Essential Vocabulary for Chinese Online Shopping: A Complete Guide for American Shoppers
Table of Contents
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Start Your Free Trial Class!Online shopping has become an integral part of daily life in China. With the convenience of shopping from home, it saves both time and money for Chinese consumers. The most significant example is Singles Day or Double-11, China’s biggest online shopping festival. On November 11, 2020, sales exceeded RMB 372.3 billion (US$56 billion) by 12:30 a.m., with participation from over 250,000 brands and 800 million consumers.
With recent changes in US-China trade relations and rising prices due to tariffs, more American consumers are turning to Chinese e-commerce platforms for better deals. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate these platforms with confidence, communicate effectively, and maximize your savings.
Online Shopping – 网上购物 (wǎngshàng gòuwù)
1. Signing Up for Online Shopping Accounts – 注册 (zhùcè)
Before you start shopping, you’ll need to create an account. Here are the essential terms (HSK 3 level):
- user name – 用户名 (yòng hù míng)
- to log in – 登录 (dēng lù)
- password – 密码 (mì mǎ)
- to search – 搜索 (sōu suǒ)
2. Shopping Cart – 购物车 (gòuwù chē)
Managing your shopping cart is crucial for a smooth shopping experience:
- add to shopping cart – 添加到购物车 (tiānjiā dào gòuwù chē)
- to delete – 删除 (shānchú)
- save for later – 收藏 (shōu cáng)
- quantity – 数量 (shù liàng)
- modify – 修改 (xiū gǎi)
3. Order – 订单 (dìng dān)
- order Details – 订单详情 (dìng dān xiáng qíng)
- order Number – 订单号 (dìng dān hào)
- place your order – 提交订单 (tí jiāo dìng dān)
- cancel order – 取消订单 (qǔ xiāo dìng dān)
- confirm receipt – 确认收货 (què rèn shōu huò)
Q: 订单号是多少？ (What’s the order number?)
A: 订单号是 123456。(The order number is 123456.)
4. Payment – 付款 (fù kuǎn)
- Payment Method – 付款方式 (fù kuǎn fāng shì)
- Pay immediately – 立即支付 (lì jí zhī fù)
- WeChat Pay – 微信支付 (wēi xìn zhī fù)
- Alipay – 支付宝支付 (zhī fù bǎo zhī fù)
- Bank card pay – 银行卡支付 (yín háng kǎ zhī fù)
- International credit card – 国际信用卡 (guó jì xìn yòng kǎ)
- Payment successful – 支付成功 (zhī fù chéng gōng)
5. Delivery – 送货 (sòng huò)
- shipped – 已发货 (yǐ fā huò)
- delivery man – 快递员 (kuài dì yuán)
- Delivery – 送货上门 (sòng huò shàng mén)
- In transit – 运输中 (yùn shū zhōng)
- Delivered – 已签收 (yǐ qiān shōu)
- Free Shipping – 免邮费 (miǎn yóu fèi)
- Shipping Address – 收货地址 (shōu huò dì zhǐ)
- Express shipping – 加急配送 (jiā jí pèi sòng)
- International shipping – 国际配送 (guó jì pèi sòng)
6. Others – 其他 (qí tā)
- Refund – 退款 (tuì kuǎn)
- Write a review – 评价 (píng jià)
- Customer service – 客服 (kè fú)
- Stock up on things – 囤货 (dùn huò)
- Discounts/on sale – 打折 (dǎ zhé)
- Sale – 促销 (cùxiāo)
- Coupon – 优惠券 (yōuhuì quàn)
- Product specifications – 商品规格 (shāng pǐn guī gé)
- Color options – 颜色选择 (yán sè xuǎn zé)
- Size chart – 尺码表 (chǐ mǎ biǎo)
Platform Navigation – 平台导航 (píng tái dǎo háng)
Tariffs & Customs Vocabulary – 关税和海关词汇 (guān shuì hé hǎi guān cí huì)
Essential Tariff & Import Terms:
- Import tax – 进口税 (jìn kǒu shuì)
- Customs duty – 关税 (guān shuì)
- Customs clearance – 清关 (qīng guān)
- Duty-free – 免税 (miǎn shuì)
- Declare value – 申报价值 (shēn bào jià zhí)
- Prohibited items – 禁止物品 (jìn zhǐ wù pǐn)
- Package inspection – 包裹检查 (bāo guǒ jiǎn chá)
- Tariff rate – 关税税率 (guān shuì shuì lǜ)
- Customs form – 海关表格 (hǎi guān biǎo gé)
- Import license – 进口许可证 (jìn kǒu xǔ kě zhèng)
- Country of origin – 原产国 (yuán chǎn guó)
Useful Customs-Related Dialogues:
Q: 这个包裹需要缴纳关税吗？
(Does this package require customs duty?)
