What the shutdown means for spreadsheets
CNFans was one of the most widely used agents for spreadsheet buyers, and countless Google Sheets were built around its links. When it closed in August 2026, those links stopped opening, but the products behind them didn't disappear. Each CNFans link contains the platform name and the item number of a listing on Taobao, Weidian or 1688. That number belongs to the marketplace, so any operating agent can buy the same item.
In other words, a CNFans spreadsheet is now a list of item numbers with a dead wrapper around each one. Remove the wrapper and the list works again.
The agent is gone; the item numbers in its sheets still work.
What a CNFans link contains
Most CNFans links follow a pattern with a platform type and an item number in the address, for example a shop_type value of taobao, weidian or ali_1688 and an id value. Our link helper reads both and builds the original marketplace link. For Weidian items that means weidian.com/item.html?itemID=…, for Taobao item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=…, and for 1688 detail.1688.com/offer/….html.
Platform plus item number is all you need to rebuild a CNFans row.
Rebuilding a whole CNFans sheet
- Copy the spreadsheet so the original stays intact.
- Add a column for the item number with
=REGEXEXTRACT(A2,"id=(\d+)"), adjusting A2 to your link column. - Add a column for the platform, read from the link's shop type.
- Build clean links from the two columns using the three formats above.
- Spot-check ten rows by opening them in Usfans, then check the rows you actually plan to buy.
Two formula columns turn a dead CNFans sheet into a working list.
Checking each item before ordering
Months may have passed since a CNFans sheet was made. Sellers remove listings, re-list them under new numbers or change prices. Before buying a converted row, compare the live listing with the sheet's photos and price, check the seller's size chart in centimetres, and look up recent warehouse photos if any exist. If a listing has gone, search the seller's shop; Weidian sellers in particular often re-list items.
A rebuilt link opens the listing; whether it's still the same item is your check.
Choosing where to move
| If you… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Prefer Spanish or ship to Spain, France or the US | Usfans |
| Want a published fee table | Oopbuy, Superbuy |
| Want public QC photos to research sellers | Kakobuy |
| Ship to the UK | Sugargoo |
Usfans vs CNFans covers moving to Usfans in more detail, including the differences that catch former CNFans buyers out.
Pick the new agent by country and priorities, not by who shouts loudest.
Old orders, balances and clones
Buyers with items or balances at CNFans when it closed should follow only instructions published through CNFans' official channels, keep screenshots and order records, and check with their card or PayPal provider whether a dispute is possible. Closures attract scams: look-alike sites claiming to be CNFans, and messages offering to recover items or money for a fee. Don't log in, pay or share details with any of them. For the future, the lesson is to keep agent balances small and ship regularly, whichever agent you use.
Official channels only; ignore every paid "recovery" offer.
Why CNFans links break in different ways
Not every CNFans row fails the same way, and knowing the difference saves time. Some links still contain a clear platform and item number and convert instantly. Some were shortened through link services or creator pages, so you need to open them first to see the full address; if the shortener still works, the final address usually contains the CNFans pattern. A few rows contain only a product name or photo with no usable link, and those need a search on the platform or in a QC finder. Finally, some converted links open a listing that has since changed, which is a seller issue rather than a link issue.
- Full CNFans link: converts in one paste.
- Shortened link: open it to reveal the full address, then convert.
- Name or photo only: search the marketplace or a QC finder.
- Changed listing: look for the item in the seller's shop.
Sort dead rows by how they fail; most convert in seconds.
Keeping the rebuilt sheet useful
Once converted, keep the item number in its own column. If you ever switch agents again, you'll only need to rebuild the wrapper, not search for items. Add a date column for when you last checked each row, and a status column for wishlist, ordered or received. Keep the sheet private if it contains your notes or referral links; public sheets get copied and sometimes reused with someone else's codes.
Store the item number separately and the next agent change takes minutes.
Spanish and French buyers
CNFans was popular in Spain and France, which are also Usfans' two largest markets. Spanish readers can follow the same rebuilding steps in our links guide, and French readers will find the basics in Usfans, c'est quoi ?
The same rebuilding steps work in every language.
Related closures
ACBuy closed in the same month, AllChinaBuy has been offline since a hack, and Pandabuy was raided in 2024. Their spreadsheets can be rebuilt the same way. Status details and check dates for every agent are on the agent index.
FAQ
Is CNFans shut down?
Yes. CNFans closed in August 2026; its owner confirmed the shutdown.
Do CNFans spreadsheet links still work?
Not directly; they point to a closed agent. The item numbers inside them still work at any operating agent, including Usfans.
How do I convert a CNFans link for Usfans?
Paste it into the link helper, which reads the platform and item number from the CNFans link and gives you the original marketplace link to paste into Usfans.
What about money or items left in CNFans?
Follow only instructions published through CNFans' official channels and keep your records. Be wary of anyone offering recovery for a fee.
Are there CNFans clone sites?
Closures often attract look-alike sites. Don't log in or pay on any site claiming to be CNFans.