as described, Chinese sellers often allow returns or partial refunds, and your agent can help liaise, especially if you noticed the issue through the inspection. It’s easier to resolve disputes within a couple of weeks of the sale while the transaction is fresh.

Back-to-School & 9.9 Festival (Late Aug – Early Sep 2025)

What & When: As summer winds down, Taobao rolls out Back-to-School promotions in late August. These usually start in the second half of August (often around August 20–30), aligning with the start of the new school semester in China (early September). Right on the heels of this, there’s the 9.9 Festival on September 9 – a one-day (or short period) sale originally known for discounts on many everyday items (and even a special focus on wine, since “9” sounds like “jiu,” which means alcohol). Together, these late summer/early fall sales create a shopping season aimed at students, parents, and really anyone prepping for the end of the year’s last quarter.

Promoted Products: School and office supplies take center stage in the back-to-school sale. Think stylish stationery, notebooks, backpacks, lunch boxes, and study desk organizers. Electronics are big too – many shops promote laptops, tablets, noise-cancelling headphones, and calculators for the new school year. Dorm essentials like bedding, mini fridges, and décor for college students also see deals. Clothing retailers join the fun with fall fashion and “new semester” outfits for kids and teens. When September 9 arrives, the 99 Festival broadens the scope: you’ll find discounts on household items, small appliances, electronics, and autumn apparel. For instance, expect deals on home organization goods (perfect for fall cleaning), smart home gadgets, as well as seasonal clothing like light jackets and sneakers. And yes, given the origin as a wine festival, many online liquor stores offer promotions on wine, whiskey, and Chinese baijiu in early September – something to note if you’re an enthusiast (just check import rules for liquor!).

Key Discounts & Benefits: Back-to-school sales mean bundle deals and student discounts. You might see offers like “stationery kits 5 items for ¥50” or buy-one-get-one on art supplies. Tech brands sometimes have student pricing – e.g., a laptop might come with a free mouse or software package. For international shoppers, this period is fantastic for snagging unique Asian stationery (who can resist those cute Japanese gel pens or Korean planners?) at low prices. Even after paying for shipping, you’ll likely save compared to buying imported stationery or gadgets locally. The 9.9 Festival, meanwhile, often features across-the-board price cuts – not as steep as 11.11, but solid deals especially on domestic Chinese brands. If you use an agent, one benefit is that you can grab heavy or bulky items (say a desk chair or a box of textbooks) that might be prohibitive to ship individually – your agent can consolidate them. Also, since these sales are a bit under the radar globally, there’s less competition for stock. You’re less likely to encounter “sold out” messages or crashing websites. Taobao deals 2025 in early September might include things like a rice cooker at 30% off or a Xiaomi gadget sale, which overseas buyers can easily tap into via a Taobao agent.

Shopping Tips: Plan for the school year – even if you’re not literally going to school! This is a great time to stock up on office supplies, get a new backpack for travel, or refresh your work-from-home setup. Create a list of items you need and check if they’re likely cheaper now. For example, August is a good time to buy a printer or monitor, since many brands run “学期开学” (semester start) promos. If you have kids, involve them in picking out their favorite themed stationery on Taobao (there’s everything from cute cartoon pencil cases to advanced math practice books in Chinese). You can then use Sugargoo’s consolidation to bundle these into one box. Another tip: take advantage of the 9.9 timing – some sellers will let you combine the back-to-school and 9.9 deals if they run consecutively. For instance, add items to your cart during late August and see if any coupons are valid through September 9, then do one big checkout on 9/9 to apply both a seller’s discount and the 9.9 platform coupon. Keep an eye on Tmall stores for any student-specific coupons (sometimes requiring .edu email or just labeled as student deals). And as always, check reviews especially for electronics or dorm appliances – safety first. Agents can help test simple functions of electronics if you request a quick check (like turning on a lamp).