A: 价值超过800美元的包裹需要缴纳关税。
(Packages valued over $800 require customs duty payment.)
Q: 怎么查询我的包裹通关状态？
(How can I check my package’s customs clearance status?)
A: 您可以通过物流单号在官网查询。
(You can check using the tracking number on the official website.)
Q: 如何减少关税支出？
(How can I reduce customs duty expenses?)
A: 确保包裹价值在$800以下可免除大部分关税。
(Ensuring package value is under $800 can exempt most customs duties.)
Money-Saving Strategies – 省钱策略 (shěng qián cè lüè)
Essential Terms for Finding the Best Deals:
- Price comparison – 比价 (bǐ jià)
- Historical price chart – 历史价格走势图 (lì shǐ jià gé zǒu shì tú)
- Price drop alert – 降价提醒 (jiàng jià tí xǐng)
- Bulk discount – 批发价 (pī fā jià)
- First-time buyer discount – 新人优惠 (xīn rén yōu huì)
- Store loyalty program – 店铺会员计划 (diàn pù huì yuán jì huà)
- Clearance sale – 清仓甩卖 (qīng cāng shuǎi mài)
- Buy one get one free – 买一送一 (mǎi yī sòng yī)
- Limited-time offer – 限时优惠 (xiàn shí yōu huì)
- Group buying – 团购 (tuán gòu)
- Advance purchase discount – 预购优惠 (yù gòu yōu huì)
- Flash sale – 秒杀 (miǎo shā)
Money-Saving Phrases:
这个有没有更便宜的替代品？
(Is there a cheaper alternative to this?)
能不能免运费？
(Can shipping be free?)
有没有优惠券可以用？
(Are there any coupons available?)
下次什么时候有大促销？
(When is the next big sale?)
这个价格是最低的吗？
(Is this the lowest price?)
Online Shopping Under the $800 Duty-Free Allowance – $800免税购物 ($800 miǎn shuì gòu wù)
Understanding the US $800 De Minimis Rule for Chinese Purchases:
American shoppers can import goods valued under $800 without paying duties or taxes. This “de minimis” provision can significantly reduce your costs when shopping from Chinese platforms, especially with recent tariff increases on Chinese goods.
Key Chinese Terms for Duty-Free Shopping:
- Duty-free limit – 免税额度 (miǎn shuì é dù)
- Package value – 包裹价值 (bāo guǒ jià zhí)
- Separate shipment – 分开发货 (fēn kāi fā huò)
- Customs clearance – 清关 (qīng guān)
- Import declaration – 进口申报 (jìn kǒu shēn bào)
- Personal use items – 个人用品 (gè rén yòng pǐn)
- Shipping consolidation – 包裹合并 (bāo guǒ hé bìng)
- Tariff exemption – 关税豁免 (guān shuì huò miǎn)
Useful Phrases for Requesting Separate Shipments:
请将这些商品分开发货。
(Please ship these items separately.)
能否保持包裹独立，不要合并？
(Can you keep the packages separate and not combine them?)
我想避免超过$800的关税限额。
(I want to avoid exceeding the $800 duty-free limit.)
这个包裹是作为礼物送给家人的。
(This package is a gift for my family member.)
Practical Strategies for Legal Utilization:
- Purchase single high-value items individually to stay under the $800 threshold
- Space out your orders over different days for multiple items
- Buy from different sellers to naturally create separate shipments
- Be aware of package consolidation by shipping agents or forwarders
- Understand that each family member is entitled to their own $800 allowance
Important Note: These strategies are for legally utilizing existing policies, not circumventing the law. US Customs can investigate suspicious order splitting and may impose penalties if they determine there was an intent to evade duties.
Returns & Problem Resolution – 退换和问题解决 (tuì huàn hé wèn tí jiě jué)
Essential Terms for Returns & Issues:
- Return – 退货 (tuì huò)
- Exchange – 换货 (huàn huò)
- Damaged goods – 商品损坏 (shāng pǐn sǔn huài)
- Wrong item received – 收到错误商品 (shōu dào cuò wù shāng pǐn)
- Missing items – 商品缺失 (shāng pǐn quē shī)
- Open dispute – 开启纠纷 (kāi qǐ jiū fēn)
- Refund processing – 退款处理中 (tuì kuǎn chǔ lǐ zhōng)
- Return shipping cost – 退货运费 (tuì huò yùn fèi)
- Quality issues – 质量问题 (zhì liàng wèn tí)
- Counterfeit product – 假冒产品 (jiǎ mào chǎn pǐn)
- Proof of damage – 损坏证明 (sǔn huài zhèng míng)
- Customer protection – 消费者保护 (xiāo fèi zhě bǎo hù)
Problem Resolution Dialogues:
Q: 我收到的商品和描述不符，想退货。
(The item I received doesn’t match the description. I’d like to return it.)
