Find practical answers about buying from 1688, comparing costs and managing orders in China. Choose the problem you are working on, then use the linked checklists and tools to prepare your next step.
New to sourcing? Start with the first-order plan, or explore the five-stage buying guide.
Define who finds suppliers, places orders, inspects goods and arranges transport. Compare provider quotes with a clear responsibility checklist.
Read the guide → Buying Agent vs Freight Forwarder vs Sourcing AgentCompare direct purchasing, forwarding and buying-agent services. Check payment, inspection and total costs before choosing a route for your 1688 order.
Read the guide → Do You Need an Agent to Buy from 1688?Clarify logo, product and packaging minimums before a small branded order. Includes a cost checklist, sample approval steps and a bilingual supplier enquiry.
Read the guide → Small-Batch Custom Branding on 1688: What to AskClarify minimum quantities by product, variant and order. Use a mixed-order example and a bilingual enquiry to compare sample and small-batch options.
Read the guide → 1688 MOQ Explained: Samples, Mixed Orders and Small BatchesCompare 1688 listings by specification, quantity, packing and service. Use an evidence table and supplier questions before treating similar photos as the same product.
Read the guide → Same Photo, Different Price: How to Compare 1688 ListingsCompare 1688 agent quotes line by line, including minimum fees, packing, payment and shipping. Use a worked example and a copyable quote request.
Read the guide → 1688 Agent Fees: What a Small Order Really CostsCheck final dimensions, packed weight, shipping method and extra charges when a 1688 freight estimate changes. Includes a dimensional-weight example.
Read the guide → Why Your 1688 Shipping Quote Changed After PackingPrepare a bulky-goods shipping enquiry with packed dimensions, gross weights, delivery access and unloading requirements. Compare complete quote scopes.
Read the guide → Shipping Bulky Items from 1688: A Quote ChecklistCompare split and consolidated 1688 shipments using complete quotes, packing measurements and release dates. Includes a worked example and quote request.
Read the guide → Should You Split or Consolidate Your 1688 Shipment?Confirm receipt, inspect the items, resolve discrepancies and approve a packed-shipment quote before your 1688 order leaves a China warehouse.
Read the guide → Your 1688 Order Reached the Warehouse: What Next?Coordinate a 1688 return before goods leave a China warehouse. Confirm the order owner, dispatch status, return address, costs and tracking with a practical checklist.
Read the guide → Returning a 1688 Order from a China Warehouse: Who Does What?Turn your research into a working record. Choose the tool that matches your current task.
Prepare a consistent product brief to send to suppliers.
Open tool ↗Compare quotation scope, samples, lead times and open questions.
Open tool ↗Separate known costs from missing amounts in one currency.
Open tool ↗Document agreed criteria, observations and follow-up actions.
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