1688 (1688) to Australia: a forwarding guide

1688 is Alibaba’s wholesale marketplace. Prices are factory-level, but many listings have minimum order quantities and domestic freight is charged separately.

Paste the warehouse address you are about to save on Pinduoduo, 1688, Xianyu, Taobao or JD. We check the identification code, phone number and region, then give you a pre-advice checklist.

No warehouse address yet? Register in the forwarder’s app first — it generates your personal code and address.

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Pre-advice checklist

Ask the supplier to ship by a courier that delivers to the warehouse (not freight/logistics pickup).
Copy the tracking number from the 1688 order and pre-advise it with item names.
For multiple suppliers, pre-advise every parcel before consolidating.

Step by step

Register in your forwarding app and copy your personal China warehouse address and identification code.
In 1688, add the warehouse as a new delivery address and put the code in the recipient name.
Ask the supplier to ship by a courier that delivers to the warehouse (not freight/logistics pickup).
Copy the tracking number from the 1688 order and pre-advise it with item names.
For multiple suppliers, pre-advise every parcel before consolidating.
When the parcels arrive, consolidate them into one shipment to Australia — aim for at least 1 kg.
Pick a line, declare the real contents and value, and pay the international shipping.

1688 quirks

Check the minimum order quantity (起批量) before adding to cart.
Ask the supplier to use an express courier (快递) rather than freight logistics (物流), which may not deliver to the warehouse door.
Domestic shipping is quoted per supplier — combine items from one supplier where you can.

Estimated cost to Australia

2 kg	¥50–¥80 · A$10.98–A$17.57 · Economy sea
5 kg	¥50–¥80 · A$10.98–A$17.57 · Economy sea

Editorial estimate, checked 2026-11-13. Full Australia rate table

Australia: rules to know before you buy

Up to AUD 1,000: no duty at the border, but 10% GST is normally collected at checkout by registered platforms. Above AUD 1,000: import declaration, duty (often 5%), GST and processing charges.

Strict biosecurity: meat, egg, dairy, seeds, plants, untreated wood, bamboo and straw items may be inspected, treated at your cost or destroyed.
GST (10%) on goods up to AUD 1,000 is usually collected at checkout by registered platforms; above AUD 1,000 an import declaration, duty and GST apply.
Declare all food and plant material honestly — undeclared biosecurity items can attract penalties.

Stricter in Australia

yellow snacks, candy, tea — Australia: all food must be declared; items with meat, egg, dairy or seeds will be seized.
red mooncake, luosifen, instant noodles — Australia: biosecurity seizes products containing meat, egg or dairy, and packs with seasoning sachets are usually refused.
yellow wooden furniture, bamboo steamer, rattan chair — Australia: wood, bamboo, straw and rattan may be inspected and fumigated at your cost; untreated items can be destroyed.
red cat food, pet treats — Australia: pet food containing animal products needs an import permit and is usually seized.

Never send to the warehouse

power bank, sunscreen spray, perfume, beef jerky, fresh fruit, seeds — check any item.

Source: Australian Taxation Office — GST on low value imported goods · checked 2026-11-13

FAQ

Can I use a forwarder for 1688 orders to Australia?

Yes. Ship each 1688 order to your forwarder’s China warehouse with your identification code, then consolidate and send one parcel to Australia. Check the minimum order quantity (起批量) before adding to cart.

How much does a 2 kg parcel from 1688 to Australia cost?

Our editorial estimate for 2 kg is ¥50–¥80 (A$10.98–A$17.57) by Economy sea; 5 kg is about ¥50–¥80. Confirm in your forwarder’s app.

What tax applies in Australia?