Thread by @Hafare_

So you want to buy things for yourself directly from China but you don't know how to start. Let me break it down for you

https://twitter.com/Hafare_/status/1190210957546573825

First of all do you know what you want to buy? Do you know where you can find it? Usually you can buy either from online sites like Taobao and Weidian or you can buy directly from the seller. Navigating these sites is usually the hatdest thing because they are in Mandarin.

The easiest way to learn how to navigate these online sites is to join a forum where they discuss shopping in China. I recommend Reddit because it is the most straightforward and the variety of information is very good.

Now that you've found where to buy what you're looking for there are three ways it can go.
1. Get a friend to buy it for you and shipping it home
2. Use an agent to buy it for you and shipping it home
3. Buy directly from the seller and have it shipped to you.

Getting a friend to buy it is the easiest way but also the least probable. It depends on you knowing someone in China who can get the things you need, usually a friend or family member. It's the most convenient because there are no extra charges and it is someone you trust.

Using an agent is the most popular method for personal use things. The agent will purchase for you, inspect the item, take photos and even store the goods for you until you are ready to ship, this is usually at an extra cost though.

Some popular agents include Superbuy, CssBuy, Ytaopal and Wegobuy. They're very popular because of their reliability and service.

Buying directly from the seller is the preferred method if you are buying in bulk or for business. Here you communicate with the seller directly usually via WeChat and agree on price and amount of goods that you will be purchasing.

While cheaper than the other methods buying directly from the seller has literally no customer protection so if the seller decides to fuck you then you'll be stuck halfway around the world with shit product and no way to get your money back.

Once you've chosen your preferred method of purchase then next thing to do is to figure out shipping. There are many ways to ship your goods including China Post, Epacket, SF Express, DHL, EMS and our local shipping companies.

They all vary in speed and price, usually the faster you want it the more you'll pay. Shipping using China Post is the cheapest and is sent to the post office but it takes a long time to get here and you run the risk of getting hit with duties during collection.

EMS and DHL are faster but at the same time expensive. Usually your best bet is to use the local shipping companies that operate out of Eastleigh. They are cheaper and some match the speed of EMS and DHL.

The companies offer different rates and it's advised to look at different ones so you can find the one that matches your particular needs.

After your package has been dispatched for shipping all you can do is wait for it to arrive. Remember that there is a risk involved in the entire process, goods may be misplaced or damaged and you have to deal with that.

PS.
If you're interested in buying from China for business purposes it is recommended that you actually go visit the factories in China and create a plan with the factory owners. You can still contact them remotely but visiting will be more fruitful.

For the people who want to buy using agents, here are a few videos that better explain the process

One more thing. If you're interested in fashion you can visit cnfashionbuy and cnfashionpub. A lot of reputable sellers use the sites and it is probably the easiest ones to navigate when you're starting out.

It's important to remember that Chinese sizing on clothes is different from our sizing so always have a tape measure and use the size chart provide.
Also 15 Kenyan Shillings is equal to 1 Chinese Yuan or thereabouts.