The Chinese e-commerce platform DHgate, currently the second most popular free iPhone app in the U.S., is not the only beneficiary of the tariffs imposed by President Trump on U.S. imports from China. Another Chinese shopping platform, Taobao, has also entered the top 5 as of Thursday.

In recent days, U.S. consumers have been drawn to these apps following numerous videos on TikTok from Chinese manufacturers, which reveal that a significant portion of the luxury goods market is produced in China. According to these videos, many luxury brand products, including clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories, are initially made in China before being shipped to the brand’s home country, such as Italy or France, where they are repackaged and labeled.

U.S. and Chinese creators on TikTok have pointed to e-commerce platforms like DHGate and Taobao as a means to purchase products directly from Chinese manufacturers, thereby avoiding the substantial markup charged by luxury brands.

With prices increasing on popular apps like Shein and Temu, U.S. consumers have begun seeking alternative options and have started downloading these apps in large numbers.

According to data from app intelligence provider Appfigures, Taobao’s estimated downloads in April totaled approximately 185,000, representing a 514% increase from the 30,000 downloads in the same period last month. Similar to DHgate, Taobao’s downloads surged over the weekend, with a 5.7x increase in installs between last Friday and Saturday.

On Saturday, Taobao entered the top overall ranks on the iOS App Store (excluding games) at No. 461. By Sunday, it had climbed to No. 188, and by Thursday, it reached No. 5.

The change in ranking reflects the growth in app installs, as well as velocity and other factors.

Taobao also rose from the No. 49 shopping app on Saturday to become the No. 2 app, surpassing Walmart, Amazon, Shein, and Temu. (The Chinese app Alibaba.com is also gaining traction, now ranking as the No. 6 shopping app on the U.S. App Store.)

Notably, Appfigures reports that Taobao has never appeared in the top overall charts on the U.S. App Store, according to data dating back to January 1, 2017.

Although switching shopping apps will not shield U.S. consumers from tariffs on Chinese imports, many shoppers believe that purchasing directly from manufacturers could potentially lower the overall cost of their purchases. For others, it is a means to find luxury-style goods or alternatives at a more affordable price.

However, it is essential to exercise caution when using these marketplaces, as product quality can vary. Users are advised to read individual sellers’ reviews and view photos of the items from other buyers before making purchases.