Warnings: Shipping timeline: If you actually need items by September (say, for school that month), remember international shipping can take a few weeks. Plan a cushion; order in early August if possible to ensure arrival by mid-September. Otherwise, you might be doing the first month of classes without that new calculator. Also, be mindful of language/cultural differences in some products – e.g., textbooks or planners might be in Chinese, which is great if you’re learning the language but could be a surprise if you expected English. Read product descriptions carefully (use Chrome Translate or ask your agent) to avoid buying something that is not usable to you. During 9.9, one thing to watch is that it’s not as heavily marketed, so make sure you know it’s happening – mark 9/9 on your calendar, as it’s easy to forget compared to the hype of bigger sales. Lastly, verify product specs for overseas use: if you buy a desk lamp or appliance during these sales, ensure it supports your country’s voltage or plug type. Many listings will state this, and you can always grab a cheap power adapter on Taobao too. With a bit of homework, the late summer sales can be a treasure trove for quality goods at bargain prices.

National Day Golden Week Sales (Oct 1–7, 2025)

What & When: China’s National Day on October 1 kicks off the Golden Week, a week-long public holiday. While many Chinese use this time to travel or visit family, it’s also a period of robust shopping promotions. In 2025, expect a National Day sale period running roughly from late September (around September 25) up to October 7. Alibaba platforms often hold a “National Day Golden Week Promotion” spanning the holiday week. This is somewhat akin to a Black Friday week, but tied to patriotic celebrations and the autumn season.

Promoted Products: It’s a mixed bag of promotions. Travel-related goods often see specials before the holiday – suitcases, cameras, travel accessories – catering to the millions on the move. During the Golden Week itself, retailers might highlight home appliances and electronics, encouraging folks to treat themselves during the break. In 2018, for example, Xiaomi offered notable phone discounts during Golden Week. You’ll also find fall fashion sales (since October weather means new wardrobes in much of China) and home & living products (many people use the time off to spruce up their homes). Outdoor gear can be on sale too – think camping equipment or sports gear – as autumn is great for outdoor activities. Essentially, from big shopping malls to local stores to online shops, everyone gets in on themed promotions for the holiday. Don’t be surprised to see banners like “National Day Sale! 70th Anniversary Deals!” etc. on Taobao’s front page around this time.

Key Discounts & Benefits: For international shoppers, Golden Week sales are a perfect opportunity to get a jump on items that will also be hot during Double 11 – but without the intense competition. Prices might not be as rock-bottom as 11.11, but you can still find substantial discounts (20-50% range) and use platform coupons. One benefit: avoidance of the November rush. If you buy in early October, your items can be in your hands by late October, which is great if you need something before the end of the year. Another benefit is that some brands release new products in September, and by Golden Week, those might have their first discount. For instance, a new model of a smart vacuum released in August might be 10% off in this sale – whereas if you wait until November, it might only have limited stock or a smaller discount due to demand. So it’s a strategic time to purchase new arrivals with a small promo, or to grab last season’s items on clearance before the winter sales. Internationally, there’s also the fun factor: while others may not know about this sale, you’re scoring deals! You can also use Golden Week to do a “test run” of your Taobao agent setup before the bigger Double 11 – make sure your account, payment, and shipping with the agent all work smoothly with a smaller order now.

Shopping Tips: Order just before the holiday starts. Here’s a quirk: many sellers and warehouses close from October 1 to 7, so if you place an order during that week, it might not ship until after the 7th. However, the sales often begin a few days before October 1. If you can, place orders between Sept 25–30 to have them processed and perhaps shipped out before the break. Use your agent’s “buy now” or “priority” service if you’re in a hurry – for example, Sugargoo’s fast order processing can help snag items right as the sale goes live on Sept 28. Also, collect coupons: there may be National Day coupons like “庆国庆￥100减￥10” (National Celebration: ¥10 off ¥100), which you can stack on top of seller discounts. These might be advertised on the Taobao app or sent via messages – ask your agent if any platform coupons are available for your items. Another tip: since Golden Week is about celebration, look for limited-edition patriotic merch or collabs. Brands sometimes release items in China flag colors or with “1949-2025” anniversary logos. These can be cool collectibles (e.g., a special edition skincare set or a toy with national flag themes). If you’re into that, Golden Week is the time. And don’t forget to browse Tmall Global if you’re in China during that time or have access – they sometimes run parallel “international” promotions, though if you’re already overseas, it’s usually better to buy domestic Taobao and ship via agent for lower cost.

