Before you click anything
Two decisions to make before you open the spreadsheet:
- Where do you live? Different countries see different customs realities. If you're EU/UK, read the shipping & customs guide first — it tells you what your landed cost will actually be.
- What's your risk tolerance? Branded items (Nike, Louis Vuitton, etc.) can be seized by customs. Plain items rarely are. For your first order I genuinely recommend non-branded clothing under €50 — get the workflow right before you scale up.
Step 1 — Pick an item from the spreadsheet
Open the spreadsheet. Use the category filter, search, or just browse the Finds of the Week. Each row shows:
- Product name and category
- Price in CNY (Chinese yuan) and converted USD
- QC photos (where available)
- The "Buy on KakoBuy" button
What to look for in a good spreadsheet entry: multiple QC photos (one angle is not enough), recent updates (a link that's been on the list for 12+ months without refreshed QC may have changed sellers), and community comments if visible.
Step 2 — Read the QC photos properly
QC photos are the single most important thing on the page. Read them like a checklist:
- Logos: placement, kerning, color. The single most common defect.
- Stitching: straight, even, no loose threads.
- Material: does the fabric/leather look the right weight?
- Sole / sole stitching: for shoes, check the heel attachment.
- Tags & labels: spelling errors are an instant red flag.
- Color: remember photos can shift slightly under warehouse lighting.
If anything looks off, you can reject the item at the KakoBuy QC stage and ask for a different size or different unit. This is free.
Step 3 — Place the order on KakoBuy
- Click the "Buy on KakoBuy" link from the spreadsheet. It opens KakoBuy with the product link pre-filled and our referral code attached.
- If you don't have an account, sign up — takes 30 seconds, no card required.
- Add to cart. Specify size, color, and any seller notes (e.g. "please do not include the box" if you're trying to reduce package size for shipping).
- Pay via PayPal (recommended for buyer protection) or card.
KakoBuy charges you the product price plus the seller's domestic shipping (the seller ships to KakoBuy's warehouse, not to you). The international shipping is paid separately once your items arrive at the warehouse.
Step 4 — Wait for warehouse arrival
Items typically arrive at the KakoBuy warehouse in 3–10 days from the seller. You'll see status changes in your dashboard:
- Process Pending — order accepted, waiting for seller.
- Purchased — seller confirmed and shipped to warehouse.
- Warehouse Received — item physically at warehouse.
Step 5 — Inspect the free QC photos
Once received, KakoBuy uploads QC photos within 24–48 hours. You get an email and an in-dashboard notification. This is where you actually decide if you accept the item.
Three options at this stage:
- Accept — moves the item to your "ready to ship" bucket.
- Request rephoto — if the photos are blurry or missing angles you need. Free.
- Reject & refund — if the item doesn't match expectations. KakoBuy negotiates with the seller; you get a refund. Takes 5–14 days.
Step 6 — Build your haul
Free warehousing is 180 days. Place multiple orders, let them accumulate, ship them together to amortise the international shipping cost. This is the single biggest tip nobody tells first-time buyers.
Step 7 — Choose a shipping line
When you're ready to ship, KakoBuy presents shipping line options with estimated cost and transit time. The decision depends on:
- Speed needed: DHL Express is fastest (7–14 days), Sea Mail slowest (30–45 days).
- Weight: sea mail wins for heavy hauls; air lines win for light items.
- Customs risk: sensitive lines have lower inspection rates but slower transit.
- Destination: some lines are country-specific (DE Tax-Free Line, UK Sensitive, etc.)
Read the shipping & customs guide for the line recommendation for your country.
Step 8 — Pay shipping & handle customs
You pay international shipping separately at this stage (this is not bundled with the original order). Once paid, the package leaves the warehouse and starts transit.
When it lands in your country, customs may:
- Wave it through (most common for low-value, non-branded).
- Apply VAT + courier handling fee (you pay the courier on delivery).
- Hold it for inspection (1–4 days delay; you receive a notice).
- Seize it (rare but possible for branded replicas).
KakoBuy is done at this point. Customs is between you and your country.
Step 9 — Receive, inspect, repeat
When the package arrives, inspect immediately. Photograph any damage before opening. If something's wrong with the item that the QC didn't catch, you have a 14-day window to raise a dispute with KakoBuy.
Common first-order mistakes
- Ordering 5 items at once on the first try. Start with 1–2 items to test the workflow.
- Skipping the QC review and accepting everything. That defeats the entire point of using an agent.
- Picking DHL Express for a heavy branded haul. Faster line = faster customs flag.
- Believing any marketing copy that says "99% pass customs". It doesn't. See the customs guide.
- Forgetting that the spreadsheet links use the curator's referral code. That's disclosed openly — see our affiliate disclosure.
What to do next
- Browse the spreadsheet and pick your test item.
- Read Is KakoBuy legit? for the honest review.
- Read the customs guide for your country.
- Read KakoBuy vs CNFANS if you're still deciding on an agent.