Singles Day (11.11) 2026 is the biggest shopping event in the world, and this year it starts earlier than ever: on Tmall and Taobao, presales open on 15 October and the main sale runs from 20 October to 13 November. AliExpress, Temu and Shein focus their deals around 11 November. The catch: many of the best bargains are on Chinese stores that don't ship to Latin America (Taobao, 1688, JD), and import taxes on other platforms have changed in 2026. This guide covers the dates, what's worth buying, the taxes you pay in your country and how to get everything in a single shipment.
In short
- 2026 dates: Tmall/Taobao, presales from 15 October and the sale from 20 October to 13 November; AliExpress, expected from 11 to 19 November (based on the 2025 pattern). The big day is 11 November.
- The bargains that won't ship to you: Taobao doesn't ship to Latin America and 1688 only sells within China. With an address at our warehouse in China or Hong Kong, you buy at local prices.
- Save on shipping: we combine all your 11.11 orders into one box with consolidation (up to 70% less on shipping).
- Can't pay on the Chinese store (Alipay only, card declined)? With Buy for me, we buy it for you.
Singles Day 2026: dates on each platform
| Platform | 2026 dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tmall / Taobao | Presales from 15 October · sale from 20 October (8 pm China time) to 13 November | Announced |
| JD.com | From 12 October, in several phases until November | Announced |
| AliExpress | Warm-up 8-10 November · main sale 11-19 November | Expected (2025 pattern) |
| Temu and Shein | Deals around 11 November | Not yet announced |
After 11.11 come Black Friday (27 November) and Cyber Monday. You'll find the whole year in our online sales calendar 2026-2027.
The Chinese stores that won't ship to you (and how to buy anyway)
- Taobao and Tmall: their official international shipping only covers a fixed list of countries in Asia and Oceania. Mexico and the rest of Latin America aren't on it.
- 1688.com: China's wholesale marketplace. It only sells within China, charges in yuan (Alipay or a Chinese bank) and requires a Chinese address.
- JD.com: almost its entire catalogue ships within China only.
The solution is the one professional buyers use: an address in China. You buy on Taobao, 1688 or JD at local prices, each seller delivers to our Shenzhen warehouse or to Hong Kong, and we forward everything to you together. If the store only accepts Chinese payment methods, our Buy for me service makes the purchase on your behalf.
What's worth buying on 11.11 (and what isn't)
Best value from China:
- Electronics accessories: earphones, cases, chargers and smartwatches from Chinese brands.
- LED lighting, smart home devices and home gadgets.
- Hobby and maker gear: 3D printing filament and spare parts, electronics for projects.
- Designer toys like Pop Mart's. If you want a genuine Labubu, see how to buy it at the official price from China.
Be careful with:
- Batteries and power banks: IATA rules are stricter from 2026, and loose batteries can't travel on passenger aircraft. Check first how we ship dangerous goods.
- Brand knock-offs: counterfeits (Labubu fakes included) can be held at customs. Buy from official stores.
Taxes: what changes in 2026 depending on where you live
Purchases on AliExpress, Temu, Shein or Taobao are no longer treated the way they were a year ago. The key points, based on official sources:
- European Union: since 1 July 2026, parcels under €150 pay a flat duty of €3 per item (we explain it in the new €3 duty). The Commission also plans a €2 handling fee per item, which hasn't come into force yet.
- Mexico: since August 2025, parcels from platforms shipping from countries without a trade agreement, such as China, pay a global rate of 33.5%.
- Chile: since 25 October 2025, all purchases from abroad pay 19% VAT.
- Argentina: Decree 604/2026 sets a 400 USD allowance per shipment for personal use. We break it down in this guide to Decree 604.
- Colombia and Peru: shipments under 200 USD keep their duty exemptions, although in Colombia goods from China pay VAT and Peru is considering a change.
Each country's rules change often. Before a big purchase, check your country's allowance and always declare the real value.
How to save on shipping your 11.11 haul
- Get your address in China before the deals start: in under a minute you have real addresses in 10 countries. Sign up here.
- Shop at as many stores as you like (Taobao, 1688, JD, AliExpress…) using your Chinese warehouse address.
- Store and consolidate: we keep your parcels for up to 60 days and combine all your orders into one box. With dozens of small parcels, consolidation cuts international shipping by up to 70%.
- Check the cost first with our shipping calculator to see if the deal is worth it.
Have your China address ready before 11.11
Buy on Taobao, 1688 and JD at Chinese prices and get it all in one shipment. Memberships from €1.64/month with a 14-day trial and money-back guarantee.
Singles Day 2026 FAQ
When is Singles Day 2026?
The big day is 11 November 2026. On Tmall and Taobao, presales start on 15 October and the sale runs from 20 October to 13 November. On AliExpress, the main sale is expected from 11 to 19 November.
Can I buy on Taobao from Mexico or Latin America?
Taobao doesn't ship to Latin America with its official service. With your mailbox address at our China warehouse, you buy at local prices and we forward it to you.
What is 1688 and how do I buy there?
1688 is Alibaba's wholesale platform for the Chinese market. It only delivers within China and charges in yuan. With a Chinese address and our Buy for me service, you can shop there even without Alipay.
How much tax do I pay on AliExpress, Temu or Shein purchases?
It depends on your country: in the EU there's a flat duty of €3 per item since July 2026, in Mexico a global rate of 33.5% for platforms from countries without a trade agreement, in Chile 19% VAT and in Argentina a 400 USD allowance per shipment. Always check the current rules in your country.
How do I save on shipping if I buy lots of small items?
With consolidation: we receive all your orders at the warehouse, store them for up to 60 days and combine them into one box, cutting shipping costs by up to 70%.
Can I ship power banks or battery-powered products?
Loose batteries face strict air transport restrictions from 2026. Contact us before buying them and check our dangerous goods guide.
