Online shopping is a huge part of everyday life in China, and Taobao is one of the country’s most popular shopping platforms.
But what happens when you order the wrong size, change your mind, or simply don’t need something anymore?
The good news is that returning items on Taobao is relatively straightforward, even if you’re still learning Chinese. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the Taobao return process step by step — from requesting a refund to arranging a pickup.
What Is Taobao?
淘宝 (Táobǎo) is one of China’s largest online marketplaces, offering almost everything you can imagine — from clothes and cosmetics to electronics, home goods, and groceries.
If you’re living in China, knowing how to use Taobao can make everyday shopping much easier. And if you’re visiting China for a longer stay, it’s useful to know how the refund and return system works before you place your first order.
淘宝
Táobǎo
Taobao; a major online shopping platform in China
💡 Planning a trip to China?
You’ll also need a convenient way to pay. Check out our guide to using Alipay with international cards to learn how to pay for Taobao and other Chinese services.
How to Return Items on Taobao
The exact options you see may vary depending on the seller, product, and order status, but the general process is simple.
1. Open My Taobao
Open the Taobao app and go to 我的淘宝 (Wǒ de Táobǎo), which means My Taobao / My Account.
2. Find Your Order
Go to 我的订单 (wǒ de dìngdān) — My Orders — and find the item you want to return.
Open the relevant order to view its details.
3. Confirm Receiving the Item
Before you can start the returning process, you’ll need to confirm receiving the item.
You can do it by clicking 确认收货 (quèrèn shōu huò) — “Confirm receving the goods”.
4. Open the Return or After-Sales Service
Look for 申请退款 / 售后 (shēnqǐng tuìkuǎn / shòuhòu).
This means request a refund / after-sales service.
申请退款
shēnqǐng tuìkuǎn
request a refund
售后
shòuhòu
after-sales service
Depending on the order status, you may see slightly different buttons or wording.
5. Choose a Taobao Return Option
Once you start the refund or return process, Taobao will ask what you want to do with the order.
You’ll typically see options such as:
Refund Only
仅退款
jǐn tuì kuǎn
refund only
Choose this when you want a refund without returning the item, for example, when there is a problem with the order and the seller agrees to a refund.
Return and Refund
退货退款
tuì huò tuì kuǎn
return the item and receive a refund
This is the option to choose when you need to send the product back to the seller and receive your money back.
Exchange
换货
huàn huò
exchange
Choose this when you want to return the original item and receive a replacement instead.
6. Choose Your Return Reason
After selecting the type of refund or return, fill in the required information and choose your reason for return.
退款原因
tuì kuǎn yuányīn
a reason for return
7天内无理由退货
qī tiān nèi wú lǐyóu tuìhuò
return within 7 days without giving a reason
This means that eligible products can be returned within seven days without needing to provide a specific reason.
Keep in mind that not every product is necessarily eligible, so check the return conditions shown for your particular order.
Once you’ve filled in all the required information, tap the orange 提交 (tíjiāo) button.
提交
tíjiāo
submit
Your return or refund request will then be sent to the seller for processing.
7. Arrange a Door Pickup for Your Taobao Return
If your return request is approved, Taobao may give you the option to arrange a courier to pick up the package from your home.
Look for:
上门取件
shàngmén qǔ jiàn
door pickup / pickup from your address
This is particularly convenient in China, where courier services are widely available.
8. Choose pickup time
Select a convenient pickup time and check your pickup address.
Depending on your location and the courier service available, you may be able to arrange a pickup within just a few hours.
Make sure the address is correct before confirming the pickup.
9. Get Your Pickup Code
After arranging the pickup, Taobao will provide a 4-digit pickup code.
寄件码
jìjiànmǎ
pickup code
Keep this code handy and give it to the courier when they arrive to collect your package.
10. Pay the Return Shipping Fee
Once the package has been picked up, you may need to pay the return shipping fee.
After the courier processes the package, you’ll be able to track the return through Taobao’s logistics information.
Depending on the circumstances and the seller’s return policy, you may receive your refund before the returned package reaches the seller.
How Much Does Taobao Return Shipping Cost?
Return shipping costs can vary depending on the courier, package size and weight, and the terms of the order.
For some standard courier services, a small package may cost only a few RMB to return, while heavier or larger packages can cost more.
Before confirming the return, check the shipping fee displayed in the Taobao app. This is especially important for bulky items, as return shipping can be significantly more expensive than for a small parcel.
Taobao Return Vocabulary
If you’re using Taobao in Chinese, these words and phrases will make the return process much easier:
| chinese | pinyin | english |
|---|---|---|
| 我的淘宝 | wǒ de Táobǎo | My Taobao |
| 我的订单 | wǒ de dìngdān | My Orders |
| 申请退款 | shēnqǐng tuìkuǎn | request a refund |
| 售后 | shòuhòu | after-sales service |
| 仅退款 | jǐn tuìkuǎn | refund only |
| 退货退款 | tuì huò tuì kuǎn | return and refund |
| 换货 | huàn huò | exchange |
| 退款原因 | tuìkuǎn yuányīn | reason for refund |
| 7天内无理由退货 | qī tiān nèi wú lǐyóu tuìhuò | return within 7 days without a reason |
| 提交 | tíjiāo | submit |
| 上门取件 | shàngmén qǔ jiàn | door pickup |
| 寄件码 | jìjiànmǎ | pickup code |
| 物流 | wùliú | shipping / logistics |
| 运费 | yùnfèi | shipping fee |
| 退货地址 | tuìhuò dìzhǐ | return address |
| 退款成功 | tuìkuǎn chénggōng | refund successful |
Taobao Returns: What to Remember
Returning something on Taobao can seem confusing the first time, especially when you’re navigating the app in Chinese. But once you know a few key terms, the process is fairly easy:
- Go to 我的淘宝 and find your order.
- Open 申请退款 / 售后.
- Choose 仅退款, 退货退款, or 换货.
- Select your return reason and submit the request.
- If required, arrange 上门取件.
- Give the courier your 寄件码.
- Pay the return shipping fee if applicable.
- Track your return and refund through Taobao.
Whether you ordered the wrong size, received an unsuitable product, or simply changed your mind, knowing how Taobao’s return system works can make online shopping in China much less stressful.
Ready to Shop on Taobao?
Once you know how to return an item, you can shop on Taobao with a little more confidence. And if you’re new to life in China, learning a few essential Chinese shopping terms can make the whole experience even easier.
What has been your experience with online shopping in China?
Do you prefer Taobao, another Chinese shopping platform, or shopping in physical stores?
Share your experience with us on our WeChat Public Account!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I return an item on Taobao?
How do I return something on Taobao?
What is the difference between 仅退款 and 退货退款?
退货退款 (tuì huò tuì kuǎn) means return and refund: you send the item back and receive a refund.