A: 请提供订单号和照片，我们会处理您的退货申请。
(Please provide your order number and photos, and we’ll process your return request.)
Q: 退款多久能到账？
(How long will it take for the refund to arrive?)
A: 退款审核通过后，3-15个工作日内退回原支付账户。
(After the refund is approved, it will be returned to your original payment account within 3-15 business days.)
Q: 国际订单退货需要支付运费吗？
(Do I need to pay for return shipping for international orders?)
A: 如果是商品质量问题，卖家承担运费；如果是个人原因，买家承担运费。
(If it’s a product quality issue, the seller covers shipping; if it’s personal preference, the buyer pays for shipping.)
Restricted & Prohibited Items – 限制和禁止物品 (xiàn zhì hé jìn zhǐ wù pǐn)
Understanding Import Restrictions:
Not all items from Chinese platforms can be legally imported to the US. Understanding these restrictions can help avoid customs issues and potential fines.
Common Restricted Categories:
- Counterfeit goods – 假冒商品 (jiǎ mào shāng pǐn)
- Food products – 食品 (shí pǐn)
- Medicine – 药品 (yào pǐn)
- Electronics with non-US plugs – 非美标插头电器 (fēi měi biāo chā tóu diàn qì)
- Products with copyright issues – 版权问题产品 (bǎn quán wèn tí chǎn pǐn)
- Agricultural products – 农产品 (nóng chǎn pǐn)
- Wildlife products – 野生动物产品 (yě shēng dòng wù chǎn pǐn)
- Fireworks and explosives – 烟花爆竹 (yān huā bào zhú)
- Some cosmetics – 部分化妆品 (bù fèn huà zhuāng pǐn)
Asking About Import Restrictions:
这个产品可以合法进口到美国吗？
(Can this product be legally imported to the USA?)
有没有任何进口限制？
(Are there any import restrictions?)
这个产品符合美国安全标准吗？
(Does this product meet US safety standards?)
请提供原产地证明。
(Please provide certificate of origin.)
Major Shopping Festivals – 购物节 (gòu wù jié)
Key Shopping Festivals in China:
- Singles Day (双十一) – November 11
- 618 Festival (京东618) – June 18
- Double 12 (双十二) – December 12
- Mid-Year Shopping Festival (年中购物节) – Various dates in June-July
- Chinese New Year Sales (春节促销) – January/February (varies by lunar calendar)
Essential Festival Shopping Terms:
- 秒杀 (miǎo shā) – Flash sale
- 领券 (lǐng quàn) – Claim coupon
- 预售 (yù shòu) – Pre-sale
- 定金 (dìng jīn) – Deposit
- 满减 (mǎn jiǎn) – Spend X get Y off
- 尾款 (wěi kuǎn) – Final payment (for pre-orders)
- 限量版 (xiàn liàng bǎn) – Limited edition
- 首发 (shǒu fā) – First release
Tips for Festival Shopping:
- Add items to your cart days before the festival begins
- Set alarms for specific flash sales
- Check multiple platforms for price comparison
- Consider shipping delays due to high volume during festivals
- Look for “worldwide shipping” options during these events
Practice Dialogues – 实用对话 (shí yòng duì huà)
Common Shopping Scenarios:
1. Checking Stock:
Q: 这个商品有货吗？
(Is this item in stock?)
A: 有货，现在可以下单。
(Yes, you can place your order now.)
2. Shipping Inquiry:
Q: 什么时候发货？
(When will it be shipped?)
A: 24小时内发货。
(Will be shipped within 24 hours.)
3. Price Negotiation:
Q: 能便宜一点吗？
(Can you give me a discount?)
A: 可以使用优惠券。
(You can use a coupon.)
4. International Shipping:
Q: 可以寄到美国吗？需要多久？
(Can you ship to the US? How long will it take?)
A: 可以，国际物流大约需要10-20天。
(Yes, international shipping takes about 10-20 days.)
5. Product Authenticity:
Q: 这是正品吗？
(Is this an authentic product?)
A: 是的，我们保证所有商品都是正品。
(Yes, we guarantee all products are authentic.)
6. Duty-Free Shopping:
Q: 这个价格包含关税吗？
(Does this price include customs duties?)
A: 不包含，但如果包裹价值低于800美元，通常可以免税进口美国。
(No, but packages valued under $800 can usually be imported to the US duty-free.)
Safety Tips for Online Shopping
Essential Safety Guidelines:
- Always verify seller ratings (查看卖家评分) – Look for sellers with high ratings (4.8+ stars) and substantial transaction history.
- Check product reviews (查看商品评价) – Pay special attention to reviews with photos from actual buyers.
- Save payment confirmations (保存支付凭证) – Screenshot or save all transaction records.
- Use secure payment methods (使用安全支付方式) – Prefer platforms with buyer protection policies.
