Go on an importing frenzy with our Top 10 shopping websites

January and February are cold and dark and offer liberal lashings of the wet stuff from above. So we’re bringing you the latest, greatest retail therapy, all available from the comfort of your own home. The best online shopping the entire planet has to offer, no less: anything you want, from any corner of the globe. So crank the aircon up to 30 and get clicking to your consumerist heart’s content.

1
For: Your fashion fix, of course, sweetie darlings.
Store: ASOS (As Seen On Screen)
Website: www.asos.com
Product: High fashion at low prices. This is a dream site for anyone who likes pouring over gossip mags to see what celebrities are wearing. ASOS offer their own brand of top-to-toe outfits that look more or less identical to what the IT people are wearing, but much, much cheaper.
Delivery cost to China: GBP10.50 (RMB115)
Delivery time: 11 working days
Our product pick: Super-slinky black and white Contrast Bow Bandeau dress, GBP35 (RMB383).

2
For: Innovative wacky products
Store: Suck UK
Website: www.suck.uk.com
Product: They started making bizzare but useful things in 1999 on the kitchen floor of a bedsit in North London. Now these long-lasting, not – ahem – in the slightest  bit tacky gadgets are shipped around the world in the form of furniture, lighting, interior and gifts.
Delivery cost to China: GBP12 minimum (RMB100)
Delivery time: 3-7 days
Our product picks: Drumstick pencils (RMB50) and their handy smoking mittens (RMB200)

3
For: Kitsch, natch
Store: Japan Shop
Website: www.japan-shop.com
Product:This online mall specializes in Japanese goods and services for people living outside Japan. They’ve got everything covered, from cutesy jewelery, to kawaii mobile phone accessories, as well as all sorts of more sophisticated home furnishings and kitchenware. The site links you through to stores across the country that can deliver to China.
Delivery cost to China: Varies store to store. Strapya Store, for mobile phone accessories, costs JPY950 (RMB71)
Delivery time: 2-5 days
Our product pick: Earphones in the shape of little teddy bears. Kind of cute, kind of weird, very Japanese. JPY 1780 (RMB133)

4
For: Sought after fashion
Store: My Catwalk
Website: www.mycatwalk.com.au
Product: They claim to be one of the originators of online fashion boutique shopping. Launched back in 2002, they now have one of the largest web hit rates in Australia, offering up-to-date designer dresses, tops, skirts and everything in between.
Delivery cost to China: Varies depending on product
Delivery time: Standard International Air Mail 5-10 days or EMS International Express 3-5 days
Our product picks: Bassike cowl neck top (RMB700)

5
For: (Down) Undies
Store: Zodee
Website: www.zodee.com.au
Product: The bottom line is that Australia has the comfiest underwear, whether you’re after sporty styles, plus sizes or something sexy. This website has almost 200 brands to choose from.
Delivery cost to China: Up to 500g, registered airmail, AUD14.95 (RMB92)
Delivery time: 11 working days
Our product pick: Elle Macpherson Intimates Spree Bra, featuring rose stretch lace and a contrast color bow. Underwire supports up to an E cup. AUD61.70 (RMB378)

6
For: Indie clothing designs
Store: Spunky
Website: www.spunky.co.uk
Product: More like a record company than a fashion store, Spunky signs up wannabe young designers and commissions them. They come on various apparel such as t-shirts, bags and hoodies. Spunky supports ethical, organic and fair trade, and  put a credit on the label in the product (so you can see who designed the exact shirt you are wearing).
Delivery cost to China: Under GBPP4 (RMB45)
Delivery time: Up to three weeks
Our product picks: The classic Cat Zap design t-shirt by Chris King (RMB250), featured on cult series Peep Show.

7
For: Designer womenswear fashion
Store: The Out Net
Website: www.theoutnet.com
Product: In their own words they are an “exclusive designer outlet where everyone is invited.” They hold time-sensitive pop-up sales, with serious designers like Vera Wang, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen. They’re not fakes, meaning all-too-real prices. Dig deep.
Delivery cost to China: GBP16.50 plus tax (RMB182)
Delivery time: 2-3 working days
Our product picks: Heart Shape leather slingbacks by Marc Jacobs (RMB1,640)

8
For: Hearty winter food, like no one else does it
Store: German Supermarket 24
Website: www.german-supermarket24.com
Product: High-carb, high-fat, high-cholesterol and highly delicious comfort food you’ve been craving, delivered right to your door here in Shanghai. Ten pages devoted to sausages alone.
Delivery cost to China: Up to 5 kg, EUR40 (RMB394)
Delivery time: 11 working days
Our product pick: Flensburger Pilsener – the site’s best selling grog is straight from Flensburg, Germany’s northernmost city at the Danish border. Just EUR1.49 (RMB15) per bottle.

9
For: Everything you can imagine
Store: Alibaba
Website: www.alibaba.com
Product: A virtual marketplace connecting manufacturers with punters, they’re also the business giants behind Taobao.com. Manufacturers will sell their products in single units; and buying straight from the source is a lot, lot cheaper (and buy in bulk and receive a fat discount). There’s no limit to what you can find on here.
Delivery cost to China: Prices vary depending on what it is and where you are both located
Delivery time: Varies depending on seller and product
Our product picks: An electric hot plate oven (for making thin crust pizzas) or a solar panel which you can attach to your balcony (barter with seller for price)

10
For: Books, magazines, specialist DVDs and electronics
Store: Amazon
Website: www.amazon.com
Product: An obvious choice maybe, but if you’re looking for specialist literature, films and music they make it a painless process. Note: You can’t order the ‘used & new’ items, only those listed by Amazon themselves.
Delivery cost to China: Standard USD4.99 (RMB35), expedited USD13.99 (RMB96) and priority USD29.99 (RMB205)
Delivery time: Standard 17-28 days, expedited 12-20, priority 2-4
Our product picks: How about a 1960s Guinness Book of Records or an obscure documentary.

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