Dafen Oil Painting Village is a real, long-established art district in Shenzhen, China — not a scam. Operating since 1989, it is home to about 1,200 galleries and studios and over 8,000 painters. The real risk is individual sellers, not the village: protect yourself with a 70 percent deposit, finished-photo approval before the balance, and a tracked payment method.
Want a hand-painted oil on your wall? Tell us the size and frame — exact quote back within the hour.
💬 Get a Quote on WhatsAppWhat is Dafen Oil Painting Village, really?
Dafen is a real district in Shenzhen with more than 1,200 shops and over 8,000 painters, producing and selling over a million canvases a year. It has operated since 1989 and was recognised by China's Ministry of Culture as a cultural industry demonstration base. It is not a shell company and not a scam.
Why are so many people suspicious of Dafen?
Low prices for 'hand-painted' art sound too good to be true. The two real fears are: that a print is passed off as a painting, and that you pay a deposit and nothing ships.
What are the real risks — and how do we handle them?
How can I vet a Dafen seller myself?
Ask for a photo of the actual studio, a short video of the painting in progress, finished-photo approval before the balance, and clear payment terms. If a seller refuses photo approval or pushes 'friends and family' payments, walk away.
What are our red lines on pricing and process?
We sell hand-painted reproductions, not originals, and never with a fake certificate. Deposits are 70 percent, balances 30 percent after you approve the photos. Shipping is DAP. No printing, no giclee, no canvas transfer.
- Tell us the painting, size and frame. WhatsApp is fastest — send a photo of the wall if you want sizing advice.
- Get an exact quote with the timeline confirmed in writing.
- 70 percent deposit starts the painting. Bank transfer, PayPal, credit card or Wise.
- We send photographs of the finished painting. You approve it before anything ships.
- Pay the 30 percent balance, then we ship by tracked worldwide courier.
Related pages
→ Dafen Oil Painting Village: the complete guide → How we earn your trust — policies and process → Hand-painted vs print: how to tell the difference → Contact us on WhatsAppFAQ
Is Dafen Oil Painting Village legit?
Yes. It is a real, long-established art district in Shenzhen with 1,200-plus shops and 8,000-plus painters, recognised by China's Ministry of Culture. The caution that is wise anywhere applies: verify the process before you pay.
Can I get scammed ordering from Dafen?
As with any overseas purchase, yes if you are careless — but the common traps are avoidable. Insist on finished-photo approval before the balance, use a tracked and invoiced payment method, and never use 'friends and family' transfers.
Do you offer refunds?
We do not promise refunds or money-back. Instead we send photographs of the finished painting and you approve it before paying the balance and before it ships. If something does not match your order notes, we adjust it first.
How do I pay safely?
A 70 percent deposit starts the painting; the 30 percent balance is due after you approve the finished photos. We use bank transfer, PayPal, credit card or Wise — tracked, invoiced methods only.
Who pays customs and duties?
You do, under DAP terms. We declare the shipment truthfully and quote shipping separately so there are no surprise fees from our side.
How long does an order take?
Most hand-painted reproductions take three to five weeks, plus transit of about five to ten days. The timeline is confirmed in writing before any deposit.
Ready to commission a hand-painted painting? Send the size and frame — quote back within the hour.
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