Tmall vs Taobao: Is Tmall and Taobao the same?

If you’re an expat in China, chances are you’ve at least once felt overwhelmed by the country’s vast e-commerce landscape. With many major platforms like Tmall and Taobao dominating the market, it’s easy to get lost, especially if you don’t speak fluent Chinese. Beyond simply choosing between the two, you also have to deal with payment complexities and hidden shipping costs while dealing with the language barriers. All of these can make online shopping feel like a real challenge.

Both Tmall and Taobao are operated by Alibaba, but they aren’t the same. So which one should you use as an expat living in China? This article will break down the differences, highlight the pros and cons, and share practical tips to help you make informed choices between Tmall and Taobao.

Table of contents

Tmall vs. Taobao: Understanding the Core Differences for Expats Navigating the Platforms: A Step-by-Step Guide for English Speakers Account Setup Hurdles for Foreigners Overcoming the Language Barrier Finding What You Need & Vetting Sellers (Especially on Taobao) Dealing with Customer Service & Returns as an Expat Shipping & Logistics: Getting Your Goods Delivered in China Payments on Tmall & Taobao: The Financially Savvy Way for Expats Alipay & WeChat Pay: Your Essential Gateway Linking International Cards: What to Expect Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Is Tmall the same as Taobao? Why should I use Tmall over Taobao? Can I use the Tmall or Taobao App in English? What is the difference between Alibaba, Taobao, and Tmall? How does Alipay work for international cards on these platforms?

Tmall vs. Taobao: Understanding the Core Differences for Expats

Both are operated by Alibaba, Tmall and Taobao are technically linked to each other – meaning when you are shopping on Taobao, you might be sent to a Tmall store. So it is understandable that users might get confused between these two at first.

That said, Tmall and Taobao differ in many ways, especially when it comes to their business models. Tmall stands out as one of China’s largest B2C (Business-to-Customer) e-commerce platforms, whereas Taobao primarily functions as a C2C (Customer-to-Customer) marketplace. Let’s explore some core differences between Tmall vs Taobao:

Aspect	Tmall	Taobao
Business model	B2C Only verified stores can sell on Tmall.	C2C There are some manufacturers that directly sell to customers also.
Product Type & Authenticity	Official brands with a high authentic level.	Offers a massive variety of products with individual sellers.The authentic level is more diverse.
Language and Accessibility	English and Chinese	English and Chinese
Pricing	More expensive due to brand guarantees	Generally lower
Customer Service and Return	Available 24/7 with multiple language support	Available 24/7 for Chinese speakers. Other languages might need to call or email

In general, TMall will be a better option if you are brand-conscious, while Taobao is usually cheaper with massive product categories – excellent if you are into hunting for bargain deals.

Navigating the Platforms: A Step-by-Step Guide for English Speakers

Tmall and Taobao have obviously made life easier for many Chinese consumers. Like other e-commerce platforms, they allow shoppers to order almost anything with just a few taps, all from the comfort of their homes.

But now, let’s also talk about the painful side of these platforms. For many expats living in China, navigating Taobao or Tmall isn’t always easy. Some of the common challenges include:

Account Setup Hurdles for Foreigners

As the two platforms are linked together, you will only need to register for a Taobao account. You can use one account for both Taobao and Tmall. But, it isn’t that simple. Setting up an account on either Taobao or Tmall is the most common issue for foreigners who don’t speak Chinese. To use either of the platforms, you will need to be able to finish the verification process with your phone and your email.

To make it easier, use this quick guide to register for a Taobao account.

Overcoming the Language Barrier

Technically, you can still use English in both of the websites. You can switch your interfere language from Chinese to English by selecting the Language option.

The built-in English translation function is fairly effective, allowing users to quickly browse and find products. But it is not perfect, as the translations are often literal renderings from Chinese. That’s why sometimes you will not fully understand some product’s descriptions.

You can also use the browser extensions such as Google Translate for desktop.

But of course, these functions aren’t responsive enough, and they won’t follow you as you navigate the website. For instance, when a notification pops up, these functions won’t translate it for you. In that case, you can use image recognition for Chinese characters to translate. When you want to talk to customer service, you might need something quicker than these translation apps. Here are some common phrases you can use translated from Chinese:

Hello = Ni hao = 你好
Thank you = xiexie = 谢谢
Where is my order？ = Wo de ding dan ne? = 我的订单呢？

Finding What You Need & Vetting Sellers (Especially on Taobao)

Language barriers will once again appear when you try to find what you need to buy. Wanting to find a specific item, but you don't know any Chinese? Here how you can do it:

• Search in English: Simply type the items in English – you will have plenty of choices already. But always keep in mind that English language searches may not pull up as many results as Chinese.
• Search in Chinese: Translate the English term with Google Translate into Chinese. While this one is not a perfect solution, both websites still give your research with your keywords.
• Search with images: See something you like online but can’t quite put it into words? Just tap the camera icon on the search bar and use a photo instead. This cool feature helps you search effortlessly and overcome language barriers.

