Daigou () is an emerging form of cross-border exporting in which an individual or a syndicated group of exporters outside China purchases commodities (mainly luxury goods, but sometimes also groceries such as infant formulas) for customers in China. Daigou shoppers typically purchase the desired goods in a region outside China, after which they post the goods to China or carry them in their luggage when they return to China. The goods are then sold for profit in China. Daigou activities can be conducted illegally, or legally, using loopholes to circumvent import tariffs imposed on overseas goods. Sales Daigou sales across sectors total $15 billion annually. In 2014 the value of the daigou business just in luxury goods increased from CN¥55 billion to CN¥75 billion yuan (US$8.8 billion to $12 billion). Daigou purchases are often made in luxury brand boutiques in major fashion cities like Paris, London, New York City, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul. Some daigou operators use Weibo and WeChat to communicate with their clients. The large demand for daigou service is due to perceived high import tariffs on luxury goods and concern over unsafe products, especially food safety problems, Daigou shoppers can provide assurance that the products which consumers in China order are genuine and safe to use. Shoppers often have personal connections with the people in China who order from them. A 2015 survey of Chinese online luxury shoppers found that 35% have used daigou to purchase luxury goods online, while only 7% used the website of the brand they are buying, or think they are buying. Approximately 80% of Chinese luxury purchases are made abroad. Negative impacts Daigou syndicates can be involved in hoarding and stockpiling of goods in large quantities, often infuriating local customers for the shortage of goods and disruption incurred to the markets. In June 2019 naval personnel from a Chinese warship berthed in Sydney Harbour, Australia were photographed unloading boxes of baby formula and other products from a large van to carry onto the ship. In January and February 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, China's United Front organized successful Daigou in numerous countries to help China import 2.5 billion pieces of epidemic safety equipment, including over two billion safety masks. The Australian subsidiaries of Country Garden and Greenland Holdings had their employees gather medical supplies which were subsequently airlifted to Wuhan, exacerbating these shortages in Australian hospitals. Jorge Guajardo, Mexico’s