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The Untapped $100B Market: How US Food Brands Can Sell on Tmall Global Without a China Office

Why 2025 Is the Year to Sell on Tmall Global

China’s cross-border e-commerce market is forecast to hit ¥2.38 trillion (~$340 b) in 2023 with strong growth into 2025 (reference) Thanks to platforms like Tmall Global, U.S. food brands—from snack makers to health supplements—can now sell on Tmall Global without needing a China entity. With 100 million active users and >46,000 international brands on Tmall Global (reference), the opportunity is massive.

US food products on display in a Tmall Global online storefront, highlighting cross-border e-commerce access to Chinese consumers without a local China entity

Key Benefits of Cross‑Border Selling in Food & Beverage

  1. No China business license needed

    Unlike domestic channels, sell on Tmall Global lets brands enter via bonded warehousing or overseas fulfillment models (reference)

  2. Faster time to market & lower risk

    Skip costly WFOE setups; start with minimal investment and test market-demand rapidly.

  3. Premium pricing & demand for US quality

    Chinese consumers perceive US food brands as safer and higher quality, especially in snacks, beverages, and health categories (reference)

  4. Integrated logistics & analytics

    Backed by Alibaba’s Cainiao and data platforms, you get real-time order analytics and smoother delivery (reference)


Is Your Brand a Good Fit to Sell on Tmall Global?

  • U.S. snack, beverage, supplement, or health-food brands targeting Chinese consumers.

  • Companies willing to adapt labels and marketing to Chinese regulations.

  • Businesses ready to invest in pre‑launch visibility through social‑commerce campaigns.

  • Brands seeking a nimble entry into China before committing to local infrastructure.


How SODA Global Makes Cross‑Border Expansion Seamless

We manage the app, Alipay integration, store setup, and product listings.

  • Learn about our cross-border e‑commerce services here.

  • See our Tmall store launch process here.

We collaborate with top food KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) on Xiaohongshu and Douyin to drive buzz. Influencer seeding before launch boosts conversion and followers.

  • Discover our social commerce strategies here.

3. FDA‑to‑NMPA Compliance

We audit labels against NMPA regulations—e.g., no “organic” claims unless certified, accurate ingredient translations, metric units, and compliant health claims.

  • Read our FDA‑to‑NMPA compliance guide here.

4. Bonded Logistics or Overseas Fulfillment

SODA coordinates with bonded warehouses and Cainiao to ensure tax-efficient, fast delivery under 120 hours

  • Learn about our logistics solutions here.


A Proven Path to Profitability

Recent wins:

  • A U.S. breakfast‑bar brand launched on Tmall Global with Redbook teasers and Douyin livestreams, selling out within the first 72 hours.

  • A health‑supplement company expanded rapidly after complying with NMPA certification and KOL endorsement, supported by SODA.

How it works:

  1. Pre‑launch buzz via food influencers

  2. Listing live on Tmall Global with full compliance

  3. Post‑launch ad & live commerce support

  4. Ongoing analytics to refine campaigns


How to Get Started

  1. Book a free consultation—we’ll evaluate your product, marketing, and compliance readiness.

  2. Execute your China launch—from influencer seeding to store live to scaling ads.


Curious how sell on Tmall Global could work for your brand?

Contact SODA Global now to book a 30‑minute strategy call.

 
 
 

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