What is Mulebuy?

Mulebuy is a proxy shopping service that helps international buyers purchase products from Chinese online marketplaces like Taobao, Weidian, and 1688. If you've ever seen a product on a Chinese site but couldn't buy it because you don't have a Chinese phone number, bank account, or shipping address, Mulebuy solves that problem.

Here's how it works: you find a product (or use our spreadsheet to browse curated finds), paste the link into Mulebuy, and they handle the rest - purchasing from the seller, receiving the item at their warehouse, inspecting it with quality check photos, and shipping it to your door internationally.

Mulebuy has become popular because it offers competitive shipping rates, a straightforward interface in English, and reliable quality control. The platform supports multiple payment methods including PayPal, which makes it accessible to buyers worldwide.

Step-by-Step: How to Buy from Mulebuy

Step 1: Create Your Account

Head to mulebuy.com/register and create a free account. New users typically receive welcome coupons - at the time of writing, you can get up to $140 in coupons plus a 10% logistics discount. It's worth creating a fresh account for each major purchase to take advantage of these offers.

Step 2: Find Products You Want

You have a few options for finding products:

Our Mulebuy Spreadsheet: Browse our curated catalog right here on this site. Every listing has been verified by our team.
Reddit Communities: Check out r/FashionReps and r/CNFans for community reviews and recommendations.
Direct Search: If you know what you want, you can search directly on Taobao or Weidian and paste the link into Mulebuy.

Step 3: Open the Product in Mulebuy

If you found the product on our spreadsheet, just click the "Open in Mulebuy" button on the product page. If you found it elsewhere, copy the product URL from Taobao/Weidian and paste it into Mulebuy's search bar. Mulebuy also supports reverse image search - upload a photo and it will find similar products.

Step 4: Choose Your Options

On the product page, you'll see available options like color, size, and version. Pay close attention to sizing - Chinese sizes typically run 1-2 sizes smaller than US/EU sizes. Always check the seller's size chart and measurements rather than guessing. If you're between sizes, it's usually safer to size up.

Some items come in different "batches" or versions with varying quality levels. You can check comparison photos on Yupoo or ask in our Discord community for advice on which version to choose.

Step 5: Estimate Your Total Cost

Before committing, use Mulebuy's shipping estimator to see the full landed cost. Add the item to your cart and click the estimator button. It will show you the product weight, package dimensions, and shipping costs for different courier options. Pro tip: removing shoeboxes or choosing compact packaging can significantly reduce shipping costs since international shipping is often calculated by volume weight.

Step 6: Place Your Order

When you're ready, proceed to checkout. Fill in your shipping address, agree to the terms, and pay. Mulebuy accepts PayPal and balance top-ups. If PayPal isn't available in your region, you can top up your Mulebuy wallet via bank transfer or other methods. After payment, a Mulebuy agent will purchase the item from the Chinese seller on your behalf.

Step 7: Wait for QC Photos

Once the seller ships the item to Mulebuy's warehouse (usually 2-5 days), the Mulebuy team will take Quality Check (QC) photos. You'll get an email notification when these are ready. Review the photos carefully - check stitching, logos, colors, and overall quality. If something looks off, you can request an exchange before the item ships internationally. You can also use qc.photos to view QC photos from other buyers of the same product.

Step 8: Ship to Your Door

After you approve the QC photos, select your preferred shipping method. Mulebuy offers several options ranging from budget-friendly (15-25 days) to express (7-12 days). You'll receive a tracking number to monitor your package. Most orders arrive within 7-20 business days from the ship date.