Taobao is one of China’s biggest online marketplaces — often compared to Amazon, but usually much cheaper. Living in Macau, I’ve always wondered: is it actually worth ordering from Taobao here? In this article (and the video below), I share my step‑by‑step experience, from ordering to delivery, plus some practical tips if you want to try it yourself.
1. Why I Ordered from Taobao
When you can’t find something in Macau, or you want to buy it at the lowest possible price, Taobao is often the first place to look.
- Massive selection – from household items to gadgets, fashion, and more
- Low prices – products ship from mainland China, often much cheaper than buying locally
That said, not every item is worth buying online. For example:
- Clothing and shoes can be tricky because you can’t try them on
- Some tech products are better purchased locally for warranty and quality checks
2. My Order & Pickup Process
I placed my order a few weeks ago. Usually, when my package arrives, I collect it immediately because storage is limited to a certain number of days.
This time, I filmed my trip to pick up the package — a little suspense for viewers, since I asked them to guess the contents in the YouTube comments before revealing them.
3. Product Categories to Consider
Based on my experience:
- Great buys on Taobao: small electronics accessories, home goods, stationery, decorative items, affordable clothing for casual wear
- Think twice: expensive tech devices (quality risk), fitted clothes/shoes (sizing differences)
💡 Size Tip: As a European, I often have to size up dramatically on Taobao. For example, my usual Medium in Italy might be 2XL in China sizing. Always check the seller’s size chart.
Listen to the new song of Andrea Pimpini
4. Cost & Delivery Time
Shipping from China to Macau was fast and affordable in my case. The whole process — from order to arrival — took just a few days.
5. Is Taobao Worth It in Macau?
Yes — with conditions. If you want low prices and can accept the risk of sizing differences or minor quality variations, Taobao is incredibly convenient. However, for items where fit and quality control matter (expensive shoes, high‑end gadgets), local shops are still the safer choice.
6. My Life in Macau
I’ve been living in Macau for almost two years now — after an initial 6‑month exchange, I went back to Italy for three months, returned for work, and now I’m starting a new chapter here. Even after all this time, Macau still surprises me with its charm and unique blend of cultures.
Final Thoughts
Taobao is a valuable shopping option for Macau residents if used wisely. Start small, order from reputable sellers, and always double‑check sizing. If you follow these tips, you’ll probably be as happy with your order as I was with mine.
💬 Have you ordered from Taobao in Macau? Share your story in the comments below and watch my full video for the unboxing and my complete review.
Andrea Pimpini is a student of Economics and Management at the University of Chieti-Pescara and, from September 2022 to February 2023, he is also an Erasmus+ student at the University of Split (Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism). Andrea has also taken three courses offered by the prestigious CERGE-EI Foundation and, being a Japanese language enthusiast, has taken two courses provided by the Japan-Abruzzo Association. In 2022, Andrea took the courses “Music Business Foundations,” “Copyright Law in the Music Business” and “Building your career in music: Developing a brand and financing your music” offered by Berklee Online on Coursera.org.
A big hobby of Andrea’s is music and, thanks to his college and web experiences, he manages everything on his own (print and radio promotion, digital marketing, etc.). Media success is not long in coming: in 2020, live streams are shared on national newspapers such as Sky TG24, alongside well-known names from the Italian music scene (Modà, Francesco Renga, Nek, etc.). In 2021, Billboard places Andrea at the top of a chart for 3 consecutive weeks. Finally, in 2022, Il Messaggero, one of the most popular and best-selling newspapers in Italy, interviews Andrea.