What people search for
Semrush records about 160 searches a month worldwide for "1688 spreadsheet". Google's autocomplete for the US, Italy and France (6 October 2026) shows what people add to it: “1688 link spreadsheet”, “1688 china spreadsheet”, “1688 spreadsheet reddit”, “taobao 1688 spreadsheet”, “1688 cnfans spreadsheet”.
What 1688 is
1688.com is the domestic wholesale arm of Alibaba Group, where manufacturers and wholesalers sell to Chinese shops, including many Taobao and DHgate sellers. Prices are the closest you will get to factory cost, but listings are aimed at businesses: in Chinese, priced in yuan, often tiered by quantity, and sometimes with a minimum order quantity. Overseas buyers reach it through a shopping agent, which handles the Chinese-language purchase and shipping.
1688 compared with DHgate
| DHgate | 1688 via agent | |
|---|---|---|
| Who sells | Sellers and resellers targeting export | Factories and wholesalers targeting Chinese businesses |
| Minimum order | Usually 1 | Often 1 for samples; tiers or MOQs for bulk |
| Price | Retail-ish | Wholesale, tiered by quantity |
| Language | English | Chinese; agents translate |
| Customisation | Limited | Logo printing, colours and packaging on request |
| Ships abroad | Yes | Through an agent or freight forwarder |
1688 wins for quantities and custom orders; DHgate wins for one-off items with no Chinese-language hassle.
Minimum order quantities
Many 1688 listings set a minimum quantity, such as two pieces or fifty. Price tiers fall as quantity rises. Some sellers sell a single sample at a higher price. Agents usually show the MOQ when you paste a link; if the minimum is high, ask the seller through the agent whether a sample is possible. For personal orders, Taobao often sells the same factory goods in single units.
When 1688 makes sense
Team kits, club merchandise, event giveaways, a small shop's starter stock and custom-printed items are where 1688 shines. A team ordering twenty training tops with its own crest can pay far less per piece than on DHgate, especially once printing is negotiated. Our jersey page covers team-kit tips, and the reselling page covers the legal and safety rules that apply once you sell what you buy.
Returns and quality on 1688
Returns are harder than on Taobao: wholesale sellers expect buyers to inspect and accept goods. That makes agent QC photos essential. Ask the agent to check a sample of units for defects and measurements before shipping, and agree in writing with the seller what happens with defective pieces. Suggested searches such as "1688 customer service" reflect how often buyers need help with exactly this.
1688 spreadsheets
Autocomplete suggests "1688 link spreadsheet", "taobao 1688 spreadsheet" and "1688 spreadsheet reddit". 1688 lists are smaller than Taobao or Weidian ones, mostly pointing to factories behind popular items. 1688 links look like detail.1688.com/offer/ followed by an ID; the link sorter recognises them.
Shipping bulk orders
Large orders may be cheaper by sea freight or consolidated air freight than by parcel lines. Duty applies on import in all five countries this site covers; for business imports, you may need to register as an importer. The UK page explains how VAT changes above £135.
Choosing an agent for 1688
All the larger agents on our index buy from 1688; Ootdbuy's own testimonials mention help with 1688 returns. For big orders, ask the agent in advance about MOQ handling, QC sampling and freight options.
Factory claims
1688 is also where 'factory direct' claims from TikTok usually lead. A factory that makes unbranded goods sells them legitimately; a seller claiming to make goods for a famous brand and offering them with that brand's logo is selling infringing goods. The first is a bargain, the second a customs risk.
Working out a 1688 order
Suppose a factory lists a plain hoodie at ¥45 for 2 to 49 pieces and ¥38 for 50 or more, and a team needs 20. The item cost is 20 × ¥45 = ¥900, plus domestic shipping to the agent and the agent's handling. Twenty hoodies weigh roughly 14 to 16 kg, so international shipping becomes the largest single cost; compare a parcel line with consolidated air freight. Add duty and tax for your country. Even so, the per-piece cost is usually well below buying twenty similar hoodies individually on DHgate, which is the case where 1688 earns its complexity.
Custom printing and branding your own goods
Factories on 1688 will print your own logo, team crest or design, often with a mock-up first. Supply your artwork as a vector file, confirm colours with a Pantone reference if exact matching matters, and approve a photographed sample before the full run. Make sure you own or have permission to use any design you send; factories print what they are given, but the legal responsibility is yours.
Language and communication
1688 sellers communicate in Chinese. Agents translate questions, but keep them short and specific: quantity, size breakdown, colour, printing method, deadline and packaging. Ask for confirmation in writing through the agent so there is a record if the order goes wrong.
For one hoodie, use DHgate or Taobao. For twenty, 1688 is where the savings are, provided you plan the order, check samples and price the freight before you commit.
FAQ
What is 1688?
Alibaba's domestic Chinese wholesale marketplace, used by factories and wholesalers.
Do I need an agent for 1688?
Yes; listings are in Chinese and sellers ship domestically.
Is there a minimum order on 1688?
Often; many listings have quantity tiers or minimums, though samples are sometimes possible.
Is 1688 cheaper than DHgate?
Per unit, usually much cheaper for quantities; for single items the agent costs can outweigh it.
Can I return 1688 items?
Harder than on Taobao; rely on agent QC before shipping.
Can 1688 factories print my own logo?
Many can; send vector artwork and approve a photographed sample before the full run.
How long do 1688 orders take?
Stock items ship to the agent in a few days; custom orders can take one to three weeks before international shipping.
Is 1688 safe to buy from?
Through an established agent with QC photos, generally yes; agree defect handling with the seller before large orders.