TaoXe Policy For Sellers: Grow Your Footwear Business Globally
At TaoXe, we welcome reputable footwear sellers, brands, and manufacturers to join our cross-border e-commerce platform. This Policy For Sellers outlines the standards, rights, and support we provide to ensure a fair, transparent, and mutually beneficial partnership—helping you reach millions of global buyers and scale your business.
1. Seller Eligibility & Onboarding Process
- Eligibility Criteria: To join TaoXe as a seller, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a registered business (brand owner, manufacturer, or authorized distributor) with valid business licenses and tax certificates.
- Specialize in footwear products (sneakers, boots, heels, casual shoes, etc.) that meet international quality standards (e.g., EU REACH, US CPSIA for children’s shoes).
- Have a track record of reliable supply chain management and after-sales service (no major complaints or product safety violations in the past year).
- Onboarding Steps:
- Submit an application via TaoXe’s Seller Portal (www.taoxe.com/seller) with business documents, product catalogs, and quality certificates.
- Pass TaoXe’s review (3–5 business days) – we will verify your business authenticity, product quality, and compliance with platform rules.
- Sign the Seller Agreement and complete store setup (e.g., brand logo, product categories, shipping templates).
- Attend a 1-hour onboarding training (online) to learn about platform operations, pricing rules, and customer service standards.
2. Product Listing & Quality Standards
- Product Information Requirements: When listing products, sellers must provide accurate, detailed information to avoid buyer disputes:
- Clear, high-resolution images (minimum 5 images per product: front, side, sole, detail, and in-use if applicable) with no watermarks or misleading edits.
- Comprehensive descriptions including material (e.g., “genuine leather”), size specifications (with international size charts), care instructions, and potential limitations (e.g., “not waterproof”).
- Transparent pricing – all prices must include product cost (excluding shipping, customs duties, and platform fees) and comply with TaoXe’s anti-price-gouging rules (no excessive markup above market average).
- Quality Compliance:
- All products must undergo a pre-shipment quality check (TaoXe will randomly inspect 5–10% of orders; non-compliant products will be rejected and may result in store penalties).
- Prohibited products: Counterfeit footwear (e.g., fake designer shoes), products with harmful materials (e.g., lead-containing soles), or styles that violate intellectual property rights (IPR).
- Product recalls: If a safety issue is identified, sellers must cooperate with TaoXe to recall affected products within 48 hours and provide full refunds to affected buyers.
3. Order Fulfillment & Shipping Responsibilities
- Order Processing Time: Sellers must confirm and process orders within 24 hours of receipt (excluding weekends and public holidays). Failure to process orders on time may result in a “Delayed Processing” penalty (1% of the order value, capped at $50 per order).
- Shipping Requirements:
- Use TaoXe’s authorized logistics partners (DHL, FedEx, UPS, or local courier for regional markets) to ensure delivery reliability.
- Provide a valid tracking number within 48 hours of shipping – buyers must be able to monitor the shipment status via TaoXe’s platform.
- Package products properly to prevent damage (e.g., use bubble wrap for fragile items like leather heels) and include a packing slip with order details (order number, buyer name, product list).
- Delivery Timelines: Sellers must meet the following delivery standards based on shipping method:
- Standard Shipping: Deliver to TaoXe’s regional warehouse within 5 business days (for drop-shipping sellers) or directly to buyers within 15 business days (for self-fulfillment sellers).
- Express Shipping: Deliver within 7 business days (direct to buyers).
4. Customer Service & After-Sales Obligations
- Response Time: Sellers must respond to buyer inquiries (questions, complaints, return requests) within 12 hours (GMT+8). A response rate below 90% will result in reduced store visibility on TaoXe’s search page.
- After-Sales Solutions:
- For buyer-initiated returns/exchanges (e.g., size mismatch, change of mind), sellers must comply with TaoXe’s 30-day return policy and cover return shipping costs if the issue is due to seller error (e.g., wrong size shipped).
