Xiaomi Beta Store will open for UK, France, Spain, Germany and U.S on the 18th May

Xiaomi’s beta accessory store will begin sales and shipping of products from China to customers in the UK, US, France and Germany starting on the 18th May.

Xiaomi had reported earlier this year that they planned to start offering accessories to markets outside of their usual market areas, and this will all kick off next week. The Beta sales appear to be lasting just 2 days with the first starting on the 18th May and second on the 19th May.

There will only be a few accessories to choose from during the Beta stage including the Xiaomi Mi Band for $14.99, Mi Headphones for $79.99 and the popular 5000mAh and 10400mAh Xiaomi powerbanks.

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For those of you wanting to take part in the sales you will need a Xiaomi account (I can confirm that your Chinese Mi Account will work if you already have one) and you should be aware that there might be added tax on the price of your products as they will ship from China. The good news is that there will be no hidden surprises as Xiaomi will calculate all of this for you at the checkout. You can see more details over on Mi.com.

Will you be ordering anything from Xiaomi in this historic move?

[ Source 1, Source 2 ]

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

About the author
Ying Hua
I'm an avid gamer and a bit of a Ninja when it comes to gadgets and technology. When I'm not busy with the latest Android and iOS games and I can be found writing at Gizchina.com.

…there is a good price for mi band and 10400mAh powerbank at banggood now..just 15,29usd

MaxPower
May 15, 2015
I was getting excited until I read about taxes and Chinese warehouse.At the end it’s going to cost as much as the “gifts” we get from resellers if not even more.
They ship from the warehouse in China and they collect custom fees before shipping… Let me tell you, this sounds like a bullshit.
So why limited to only those countries and not worldwide?
I have been mocking OnePlus for their invite system but at least the price was the same without incurring on custom fees.
Being a Xiaomi fan I’m really disappointed.
- RobertNL
  May 15, 2015
  Collecting customs fees in advance is available. Why should it be bullshit?
  Check Amazon.com if you ship to Europe they do the same thing, Pebble with their new time you can pay the duties in advance too.
  My new phone from Bluboo, shipped with DHL, duties paid in advance.
  They just do DDU as shipping method and the courier delivers the bill to the sender instead of the receiver.
  - MaxPower
    May 15, 2015
    I’m not saying that collecting custom fees is a BS, it’s the whole project that doesn’t make any sense. How much do you think they will charge you to ship a Mi band from China to Europe through UPS for example?
    Now add Vat. How much is the total?
    I can buy a mi band from amazon.com for 17.93$ shipped from China,free shipping to US no taxes collected.
    That’s the BS I meant
- barry
  May 15, 2015
  The service is called Delivery Duty Paid. The terminology may vary for different countries and it is legitimate. Couriers like Fedex, DHL etc are bonded and licensed custom brokers, so they are approved to collect the custom duties (if applicable) and VAT/sales tax on behalf of the governments.

Jason45
May 15, 2015
I believe these prices are higher than their Chinese shop. Do you still have to pay shipping costs?
The only advantage you have is that is 100% real, even from resellers/ Chinese webshops you don’t know for 100% sure whether is real or not. Of course, there are methods to check that out, but I don’t think every buyer is doing that.
Basicially, they are doing the same as Meizu is doing. Shipping from China (risk of paying tax if the value of the product is above a certain threshold) and there is an extra margin on top of the official price of a product.
- MaxPower
  May 15, 2015
  They charge for shipping cost (DHL,FedEx, UPS).
  At this point I agree with you, the only advantage is to get genuine stuff but it’s probably going to cost even more.
  In Europe you pay 5% import fees plus 21-23% VAT, plus add some 2-3% of conversion $>€ and the shipping.
  The miband is gonna cost like 40$ when you can get one from a reliable reseller for 20$ free epacket shipping marked as gift.
  - balcobomber25
    May 15, 2015
    The headphones actually aren’t a bad deal, sites like Honorbuy (where I usually buy my Xiaomi products) are selling them for $99.99. I’m sure Aliexpress has them cheaper but I never trust them, I have gotten bad products (fakes or DOA) even from their “trusted” sellers.
    - MaxPower
      May 15, 2015
      Here in the states I’ve never been charged for custom fees when the total value of the goods was below 100$. In this case I guess I would pay the 8.725% of NY tax, plus at least 10$ for shipping which brings the total to almost 100$. And this is the best scenario. Countries like Germany there’s no way you are going to skip custom duties and VAT which will bring the total value to up to 120$ or most likely 120 €. Good thing of buying from resellers is that for small things makes more sense to choose free shipping. As for warranty you still have to send it back to China. I don’t know pal, I don’t get it. And what’s the deal to ship only to those countries if you are still shipping from your Chinese warehouse? Nonsense!
      - balcobomber25
        May 15, 2015
        I have only paid custom duties twice (both in Thailand). I think more than anything the point of this is for Xiaomi to gauge interest in those countries.
        
