1688 Before-Payment Checklist
Tick through supplier, product match, MOQ, packaging, customs, and evidence checks before you pay a 1688 supplier.
Work through it like a tool, not an article — tick what you've confirmed.
Your progress: 0/19 confirmed
Ticks are saved on this device.
Confirm you are paying a real, traceable supplier — not a thin reseller or a scam.
Confirm the listing is really your product, not just a similar photo.
Confirm duty, VAT/GST, and the HS code — these change the real cost.
Confirm the product is allowed and that China-side evidence will exist.
Copy-paste messages that collect the evidence
Most checklist items are answered by the supplier — if you ask the right way. Send the Chinese version on 1688 chat; the translation shows you what it says.
Ask for the business license & certificates
Before any payment — confirms you're dealing with a real company.
Chinese · paste this into 1688 chat
你好，我们是海外采购商，下单前需要核实贵司资质。方便发一下营业执照和这款产品的相关认证（如质检报告）吗？谢谢。
English · what it says
Hello, we are an overseas buyer. Before ordering we need to verify your company. Could you share your business license and any certificates or test reports for this product? Thank you.
Ask for carton data (for freight quotes)
Before requesting any shipping quote — freight needs real numbers.
Chinese · paste this into 1688 chat
请问这款产品的装箱数据方便发一下吗？需要外箱尺寸（长宽高）、单箱毛重、每箱装多少个，我们要计算国际运费。
English · what it says
Could you send the packing data for this product? We need the carton dimensions (L×W×H), gross weight per carton, and units per carton to calculate international freight.
Ask about samples before bulk
When photos can't prove material or build quality.
Chinese · paste this into 1688 chat
我们想先拿样品确认品质，再下批量订单。请问样品怎么收费？后续下大货的话样品费可以抵扣吗？
English · what it says
We'd like to check a sample before placing a bulk order. What is the sample cost, and can it be credited against the bulk order later?
Ask for real photos & stock status
When the listing photos look like renders or stock images.
Chinese · paste this into 1688 chat
方便发几张产品和包装的实拍照片吗？另外想确认一下现货库存情况，和详情页是否一致。
English · what it says
Could you send a few real photos of the product and its packaging? We'd also like to confirm current stock matches the listing.
The first check is free — a full written report is $29. See a sample report