Table of Contents
- What is Pinduoduo?
- Why Shop on Pinduoduo from Abroad?
- How to Create a Pinduoduo Account?
- How to Buy from Pinduoduo Outside China
- Payment Methods and Shipping Options
- How Does MobileSMS.io Work?
- Pro Tips for Shopping on Pinduoduo
- Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Conclusion
Pinduoduo is a popular Chinese online retailer with about 900 million users as of 2025. It sells a wide category of products and is a consumer favorite because of its unbeatable prices. The only limitation is that the app requires you to have a Chinese mobile number. This can be tricky if you’re a Chinese citizen living abroad or an international shopper interested in Chinese products. So, how to buy from Pinduoduo outside China?
(Updated October 2025)
In this article, we’ll explain exactly how you can shop on Pinduoduo from anywhere in the world. We’ll also discuss what Pinduoduo has to offer and share insider tips to maximize your shopping experience.
What is Pinduoduo?
Pinduoduo (拼多多) is a leading online marketplace in China that originally started out as an agricultural platform in 2015. Today, it’s become China’s third-largest e-commerce platform, offering an innovative social commerce experience. Its wide range of product categories includes electronics, accessories, house care, body care, fashion, groceries, and much more.
Unlike traditional e-commerce platforms, Pinduoduo uses a unique browsing system. The app doesn’t rely on a conventional search bar to help you explore categories. Instead, you are asked a series of questions about your preferences and shopping habits, then recommended products according to your answers. This gamified shopping experience has made it incredibly popular among Chinese consumers.
Another standout feature of Pinduoduo is its team purchase (团购) strategy. The app allows you to create a team where you can invite friends, family, or even strangers to join group purchases. The bigger the group, the more discount each member will get on their purchases – sometimes up to 90% off retail prices!
Why Shop on Pinduoduo from Abroad?
In 2025, there are several compelling reasons to access Pinduoduo from outside China:
- Unbeatable Prices: Products on Pinduoduo are often 50-70% cheaper than on international platforms
- Authentic Chinese Products: Direct access to genuine Chinese brands and manufacturers
- Unique Items: Find products not available on Western e-commerce sites
- Bulk Buying Options: Perfect for small businesses sourcing products from China
- Cultural Connection: Chinese expatriates can purchase familiar products from home
How to Create a Pinduoduo Account?
Before learning how to buy from Pinduoduo outside China, let’s understand the complete account creation process. To open your account, you’ll need to submit your mobile number, government identification number (for certain purchases), and email address. The platform will also ask for additional data including your shopping preferences, age range, and location. This helps them modify the recommendation algorithm accordingly and provide personalized deals.
The verification process typically involves these steps:
- Download the Pinduoduo app or access the website
- Select “Register” or “Sign Up”
- Enter your Chinese phone number
- Receive and input the SMS verification code
- Complete your profile information
- Link a payment method (optional but recommended)
Giving your personal phone number to the app can expose it to hackers and data breaches. In addition, as a Chinese citizen abroad or international shopper, you may not have a Chinese SIM card in the first place. So, in these cases, knowing how to buy from Pinduoduo outside China is necessary.
How to Buy from Pinduoduo Outside China
The best way to buy from Pinduoduo outside China is to use burner numbers generated by MobileSMS.io. These temporary phone numbers are specifically designed to bypass the verification procedures of apps while maintaining your privacy. Plus, you can choose the country where you want your phone number generated, including China.
Here’s why virtual numbers are the ideal solution:
- Instant Access: Get a Chinese number in seconds without traveling or complicated paperwork
- Privacy Protection: Keep your real number private from potential spam or data leaks
- Cost-Effective: Much cheaper than maintaining an international Chinese SIM card
- No Long-Term Commitment: Use the number only when needed for verification
After you’ve used the burner number to create your account, it will expire automatically based on your chosen rental period. While you can’t use these numbers to make calls and send regular texts, you can easily receive verification SMS codes – which is exactly what you need for Pinduoduo registration.