        MaxPower
        May 15, 2015
        Well, good luck with that Xiaomi.
        I was waiting to buy the powerbank and the pistons but I’m gonna go with aliexpress, amazon or eBay.
        Free handling and shipping, free custom, free VAT.
        It’s actually going to be cheaper.
        If I have problems I’m still going to return them to China even with them, dsoo what’s the point?
        I’m really trying hard to understand this nonsense.
        And again, why only those countries since you’re shipping from China?
        balcobomber25
        May 15, 2015
        The only way it makes sense to me is some type of market study to see how well their products will sell in selected countries and determine if they should enter those markets.
        
        MaxPower
        May 16, 2015
        I guess we’ll wait and see
        
        balcobomber25
        May 16, 2015
        My guess, strictly my opinion no facts, is Xiaomi’s next major country is Mexico for a few reasons:
        1. Mexico is one of the biggest developing markets, something Xiaomi loves.
        2. Mexican labor is relatively cheap and Mexico itself is very welcoming to foreign business. The Mexican government has been offering all sorts of incentives to attract foreign production and investment.
        3. A factory in Mexico would make it easier and cheaper for Xiaomi to expand into the US/Canada.
        MaxPower
        May 16, 2015
        I had that feeling too. After Brazil I picture Mexico rather than Russia.
        Adam Irvine
        May 16, 2015
        They should some how get these statistics and figures from the resellers then they’d be able to put it all together and the big picture would show which markets are ripe for the taking..?
        balcobomber25
        May 16, 2015
        That’s easier said than done a lot of companies (even ones in China) aren’t so quick to turn over that kind of information to companies for a variety of reasons. I know this one from first hand experience working with retailers all around Asia. Usually they will only tell you how many units they sold not where they sold each unit to.
        But even if they give you that info those numbers aren’t the most reliable. When dealing with something with the financial impact a move to major markets would be, you need the most accurate information possible. Most companies will either get that information internally or hire a trusted research company to get it for them.
    - MaxPower
      May 15, 2015
      Don’t get me wrong, they are still a good deal for international customers. But like Jason45 said the only advantage is that you’re sure you’re going to get genuine stuff.
- MaxPower
  May 15, 2015
  They sell the headphones in China for 499 CNY which is 81$ so they are selling them for slightly less.
  Meizu usually adds a big extra.
  - Jason45
    May 15, 2015
    Yes, you are right about the headphones. I only have looked at the Chinese prices of the mobile powerbanks and the international prices of these items are a little bit higher compared to official Chinese prices, not much though.
    If Xiaomi only ship these items using DHL, FedEx or UPS (as mentioned by you below), the high shipping costs could make the little items such as mi band and the powerbanks quite more expensive, also taking into account that tax could be applied in your order.