- For defective products, sellers must offer a full refund, free replacement, or partial discount (as agreed with the buyer) within 3 business days of confirming the issue.
- Resolve disputes professionally – if a buyer escalates a dispute to TaoXe, sellers must provide evidence (e.g., shipping records, product photos) within 48 hours to support their case.
- Seller Rating: Buyers will rate sellers on a 5-star scale (based on product quality, shipping speed, and customer service). Sellers with an average rating below 3.5 stars for 2 consecutive months may face store suspension.
5. Fees, Payouts & Financial Rules
- Platform Fees: TaoXe charges two types of fees to sellers:
- Commission Fee: 8–12% of the product sale price (varies by category: 8% for casual shoes, 10% for sneakers, 12% for luxury heels).
- Service Fee: $30 per month (waived for the first 3 months for new sellers) to cover platform operation costs (e.g., store management tools, customer service support).
- Payout Schedule:
- Payouts are processed monthly (on the 15th of each month) for orders completed in the previous month (i.e., orders where delivery is confirmed and no disputes are pending).
- Payment methods: Bank transfer (USD) or PayPal (fees apply: 1.5% per transaction, capped at $20).
- Minimum payout threshold: 100–ifyourbalanceisbelow100, it will be rolled over to the next month.
- Financial Compliance: Sellers must provide accurate tax information (e.g., W-8BEN for non-US sellers) and comply with tax regulations in TaoXe’s operating regions. Failure to do so may result in payout delays or penalties.
6. Seller Rights & Platform Support
- Seller Rights:
- Access to TaoXe’s global buyer base (over 5 million active users across 100+ countries).
- Use of free store management tools (inventory tracking, order analytics, marketing templates) via the Seller Portal.
- Appeal rights – if you disagree with a penalty or dispute ruling, you can submit an appeal within 7 business days for a re-review.
- Platform Support:
- Dedicated Account Manager: New sellers are assigned an account manager for the first 6 months to assist with store setup, product optimization, and problem-solving.
- Marketing Support: Eligible sellers (with average rating ≥4.0 stars) can apply for TaoXe’s promotional activities (e.g., seasonal sales, flash deals) to boost product visibility.
- Training Resources: Free online courses (e.g., “How to Optimize Product Listings,” “Cross-Border Shipping Best Practices”) are available in the Seller Academy.
7. Policy Violations & Penalties
- Major Violations: The following actions will result in immediate store suspension or termination:
- Selling counterfeit or non-compliant products (e.g., fake designer shoes, toxic materials).
- Fraudulent practices (e.g., fake order fulfillment, misleading product descriptions).
- Ignoring buyer disputes or failing to provide after-sales service for 3+ consecutive cases.
- Minor Violations: For less severe issues, TaoXe will issue warnings and penalties based on the frequency:
- 1st violation: Written warning + $50 fine.
- 2nd violation (within 3 months): 7-day store restriction (no new product listings) + $100 fine.
- 3rd violation (within 6 months): 30-day store suspension + $200 fine.
- Appeal Process: Sellers can appeal penalties by submitting evidence (e.g., product certificates, communication records) via the Seller Portal within 7 business days. TaoXe will review the appeal and respond within 5 business days.
8. How to Contact Seller Support
For assistance with policy questions, store operations, or disputes, reach out to TaoXe’s Seller Support Team via:
- Dedicated Hotline: +1-800-TAOXE-SELL (available 9:00–18:00 GMT+8, Monday–Friday).
- Email: seller.support@taoxe.com (response within 24 business hours).
- Seller Portal Chat: Click the “Support” icon in the Seller Portal for real-time assistance (9:00–20:00 GMT+8).
Grow Your Footwear Business With TaoXe
Join TaoXe’s global seller community and leverage our platform’s reach, resources, and support to expand your brand internationally. We’re committed to creating a level playing field for all sellers and helping you turn your footwear business into a global success.
