OUR 3PF RECO FOR UR TAOBAO HAULS 😆😆
if you are a new homeowner and looking to purchase furniture and household items from taobao, yet have no idea how to start - don’t worry this was us just a few weeks ago HAHAHA. this post will be sharing more details on the third party forwarder (3PF) we used to bring in our bigger items from taobao!! this is actually our first time using a 3PF service and it has been a super easy and smooth process so far 🤩
as of today, we have used this vendor twice, and our total costs (including shipping, wooden crate packaging and taxes) were:
- RMB 839 (~SGD 152) for a 75cm vanity cabinet with integrated sink, 2 bathroom mirrors and 1 bathroom basin
- RMB 1572 (~SGD 285) for a 2.2m long TV console, 1 king-sized bed frame, 1 computer chair
our thoughts:
1️⃣taking into account the costs of the shipping fees, we feel that it is still worth it to get some items from taobao! and we will share out hits and misses in time to come
2️⃣ do remember to account for the shipping time and plan ahead for your home reno! this is especially important if you are purchasing things that may affect the reno progress (eg items your contractors have to install for you)
for example, the items may take a few days to reach and consolidate at the warehouse, and in general, it takes about 15-21 days for sea shipping. as a rough guideline, our shipment took exactly 3 weeks to arrive at our house!
hopefully these information will be a useful step by step guide for homeowners who are new to this whole 3PF journey! comment or dm us for the Wechat contact 🥰
When I first decided to use a third party forwarder (3PF) to ship my Taobao furniture, I had no idea what to expect. One thing I learned is that besides sea shipping, air freight is an option — it’s faster (about 5 days) but costs more depending on weight. For instance, air shipping fees start at around 40.5 RMB per kg for the first 3 kg and vary for heavier parcels, whereas sea shipping takes around 15-21 days but is more cost-effective for bulky items. Another important step is how you provide your delivery details. The 3PF service will give you a specific warehouse address in Guangzhou with a unique code to put in your Taobao order address. It’s crucial to input these details correctly and send confirmation to the forwarder to prevent mix-ups. Once your items arrive at their warehouse, consolidating your shipments and sharing tracking numbers is key for smooth processing. Also, consider adding wooden crate packaging if your items are fragile, like mirrors or sinks. This added protection costs a bit more but saved us from any damage during transit. Final costs include shipping, packaging, and taxes, and payments via Alipay or WeChat Pay are standard. Lastly, communication matters. The 3PF provides shipment tracking links and updates, so you stay informed. Planning your shopping and renovation timeline with these transit times in mind prevents unnecessary delays. I highly recommend taking advantage of these insights if you’re new to Taobao furniture hauls — it makes the whole process stress-free and efficient!
Hello! Can you share with my your 3PF contact? :) much appreciated, thanks in advance!