Get to know more about Tmall, and how to set up your brand’s online store on China’s biggest business-to-consumer (B2C) Ecommerce platform.  

What is Tmall?  

Tmall is a product of Ecommerce giant Alibaba. Launched in 2008, it was initially named Taobao Mall, and functions as a B2C platform, differentiating itself from Taobao. Taobao, on the other hand, operates on a C2C model.  

Barely two years since its conception, Tmall observed a meteoric rise in popularity among Chinese consumers. In 2010, its gross merchandise value (GMV) has already reached 30 billion Yuan. As the years go by, with dramatic changes made in the world of internet and Ecommerce, Tmall continues to grow. In 2020, its GMV already breached the 3-trillion mark.  

Indeed, tons of opportunities wait for brands, both local and international, that want to set foot in China by opening a Tmall shop. If this is the kind of opportunity you want for your business’ growth, read on as we guide you on how to set up your Tmall store. 

Tmall: How to Set Up

Before registering your Tmall shop, you need to check if your brand or business is qualified on the Official Tmall Guide. Most businesses need to have a business license in China before they can open their online store. Foreign brands, on the other hand, will have to process their registration through Tmall Global.  

If you have checked all prerequisites, then you may proceed with the following steps.

1. Go to Tmall.com and create Tmall account
2. Once you have successfully created your Tmall Account, click the ‘Seller Hub’ tab on the top portion of the page. And then choose Store Management in the dropdown menu, and select ‘Apply for New Brand’
3. Submit your business’ information by filling in the following fields: (a) Brand Description and History, (b) Team Introduction, and (c) Product Description. Experts suggest providing more details of your business information if it means increasing your chances of getting approved.
4. After you have submitted everything, you need to wait between three (3) to six (6) days for feedback from Tmall, telling you that your registration has been approved.
5. Once your application is approved, you need to pay a security deposit and an annual fee as a registered brand for Tmall.
6. Open your Tmall store and voila! You can now start selling your products to China’s over 1 billion internet users.

Aside from a business license authorized by the Chinese government, you might also be required to present and submit IDs of a legal representative and a contact person for your company’s Tmall shop.  

Explore China’s Ecommerce Scene 

Ecommerce is not only a growing industry in China. It’s a big opportunity for brands that want to expand and reach out to more audiences. If you want to explore more about Ecommerce’s potential in China, you can read our articles below. 

• Everything Brands Need to Know about TMall
• How Live Selling Brings Value to Your Brand?
• PHRAYA Expands Brand Presence to China through Weibo

Or you can schedule an appointment with our Ecommerce specialists whose insights and solid understanding can guide you in the right direction. 

Contact us today to get started.