1688 Sourcing Agent

A 1688 sourcing agent means adding a transit party between the 1688.com merchant and the purchaser, so that when the 1688 merchant cannot directly deliver the goods to the purchaser through the existing logistics methods, it can use this 1688 agency to indirectly deliver the goods to the purchaser to ensure the safety of funds.

We personally recommend that the minimum order quantity for our services should be greater than $100 because some 1688 merchants may not ship orders that are too small.

My personal suggestion is that you try video chatting with them to understand the whole process. If you don’t know how to do video chatting, please refer to our video case study with this 1688 importer.

Because we purchase from 1688 and also need to pay the suppliers in advance, I need to collect the full payment from you upfront.

Of course, I will calculate and provide you with the total cost in advance. If any items are out of stock, we will refund you accordingly.

If your order is large, we can try to negotiate a 3/7 payment term with the supplier (30% deposit, balance paid before shipment). This generally applies to orders of $5,000 USD or more per style.

Yes, we will offer some discounts according to the price list of each product according to the quantity you buy from 1688.com. However, if you require additional services such as repackaging and relabeling, we will charge extra.

7-10 days. Under normal circumstances, it takes 4-5 days for us to receive all goods from the time we receive your payment to the supplier. However, if there are product quality issues requiring returns or exchanges, or if we need to negotiate the delivery time with the supplier, it may be delayed by 4-5 days.

Regarding 1688 agent refunds:
We will pre-estimate all costs for the products linked in your order. In the event of later discovering product refunds or shortages, we will update the billing. The refund can be provided to you or utilized for your next batch of orders.

Regarding 1688 agent quality control:
You are aware that the products are of your selection. When choosing lower-priced products, there is a higher risk of quality issues. However, we are unaware of whether you are seeking A-grade, B-grade, or C-grade products. Our role is to check for major quality defects such as damage, missing items, and basic adjustments. What you should do is attempt to place small orders to assess whether the goods meet your requirements, or compare products from different suppliers.

Regarding 1688 agent commissions:
It may appear that the fees we charge are high, but they are, in fact, quite reasonable. Whether you order one or ten thousand products, our involvement may entail communication with suppliers, continuous phone calls to coordinate shipping, and handling returns and exchanges. These processes involve collaboration between the warehouse, finance, and our sales team.

About Bank Transaction Fees:
Since our profit margins are transparent, you will be responsible for the bank transaction fees when sending money to us. We offer various payment methods, with bank transfers being the most cost-effective. Of course, if you have concerns, you can use Alibaba’s Trade Assurance for the transaction.

Regarding Infringing Products on 1688:
The platform’s review on 1688 is not very strict, which leads to the presence of many infringing products. However, we may not be aware of many of these infringing products. Once we identify infringing products, we will inform you, and if you insist on purchasing them, we will confirm the risk with the logistics provider in advance. However, we cannot guarantee 100% certainty regarding the risk of infringement because we are not aware of every product’s infringement status.

Regarding 1688 Agent Packing List:
As a 1688 agent, we are responsible for counting and packaging the goods properly for you (with some exceptions, such as cheap, small-sized, and large-quantity products). We can assist in shipping the goods directly to you or to your freight forwarder in China.

Regarding the Completion Time of 1688 Agent:
1688 agents typically require approximately 7-15 days to complete the order processing and shipping tasks. Under normal circumstances, the goods from suppliers are received continuously within 4-8 days. In the following week, there will be continuous order checking, inventory counting, and return/exchange procedures.

Many buyers use DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping, where the forwarder handles everything. However, for certain European countries requiring traditional logistics, customs clearance, and tax declarations, forwarders often demand a registered Shipper (Exporter of Record).

If we purchase the goods on your behalf and handle the shipping for you, we can act as your shipper; however, if you have arranged your own freight forwarder, we will need to negotiate and finalize an agreement with them.

Before you hit “Pay” on 1688, ask us for a

Landed Cost Estimate

1. Send your 1688 Link & Quantity.
2. We get packaging specs.
3. We calculate total freight.
4. You get the final per unit cost.

Example:
If a toy costs $2 on 1688, but the landed cost is $4.50, you can decide if your local market can handle that price before you’ve spent a dollar on inventory.