After your shopping spree on Taobao, you probably cannot wait for your items to arrive. However, you are faced with the dilemma of choosing a shipping provider.
Before making your decision, it is important to understand the difference between a Taobao forwarder and agent. Learning more about the process of engaging a Taobao forwarder in Singapore will also ensure that you enjoy a seamless shipping experience and receive your products promptly!
Taobao Forwarder vs Taobao Agent
Official shipping partner | Third-party freight forwarder | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Key services | • Shipping • Storage • Consolidation | • Shipping • Storage • Consolidation • Cargo insurance | • Price negotiation • Purchasing • Product quality check • Shipping • Storage • Cargo insurance • Returns and refunds |
| Communications | Chinese | English | English |
| Price | Cheaper | Cheaper | More expensive |
| Shipping restrictions | Mostly ships parcels that are <30kg; only Cainiao is able to ship parcels >30kg | Can ship all kinds of goods from light to heavy and bulky | Can ship all kinds of goods from light to heavy and bulky |
Taobao forwarder
Taobao forwarders are companies that provide shipping and storage services for your orders. Such companies include Taobao’s official shipping partners and third-party freight forwarders.
Taobao’s official shipping partners communicate with buyers in Chinese while third-party freight forwarders communicate primarily in English. This is often a crucial consideration for international buyers.
Examples of Taobao forwarders:
- 4PX
- Cainiao
- PRouter
Examples of third-party forwarders:
Taobao agent
Taobao agents act as intermediaries between buyers and sellers. They will assist buyers in the different stages of the purchasing process including negotiating, buying and delivering the product. As such, their services are often more expensive than that of Taobao forwarders.
These agents are ideal for international buyers as their platform and communications are in English. Examples of Taobao agents include:
- Ezbuy
- Oops.sg
- Superbuy
- Cssbuy
Shipping Methods Available
At M&P International Freights, we provide shipping via both air and sea freight.
Air freight
Suitable for: Smaller or lighter goods like clothes, shoes or accessories.
Air freight is a faster mode of transportation that is suitable for smaller shipments. However, it is typically more costly than sea freight.
Sea freight
Suitable for: Larger and bulkier goods like furniture and big household appliances
As compared to air freight, sea freight is a slower but more cost-effective solution. It is often the recommended option when shipping heavy or bulky items.
When transporting goods via sea vessels, you may opt for less than container load or full container load depending on your shipping needs.
Less than container load (LCL)
This option is ideal for shipments that fall below the minimum weight for applicable freight rates.
To fill up the space in a standard container, your goods will be transported together with other shipments. Hence, the cost of shipping will be calculated based on the space taken up by your goods, allowing you to enjoy lower shipping costs.
Full container load (FCL)
When selecting this option, you will be paying for the entire price of the container. Thus, it is more costly than LCL.
However, it is more cost-effective for shipping a large number of goods or items that are bulky or fragile.
Process Of Engaging M&P International Freights As Your Taobao Forwarder
Why Choose M&P International Freights As Your Taobao Forwarder?
Professional team
Our team is experienced in handling all types of goods including bulky and fragile items. We will do our utmost best to ensure that your items are delivered safely to your doorstep.
Cost-effective solutions
We strive to provide quality services at affordable prices. Hence, we seek to find the best and most cost-effective route for your shipments with the help of our network of global partners.
Constant communication
To maintain a constant flow of communication, a personal M&P consultant will be assigned to you. Thus, you can rest assured that you will receive assistance whenever necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I ship heavy items from Taobao to Singapore?
You are advised to engage a third-party freight forwarding company when shipping heavy items as many of Taobao’s official shipping partners do not ship cargo above 30kg.
After you have submitted your order, you can follow these steps to ship your heavy items to Singapore:
- Step 1: Contact an external freight forwarder
- Step 2: Verify your items to be shipped
- Step 3: Select your mode of transport
- Step 4: Buy cargo insurance and settle shipping documents
- Step 5: Wait for your items to be delivered to your doorstep
How long does it take for my Taobao items to arrive in Singapore?
The shipping duration will depend on the shipping provider chosen as well as the mode of transport. In general, shipments via air will typically arrive within 1 week while shipments via sea may take up to 3 weeks.