Warnings: Holiday delays: As mentioned, China essentially “pauses” for a week. So if your orders don’t ship by Sep 30, they likely won’t move until Oct 8. This isn’t a huge problem, just something to be aware of – you might see “no logistics updates” for several days, which is normal. Additionally, customer service may be slow during the break; many shop owners or CS reps are off duty, so any inquiries or size exchanges might not get answered immediately. Patience is key. Another warning: some sellers might not participate heavily in this promotion, anticipating bigger sales on 11.11. So not every store will have a blowout deal now. You might find, say, a certain phone model is only mildly discounted now but will be much cheaper in November. Use your judgment – if the need is not urgent, you could wait; but if the price difference is small, it can be worth avoiding the November madness. Lastly, watch currency and payment timing. If you’re converting money to CNY to top up your agent account, note that exchange rates can fluctuate, and banks might be closed on October 1 (a bank holiday) if you’re using a direct transfer. It’s a minor thing, but plan your budgeting a couple of days around it if needed. Overall, Golden Week is a “quieter” big sale – a nice warm-up to the main event coming next.

Double 11 – Singles’ Day Shopping Festival (November 11, 2025)

Alibaba’s campus decked out for a past 11.11 Singles’ Day festival – a glimpse of the nationwide shopping frenzy that erupts every November.

What & When: Double 11, a.k.a. Singles’ Day, is the world’s largest online shopping event. Mark November 11, 2025, in bold red on your calendar. What started as a one-day promo on 11/11 has ballooned into a weeks-long extravaganza. These days, the festival kicks off with pre-sale campaigns as early as late October and then reaches a climax with 24 hours of insane sales on November 11. (Sometimes there’s even an additional wave on 11/12 or a “Black Friday” style extension, but 11.11 is the main day.) In short, this is the big one – China’s Black Friday x Cyber Monday x Prime Day all rolled into one, and then some.

Promoted Products: Literally everything is on sale. From big-ticket electronics (TVs, smartphones, laptops) to everyday necessities (toilet paper, snacks), if it’s sold on Taobao/Tmall, it likely has a discount for 11.11. Major international brands participate with special Tmall flagship store deals, and small niche Taobao shops also offer coupons to capitalize on the surge in traffic. You’ll see fashion brands launching exclusive 11.11 collections, beauty brands doing “buy one get one” on popular items, appliance makers offering their lowest prices of the year, and even car companies and real estate platforms joining (yes, people have bought cars and houses during Double 11 promotions!). For overseas shoppers, it’s a golden chance to pick up Chinese brands and products that might not even be available locally – think of unique gadgets from the Xiaomi ecosystem, or quirky Taobao finds, all discounted. No category is left behind. If I had to pick highlights, electronics and tech often see massive sales, autumn/winter clothing sees clearance pricing, home and kitchen appliances drop sharply, and hobby items (from gaming chairs to musical instruments) also tend to get cheaper.

Key Discounts & Benefits: This is when you’ll find the biggest discounts of the year on many products. Alibaba reported that in one recent Singles’ Day, 80 million products were offered at their deepest discount of the year. So the benefit is obvious: maximum savings. It’s not uncommon to get 50-70% off retail on select items, plus layered coupons and cashback. For international shoppers, if you plan well, the savings from 11.11 can easily offset your shipping costs and agent fees. For example, I scored a winter coat at 60% off last year – even after paying for international delivery through Sugargoo, I still saved about $100 versus buying a similar coat locally. Another benefit: bundling and consolidating during 11.11 can be super efficient. You can do your buying from China for the next several months all in one go – get clothes, gadgets, home decor, all together – and then have your agent ship everything in one or two big boxes. Think of it like doing all your holiday shopping (and even next year’s shopping) on one epic day. Also, the festive experience is a plus. There are live-streams, countdown sales, celebrity performances (Alibaba loves their 11.11 gala night). Even from overseas, you can feel the excitement – some agents might have live updates or special dashboards showing deals. Sugargoo typically highlights some hot items or offers extra reward points for shopping on 11.11, which is a nice perk. Finally, if you’re hunting niche items (like a specialty cosplay costume or a limited-edition collectible), 11.11 is when sellers often restock and sell them at a discount, since the massive traffic can help them sell volume.