Tizz
May 15, 2015
I’m really surprised they won’t sell the new Pistons.
pa5t1s
May 15, 2015
This is a good news… until we discover the actual prices… Anyway, thumb up!
Guest
May 15, 2015
…there is a good price for mi band and 10400mAh powerbank at banggood now..just 15,29usd

MaxPower
May 15, 2015
I was getting excited until I read about taxes and Chinese warehouse.At the end it’s going to cost as much as the “gifts” we get from resellers if not even more.
They ship from the warehouse in China and they collect custom fees before shipping… Let me tell you, this sounds like a bullshit.
So why limited to only those countries and not worldwide?
I have been mocking OnePlus for their invite system but at least the price was the same without incurring on custom fees.
Being a Xiaomi fan I’m really disappointed.
- RobertNL
  May 15, 2015
  Collecting customs fees in advance is available. Why should it be bullshit?
  Check
- RobertNL
  May 15, 2015
  if you ship to Europe they do the same thing, Pebble with their new time you can pay the duties in advance too.
  My new phone from Bluboo, shipped with DHL, duties paid in advance.
  They just do DDU as shipping method and the courier delivers the bill to the sender instead of the receiver.
- MaxPower
  May 15, 2015
  I’m not saying that collecting custom fees is a BS, it’s the whole project that doesn’t make any sense. How much do you think they will charge you to ship a Mi band from China to Europe through UPS for example?
  Now add Vat. How much is the total?
  I can buy a mi band from
- MaxPower
  May 15, 2015
  for 17.93$ shipped from China,free shipping to US no taxes collected.
  That’s the BS I meant
- Guest
  May 15, 2015
  The service is called Delivery Duty Paid. The terminology may vary for different countries and it is legitimate. Couriers like Fedex, DHL etc are bonded and licensed custom brokers, so they are approved to collect the custom duties (if applicable) and VAT/sales tax on behalf of the governments.

Jason45
May 15, 2015
I believe these prices are higher than their Chinese shop. Do you still have to pay shipping costs?
The only advantage you have is that is 100% real, even from resellers/ Chinese webshops you don’t know for 100% sure whether is real or not. Of course, there are methods to check that out, but I don’t think every buyer is doing that.
Basicially, they are doing the same as Meizu is doing. Shipping from China (risk of paying tax if the value of the product is above a certain threshold) and there is an extra margin on top of the official price of a product.
- MaxPower
  May 15, 2015
  They charge for shipping cost (DHL,FedEx, UPS).
  At this point I agree with you, the only advantage is to get genuine stuff but it’s probably going to cost even more.
  In Europe you pay 5% import fees plus 21-23% VAT, plus add some 2-3% of conversion $>€ and the shipping.
  The miband is gonna cost like 40$ when you can get one from a reliable reseller for 20$ free epacket shipping marked as gift.
- balcobomber25
  May 15, 2015
  The headphones actually aren’t a bad deal, sites like Honorbuy (where I usually buy my Xiaomi products) are selling them for $99.99. I’m sure Aliexpress has them cheaper but I never trust them, I have gotten bad products (fakes or DOA) even from their “trusted” sellers.
- MaxPower
  May 15, 2015
  Here in the states I’ve never been charged for custom fees when the total value of the goods was below 100$. In this case I guess I would pay the 8.725% of NY tax, plus at least 10$ for shipping which brings the total to almost 100$. And this is the best scenario. Countries like Germany there’s no way you are going to skip custom duties and VAT which will bring the total value to up to 120$ or most likely 120 €. Good thing of buying from resellers is that for small things makes more sense to choose free shipping. As for warranty you still have to send it back to China. I don’t know pal, I don’t get it. And what’s the deal to ship only to those countries if you are still shipping from your Chinese warehouse? Nonsense!
- MaxPower
  May 15, 2015
  Don’t get me wrong, they are still a good deal for international customers. But like Jason45 said the only advantage is that you’re sure you’re going to get genuine stuff.
- balcobomber25
  May 15, 2015
  I have only paid custom duties twice (both in Thailand). I think more than anything the point of this is for Xiaomi to gauge interest in those countries.
- MaxPower
  May 15, 2015
  They sell the headphones in China for 499 CNY which is 81$ so they are selling them for slightly less.
  Meizu usually adds a big extra.
- MaxPower
  May 15, 2015
  Well, good luck with that Xiaomi.
  I was waiting to buy the powerbank and the pistons but I’m gonna go with aliexpress, amazon or eBay.
  Free handling and shipping, free custom, free VAT.
  It’s actually going to be cheaper.
  If I have problems I’m still going to return them to China even with them, dsoo what’s the point?
  I’m really trying hard to understand this nonsense.
  And again, why only those countries since you’re shipping from China?
- Jason45
  May 15, 2015
  Yes, you are right about the headphones. I only have looked at the Chinese prices of the mobile powerbanks and the international prices of these items are a little bit higher compared to official Chinese prices, not much though.
  If Xiaomi only ship these items using DHL, FedEx or UPS (as mentioned by you below), the high shipping costs could make the little items such as mi band and the powerbanks quite more expensive, also taking into account that tax could be applied in your order.
- balcobomber25
  May 16, 2015
  The only way it makes sense to me is some type of market study to see how well their products will sell in selected countries and determine if they should enter those markets.
- MaxPower
  May 16, 2015
  I guess we’ll wait and see
- balcobomber25
  May 16, 2015
  My guess, strictly my opinion no facts, is Xiaomi’s next major country is Mexico for a few reasons:
  1. Mexico is one of the biggest developing markets, something Xiaomi loves.
  2. Mexican labor is relatively cheap and Mexico itself is very welcoming to foreign business. The Mexican government has been offering all sorts of incentives to attract foreign production and investment.
  3. A factory in Mexico would make it easier and cheaper for Xiaomi to expand into the US/Canada.
- Adam Irvine
  May 16, 2015
  They should some how get these statistics and figures from the resellers then they’d be able to put it all together and the big picture would show which markets are ripe for the taking..?
- balcobomber25
  May 16, 2015
  That’s easier said than done a lot of companies (even ones in China) aren’t so quick to turn over that kind of information to companies for a variety of reasons. I know this one from first hand experience working with retailers all around Asia. Usually they will only tell you how many units they sold not where they sold each unit to.
  But even if they give you that info those numbers aren’t the most reliable. When dealing with something with the financial impact a move to major markets would be, you need the most accurate information possible. Most companies will either get that information internally or hire a trusted research company to get it for them.
- MaxPower
  May 16, 2015
Big O
May 15, 2015
- Adam Irvine
  May 16, 2015
  I was thinking the same as I already have both power banks and a pair of pistons…