Another important point to note: always make sure you’re buying from a trustworthy seller, especially when shopping on C2C marketplaces like Taobao. You will likely not have to deal with this issue when using Tmall, but Taobao is very seller-dependent. Some independent sellers in Taobao might provide not-so-good sales service or even sell low-quality items.

So it is also better to take a moment to check the shop’s rating, which is usually displayed right below the shop name.

Another useful step to vet sellers is to read comments from previous buyers. Many buyers also share real-life product photos in their feedback, so you can see what the item looks like without any professional lighting. If a store has low ratings and lots of negative reviews, take it as a red flag and avoid buying from them. Don’t worry – you can usually find the same items from other sellers with much better reviews and stronger reputations.

Have you ever heard about the concept of fapiao? Simply put, fapiao is pretty much like an invoice. You might want to get fapiao to claim back money in case you are buying items on behalf of somebody else. You pretty much will have zero issue getting fapiao with Tmall shops, but it might be trickier. In Taobao’s case, many buyers from Reddit suggest you talk to the sellers directly.

Dealing with Customer Service & Returns as an Expat

Dealing with customer service and returning goods can be challenging for expats who don’t speak Chinese. In general, Tmall offers a more streamlined process since its shops are official stores with standardized policies, while Taobao returns depend on individual sellers, making the rules and procedures more varied. If a seller does not provide a clear return policy, it’s best to contact their customer service directly. Keep in mind that most representatives will only speak Chinese, so using tools like Google Translate can help you communicate more effectively. In case if your item is defective, you can start the conversation with this:

Hello, I would like to return this item because it is defective. Can you guide me on the return process?
你好，我想退货，因为商品有问题。请问如何操作退货？

But despite the item being defective, the decision to accept your return will totally depend on the sellers – unless they have established agreements with Taobao before about this.

Shipping & Logistics: Getting Your Goods Delivered in China

If you’re living in China, getting your goods delivered is usually quick and hassle-free. Depending on the seller and location, some Taobao orders can even arrive within an hour – showing just how fast and convenient these platforms can be.

Although this article focuses on shopping within China, you can still ship items overseas. There are several international forwarding services, such as Parcel Up, that help expats send their purchases back home.

Payments on Tmall & Taobao: The Financially Savvy Way for Expats

Now you have everything you want to buy and you’re ready to pay!

Alipay & WeChat Pay: Your Essential Gateway

The most common payment methods to pay for your goods on either Taobao vs Tmall are Alipay and WeChat Pay. These wallets are not only usable within Taobao and Tmall, and you can also use these wallets to pay pretty much everything else in China!

Interested in using an Alipay wallet in English? You can read this guide to switch the main language of your Alipay to English!

Linking International Cards: What to Expect

If you are not familiar with the Chinese payment systems above, you can also pay with your international cards like Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, or Amex. However, always be mindful about the foreign transaction fees and exchange rates of your home bank. In many cases, these fees are relatively high – making your treasure hunts for dirt-cheap goods, no longer cheap anymore.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Tmall the same as Taobao?

Although both are owned by the same company, Taobao and Tmall operate on very different business models. Taobao is primarily a C2C platform, while Tmall’s entire identity is built around B2C.

Why should I use Tmall over Taobao?

If you don’t want to spend too much time checking product authenticity, Tmall is the safer choice. All stores on Tmall are official brands, and their service quality is already standardized, giving you greater peace of mind.

Can I use the Tmall or Taobao App in English?

There isn’t a full English version of the Taobao or Tmall app. But you can still use them in English indirectly:

• Google Translate live camera: hover over the screen and it translates text instantly.
• Android phones: some models (like Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo) have a built-in “translate on screen” or “tap to translate” feature.
• iPhones: you can select text in the app, then use Apple’s system translator to convert it into English.

What is the difference between Alibaba, Taobao, and Tmall?

Alibaba: Mainly for business-to-business (B2B), mainly do bulk wholesale for businesses from China to worldwide.
Taobao: Mainly a consumer marketplace (C2C & small businesses).
Tmall: A premium and branded version of Taobao (mainly B2C).

How does Alipay work for international cards on these platforms?

You can add international cards into Alipay. Refer to this guideline on how to link credit cards into your Alipay account.

Be aware that while you can link your international cards into Alipay, you cannot top up your Alipay account with your international cards.

There will be a handing fee charged to the sellers. However, if you use Visa, MasterCard, or JCB, Alipay will charge a flat service rate of 3% of the transaction amount ¹. On top of that, you might also be charged foreign transaction fees and exchange rates of your home bank.

By now, you might have all the important information about both Taobao and Tmall for your stay in China as an expat. If you don’t want to spend too much time on exploring options and checking the authenticity of products, Tmall is the perfect choice for you! But if you’d love to go on a treasure hunt for cheap and unique products, Taobao might be your place.

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Sources used in this article:

1. Alipay: Credit Card Payment

Sources last checked on 24-Aug-2025