Shoppers Flock to Taobao and DHgate for Luxury Replicas

In a twist few could have predicted, U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports — intended to curb China’s economic advantage — are helping Chinese e-commerce apps soar in the American market. The latest beneficiaries? DHgate and Taobao, two apps now dominating the iPhone App Store’s top free charts in the U.S.

The Unexpected Rise

DHgate, a Chinese B2B e-commerce marketplace, recently shot up to the No. 2 spot on the U.S. iPhone App Store. Hot on its heels is Taobao, Alibaba’s consumer-facing retail giant, which just cracked the Top 5 as of Thursday. This sudden surge is driven by a wave of TikTok content explaining how much of the luxury goods industry is actually manufactured in China — even when the brands themselves are headquartered elsewhere.

Viral TikToks claim that many designer items — handbags, clothes, shoes — are produced in Chinese factories before being shipped to Italy or France for repackaging with high-end branding. The result? U.S. shoppers are turning to apps like DHgate and Taobao to buy directly from those factories, skipping the luxury markup.

A Viral Consumer Shift

Social media influencers, both Chinese and American, have capitalized on the buzz by showcasing how to navigate these apps and find quality dupes or even the exact same goods sans logo. Amid growing dissatisfaction with rising prices on familiar Chinese retailers like Shein and Temu, users began exploring new alternatives.

And it’s not just a casual trend — it’s a data-backed movement.

• Taobao's downloads jumped 514% in April compared to the same time last month, climbing from 30,000 to 185,000 installs.
• Over a single weekend, downloads surged 5.7x.
• The app rocketed from No. 461 to No. 5 in overall U.S. app rankings within days.
• In the Shopping category, Taobao leaped from No. 49 to No. 2 — outperforming Amazon, Walmart, Shein, and Temu.

App intelligence firm Appfigures noted that this is the first time Taobao has ever reached the U.S. Top Overall chart since its data tracking began in 2017.

Why It Matters

Although switching to Chinese apps doesn’t eliminate tariffs — which still apply to goods imported into the U.S. — the perception of savings is real. Many consumers believe they’re cutting out middlemen and accessing near-identical products at a fraction of the price.

For others, it’s simply about the hunt for affordable luxury alternatives. Whether it’s the same factory item or a close dupe, the opportunity to buy directly from the source is compelling in today’s inflation-sensitive market.

Proceed with Caution

Still, this shift isn’t without risks. DHgate, Taobao, and similar platforms are open marketplaces. Product quality varies widely, and scams do exist. Reviews, seller ratings, and customer-uploaded photos are essential for safe shopping.

This sudden popularity wave may mark a turning point in how U.S. consumers interact with global retail — but it also underscores the unpredictable consequences of economic policy and viral influence.

As tariffs reshape global trade and TikTok reframes consumer awareness, Chinese apps are unexpectedly thriving in the very market that’s trying to contain them.