Why links matter more than the list
"DHgate links spreadsheet" and "dhgate spreadsheet with direct links" searches come from buyers who have learned that a list is only as good as its links. A link tells you three things before you click: which marketplace sells the item, whether you need an agent, and whether someone is earning from your click. Learning to read them takes a minute.
Link types you will meet
| Link looks like | What it is | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| dhgate.com/product/…/123456789.html | A DHgate item | Buy directly; check seller first |
| dhgate.com/store/… | A DHgate seller's store | Lasts longer than item links |
| item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=… | A Taobao item | Open through an agent |
| weidian.com/item.html?itemID=… | A Weidian item | Open through an agent |
| detail.1688.com/offer/….html | A 1688 factory listing | Agent; watch minimum order |
| agentname.com/product/… | An agent's wrapper around a Chinese item | Extract the ID if the agent closed |
| bit.ly, short links | Unknown destination | Expand before clicking |
The domain in the link decides the route; the item ID inside it is what you keep.
Why links die
DHgate item links break when a seller removes or relists a product, which happens constantly. Store links break less often. Agent links break when the agent closes: CNFans in August 2026, ACBuy reportedly the same month, Pandabuy in 2024. The Taobao or Weidian item behind those agent links often still exists, which is why the link sorter pulls out the original item ID so you can reopen it on a working agent.
Referral codes in links
A parameter like ?ref=, &inviteCode= or &affcode= means the list-maker earns if you sign up or buy. You can remove it and the link still works. It does not change the price you pay, but a list where every link carries the same code is optimised for sign-ups, as the best spreadsheet tests discuss.
Direct links and safety
Only enter login details on dhgate.com or the agent's own domain typed by you. Look-alike domains that copy DHgate's layout exist. If a "direct link" opens a page asking for payment by bank transfer or crypto, it is not DHgate.
Expand, read and strip links before you buy, and save the original item ID.
Converting a dead agent link
Here is how the conversion works in practice. Suppose a row reads cnfans.com/product/?shop_type=taobao&id=7xxxxxxxxx. The part that matters is the platform (taobao) and the ID. CNFans is closed, but that Taobao item may still be listed. The link sorter reads the platform and ID and rebuilds a clean item.taobao.com link. You can then paste that into the search box of any working agent, which recognises Taobao links and opens the item. The same works for Weidian links, which carry an itemID, and for 1688 offer numbers.
It does not work for DHgate: a dead DHgate item number cannot be revived, because DHgate items are not wrapped by agents. For DHgate, go to the seller's store and look for the same product under a new number.
Short links and why to expand them
Short links are common in TikTok bios and Telegram channels because they are tidy and trackable. The downside is that you cannot see where they go. Most link shorteners offer a preview: on bit.ly, adding a plus sign to the end of the link shows the destination. Alternatively, paste the link into a link-expander site. If the destination is a login page that is not dhgate.com or a known agent, close it.
Item IDs as your backup
The single most useful habit for anyone using spreadsheets is keeping the raw item ID. Agents come and go, list owners delete sheets, link pages get banned, but a Taobao or Weidian ID stays the same for as long as the seller keeps the listing. Our template includes an "original link" column for exactly this reason.
Links in the photo grid
The product photos on this page are not DHgate items. Each one links to a product page on repbuysheet.com, a catalogue of Taobao and Weidian items with real photos, where you can see the price and the buying links. Those links carry nofollow and sponsored attributes so search engines know they are commercial. If you prefer not to use an agent, our WhatsApp service buys the same kind of items for you.
A quick reference for your sheet
When you paste a new link into your own list, label it immediately: DHgate, Taobao, Weidian, 1688 or agent-wrapped. That one column decides how you buy it and whether it will survive the next agent closure. It takes seconds and saves you from the most common spreadsheet failure: a list full of links whose route you can no longer tell.
If you are unsure what a link is, send it to us on WhatsApp and we will tell you which marketplace it belongs to and whether the item is still listed. That costs nothing and does not commit you to ordering through us.
FAQ
What is a direct DHgate link?
A dhgate.com product or store link that opens the listing without any agent in between.
Why does my DHgate link say the item is unavailable?
The seller removed or relisted it; try the store page.
Can I open a Taobao link on DHgate?
No. Taobao items need an agent or a buying service.
Do referral codes cost me more?
No, but they show the list-maker's incentive.
How do I find the item ID in a Weidian link?
Look for itemID= followed by digits, for example weidian.com/item.html?itemID=1234567890. That number is the item. Agent links usually carry the same number after id= or itemID=, plus a code for the platform.
Is it safe to click spreadsheet links on my phone?
Clicking is generally safe. The risk is entering a password or card on a page that is not the real DHgate or agent site. If a link asks you to log in, close it and open the official app or type the address yourself.