Last Updated: August 27, 2026
At 1688Warehouse, we understand that problems can sometimes occur when purchasing products from independent suppliers on 1688 or other Chinese sourcing platforms.
As part of our purchasing and China warehouse services, we may assist customers with identifying product issues and communicating with suppliers regarding returns, exchanges, replacements, or refund requests.
This Returns & Refund Assistance Policy explains the scope of our assistance, customer responsibilities, supplier limitations, costs, timelines, and important conditions.
Please read this Policy together with our Service Terms, Terms of Use, and any quotation or written agreement applicable to your order.
1. Our Role
1688Warehouse acts as a purchasing, warehouse, inspection, consolidation, and logistics service provider.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, 1688Warehouse is not the manufacturer or seller of the products purchased from 1688 suppliers.
The goods are supplied by independent sellers or manufacturers.
Therefore, returns, exchanges, replacements, and refunds may ultimately depend on:
- The supplier’s policy
- The condition of the product
- The order status
- Available evidence
- The timing of the request
- Applicable 1688 platform rules
- Domestic return requirements
- Other circumstances relating to the transaction
We can assist with the process, but we cannot guarantee the supplier’s final decision.
2. When We May Assist
We may assist customers when goods received at our China warehouse appear to have an obvious problem.
Examples may include:
- Incorrect product
- Incorrect color
- Incorrect model
- Incorrect size
- Incorrect quantity
- Missing items
- Visible physical damage
- Obvious manufacturing defects
- Products that clearly differ from the confirmed order
- Supplier shipping errors
- Other visible discrepancies that can reasonably be identified during basic warehouse inspection
Each case will be assessed based on the available information.
3. Basic Warehouse Inspection
Where inspection is included or requested, we may perform a basic warehouse check before international shipping.
This may include:
- Counting product quantities
- Checking visible appearance
- Checking for obvious damage
- Comparing basic product details
- Checking basic color or model information
- Taking photographs
- Taking videos
This service is intended to help identify obvious problems before goods leave China.
Our standard inspection is not a full professional quality-control inspection and does not include specialized technical or laboratory testing unless separately agreed.
4. Inspection Limitations
Some defects cannot reasonably be identified during a standard warehouse inspection.
Examples may include:
- Internal defects
- Hidden manufacturing problems
- Intermittent faults
- Long-term durability issues
- Electrical performance problems
- Chemical composition issues
- Regulatory non-compliance
- Defects requiring specialized equipment
- Problems visible only after extended use
- Problems inside sealed packaging that the customer has instructed us not to open
A successful warehouse inspection does not guarantee that every product is completely free from defects.
5. Photos and Videos as Evidence
If we identify an obvious issue, we may provide photographs or videos to the customer.
These materials may also be used to support communication with the supplier.
Depending on the situation, evidence may include:
- Photos of the product
- Photos of damaged areas
- Photos of packaging
- Photos of labels
- Videos showing the problem
- Quantity records
- Domestic shipping labels
- Order screenshots or product information
The type of evidence required may depend on the supplier or platform.
6. Customer Review and Confirmation
Customers should review inspection photos, videos, and other information promptly.
If a customer identifies a concern, the customer should notify us before international shipping whenever possible.
Once goods have been consolidated, repacked, or shipped internationally, return options may become more limited or significantly more expensive.
7. Returns
Where a supplier accepts a return, we may assist with coordinating the return of goods from our China warehouse to the supplier.
Return assistance may include:
- Contacting the supplier
- Confirming the supplier’s return instructions
- Preparing available supporting evidence
- Coordinating domestic return shipment
- Providing the domestic tracking information where available
- Monitoring the supplier’s response
A return cannot be completed unless the supplier agrees to accept the goods or applicable platform procedures permit the return.
8. Exchanges
If a supplier agrees to exchange an incorrect or defective product, we may assist with coordinating the exchange.
This may involve:
- Returning the original product
- Waiting for the supplier to receive it
- Waiting for the supplier to send the replacement
- Receiving the replacement at our warehouse
- Performing another basic check where applicable
Exchange processing time depends primarily on the supplier and domestic logistics.
9. Replacement Products
In some cases, the supplier may offer to send replacement goods without requiring the original product to be returned.
Where this occurs, we can assist with receiving and identifying the replacement parcel at our warehouse.
Any additional warehouse, inspection, domestic shipping, or handling requirements will depend on the circumstances of the order.
10. Refund Requests
Where appropriate, we may assist with submitting or coordinating a refund request.
This may include:
- Explaining the issue to the supplier
- Providing photos or videos
- Providing order information
- Communicating the customer’s requested solution
- Following up on the supplier’s response
However:
1688Warehouse cannot guarantee that a refund will be approved.
The final outcome is determined by the supplier, applicable platform rules, transaction status, and available evidence.
11. Full and Partial Refunds
Depending on the circumstances, a supplier may offer:
- Full refund
- Partial refund
- Replacement
- Exchange
- Discount or compensation
- No refund
The customer may be asked to decide whether to accept a proposed resolution.
We will not normally accept a settlement on the customer’s behalf without authorization where the decision materially affects the customer’s money or goods.
12. Supplier Return Deadlines
Many suppliers or platforms impose time limits for:
- Reporting product problems
- Requesting returns
- Requesting exchanges
- Opening disputes
- Applying for refunds
Customers should therefore review inspection results and provide instructions as quickly as possible.
If a supplier’s return or refund deadline expires because the customer delays responding, available remedies may be reduced or lost.
13. Return Shipping Costs
Chinese domestic return freight may be payable by:
- The supplier
- The customer
- A shipping insurance arrangement
- Another party
depending on the reason for the return and the supplier’s policy.
