A wholesale market, not a shop
1688 is where Chinese businesses buy stock. Factories and wholesalers list products at low unit prices, often with minimum order quantities and price tiers that drop as you buy more. Spreadsheet creators like it because it shows what items cost close to the source. For individual buyers, it can be good value, but it works differently from a retail shop, and the differences catch people out.
Like Taobao and Weidian, 1688 is built for buyers in China, so foreign buyers use an agent such as Usfans to buy, check and ship.
Below: how minimum quantities and price tiers work, how to order through Usfans, how to judge sellers and how multi-packs affect EU duty.
1688 is wholesale; read it like a supplier catalogue, not a shop.
Minimum quantities and price tiers
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| A price range | The price per unit depends on quantity |
| "≥2" or "≥10" next to a price | That price applies only at or above that quantity |
| A minimum order quantity | You can't buy fewer than that number |
| "Mixed batch" options | You may combine colours or sizes to reach the minimum |
Spreadsheets often quote the lowest tier, which may require dozens of units. Always check what one, two or three units cost before deciding a 1688 find is a bargain.
The headline 1688 price is usually the bulk price; check yours.
Ordering a 1688 item through Usfans
- Copy the offer link, which looks like
detail.1688.com/offer/….html. - Paste it into usfans.com and open the listing.
- Choose quantity and variants, checking the minimum order and the price at your quantity.
- Pay and wait for the warehouse photos; count units if you ordered several.
- Ship with other items, on a tax-inclusive line.
Agent links to 1688 items convert with the link helper.
Paste, choose quantity carefully, check photos and counts.
Judging factory and wholesale sellers
- Seller type: factories often show production details; traders resell.
- Years on the platform and transaction counts.
- Real product photos rather than catalogue images.
- Consistency between listing photos and other buyers' warehouse photos.
Established sellers with real photos and a consistent range are the safer 1688 bet.
Multi-packs and EU duty
1688 often sells in multiples, which interacts with the EU's duty rules. Since 1 July 2026, IOSS parcels up to €150 pay a €3 duty for each item category, not each piece. Ten identical socks count once; a mixed pack of socks, caps and bags counts as three categories. Large orders can also push a parcel above €150, where normal duty rates apply. Estimate with the shipping estimator.
Multiples of one product keep EU duty low; mixed packs add categories.
Shipping bulk items
Bulk orders get heavy and bulky fast. Volumetric weight can outweigh real weight for light items in large boxes, so ask for compact packing. Compare economy and duties-paid lines; for heavy parcels without a deadline, economy lines can save a lot. See Usfans shipping for line types.
Pack tightly and compare several lines; bulk shipping is where the real savings hide.
Quality and QC on 1688
Quality on 1688 ranges from excellent factory goods to very basic items. With multiple units, check that all are consistent, not just the one in the photo. Ask Usfans for a photo showing all units together and a close-up of one. Usfans states 3 to 5 free photos per item.
With multiples, check them all, not just the one sample that appears in the first photo.
Reselling
If you buy on 1688 to resell, business tax and import rules may apply in your country, and goods that copy registered brands carry legal risk. Check local rules before ordering for resale.
Resale brings business rules; check them first.
Why 1688 prices look so low
1688 prices are often far below Taobao for similar items because they're aimed at businesses buying in volume, and because many sellers are factories or first-level wholesalers. The listed price may exclude domestic shipping, and the lowest tier assumes a large order. Once you add domestic delivery to the Usfans warehouse, international shipping and taxes, a single unit may cost about the same as on Taobao. The savings appear when you genuinely need several units.
1688 saves most when you actually buy in quantity.
Spanish and French buyers
Usfans' biggest markets are Spain and France; Spanish readers can learn the ordering steps in cómo comprar en Usfans, and French readers in Usfans, c'est quoi ?
Start with the guide in your language.
Domestic shipping on 1688
Many 1688 sellers charge domestic shipping to the agent's warehouse separately, and it can be higher for bulky or heavy orders. Check the shipping line on the listing or your Usfans order screen before paying. When ordering from several 1688 sellers, each charges its own domestic delivery, so consolidating purchases with fewer sellers can save money.
Add domestic shipping to the unit price before judging a 1688 bargain.
Where to go next
Compare with Weidian for small-seller finds, read the Usfans spreadsheet homepage for the full process, or see OOTDBuy if your orders are business-sized.
Retail finds on Weidian, wholesale on 1688, both through an agent.
FAQ
What is 1688?
Alibaba's domestic wholesale platform, where factories and wholesalers sell to Chinese businesses, usually in bulk.
Can I buy a single item on 1688?
Some listings allow single units; many have a minimum order quantity. Check the minimum and the price at your quantity before ordering.
How do I order from 1688 through Usfans?
Paste the 1688 offer link (detail.1688.com/offer/….html) into the search box on usfans.com and choose your quantity.
Why is the 1688 price higher than the spreadsheet says?
Spreadsheets often show the lowest tier price, which applies only to large quantities. Your price depends on how many you buy.
Does 1688 have good quality?
It varies widely. Factory sellers can offer good value, but check photos and seller history carefully.