Payment Methods and Shipping Options
Once you’ve created your account, understanding payment and shipping is crucial for shopping from abroad:
Payment Methods Available in 2025:
- Alipay International: Now accepts foreign credit cards
- WeChat Pay: Can be linked to international cards in some regions
- UnionPay Cards: Widely accepted for international transactions
- Third-Party Payment Services: Some forwarding services offer payment assistance
Shipping Solutions:
- Package Forwarding Services: Companies like Superbuy or Wegobuy ship to your country
- Consolidation Services: Combine multiple orders to save on shipping
- Direct International Shipping: Some sellers now offer direct shipping to major countries
- Estimated Delivery Times: 7-30 days depending on your location and shipping method
How Does MobileSMS.io Work?
Here’s the complete step-by-step guide on how to buy from Pinduoduo outside China using MobileSMS.io:
- Download the Pinduoduo app on your phone and choose to make an account.
- Fill in the required data until you are asked to submit your phone number.
- Open MobileSMS.io and choose China from the list of countries. Then, choose Pinduoduo from the list of platforms for which you can generate a phone number.
- Select your rental period – for one-time verification, a short-term rental works perfectly. For ongoing access, consider the “All Services” 30-day rental plan for maximum flexibility.
- After the number is generated, copy it and enter it into the Pinduoduo account creation form. You’ll be sent a verification code on your burner number.
- Return to MobileSMS.io dashboard to view the received SMS verification code.
- Once you enter the verification code into the app, your account will successfully be created.
- Complete your profile setup and start shopping!
Besides Pinduoduo, you can also use MobileSMS.io to make a Walmart account. These virtual numbers are also great for making anonymous Gmail accounts and accessing other region-locked services.
Pro Tips for Shopping on Pinduoduo
Maximize your Pinduoduo shopping experience with these insider tips for 2025:
Getting the Best Deals:
- Join Group Purchases: Always opt for team buying to unlock maximum discounts
- Daily Check-ins: Log in daily to collect coins and coupons
- Flash Sales: Check the platform between 8-10 PM Beijing time for best deals
- Festival Shopping: Major Chinese holidays offer exceptional discounts (Singles Day, Chinese New Year)
- Use the Bargaining Feature: Invite friends to help you bargain for even lower prices
Quality Assurance Tips:
- Check Seller Ratings: Only buy from sellers with 4.5+ star ratings
- Read Reviews Carefully: Look for photo reviews from verified buyers
- Understand Product Descriptions: Use translation tools for accurate understanding
- Start Small: Test sellers with small orders before making large purchases
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here are solutions to frequent problems when shopping from Pinduoduo outside China:
App Language Issues:
The Pinduoduo app is primarily in Chinese. Use your phone’s built-in translation features or screenshot and translate using Google Lens for navigation.
Payment Failures:
If your international card is rejected, consider using a payment forwarding service or asking a friend in China to help with payment.
Verification Code Not Received:
Ensure you’ve selected the correct country code and that your MobileSMS.io dashboard is refreshed. Codes typically arrive within 30 seconds.
Account Suspension:
Using VPNs inconsistently can trigger security alerts. Maintain consistent login patterns and locations when possible.
Shipping Address Issues:
If direct international shipping isn’t available, set up a forwarding address with a consolidation service first.
Conclusion
Shopping on Pinduoduo from outside China in 2025 is easier than ever with the right tools and knowledge. By using a virtual Chinese phone number from MobileSMS.io, you can quickly create an account and access millions of products at unbeatable prices. Whether you’re a Chinese expatriate missing products from home, a small business owner sourcing products, or simply a bargain hunter looking for great deals, Pinduoduo offers incredible value.
Remember, the key to successful international shopping on Pinduoduo is having a reliable Chinese phone number for verification. With MobileSMS.io’s “All Services” 30-day rental plan, you can maintain access to not just Pinduoduo but also other Chinese platforms, giving you complete flexibility for all your verification needs.
If you’re outside of China right now, don’t let geographic barriers stop you from accessing amazing deals on Pinduoduo. Use a virtual number to create your account, form a team, and enjoy discounts that can save you hundreds of dollars annually.
If you want to bypass the verification procedures of more platforms or need ongoing access to Chinese services, check out MobileSMS.io. We’re the #1 best disposable number provider with real USA SIM card numbers that maintain your privacy. Our non-VoIP numbers can help you make accounts on social media, email, online shops, and virtually any platform requiring phone verification.