Shopping Tips: Oh boy, where to start – an entire article on Double 11 tips could be written (and indeed, check out our Singles’ Day overseas shopping tips. But here are the key ones:

• Prepare a wishlist and cart in advance: Browse and select your items in October. Many products will show a “预售” (pre-sale) or an orange “11.11” icon on Taobao in late Oct – add those to cart. Use the pre-sale if available: pay the small deposit via your agent to reserve the deal, then mark down the final payment date (usually November 11 midnight or a specified time) so you or your agent can complete the purchase. This ensures you lock in limited offers.
• Top up your agent balance ahead of time: You don’t want payment snags on the big day. Make sure your Sugargoo account has enough funds by early November. If using PayPal or a card to add money, do it a couple of days in advance, to allow for processing time. Then, when it’s go-time, you can quickly pay for your orders without delays.
• Midnight madness: The biggest discounts or limited-quantity offers often go live at 00:00 on 11/11 (China time). If you’re chasing something likely to sell out (a hot new phone model, a limited edition item, or just a very popular product at a great price), be ready at that exact time. Since midnight in Beijing is midday of Nov 10 in New York and early morning Nov 11 in Europe, plan accordingly. You can either stay up/set an alarm or coordinate with your agent. Some agents offer an “auto-buy” feature for 11.11 if you pre-submit orders – check if Sugargoo has this service, or consider asking a friend in a closer time zone to help if needed.
• Use all the coupons and perks: Double 11 is a gamified experience. There will be store coupons (店铺优惠券) on individual shops – collect them in advance (you often have to click to claim). There will be platform-wide coupons or credits – for example, Alibaba might distribute “red envelopes” (红包) that give small amounts randomly, or offer a daily check-in bonus. Engage with these as much as you can; your agent can apply any coupons available in your Taobao account at checkout. Also, look at bank/Alipay promotions – sometimes using Alipay via certain cards gives extra discounts. If you don’t have Alipay, your agent likely does, so they might automatically benefit from some of these (and pass the savings to you).
• Consider split shipments based on urgency or category: During 11.11, I tend to order a lot. I’ll then split my haul into maybe two shipments: one for items I want ASAP (gift items for Christmas, or winter clothes I need now) and one for less urgent stuff (bulk buys of snacks or decor). This way, I can pay for faster shipping on the first batch and economy on the second. Your agent’s warehouse will hold items for a while (Sugargoo offers free storage for a certain period), so you can time the shipments. Just don’t wait too long to ship, as warehouses fill up after November 11.
• Be patient and use tracking: After you’ve made your purchases, sit back and relax – everybody is shopping that day, so merchants might take a bit longer to pack and send out. It’s normal. Use the tracking provided by your agent to monitor when each item arrives at their warehouse. Once all in, you’ll consolidate and ship out as one package.

Warnings: Expect shipping delays. Domestic delivery in China during Singles’ Day is extremely backlogged. Even though sellers try their best, a package that normally takes 2-3 days may take 7-10 days to reach your agent’s warehouse. And international shipping channels can get overwhelmed too (especially routes to North America and Europe, given the sheer volume of exports after 11.11). So, the usual 5-10-day airmail might become 15+ days. Don’t panic – this is normal. Just factor it in if you’re hoping to get items by a specific date. For example, for Christmas gifts, 11.11 orders might arrive by mid-December or late December, but there’s a risk of slipping into January depending on your shipping method and any customs slowdowns. If timing is critical, use the fastest shipping option you can afford and ship as soon as your items arrive at the agent.

Another warning: fake discounts and impulse buys. During 11.11, the flashy “XX% off” tags are everywhere. Not every deal is as amazing as it looks. Some less honest sellers might inflate prices in October so that a “50% off” on 11.11 is actually just a 10% real discount off the true market price. If you’ve been eyeing a product for a while, note its normal price so you can judge the deal. Tools like price history trackers (or even asking around in Taobao forums) can help if you suspect a discount isn’t real. Also, the carnival atmosphere can lead to buying weird things you don’t actually need (I confess to once buying an automatic soap dispenser I never ended up using, simply because it was 70% off on 11.11!). Try to keep a level head and stick to your plan – at least for the big purchases; a few fun impulse buys are part of the experience, but don’t go overboard or blow your budget.

