What is the Taobao 618 sale?

618 (June 1-20) is Taobao's second-largest sale event after 11.11, originally commemorating JD.com's founding anniversary but now adopted across all Chinese e-commerce platforms. Discounts run 20-50% off regular Taobao prices — less deep than 11.11 but with lower shipping congestion and faster delivery. For international buyers, it's the ideal time to stock summer wardrobe, restock basics, and try premium items at mid-tier prices.

Is 618 worth it for international Taobao buyers?

Yes — 618 offers two advantages over 11.11: less carrier congestion (3-5 day delay vs 2+ weeks during 11.11) and a 20-day shopping window (vs 11 days). Discounts of 20-50% stack on already-low Taobao prices. The combined savings reach 70-85% versus Western retail — less extreme than 11.11 but still dramatic, with smoother logistics.

Should I wait for 618 or order now?

If 618 is 2-3 weeks away: wait. A 20-40% discount on a ¥200 cart saves ¥40-80 (€6-11). If 618 is 3+ months away: order now at regular Taobao prices — the base savings versus Western retail are already substantial, and waiting months for a potential 30% additional discount rarely makes sense for items you need now.

What should I buy during the 618 sale?

Summer wardrobe (T-shirts, shorts, light jackets — all at 20-40% off), electronics accessories (phone cases, LED strips, USB hubs — deep discounts as sellers clear inventory), beauty tools (makeup brushes, skincare sets — many sellers run 618 bundles), home decor (room accents, organization — comparable discounts to 11.11), and watch accessories (straps, tools — 25-40% off from participating sellers).

How does 618 compare to 11.11 for savings?

11.11 wins on discount depth (30-70% vs 20-50%) and seller participation (nearly universal vs ~70-80%). 618 wins on logistics (moderate congestion vs severe) and shopping window (20 days vs 11). If you can only do one sale per year: 11.11. If you do two: 618 for summer + 11.11 for winter/Christmas. Together they cover both major seasonal wardrobes at maximum savings.

Taobao 618 Sale 2026: What to Buy During Mid-Year Sale

Taobao 618 mid-year sale buying guide for international buyers

If 11.11 is the Super Bowl of Chinese shopping, 618 (June 1-20) is the playoffs — still excellent deals, still massive participation, but less chaos, less congestion, and a wider shopping window. The event originally commemorated JD.com’s founding anniversary (June 18) but has been adopted across every Chinese e-commerce platform including Taobao and Tmall. For international buyers, it’s the underrated sale event that delivers 70-85% total savings versus Western retail with none of the post-11.11 shipping nightmares.

My first 618 haul was last June — 18 items for €52 in products (roughly 25% below regular Taobao prices), shipped for €24. Summer wardrobe + a few beauty tools + desk accessories. Total: €76 delivered. The non-sale equivalent would have been roughly €95 on Taobao or €250-350 at French retail. The 618 discount saved me about €19 versus regular Taobao — not as dramatic as 11.11 savings, but the parcel arrived in 20 days instead of the 30-35 days that post-11.11 shipments typically take.

618 vs 11.11: Complete Comparison

	618 (June)	11.11 (November)
Duration	20 days (June 1-20)	11 days (Nov 1-11)
Discount depth	20-50% off	30-70% off
Seller participation	~70-80%	~95%+
Carrier congestion impact	+3-5 days to transit	+7-14 days to transit
Best categories	Summer wardrobe, tech accessories, beauty	Winter wardrobe, premium items, gifts
New product launches	Moderate	Major (brands time to 11.11)
Price inflation risk	Lower (less hype → less incentive to inflate)	Higher (more scrutiny needed)
International shipping risk	Low	High

The practical recommendation: do both sales. 618 for summer wardrobe and mid-year restocking. 11.11 for winter wardrobe, Christmas gifts, and maximum savings on premium items. Together, two sale hauls per year cover both seasonal transitions at combined savings of 75-90% versus retail.

Best 618 Purchases by Category

Summer wardrobe. T-shirts, shorts, light jackets, sunglasses, caps, canvas bags — all at 20-40% off June prices. A summer haul of 12-15 items at 618 pricing costs roughly €40-60 delivered versus €65-90 at regular Taobao prices. Arrives by early July — peak summer timing.

Electronics accessories. Phone cases, cables, USB hubs, LED strips, desk accessories. Tech sellers use 618 to clear inventory before new product cycles. Deep discounts of 30-50% are common on these fast-refresh categories.

Beauty tools. Many beauty sellers run 618-specific bundles — a gua sha + roller + eye masks combo at 30-40% off versus buying individually. If you’ve been eyeing a premium brush set or an LED face mask, 618 brings premium-tier pricing down to mid-tier levels.

Home decor and organization. Room refresh timing: 618 sale items arrive in late June/early July — perfect for a summer room update. Discounts are nearly as deep as 11.11 on home categories.

Watch accessories. Many strap and tool sellers participate in 618 with 25-40% off. Stock up on Seiko mod parts, Casio straps, or luxury alternatives at the best mid-year pricing.

618 Timing Strategy

Date	Action
May 20-31	Build wishlist. Screenshot current prices for verification.
June 1-5	Place orders. Early-sale pricing is often the deepest. Best selection before sizes sell out.
June 5-15	Items arrive at Fishgoo warehouse. Review QC photos.
June 18-25	Consolidate and ship after mid-sale rush subsides.
July 8-20	Delivery. Perfect timing for summer.

→ Complete sale calendar with all events

→ 9 savings tactics including sale timing

FAQ

Should I wait for 618 or order now at regular prices?

If it’s May and 618 is 2-3 weeks away — wait. The 20-40% discount easily covers the short wait. If it’s March — order now. A 3-month wait for a potential 30% discount rarely makes sense versus having the product today. The base Taobao-vs-retail savings (50-70%) exist year-round regardless of sale events.
Are 618 discounts genuine?

Same verification method as 11.11: screenshot prices in mid-May before the sale period. Compare to 618 “sale” prices. Genuine 20%+ off your May benchmark = real deal. Price that returns to April levels after apparent “50% off” = manufactured discount. Established sellers with high transaction counts generally offer genuine discounts.
Can I combine 618 purchases with non-sale items?

Yes — everything accumulates in your Fishgoo warehouse regardless of purchase date. Buy 618 items early June, add non-sale items anytime before or after, consolidate when ready to ship.
Is 618 good for resellers?

Yes — resellers who stock summer-relevant products at 618 pricing create wider margins for Q3 selling. The timing works well: buy at 20-40% off in early June, receive inventory by late June, sell throughout July-September at full margins.
What if I miss 618?

Regular Taobao prices are still 50-70% below Western retail. Sale events add a bonus layer but aren’t essential. If you miss 618, order at normal prices — the savings are already dramatic. The next major sale is 11.11 in November.