Tizz
May 15, 2015
I’m really surprised they won’t sell the new Pistons.
pa5t1s
May 15, 2015
This is a good news… until we discover the actual prices… Anyway, thumb up!
Pablo Garcia
May 15, 2015
Will the store open in Spain? In the title say so but in the article Spain is not mention
Big O
May 15, 2015
Might just get the Mi Band.
- Adam Irvine
  May 16, 2015
  I was thinking the same as I already have both power banks and a pair of pistons…

Pablo Garcia
May 15, 2015
Will the store open in Spain? In the title say so but in the article Spain is not mention
May 17, 2015
There is no free shipping and you have to pay tax import…sorry I wont buy! And of course they don’t send it in Greece. Since they sell in EU countries, sell in all EU countries!
May 17, 2015
There is no free shipping and you have to pay tax import…sorry I wont buy! And of course they don’t send it in Greece. Since they sell in EU countries, sell in all EU countries!

jsbless
May 19, 2015
wow! xiaomi is really ambitious!
jsbless
May 19, 2015
wow! xiaomi is really ambitious!
Jason45
May 19, 2015
I just checked how much the shipping costs are for the 5000 mAh powerbank, shipping costs are 20 us dollar and tax is 5.7 us dollar, making it a total of 35.68 us dollar.
I can buy two xiaomi 5000 mAh powerbanks from a Chinese webshop and it still costs less than that amount.
Jason45
May 19, 2015
I just checked how much the shipping costs are for the 5000 mAh powerbank, shipping costs are 20 us dollar and tax is 5.7 us dollar, making it a total of 35.68 us dollar.
I can buy two xiaomi 5000 mAh powerbanks from a Chinese webshop and it still costs less than that amount.

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