Be mindful of fraud: with so many transactions, phishing and scams also peak. Only use official channels – if you’re using Sugargoo, stick to their site for orders, don’t click random Taobao links sent in emails, or give out your Taobao login details. Legit agents handle everything within their platform. Watch out for any strange emails claiming issues with your order, asking for personal info – those are likely fake.

Finally, customer service & returns: due to volume, if an item arrives defective or wrong, expect a slower response from sellers. It’s good that you have an agent – they can help return or exchange items, but it might take longer than usual because of an increased volume of post-sale service. Try to check your items via photos at the warehouse promptly, and alert your agent quickly if something’s wrong so they can initiate a return within the allowable window (usually 7 days for Taobao). Knowing this, I often avoid buying things with a high chance of issues (like complex electronics or tailor-made items) on 11.11, unless I’m okay with dealing with a possible return/refund process. But overall, the vast majority of my 11.11 spoils have been just fine – and the savings simply unbeatable.

Double 12 & Year-End Sale (December 12, 2025)

What & When: After the big November blowout, Taobao hosts another notable sale around December 12 (12.12), known as Double 12. Traditionally, 12.12 was seen as a smaller “encore” for those who missed Singles’ Day, and it’s sometimes nicknamed “Couples’ Day” (since 12-12 has two pairs, unlike the solitary 11-11). In 2025, we anticipate a Double 12 event on December 12, though in recent years Alibaba has tweaked the format – for example, in 2023 they actually replaced the 12.12 festival with a “Year-End Sale” starting December 9. So, keep an eye out: whether it’s called Double 12 or Year-End Good Price Festival, mid-December will bring another wave of promotions. Typically, it might run December 8/9 through 12 or even later into late December.

Promoted Products: The focus here is often on clearance and smaller brands. By this time, many big brands have already hit their major sales targets on 11.11, so Double 12 is a chance for lesser-known or newer Taobao shops to shine with deals. You’ll find lots of fashion clearance (getting rid of remaining fall/winter collections), accessories, home decor, and giftable items – since people are buying holiday gifts, sellers offer deals on things like scarves, gadgets, and toys. It’s also a good time for inventory clearance across categories: expect flash sales on miscellaneous stock, perhaps last-gen tech devices (the 2024 model phone discounted after the 2025 model launched), or overstock household items at bargain prices. Small appliances and local Chinese specialty products often do well now, too. For example, a smaller home appliance brand might do “12.12 one-day only half price” on an air fryer to clear stock. Digital goods and subscriptions sometimes appear (some e-learning courses or software might have year-end promo codes). Essentially, Double 12 has a bit of everything, but less of the huge flagship store vibe and more of the niche Taobao seller vibe.

Key Discounts & Benefits: One key benefit: if you missed out on 11.11, here’s your second chance. Perhaps your budget didn’t allow some purchases in November, or you realized later you still want that item – there’s a good chance it’s on sale again for 12.12 (albeit maybe not as steeply discounted, but still good). Also, Double 12 tends to be more relaxed. The frenzy and competition are lower, so you can shop without scrambling. From overseas, that means you don’t need to wake up at 4 AM or worry about instant sell-outs. Many deals will last a few days or until stock is gone. For international shoppers, another benefit is a more efficient shipping process compared to 11.11. By mid-December, the domestic backlog had cleared a bit. However, note that international shipping in mid-December can be slower due to global holiday mail (see warnings below). Still, in my experience, items bought on 12.12 often arrived faster than those from 11.11 because sellers and warehouses had caught up by then. Additionally, sometimes logistics companies offer promotions around year-end – e.g., discounted shipping rates for certain routes to spur year-end sales. Check if Sugargoo or your shipping carrier has any year-end postage deals; occasionally, they do (like 10% off certain express lines in December, etc.). Another benefit: smaller brands = more personalized service. I’ve gotten lovely notes and freebie gifts from small Taobao shop owners during Double 12, thanking me for the support. It feels like a more intimate shopping vibe compared to the big corporate Singles’ Day.