- Be cautious with extremely low prices (对极低价格保持警惕) – If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is.
- Verify product authenticity (验证产品真伪) – Ask for authenticity certificates for luxury goods or electronics.
- Understand return policies (了解退货政策) – International returns can be complicated and expensive.
- Use translation tools carefully (谨慎使用翻译工具) – Auto-translation may miss important details in product descriptions.
- Check compatibility (检查兼容性) – Especially for electronics, ensure products will work in the US.
- Use forwarding services wisely (明智使用转运服务) – Research reliable shipping forwarders for platforms that don’t ship directly to the US.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online Shopping in Chinese
1. What payment methods can I use on Chinese shopping platforms?
- WeChat Pay (微信支付) – Requires a Chinese bank account or international credit card linked to WeChat
- Alipay (支付宝) – Some international versions accept foreign credit cards
- Union Pay cards (银联卡) – China’s domestic card network
- International credit cards (国际信用卡) – Accepted on larger platforms like Tmall Global and JD Worldwide
- PayPal (贝宝) – Available on some platforms that cater to international users
2. How do I track my order from China to the US?
- Check order status (查看订单状态) – Most platforms have an order tracking page
- Track shipping (物流追踪) – Use the tracking number with services like 17Track or global carriers
- Contact customer service (联系客服) – Message the seller if there are delays
- Use platform apps – Most Chinese e-commerce apps have real-time tracking features
- Check with forwarding service – If using a forwarding service, they may provide additional tracking
3. What about sizes and measurements for clothing?
- Check size charts carefully (查看尺码表) – Chinese sizing typically runs smaller than US sizing
- Read customer reviews about sizing (看买家评价) – Previous buyers often mention if items run large or small
- Ask seller for measurements (询问具体尺寸) – Request exact measurements in centimeters for each item
- Size conversion – Know your measurements in centimeters (chest, waist, hips, foot length)
- Size up – When in doubt, ordering one size larger than your US size is often recommended
4. How can I navigate Chinese platforms if I don’t speak Chinese?
- Use browser translation – Google Chrome and other browsers offer automatic translation
- Mobile apps – Apps like Google Translate can translate text from images
- Global versions – Some platforms like AliExpress or JD Worldwide offer English interfaces
- Learn basic shopping vocabulary – The terms in this guide will help you navigate most situations
- Ask for help – Many sellers are willing to communicate in simple English or through translation tools
5. How can I maximize savings with the $800 duty-free allowance?
- Understand the rules – The $800 de minimis threshold applies to package value, not including shipping
- Plan purchases – Keep individual shipments under $800 in value
- Space out orders – The allowance applies on a per-person, per-day basis
- Buy from different sellers – Purchases from different merchants typically ship in separate packages
- Communicate with shipping agents – Request that packages not be consolidated if using a forwarding service
Chinese Websites for Shopping-Specific Terminology
Taobao-Specific Terms:
- 淘宝店铺 (táo bǎo diàn pù) – Taobao store
- 信用评级 (xìn yòng píng jí) – Credit rating
- 旺旺 (wàng wàng) – Taobao’s chat system
- 直通车 (zhí tōng chē) – Sponsored listings
- 淘金币 (táo jīn bì) – Taobao coins (rewards points)
JD.com-Specific Terms:
- 京东全球购 (jīng dōng quán qiú gòu) – JD Worldwide
- 京东自营 (jīng dōng zì yíng) – JD direct sales (not third-party)
- plus会员 (plus huì yuán) – JD Plus membership
- 闪购 (shǎn gòu) – Flash sales
- 京东物流 (jīng dōng wù liú) – JD Logistics
Pinduoduo-Specific Terms:
- 拼团 (pīn tuán) – Group buying
- 砍价 (kǎn jià) – Price haggling feature
- 多多果园 (duō duō guǒ yuán) – Pinduoduo’s game for rewards
- 限时秒杀 (xiàn shí miǎo shā) – Limited-time flash sales
- 新人专享价 (xīn rén zhuān xiǎng jià) – New user exclusive price
Additional Resources for American Shoppers
Useful Apps and Tools:
- Translation Apps – Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, Baidu Translate
- Price Comparison Tools – ManmanbuyGlobal, Keepa (for comparing with Amazon prices)
- Package Tracking – 17Track, PackageRadar, AfterShip
- Shipping Forwarders – Superbuy, WeGoBuy, Bhiner
- Currency Converters – XE Currency, Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Shopping Calendar:
Plan your purchases around these major Chinese shopping festivals for maximum savings:
- Singles Day (November 11) – The world’s largest shopping event
- 618 Festival (June 18) – Second largest shopping event
- Chinese New Year Sales (January/February) – Significant discounts before the holiday
- Black Friday/Cyber Monday (November) – Many Chinese platforms now participate
- Mid-Year Sales (June/July) – Extended discount period
Navigating US-China Tariffs
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