Buying guides

How to Buy Through a Shopping Agent: A Step-by-Step Guide

From choosing an item on the spreadsheet to receiving your parcel: how shopping agents buy, check, store and ship items from Chinese marketplaces.

RepLooks Editorial · Oct 27, 2026

What a shopping agent does

Most sellers on Taobao, Weidian and 1688 only ship within China and only accept Chinese payment methods. A shopping agent closes that gap. You pay the agent; the agent buys the item from the seller, receives it at its warehouse, photographs it, and ships it to your address together with your other items. Agents charge for this service, usually a service fee on the order and the cost of international shipping.

RepLooks works with several agents. On each product page the buying button opens the item on the agent you choose, already linked to the original listing, so you do not need to copy links by hand.

Step 1: Choose the item and its options

Find the item on the spreadsheet and open its page. Select the exact style (colour or print) and size before you click the buying button. The page passes your choice to the agent where it can; still confirm it on the agent's page, because the seller's option names are often in Chinese.

If you are unsure about the size, read choosing a style and size first. Changing a size after the seller has shipped usually means a return inside China and extra cost.

Step 2: Add it to your agent cart and pay for the item

On the agent's page, check the item photo, the option, the quantity and the price. Add any notes the agent supports, for example a request to check a particular detail during QC. Then pay for the item. At this stage you pay for the item and the domestic delivery to the warehouse, not international shipping.

Step 3: Wait for the item to reach the warehouse

The agent buys from the seller, and the seller ships to the agent's warehouse in China. How long this takes depends on the seller; items in stock often arrive within a few days, while made-to-order items take longer. Your agent account shows the order status.

Step 4: Review the QC photos

When the item arrives, the agent takes QC (quality check) photos. This is your chance to see the actual item before it travels abroad. Compare it against the listing and look at the details explained in how to read QC photos. If something is wrong, such as the wrong colour, wrong size or a visible defect, ask the agent to exchange or return it while it is still in China.

Step 5: Store items and submit a parcel

Agents let you keep approved items in storage for a while, so you can combine several orders into one parcel. When you are ready, choose the items, a shipping line and any packaging options, and the agent calculates the parcel price. Shipping your haul explains how weight, volume and shipping lines affect that price.

Step 6: Pay for shipping and track the parcel

After you pay for shipping, the agent packs and sends the parcel and gives you a tracking number. Delivery time depends on the line and your country. Keep your agent account details and order screenshots until the parcel arrives.

Tips that save money and trouble

Buy items you plan to ship together within the agent's free storage period.
Prefer items with QC photos on the spreadsheet; they show what previous buyers received. Browse them on QC photos.
Check every option name on the agent's page, not only on RepLooks.
Ask the agent before paying if a listing looks unusual, for example a very low price or missing photos.
Follow the customs rules of your country and declare parcels truthfully; the agent cannot change those rules for you.