For sneaker enthusiasts outside China, purchasing limited-edition kicks like the Nike Air Jordan 1ACbuy, a leading Chinese proxy shopping service, bridges this gap by facilitating purchases from Taobao. This guide will walk you through the entire process while introducing a helpful spreadsheet (product comparison here)
Start by browsing Taobao's sneaker listings for Nike Air Jordan 1. Use the colorway's specific name (e.g., "AJ1 Chicago") in your search. Authentic sellers often display stock images with detailed descriptions. Cross-reference prices and seller ratings using this crowdsourced spreadsheet
Create an account on ACbuy's platform. Unlike traditional forwarders, their reverse proxy service
Paste the Taobao product URL into ACbuy’s order form. Specify size, color, and customization options. Pro tip: Their agents can negotiate bulk discounts if you're buying multiple pairs—mention "multi-item purchase" in the order notes.
For an extra 5% fee, ACbuy’s "Authenticity Plus" service includes:
- UV tag verification
- Stitching pattern analysis
- Box barcode cross-checking
These results are documented in English for international buyers.
Choose between:
Express (7-12 days):
Economy (3-4 weeks):
Note: Declare items as "used personal shoes - $60 value" to avoid import taxes in most countries.
Feature | ACbuy | Standard Forwarders |
---|---|---|
Taobao/Tmall Expertise | ✔ Dedicated sneaker agents | ✖ General support only |
Return Guarantee | 60-day defective return window | 14-30 day limits |
Batch Purchasing | No quantity restrictions | Often blocked |
Their proprietary AI price predictor
"Copped six Jordan 1 releases through ACbuy last year, including the impossible-to-find Trophy Rooms. Their experts even alerted me to a restock before the SNKRS app did!" - @KicksCollectorHK