Shopping Tips: Check for Year-End coupons: Since Alibaba has been known to beef up Double 12 into a broader “Year-End” festival, they often release platform coupons in mid-December. These could be general ones (e.g., ¥30 off ¥299, available site-wide). Make sure to log in around early December or ask your agent about any coupons and claim them. They often have limited claim windows.

Think gifts and future needs: Double 12 is great for last-minute holiday gifts (if shipping time allows) or even planning ahead for upcoming events. For example, I often use this sale to buy a few extra accessories or trinkets that I can give as gifts for the Chinese New Year or birthdays in early 2026. If you know your friend’s birthday is in March and they love anime figurines, why not grab one now on sale? You’ll save money and have it ready.

Group low-value items: If you have a bunch of small items you didn’t justify shipping alone earlier (like some cute phone cases or socks you wanted on 11.11 but skipped), Double 12 is the time to get them and ship together. By now, your agent’s free storage period for 11.11 items might be ending (many agents give 30-60 days free storage), so you can add some 12.12 goodies and then do one combined shipment. This is a classic strategy: hold your 11.11 loot a few extra weeks, add 12.12 purchases, then consolidate everything to ship in one big batch in mid-December. Just be careful not to exceed any weight limits that bump you into pricier shipping brackets (sometimes splitting into two boxes is cheaper than one huge heavy box due to how international rates step up).

Watch the rebrands: If Alibaba continues the trend, you might not see a “12.12” banner; it could be called something like “年末大促” (Year-End Sale) or similar. Functionally, it’s the same, but keep your eyes on the news from Taobao. (We’ll update on Sugargoo’s blog if any changes happen, so you’re in the loop!)

Take advantage of agent services: Since things are calmer, you can experiment with services like quality check photos in more detail. For instance, if you bought a bunch of clothing, you could ask the agent to measure them or show all colors – they’ll have a bit more bandwidth now than during the 11.11 rush. Also, if you’re ordering custom-made items (such as tailor-made dresses or 3D-printed items), Double 12’s timeline might allow those to be made and delivered to your agent by early January, before the Chinese New Year cutoff.

Warnings: Shifting schedules: As mentioned, Alibaba might alter the exact dates or format. Stay flexible – the sale will happen, but it might start on Dec 9 or last until Dec 15, etc. This isn’t so much a problem as something to be aware of by checking announcements or the Taobao app.

Global shipping delays: Ordering in mid-December means your package might be in transit during Christmas and New Year’s, when global logistics can slow down. Postal services, couriers, customs offices – many have days off or reduced staff around late December. So that gift you ordered on December 12 might not reach you by December 25 (if you were hoping for that). If timing is critical (e.g., a Christmas gift), you might be better off shopping on 11.11 or buying locally. But if it’s just for you, no worries. I often only receive my 12.12 items in early January, which is fine for my needs. Also, if your country has import closures or backlogs around the New Year, factor that in.

Less dramatic discounts: Manage expectations – Double 12 deals can be great, but usually not as across-the-board spectacular as 11.11. For example, an item that was 50% off on 11.11 might be 30% off now, or maybe the same 50% but with limited stock. If something didn’t sell well on Singles’ Day, it might actually get an even bigger discount now (bonus for you!). But if it was a hot seller, it might not be much cheaper this time. Essentially, value hunt among the leftovers and under-the-radar items. That’s where Double 12 shines.

Potential lower stock: With year-end approaching, some shops run low on inventory. If you’re eyeing winter clothing in late Dec, popular sizes/colors might be sold out from earlier sales. Be ready with alternatives, or understand you might not get the first pick.

Lastly, remember the Chinese New Year is around the corner (late Jan/Feb 2026). After Double 12, the next big wave is prepping for that. Some of your Double 12 purchases might actually be intended for Spring Festival (like new clothes or gifts), so it’s a nice time. Just be aware that after this sale, China’s e-commerce will gear up for the New Year rush quickly.

