Why More Australians Are Shopping on Taobao — And How Forwarding Makes It Possible
The first time I moved to Australia, I didn’t expect to miss Taobao so much. In China, it’s where I bought snacks, daily essentials, shoes, books — practically everything. But once I settled down overseas, I realized many of those items are simply unavailable locally, or ridiculously overpriced.
That’s when I discovered Taobao forwarding.
Whether you’re a student, migrant, or just someone living in Australia who loves Chinese products, forwarding from Taobao to Australia is now easier and more cost-effective than ever — as long as you choose the right method.
What Is Taobao Forwarding and How Does It Work?
Forwarding (also called consolidated shipping) is a logistics service where your Taobao parcels are first delivered to a warehouse in China. Once all your items arrive, the forwarding company repackages and ships them overseas — all in one box. This reduces shipping costs and avoids multiple customs declarations.
Depending on what you buy and how fast you need it, there are three main options:
- Taobao Official Forwarding
- Third-Party Forwarding Services
- Taobao Direct Shipping (直邮)
Option 1: Taobao Official Forwarding to Australia
Pros:
- Bundling savings: You can combine multiple parcels into one shipment to save on shipping.
- Built-in to Taobao: No extra setup required — just select the official forwarder at checkout.
Cons:
- Slow & limited: Shipping may take 10–20 days or longer, and many items (like snacks, cosmetics, or anything with “sensitive words”) are banned.
- No repackaging: Taobao warehouses simply stack your boxes inside another carton, which increases dimensional weight and cost.
- Minimal support: Customer service is limited, and you won’t be able to adjust packaging or inspect goods.
- Strict item restrictions: Even a product name like “nail clippers” or “sex lingerie” can get flagged.
Option 2: Third-Party Forwarders — Flexible and Faster
Third-party forwarders like GoNest fill the gap where Taobao’s official forwarding falls short.
Pros:
- Supports sensitive goods: Snacks, makeup, supplements, OTC medicine, and branded fashion can all be shipped.
- Repackaging saves cost: Parcels are opened, inspected, and reboxed to reduce weight and volume.
- Faster delivery: Express options like EMS or air freight often arrive in 4–7 days.
- Flexible shipping lines: Choose from air or sea, depending on what you’re sending and how much you’re sending.
Cons:
- Slightly higher base cost than official forwarding — but often offset by better service and fewer limitations.
How to Use a Third-Party Forwarder Like GoNest
- Register and get your Chinese warehouse address from GoNest.
- On Taobao, set this warehouse address as your shipping destination.
- After shopping, log your tracking numbers in the GoNest system.
- Once all items arrive, choose consolidation + shipping method.
- Receive your parcel in Australia via door-to-door DDP service — all duties prepaid.
Shipping Routes from China to Australia via GoNest
Air Freight General Goods Line [Standard]
- Delivery Time: 7–12 days
- Includes: Free insurance, DDP customs clearance, no category surcharges
- Base: ¥89 / 0.5 kg
- Extra: ¥32 / 0.5 kg
- Example: 1 kg = ¥108.90 (discounted from ¥121)
Sea Freight Dedicated Line [ZIPs 2000–4999]
- Delivery Time: 30–45 days
- Includes: Free insurance, door-to-door, no category surcharges
- Base: ¥192 for first 12 kg
- Extra: ¥16 / kg
- Example: 13 kg = ¥208.00 (~¥16/kg flat rate)
Option 3: Taobao Direct Shipping (直邮)
Pros:
- Simple and fast — if supported by the seller
- No need for forwarding warehouse
Cons:
- Higher shipping costs
- Many sellers don’t offer international delivery
- Limited support for sensitive or restricted goods
Forwarding vs. Consolidation — What’s the Difference?
| Type | Description | Common Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Forwarding (集运) | Combines your packages into one box to save on shipping | Great for large or mixed orders |
| Direct Shipping (直邮) | Sends item directly from seller to overseas buyer (if supported) | Only for simple orders with fast delivery |
| GoNest Transshipment (转运) | Adds packaging inspection, consolidation, repacking, and route selection | Ideal for sensitive or high-value goods |
How Long Does It Take?
| Shipping Method | Delivery Time |
|---|---|
| GoNest Air Freight | 7–12 days |
| GoNest Sea Freight | 30–45 days |
| EMS (via 3rd-party) | 5–7 days |
| DHL / FedEx / UPS | 3–5 days |
| Taobao Official Forwarding | 10–20 days |
Tips to Save Money and Avoid Problems
- Use lightweight, compact packaging — avoid oversized boxes to reduce volume weight
- Avoid restricted items — check with your forwarder first (e.g., lithium batteries, powders, liquid items)
- Use DDP services — like those from GoNest — to avoid surprise customs fees
- Order in batches — consolidate multiple items to reduce total shipping cost
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Final Thoughts: Forwarding Makes Taobao Shopping in Australia Easy
With the right forwarding partner, shopping on Taobao from Australia is not only possible — it’s practical. Whether you’re craving Chinese snacks, need OTC medicine, or want access to Chinese fashion, platforms like GoNest offer reliable, door-to-door solutions.
From repacking and customs clearance to DDP delivery, GoNest makes forwarding efficient, transparent, and safe. And with multiple lines from express air to affordable sea, there’s always an option to fit your needs.
Start shipping from Taobao to Australia the smart way. Register with GoNest and enjoy fast, flexible forwarding — with no hidden fees.
