1688 (1688) to United Kingdom: 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.
Forwarding Warehouse Address Checker
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.
✓ Looks good — no blocking problems.
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 United Kingdom — 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 United Kingdom
| 2 kg | ¥60–¥95 · £6.78–£10.73 · Economy sea |
|---|---|
| 5 kg | ¥60–¥95 · £6.78–£10.73 · Economy sea |
Editorial estimate, checked 2026-11-13. Full United Kingdom rate table
United Kingdom: rules to know before you buy
Consignments up to £135: VAT (20%) is charged at the point of sale, no customs duty. Above £135: import VAT and customs duty are collected on arrival, usually with a carrier handling fee.
- Consignments up to £135: VAT (20%) is normally charged at the point of sale; above £135 import VAT and customs duty are collected on arrival.
- Meat and dairy from outside the EU are banned for personal imports.
- Knives, blades and replica weapons face extra checks and age verification rules.
Stricter in United Kingdom
- yellow kitchen knife, scissors, razor blades — UK: bladed items need age verification on delivery; some types are banned outright.
Never send to the warehouse
power bank, sunscreen spray, perfume, beef jerky, fresh fruit, seeds — check any item.
Source: GOV.UK — VAT and overseas goods sold directly to customers in the UK · checked 2026-11-13
FAQ
Can I use a forwarder for 1688 orders to United Kingdom?
Yes. Ship each 1688 order to your forwarder’s China warehouse with your identification code, then consolidate and send one parcel to United Kingdom. Check the minimum order quantity (起批量) before adding to cart.
How much does a 2 kg parcel from 1688 to United Kingdom cost?
Our editorial estimate for 2 kg is ¥60–¥95 (£6.78–£10.73) by Economy sea; 5 kg is about ¥60–¥95. Confirm in your forwarder’s app.
What tax applies in United Kingdom?
Consignments up to £135: VAT (20%) is charged at the point of sale, no customs duty. Above £135: import VAT and customs duty are collected on arrival, usually with a carrier handling fee.