The popular but risky practice of Daigou

But the ubiquity of China's fake products makes buying from a daigou a risky game.

Zhang Qi, a 29-year-old college teacher from Henan province, said, "I don't trust any unfamiliar professional buyers from Chinese cross-border e-commerce sites, especially when buying luxury handbags, clothes, and cosmetics because fake products are so rampant in China."

She said that she and her friends all have been asked to buy overseas products on behalf of friends and relatives because they want to know that the goods they are purchasing are genuine.

"Many vendors on taobao claim to buy foreign goods for you. But it is highly possible that they are peddling fake ones."

For some haitao shoppers buying directly from foreign sites is a way to avoid fakes.

Miranda Li, 34, who works for a foreign law firm in Beijing, is still waiting for her Black Friday parcels, which include two overcoats, two pairs of leather boots, and other accessories. "You need patience. But I prefer browsing directly from foreign websites, mailing to US addresses, and having them delivered to China. It's more authentic and reliable than from unknown professional buyers on a Chinese e-commerce site."

In terms of international deliveries and import taxes, Li said, "Some small cross-border express agencies can help you avoid paying the taxes, but at the same time, you take the risk of losing your parcels if they are in their hands."

"My choice is to choose a bigger company. I usually use SFbuy, under Shunfeng Express. I can track the whole delivery process, and if my parcel is lost, I can get full reimbursement."