New Year Clearance Sales (Late Dec 2025 – Jan 2026)

What & When: As the calendar year wraps up, there’s often a New Year Clearance period on Taobao and Tmall. This is not a single, coordinated festival like the others, but rather a general clearance season that spans the last week of December 2025 into early January 2026. Many shops will run end-of-year deals to clear old inventory and make way for new stock (and also to meet annual sales targets). You’ll see language like “年终大促” (year-end sale) or “清仓” (clearance) in late December. It’s somewhat analogous to after-Christmas sales or January sales in the West.

Promoted Products: Clearance is the keyword – so expect discounts on products that are seasonal or from previous batches. Winter clothing that didn’t sell out in November/December might get further markdowns in early January (though in China, winter lasts through Feb, so good deals to be had on coats, boots, and sweaters now). Gadgets and electronics that have new models coming in 2026 could be on clearance (for instance, a 2025 model camera might drop in price before the 2026 model launches after CNY). Home decor and furnishings often go on sale as people do year-end home makeovers. Also, since Chinese New Year 2026 will be in February, some sellers start pushing pre-Spring Festival goods in early January – which can look like a sale on New Year decor, candies, etc., but that’s more of next year’s festival cycle starting. In summary, you’ll find a bit of everything, usually marked with “clearance” or “year-end sale” banners, especially from stores that want to clear stock before the fiscal year closes.

Key Discounts & Benefits: The nice thing about year-end clearance is bargain bin prices on random items. It’s the time when, say, only size XL is left of a jacket, and the seller just wants it gone – you might get it for 70% off. Or a toy store has a few units of an older model RC drone and slaps a huge discount to free up warehouse space. If you’re lucky, you can catch these deals as an overseas buyer. It’s less about planning, more about browsing and stumbling on “wow, that’s cheap” finds. Benefit: since most big planned purchases are done, you can allocate a bit of fun money to clearance hunting. Another benefit is low-pressure shopping – no countdown clocks or fierce competition; clearance items can linger for days or weeks until sold. You can even message the seller (through your agent) to ask for a better price if it doesn’t sell (some might oblige). For international folks, it’s a chance to get items at rock-bottom prices – sometimes even cheaper than in China’s domestic market earlier, because sellers prefer to sell at a loss rather than hold inventory over the long holiday. Also, if you’re already gearing up to buy from China for the next Chinese New Year, you might find early deals now. For example, I’ve grabbed New Year decorative couplets in early January at a super cheap price, because shops had overstock from last year’s design. Use them for the upcoming New Year – they don’t go bad! So you save money and avoid the rush when everyone else buys later.

Shopping Tips: Browse “Sale” sections: Many Taobao stores have a 销售专区 or 清仓区 (sale/clearance section) in their online storefront. Click through those in late December – you’ll directly see what items they slashed prices on. Also use search keywords like “清仓” or “特价” (special price) with filters for items updated in the last day/week – this can dig up lots of clearance listings. If using Sugargoo’s interface, you can search by image or keywords in Chinese to find these. Don’t hesitate to ask their customer service for help finding clearance deals; they might give tips.

Consider bulk buys: Sometimes, clearance is about moving volume. For instance, a stationery shop might bundle 10 random notebooks for a low price, or a snacks seller offers “buy 5 get 5 free” on candies to clear stock. If it’s stuff you can use (or share with friends), go for bulk – you’ll get a great per-item cost. And shipping a few extra items won’t increase your international cost much if you’re consolidating.

Be mindful of timing: If you order in very late December, note that the New Year (Jan 1) is a public holiday in China (though only 1 day off, not a long break). There might be a slight delay around January 1 as delivery companies and businesses take a day off. And beyond that, Chinese New Year 2026 is coming in early Feb, meaning by mid-late January, some sellers may start slowing down. So try to get clearance orders in by the first week of January to ensure everything ships before any Spring Festival disruptions. Basically, use the first half of January as your last window to ship items out of China before CNY.

Check agent storage deadlines: If you still have items sitting since 11.11 in the warehouse, be aware of any free storage time limit. Year-end is a good prompt to ship them before the holidays. Maybe use the clearance sale as an excuse to add one or two more goodies and then dispatch the parcel to yourself.

