How to Buy Hanfu From China With a Shopping Agent

1. Search by style term, not by "Chinese dress"

Chinese sellers organise hanfu by period style and garment type. English searches tend to return costume reproductions. Our hanfu search-term page lists the Chinese terms with pinyin; the ones most buyers start with:

Fabric words change price and drape: 雪纺 is chiffon, 提花 is jacquard, 织金 is metallic woven brocade and 妆花 is a more complex brocade technique. A listing photo cannot show the difference; the fabric term in the title and the seller's answer can.

2. In buyers' words: "What size hanfu should I get?"

Do not rely on S/M/L. Ask the seller (through the agent if needed) for flat garment measurements in centimetres, then compare them with a garment you own laid flat.

Key measurements by piece: skirts—waist and length (many mamian skirts tie at the waist, so waist range matters more than a letter size); tops and robes—shoulder width, chest width, sleeve length and garment length; ruqun—chest tie position and skirt length.

Note your height: long robes and skirts are often cut for a stated height range on the size chart. If the chart only shows Chinese letter sizes, ask for centimetres before ordering.

3. Set or single piece? Read the listing before paying

Sets are often photographed complete but sold by piece, with options such as top only, skirt only or full set. Check the selected option name (规格 or 颜色分类) and the price change when you switch options.

Copy the exact option text into your agent order notes so the warehouse checks the right variant on arrival.

Made-to-order or pre-sale items (预售) can take longer to ship from the seller than in-stock items. The listing usually states the dispatch period; your agent's storage clock may not start until the item arrives.

4. Order through an agent step by step

1. Copy the full Taobao listing URL (open short m.tb.cn share links in a browser first and copy the full address).

2. Paste it into the link converter to open the same listing on the agent you use.

3. Select the option, add notes (option name, measurements you expect), and pay item price plus any agent fee and domestic shipping.

4. Wait for warehouse arrival photos. Check them against the steps below before the inspection window ends.

5. Consolidate and pay international freight only after you have a packed measurement.

5. QC photos for hanfu: what to check

Ask for photos that answer specific questions: every piece of the set laid out; the size label or tag; a flat measurement of the waist or chest with the tape visible; close-ups of embroidery, woven gold areas and pleats; colour under neutral light if the listing photo is heavily edited.

Photos document visible condition and measurements. They cannot confirm fibre content or colour accuracy on your screen. For a reusable checklist, see the QC photos checklist and QC photos and the inspection window.

6. Shipping cost: why hanfu parcels get bulky

Layered robes, pleated skirts and stiff brocade compress poorly, and many sellers ship in thick bags or boxes. The bill is usually based on the packed parcel's volumetric weight when it exceeds scale weight.

Ask the warehouse to remove outer boxes where it does not risk creasing structured pieces, and consider a test pack for multi-piece orders; see the parcel rehearsal guide. Run the packed size through the shipping calculator and read landed cost and the second bill before paying freight.

Textiles are generally ordinary goods, but duties, VAT/GST and labelling rules depend on your country; check customs, duties and prohibited items.

7. What this guide does not do

We do not recommend specific shops, rank agents, or quote prices, delivery times or fees, because they change and we cannot verify them for your order. We do not help buy copies of protected or branded designs. Check the seller's reviews and the agent's current terms yourself.