Quick answer: An ecommerce seller can ask CNCartGo to buy eligible 1688 products on their behalf. Start with a sample, agree the specification and inspection scope, then review the bulk quote; an acceptable sample does not guarantee bulk quality. For buying-agent orders, the service fee is 6–15% of product value, subject to checkout. Purchase costs are paid first; international freight is confirmed after warehouse receipt and parcel measurements and paid before dispatch. Storage is free for 100 days from the order status marked Received.
Watch: How to Buy from 1688
Prefer to read? The steps below show how to source from 1688 with a China buying agent.
How to source from 1688 step by step
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Send us your 1688 product links | Share the product links, target price and quantity for the items you want to source. |
| 2. Order samples first | Confirm sample availability and charges with the supplier. Review the sample and arrange any measurements or tests needed before committing to bulk. |
| 3. Bulk purchase and QC | After your approval and purchase payment, we place the confirmed bulk order. Agree warehouse photo coverage, quantities to check and any additional inspection before purchase. |
| 4. Consolidate and ship | Compare eligible consolidation and shipping options using packed weight and dimensions. Confirm the route and pay international freight before dispatch; availability depends on the goods and destination. |
Why use CNCartGo as your 1688 agent
- Sample before bulk - review a small order against your written specification before deciding whether to order more.
- Seller communication handled - we deal with 1688 suppliers in Chinese for you.
- QC photos on bulk orders - agree which items and details will be photographed before shipping; photos do not establish authenticity or full functionality.
- Compare consolidation costs - compare eligible combined and separate shipments; savings depend on packed size, weight and route.
Cost, timing, MOQ and limits to confirm
- MOQ and tier price: the displayed 1688 price may require a quantity per SKU or a specific supplier tier. Confirm the exact variant and quantity before comparing unit prices.
- Total cost: add samples, China domestic delivery, service or QC requests, warehouse handling and international shipping to the supplier price.
- Timing: sample dispatch, bulk production, warehouse receiving and inspection can each add time. Ask for an estimate from the supplier and destination.
- Restrictions: batteries, liquids, branded goods, fragile items and oversized products may need a special route or may be unavailable.
Review the service fee guide, use the shipping calculator, or request a quote for the exact 1688 links before committing to bulk.
Ready to source from 1688?
Paste your product links at cncartgo.com or contact us on WhatsApp: +44 7394 471496. Include the exact variants, quantity and destination when requesting a quote.
What to confirm before you commit to bulk
An acceptable sample does not guarantee an identical bulk order. Before increasing the quantity, confirm the specification, costs and checks with the supplier or support:
- Variant lock: record the exact SKU, colour, size and packaging you approved in the sample, and ask the supplier to confirm that specification for the bulk order.
- MOQ per SKU: confirm whether the supplier applies minimum quantities and price tiers per SKU, style or total order. Splitting quantities across variants may change eligibility or price.
- Packaging for resale: ask whether goods ship in retail packaging, plain cartons or polybags, and whether the supplier will apply your own labels.
- Real weights and dimensions: request carton size and weight per carton. Freight is quoted on the packed parcel, so volumetric weight matters as much as the scale weight.
- Restricted content: batteries, liquids, powders, food and branded goods may need a different route or may not be shippable at all.
Paying, storing and shipping a bulk 1688 order
For eligible buying-agent orders, CNCartGo purchases from the supplier on your behalf. The first payment covers products, seller-to-warehouse delivery and the service fee. International freight is confirmed after warehouse receipt and parcel measurements, then paid before dispatch. The payment policy explains these stages; payment alone does not confirm carrier handover.
- Service fee: for buying-agent orders, 6–15% of product value, with the applicable tier and charges shown at checkout. International freight is separate and depends on the actual or volumetric weight applicable to the selected route, plus confirmed parcel dimensions and restrictions.
- Payment methods: eligible methods are presented through Stripe or Wallet Balance. Card, wallet and local-method availability depends on the account, country, currency and order; use the options actually shown at checkout.
- Storage: free for the first 100 days from the order status marked Received. Days 101–200 cost USD0.10 per parcel per day, with a maximum of 200 days in total. After 200 days, parcels are treated as automatically destroyed and cannot be recovered or shipped. Check the order dates and the warehouse storage policy when samples and production orders overlap.
- Transit to plan around: request a current estimate for the eligible route and destination after the goods and parcel details are known. Supplier preparation, receiving, inspections, customs and carrier conditions can affect the overall schedule; no fixed delivery window is guaranteed here.
- Import charges: duties, taxes and processing charges depend on the destination, item and order. For US, Australian and other destinations, check current official customs or tax guidance and the carrier's handling terms before purchasing; do not assume a universal tax-free threshold.
Send your links through the Buy page to get a quote for a specific 1688 order before you commit.
Common mistakes when buying from 1688
- Pricing the listing, not the landed unit. Confirm whether the displayed price includes any seller delivery charge, then add applicable service fees, requested services, international freight and destination charges before estimating margin.
- Buying bulk straight after one look at the photos. Supplier photos cannot establish all product characteristics. Budget for a sample and any agreed checks or tests before bulk purchase.
- Mixing many styles into a first order. Choose a sample range you can assess against clear specifications, and confirm restock terms for each variant before expanding the order.
- Ignoring packaged weight. Oversized or bulky cartons can cost more to ship than the goods are worth, so ask for carton dimensions before ordering large quantities.
- Letting parcels age at the warehouse. Track each order's Received date: 100 days are free, days 101–200 cost USD0.10 per parcel per day, and the total limit is 200 days. Parcels beyond that limit are treated as automatically destroyed and cannot be recovered or shipped.
- Forgetting the buyer-side rules. Customs, carrier and destination restrictions apply to the shipment as a whole, not only to individual items inside it.
FAQ
Use samples and bulk orders for different decisions, and confirm the service scope for each:
| Stage | Sample order | Bulk order |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Check material, quality and packaging before committing | Assess the agreed bulk specification, checks and costs before restocking or launching |
| What CNCartGo does | For an eligible order, purchases the agreed sample and arranges receipt and shipping after the required payments | Purchases at the confirmed tier and arranges agreed warehouse checks and eligible consolidation |
| What to confirm first | Variant, packaging and delivery estimate | MOQ, tier price, inspection scope and route restrictions |
Can CNCartGo order 1688 samples for me?
Ask CNCartGo to check the supplier's sample availability, exact variant, charges and route eligibility. Confirm these details before paying; a sample order does not guarantee later bulk quality.
Do I need to speak Chinese to buy from 1688?
CNCartGo can assist with supplier communication for buying-agent orders. Provide the exact product links and written requirements, and confirm any negotiation or follow-up needed.
Can I combine 1688 orders from different suppliers?
Eligible parcels can be considered for consolidation at the warehouse. Compare combined and separate quotes using packed weight, dimensions and route restrictions; a larger combined parcel is not always cheaper.
Last reviewed: September 5, 2026. 1688 supplier terms, MOQ policies and freight rates move with the market, so check the current listing and quote.
Related guides
Sellers testing 1688 usually need the next set of checks, which these articles supply.
- 1688 Sample Order Agent Checklist for Overseas Sellers
- How to Buy From China With CNCartGo: Complete User Guide
- How to Buy from Taobao with CNCartGo
- How to Buy Fashion Jewelry From China in 2026: A Practical Guide for Small Sellers and International Buyers
- 1688 Agent for Small Ecommerce Testing: Samples, MOQ, Warehouse and Shipping