Warnings: All sales final: Clearance items might be marked as non-refundable or non-exchangeable. It’s common that super-discounted items are sold “as is,” meaning no returns unless it’s a serious defect. Make sure you actually want it, and have your agent check it. If it’s clothing, verify measurements because only odd sizes may be available. If it’s electronics, ask the agent to test basic function during the quality check, because returning it later might not be possible (the seller might be off for holidays or just refuse returns on clearance).

Check for damage or defects: Sometimes items on clearance could be there due to minor flaws or because they were display models. Usually, the listing will mention if so, but if you can’t read Chinese, you might miss it. For example, a lamp might be 50% off because its packaging is damaged or it’s missing a small accessory. Use photo translation or ask your agent to clarify any note in the description, like “瑕疵” (flaw) or “样品” (sample/display). That way you won’t be surprised.

End of year budget: By now, you may have spent a lot on sales in 2025 😄. It’s okay to skip the clearance spree if you’re all shopped out. There will always be more sales. Don’t feel FOMO if your wallet needs a rest after the big ones. The clearance deals are nice-to-haves, not must-buys.

With that said, pat yourself on the back – you’ve navigated a full year of Taobao shopping festivals! 🎉 Using this Taobao sale calendar, you can strategically plan your buys, enjoy huge savings, and have a lot of fun along the way. Remember, the key to how to shop Taobao from overseas successfully is to plan ahead, use a reliable Taobao agent (like Sugargoo), and take advantage of each event’s strengths. Happy shopping in 2025, and may your hauls be plentiful!

FAQ:

Q: How to buy during the Taobao pre-sale?

A: Pre-sale (预售) happens before big events like 618 or 11.11. During pre-sale, you pay a deposit to reserve an item at the upcoming discount price. To buy, have your agent place the order and pay the deposit amount. When the actual sale begins (on the designated date), you must pay the remaining balance to complete the purchase. Communicate with your agent – for example, top up enough funds and notify them to pay the final payment as soon as it’s due (usually within a 1-3 day window when the sale starts). By doing this, you secure the item and any bonus gifts for pre-sale buyers. In short: pay deposit early, then pay the rest during the sale – your agent will handle both if you instruct them.

Q: Can I use Taobao discount codes overseas?

A: Yes, you can! Taobao’s discount codes, coupons, and vouchers are generally applied at checkout on the platform and are not region-locked. If you’re using a Taobao agent, they will use any seller coupons or platform promotions available for your order. For example, if there’s a “¥50 off on ¥300” coupon, your agent can apply it just like a regular user in China would. Do note: certain promotions (like Chinese bank credit card rebates, or “new user” app coupons) might require local credentials which you as an overseas user, can’t get, but your agent might fulfill some of those (e.g., agents often have VIP status on Taobao to get extra discounts which they pass on). So in practice, you get almost all the same discounts. One thing to remember is to tell your agent about any specific promo codes you have (if you got a code from an event or email, for instance). They’ll input it for you. But platform-wide automatic discounts (like Double 11’s instant reductions) will be applied by default. So yes – overseas shoppers aren’t left out of the coupon game!

Q: How long does shipping take during Double 11?

A: Longer than usual – patience required. After Double 11, domestic shipping within China can take 1-2 weeks for your items to reach the agent (a process that’s normally just 2-5 days) because couriers are overwhelmed with millions of packages. Once your agent has consolidated and shipped your parcel internationally, the timeline depends on the shipping method: for example, air express, which might normally be 5-8 days, could stretch to 10-15 days in November due to backlogs and fully booked flights. Economic airmail or sea freight will be even slower (possibly an extra 1-2 weeks on top of the usual). In many cases, if you order on 11.11, expect your combined package to only depart China around late November and arrive at you by mid to late December. So roughly 4-6 weeks total isn’t unusual for the whole process during this peak season. To mitigate this, you can choose faster shipping options and pay promptly so your package is shipped out as early as possible. And as always, your agent will provide tracking – keep an eye on it, and don’t stress if it hasn’t moved for a few days. It’s just the Double 11 ripple effect. By New Year’s, things usually catch up.