Why European Buyers Are Turning to Taobao — and How to Ship Right
When I first moved to Berlin, I thought online shopping would be just as easy as in China.
But I quickly found that many of my favorite Chinese products — snacks, gadgets, budget fashion, even basic daily items —
were nowhere to be found in local stores or European marketplaces.
That’s when I realized: the only way to keep getting what I really wanted was to shop on Taobao, and forward those orders to Europe.
What Is Taobao Forwarding?
Taobao forwarding is the process of buying from Taobao and shipping your items to an overseas destination via a logistics middleman.
Instead of relying on sellers to ship directly (which most won’t), your items are sent to a domestic warehouse in China, then repackaged and forwarded abroad — either by air, sea, or truck freight.
- Bundle multiple items into one shipment
- Save on international shipping
- Access products that sellers don’t ship directly overseas
Why You Should Use a Third-Party Forwarder Like GeeseNest
- ✅ DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Customs and import taxes fully handled for you
- ✅ Sensitive goods support: Snacks, beauty products, electronics, and more
- ✅ Smart route matching: Choose air, sea, or truck freight
- ✅ Full tracking and warehouse control: Inspect, repack, consolidate as needed
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How to Forward Taobao Orders to Europe in 2025
- Create a GeeseNest account and get your warehouse address.
- Shop on Taobao as usual. Use the warehouse address at checkout.
- Submit tracking numbers in the GeeseNest dashboard.
- Wait for your parcels to arrive at the warehouse and request consolidation or inspection.
- Choose a shipping route — air, truck, or sea.
- Receive your items with DDP and full tracking.
Shipping Options and Prices from China to Europe (via GeeseNest)
Air Freight — Fast & Direct
- Transit Time: 7–12 days
- Base Price: €18.81 / kg
- Additional Weight: €4.78 / 0.5 kg
- Best for: Urgent, high-value goods
Truck Freight — Balanced
- Transit Time: 25–35 days
- Flat Price: €57.02 / 12 kg
- Best for: Medium-weight mixed parcels
Sea Freight — Lowest Cost
- Transit Time: 30–35 days
- Flat Price: $54.57 / 21 kg
- Best for: Bulk orders of 20kg+
Which Shipping Method Is Best for You?
| Mode | Time | Best For | Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Freight | 7–12 days | Light, urgent | €18.81/kg | Fast, DDP | Costly for bulk |
| Truck Freight | 25–35 days | 12–24kg mixed | €4.75/kg | Balanced cost | Slower than air |
| Sea Freight | 30–35 days | Bulk 20kg+ | ~$2.60/kg | Cheapest | Slowest |
Supported Item Categories for Europe
- Branded fashion, sneakers, accessories
- Snacks, pantry goods
- Beauty & skincare (e.g., masks, serums)
- Electronics (earbuds, peripherals)
⚠️ Restricted: liquids over 100ml, live animals, fresh food, lithium batteries (check first)
FAQs About Taobao to Europe Forwarding
- Q: Do I need to declare customs?
A: No, DDP covers it. - Q: Can I consolidate parcels?
A: Yes — recommended for saving cost. - Q: Is tracking available?
A: Full door-to-door tracking included. - Q: Are all products allowed?
A: Most — but confirm with forwarder for restricted items.
Final Thoughts: Buy on Taobao, Ship to Europe, Stress-Free
With the right forwarder like GeeseNest, buying from Taobao and shipping to Europe is easy and safe. Whether you’re sending 1kg of beauty products or 25kg of mixed goods, you’ll get fast service, full tracking, and no customs headaches.
✅ Start forwarding smarter — register with GeeseNest and shop Taobao like a local.
