This guide breaks down the Internet and Cross-border E-commerce rows in the Xiaohongshu cross-border onboarding rules. For overseas entities, account opening usually starts with professional account verification, then moves to ad account approval based on industry, region and document readiness.
Quick Takeaways
- Overseas entities are handled through an invitation-only path and should not assume self-service approval.
- Requirements may differ between non-mainland-only campaigns and campaigns covering both mainland China and overseas markets.
- Import documents, efficacy claims, licenses, app-store proof and prohibited rows should be checked before submission.
Industry Row Breakdown
| Industry row | Non-mainland only | Mainland China plus overseas | Document focus and risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-border e-commerce | Cross-border e-commerce needs App Store, Google Play/Google shop overseas listing proof or a major China app-store screenshot. Handled through invitation-only review; do not rely on a fully self-service path. | Cross-border e-commerce needs App Store, Google Play/Google shop overseas listing proof or a major China app-store screenshot. | Final acceptance is subject to official Xiaohongshu platform review. |
| Domestic comprehensive e-commerce | Listed as prohibited or not open in the current table; do not submit directly under this row. | Listed as prohibited or not open in the current table; do not submit directly under this row. | Final acceptance is subject to official Xiaohongshu platform review. |
| Games, chess/card games, esports, audio/video and livestreaming | Listed as prohibited or not open in the current table; do not submit directly under this row. | Listed as prohibited or not open in the current table; do not submit directly under this row. | Final acceptance is subject to official Xiaohongshu platform review. |
| Network tools and software platforms | Online platforms need app-store listing screenshots or proof that the platform is accessible. Handled through invitation-only review; do not rely on a fully self-service path. | Online platforms need app-store listing screenshots or proof that the platform is accessible. | Final acceptance is subject to official Xiaohongshu platform review. |
What to Prepare First
- Overseas company registration, business license or equivalent corporate filing.
- Xiaohongshu professional account status and the relationship between the account owner and ad account owner.
- Trademark, brand authorization, distributor, OEM or platform agency relationship proof.
- Product documents such as customs declaration, inspection and quarantine proof, quality report, certificate of origin or equivalent overseas license.
- Target countries, sales model, product flow and whether ad content includes efficacy, medical, finance or education-sensitive claims.
How Muxiang Can Help
- Pre-check whether the brand is open, invitation-only, document-heavy or currently not recommended for application.
- Organize entity, brand, product, import and authorization documents into a review-ready submission package.
- Support professional account setup, ad account approval, invitation communication, content seeding, search visibility, paid media and conversion review.
- We can support preparation and communication, but final approval is always subject to Xiaohongshu platform review.
FAQ
Can an overseas company open an ad account with corporate documents only?
Not always. The industry row, campaign region, professional account status and invitation-only requirements still matter.
Are mainland import documents needed when only targeting overseas markets?
Not necessarily. Non-mainland-only campaigns are usually assessed under cross-border rules; mainland campaigns may add domestic requirements.
Can Muxiang guarantee special approval?
No. We help judge the path, prepare documents, reduce back-and-forth and support platform communication.