1688 versus DHgate
One is a marketplace built for international single-unit buyers. The other is a domestic trade platform. The price difference is the service each one performs.
What each is for
| 1688 | DHgate | |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer | Chinese trade buyers | International retail buyers |
| Minimum | MOQ applies | One piece |
| Payment | Domestic methods | International cards |
| Shipping | Domestic only | International, priced in |
| Price | Factory trade price | Retail with service built in |
Why DHgate can cost several times more
DHgate bundles three services into the unit price: international payment handling, international shipping, and buyer protection for someone who has no way to inspect the goods. Those are real costs, and they are priced per unit — which is why the gap widens on cheap items and narrows on expensive ones.
When DHgate is the right call
- You need one unit to evaluate quality and 1688's MOQ is far above that.
- You have no agent and no way to pay domestically.
- You want standard buyer protection on a personal purchase.
- The order is small enough that the per-unit premium is cheaper than an agent's minimum fee.
Once volume matters, the premium stops being affordable: at retail pricing the resale margin is gone. DHgate is a testing channel, not a supply channel.
Upload a product photo and get matching 1688 listings with price tiers and MOQ — then decide whether the retail premium is worth skipping the agent.
Common questions
Is DHgate reliable?
It has buyer protection, which is exactly what you are paying for. Quality still depends on the seller.
Can I negotiate on DHgate?
Marginally, on quantity. The platform is built around single-unit pricing.
Do the same factories sell on both?
Often. The product is similar; the service and price are not.
Try it on your own photo
Upload one product image and get the matching 1688 listings with price, MOQ, order count and supplier — free trial, no card needed.