Aluminum phone stand

An anonymous phone stand teardown showing how finish, hinge quality, carton data, MOQ, and 3PL prep affect a simple-looking 1688 product.

Buyer context

Seller considering switching a simple accessory from marketplace sourcing to 1688

Check a product View sample reports

What a useful report contains

Continue, ask, sample, manual review, or stop decision

Product and supplier match evidence

Known costs, assumptions, and missing package fields

MOQ and cash-pressure notes

Product, compliance, prep, and route risk flags

Questions and next action before supplier payment

Local market context

What changes landed cost to the United Kingdom

UK import rules turn on a £135 consignment value line. A low 1688 price is only the first number — here is what decides your real UK landed cost.

£135 is the key consignment threshold

For goods worth £135 or less (non-excise) bought from outside the UK, import VAT is normally collected at the point of sale and included in the price. Above £135, Customs Duty can apply and VAT is handled on import. Gifts up to £39 are treated differently.

VAT and Customs Duty are separate lines

Import VAT (standard 20%), Customs Duty (commodity-code dependent, only above £135 for non-excise goods), and carrier handling fees are charged separately. Check the UK Trade Tariff for your commodity code.

Clearing customs is not permission to sell

UKCA/CE marking, product safety, and category rules still apply. 1688 listing claims do not prove UK compliance for toys, electronics, or cosmetics.

Official sources

GOV.UK — Tax and customs on goods sent from abroad GOV.UK — Trade Tariff (commodity codes & duty)

For sourcing planning only. VAT, Customs Duty, commodity classification, and carrier handling fees can change the final amount — confirm current treatment on GOV.UK or with your customs agent before paying a supplier.

Samples are not customer proof or a guarantee

Sample reports are illustrative, privacy-safe decision records. Actual product quality, price, freight, duty, tax, clearance, and service scope depend on current evidence and official or manual review.