Shipping from China to United Kingdom
Does Taobao ship to the UK?
Taobao does not run its own shipping to the UK and most sellers only ship inside China. Here is how UK buyers get Taobao orders delivered and what VAT to expect.
Short answer
No. Taobao's official international shipping does not cover the UK, and most sellers only ship within China. UK buyers use an agent with a warehouse in China.
With us: send the links, we buy and inspect the items, combine them and ship to the UK in about 7–15 days after your parcel leaves our warehouse.
Shipping lines to the UK
We weigh your packed parcel and send you the options that accept your items. Times are counted from our warehouse in China and are typical, not guaranteed.
| Line | Typical time | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Express courier (DHL, UPS, FedEx) | 5–9 days | Urgent parcels; VAT billed by the courier |
| UK tax-paid line | 8–15 days | Clothes, shoes and accessories; VAT included in the shipping price |
| Economy line | 12–25 days | Light parcels that are not urgent |
| Sea freight | 35–55 days | Heavy or bulky orders |
Price depends on weight and size: carriers charge the higher of the real weight and the volume weight (length × width × height in cm ÷ 5000 for most express lines). How shipping is priced.
Import duties and taxes in United Kingdom
| Import VAT | 20% on goods plus shipping |
| Customs duty, £135 or less | None for now; the government plans to end this relief by October 2028 |
| Customs duty, above £135 | Rate by product; clothing is usually around 12% |
| Handling fee | Royal Mail, Parcelforce or the courier adds a fee when they collect VAT on delivery |
On a tax-paid line we settle the VAT in advance and it is part of your shipping quote. Otherwise the carrier sends you a payment request before delivering.
Rules checked November 2026. Tax rules change; we confirm the current treatment in every shipping quote. Sources: Baker McKenzie on the UK low-value import relief (July 2026), overview of Taobao's official shipping coverage.
Tips for buyers in United Kingdom
- Chinese sizes run one to two sizes smaller than UK sizes. Send your measurements in cm and we compare them with the seller's chart.
- Order in one batch where you can: one parcel means one handling fee.
- Batteries, liquids, powders and food are restricted on most UK lines. Ask before you buy.
What it costs with us
Item price and the seller's China shipping at cost, plus our 8% service fee (min $5 per order). Inspection photos, 60 days of storage and combining parcels are free. Shipping to the UK is quoted for your actual parcel. All fees.
Several items? Use the full order calculator with weight estimate and payment options.
Questions
Does Taobao ship to the UK?
Not directly. Taobao's own shipping doesn't cover the UK and most sellers ship only within China. An agent receives your order in China and sends it to you.
How long does Taobao take to deliver to the UK?
Allow 3–7 days in China for the seller to ship and for inspection, then 5–9 days by express or 8–15 days on a tax-paid line.
Do I pay customs on Taobao orders in the UK?
You pay 20% VAT. There is no customs duty on parcels worth £135 or less for now; above that, duty depends on the product. A tax-paid line includes the VAT in the shipping price.