Have you been in a situation where you're in the Philippines but your heart is set on buying goodies from Taobao? Whether it's household items, electronics, or fashionable clothing, the choices on Taobao are always dazzling. But the question arises, how can you send these treasures to the Philippines smoothly? Don't worry, today we'll talk in detail about how to shop via Taobao in the Philippines and utilize shipping services to get the goods safely to you.
Taobao shopping: from the order to fill in the shipping address
First of all, the Taobao shopping process is basically the same as in China. You can pick up your favorite items on Taobao, add them to your shopping cart, and then place your order. But you need to pay special attention when filling in the delivery address:
Fill in the Guangzhou warehouse address:
You need to contact a freight forwarder that offers ocean freight services in the Philippines to get their Guangzhou warehouse address and consignee information. This address will serve as your “transit point” where Taobao sellers will send their goods first.
Add mark information:
In the shipping address or notes, be sure to add your mark (usually an abbreviation of your name or unique identifier). This mark is an important basis for freight forwarders to identify your package, do not miss!
Second, the seller shipped to the warehouse in Guangzhou
After the order, Taobao sellers will be shipped in accordance with the Guangzhou warehouse address you provide. In general, the seller will be shipped within 1-3 days, the specific time depends on the inventory of goods and the seller's shipping speed.
Third, the freight forwarder operation: check the goods and arrange sea transportation
When your parcel arrives at the Guangzhou warehouse, the freight forwarder will start their work:
Check the goods:
Freight forwarders will check the goods according to the Packing List and Invoice provided by you to make sure all the goods are accurate.
Calculate ocean freight costs:
Depending on the type of cargo (general cargo, sensitive cargo, etc.) and volume/weight, the freight forwarder will calculate the ocean freight cost. You can choose to have your goods shipped by sea to different destinations such as Manila, Davao or Cebu, and the price and timeframe will vary.
Arranging Ocean Freight:
After confirming the cost, the freight forwarder will arrange ocean freight to ship your goods to the Philippines. The time for sea transportation is usually 15-30 days, depending on the destination and ship schedule.
IV. Receiving Goods in the Philippines: Customs Clearance and Dispatch
When the goods arrive in the Philippines, the freight forwarder will be responsible for customs clearance. After the customs clearance is completed, you have two options:
Self-pickup:
You can choose to pick up the goods at the freight forwarder's warehouse by yourself.
Dispatch Service:
If you don't want to make the trip on your own, the freight forwarder can also arrange for a delivery service to bring the goods directly to your home. However, delivery costs need to be consulted separately.
Please be careful when receiving your shipment:
Be sure to check whether the parcel has a complete number of pieces and whether there is any abnormality in the outer box. If you find any problem, please note it on the signing receipt and take photos/videos for evidence for subsequent processing.
V. Precautions: avoid stepping on the pit
Embargoed items:
Please do not buy food, adult products, liquids, imitation brands, electric scooters and prohibited items (such as powder, fireworks, cigarettes, guns, etc.). These items not only can't pass customs, but also may bring legal risks.
Sensitive goods:
If the goods you purchase are sensitive goods (such as electrical appliances, cosmetics, etc.), be sure to inform the freight forwarder in advance and provide relevant information as they request.
Packaging Requirements:
For fragile goods, please be sure to ask the seller to pack them in wooden frames or crates and provide a fragile bond to ensure that the goods are not damaged during transportation.
Maintain communication:
It is very important to maintain good communication with the freight forwarder throughout the process. Keep abreast of the transportation status of your goods to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
