Guidelines for sites in China 

TaoBao - A giant in the world of Chinese e-commerce, TaoBao dominates the market with its huge range of products and wide range of sellers. Creating an account can be complicated, but linking to AliPay increases the chances of a successful registration. Please note that there may be SMS issues when registering. For purchases through an intermediary, an account is not required, although sometimes authorization may be required to view an item.

IMPORTANT Sometimes SMS may not arrive. If you don't receive a message try to register at night. Also not always comes the first time. So register several times.

WeChat - Not just a messenger, but an entire ecosystem of great importance in China. Registration requires the help of an existing WeChat user to scan your QR code. This platform provides access to vendor albums via QR code scanning, making it a handy tool to browse the range.

In another guide, we described how to activate WeChat yourself

Weidian - A platform closely related to WeChat, but not part of it. It is convenient to work with small factories and suppliers here. The buying procedure is similar to TaoBao, but Weidian provides access to smaller and more unique manufacturers.

Yupoo - This is a platform for storing and displaying product photos. Many vendors use it to showcase their product range. The platform's interface is intuitive, with products categorized by category. No direct purchases can be made here, but suppliers leave links to TaoBao/Weidian or WeChat contacts.

1688 - One of the largest wholesale platforms, ideal for purchasing goods in large volumes directly from manufacturers. It is important to note that orders are only accepted from two items or more. Returns are limited and if you receive a defective item, refunds are only possible if the supplier agrees to an exchange.