If you’ve ever tried to browse Taobao, 1688, or Xianyu, you know the frustration. You find the perfect item—maybe a limited-edition toy, a unique piece of tech, or wholesale samples for your business—and then you hit the wall.
“Account frozen.” “Only ships to Mainland China.” “Alipay verification required.”
The short answer is yes, foreigners can absolutely use a proxy shopping service to bridge this gap. In fact, for most people living outside China, it is the only reliable way to shop the domestic market.
Here is everything you need to know about how it works and why you might need one.
What is a Proxy Shopping Service?
Think of a proxy service (or “buying agent”) as your personal assistant on the ground in China. They handle the “local” stuff so you don’t have to.
When you use a China Product Proxy Shopping Service, you aren’t just paying for a shipping address. You are paying for a local partner who can:
- Pay in CNY: Most domestic sellers don’t accept international credit cards. We pay them using local bank transfers or verified Alipay accounts.
- Verify Quality: We check the item at our warehouse before it leaves China. If it’s broken or wrong, we handle the return locally—saving you a nightmare.
- Consolidate Shipments: Buying from three different sellers? We bundle them into one box to slash your international shipping costs.
Is it safe for foreigners?
Safety is the #1 concern. When shopping on platforms like Xianyu (second-hand), scams can happen. A professional proxy service like Zerrand acts as an escrow. We chat with the seller, ask the right questions in Chinese, and only release payment once the item is verified.
For business owners, we take it a step further. If you are buying in bulk, we offer China Wholesale Sourcing and even Supplier Verifications. We can literally go to the factory to make sure they are real before you send a large deposit.
Why not just use AliExpress or Temu?
AliExpress and Temu are great for “generic” goods. But the best products—the latest fashion trends, high-quality industrial samples, and niche collectibles—are often kept for the domestic Chinese market (the “Mainland version”).
For example, if you are a hardware developer, you might need specific components from 1688. Our China Sample Consolidation service allows you to collect samples from multiple factories and have them delivered to your office in one go.
How to get started?
You don’t need a Chinese phone number or a local bank account. You just need a link to the product you want.
At Zerrand, we specialize in helping foreigners navigate the complex world of Chinese e-commerce. Whether it’s a single “limited edition” item or a massive wholesale order, our Cross-Border Errands Service handles the logistics from A to Z.
Real Case: A buyer in Australia wanted to purchase a specialized CNC machine part from a seller on Xianyu who only spoke Chinese and refused to ship to a warehouse. We messaged the seller, built trust, picked up the item locally, and had it in Australia within 7 days.
Ready to buy from China like a local?
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