1688Warehouse does not automatically pay supplier return freight unless specifically agreed.
If we pay a domestic return cost on the customer’s behalf, the amount may be added to the customer’s account or deducted from any refund recovered.
14. Handling and Service Costs
Additional costs may arise when processing a return, exchange, replacement, or refund.
These may include:
- Domestic return freight
- Additional inspection
- Repacking
- Special handling
- Additional warehouse processing
- Supplier charges
- Platform deductions
- Payment-processing charges
We will communicate material additional charges where reasonably possible before performing optional paid services.
15. Purchasing Service Fee
Our standard purchasing service fee is 8% of the product value, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
The purchasing service fee compensates us for purchasing and transaction-support services already performed.
If a supplier later issues a return or refund, whether the original purchasing service fee is refundable will depend on the circumstances and any specific written agreement for the transaction.
A supplier refund does not automatically mean that third-party costs or services already performed are also refundable.
16. Refund Amounts
The amount recovered from a supplier may be different from the customer’s original total payment.
Possible deductions may include:
- Supplier deductions
- Domestic return freight
- Platform charges
- Payment-processing charges
- Currency conversion differences
- Services already completed
- Other transaction-related costs
We will provide available information regarding the amount actually recovered.
17. Refund Processing Time
Refund timing depends on factors outside our direct control, including:
- Supplier response time
- Platform processing
- Return delivery time
- Inspection by the supplier
- Payment provider processing
- Banking processing
- Currency transfer time
We therefore cannot guarantee a specific refund completion date.
18. Refund Method
Where a refund is successfully recovered, the method used to return or credit the funds may depend on the original transaction and payment arrangements.
A refund may be:
- Credited to the customer’s account balance
- Applied toward another purchase
- Applied toward shipping charges
- Returned through an agreed payment method
Any applicable transaction or transfer charges may be deducted where appropriate.
19. Products Purchased Directly by the Customer
Customers may purchase products themselves and send them to our warehouse.
Where those purchases were not made through our purchasing service, our ability to assist with returns or refunds may be more limited because:
- We may not control the original 1688 order
- We may not have access to the payment transaction
- The supplier may require action from the account that placed the order
We may still assist with warehouse evidence and domestic return handling where practical, but the customer may need to communicate with the supplier or platform directly.
20. Products Purchased Through 1688Warehouse
Where we placed the order on the customer’s behalf, we may be able to provide more direct assistance with supplier communication and transaction-related requests.
The availability of a return, exchange, or refund still depends on the supplier and applicable transaction rules.
21. Customized and Made-to-Order Products
Customized, personalized, branded, specially manufactured, or made-to-order products may have limited or no return rights.
Examples may include:
- Custom logos
- Custom colors
- Custom packaging
- Custom dimensions
- Personalized products
- OEM products
- Special production runs
Customers should confirm all customization details carefully before placing an order.
Once production begins, cancellation, return, or refund may not be available.
22. Products With Non-Quality Return Restrictions
Some suppliers may not accept returns merely because:
- The customer changes their mind
- The customer no longer needs the product
- The customer selected the wrong specification
- The customer ordered the wrong quantity
- The customer’s resale plan changed
- The product is no longer commercially useful to the customer
Where the supplier delivered the product according to the confirmed order, return rights may be limited.
23. Customer Specification Errors
Customers are responsible for carefully confirming product requirements before purchasing.
If the supplier correctly provides the product according to the customer’s confirmed instructions, we cannot guarantee a return or refund because the customer later decides that:
- The size is unsuitable
- The color is unsuitable
- The quantity is excessive
- The model is incorrect because of customer instructions
- The product is unsuitable for the intended market
We will still assist with supplier communication where reasonable, but supplier acceptance is not guaranteed.
24. Product Quality Expectations
Product quality can vary significantly between suppliers and price levels on 1688.
Customers should not assume that:
- The cheapest product has premium quality
- Product photographs perfectly represent every unit
- All batches will be identical
- A supplier’s marketing statement constitutes an independent quality guarantee
Customers with strict quality requirements should communicate them before ordering and consider requesting more detailed inspection or sampling arrangements.
25. Samples
For larger or quality-sensitive orders, customers may consider purchasing samples before placing a larger order.
A sample can help evaluate:
- Product quality
- Color
- Size
- Material
- Function
- Packaging
- Supplier capability
However, sample approval does not guarantee that every future production unit will be identical.
26. Problems Discovered After International Shipping
We strongly recommend identifying and resolving product problems while the goods remain in China.
If a problem is discovered only after international shipment:
- Domestic Chinese return procedures may no longer be practical
- International return freight may be expensive
- Supplier deadlines may already have expired
- Supplier acceptance may be more difficult
- Customs complications may arise
We may still assist with supplier communication where practical, but we cannot guarantee a return, exchange, or refund.
27. International Return Shipping
International returns are not included in our standard return-assistance service.
If goods must be shipped internationally back to China, the customer may be responsible for:
- International return freight
- Customs charges
- Import charges
- Documentation
- Insurance
- Handling
- Other related expenses
The feasibility of an international return should be assessed before shipment.
28. Goods Already Consolidated or Repacked
If a return request is made after goods have already been consolidated or repacked, additional handling may be required to:
- Locate the item
- Reopen cartons
- Separate the product
- Repackage remaining goods
Additional handling charges may apply where appropriate.
29. Goods Already Shipped Internationally
Once international transportation has begun, we generally cannot simply stop the shipment or return one individual product.
Carrier restrictions, customs rules, and shipment status will determine whether any interception or return option is available.
Additional charges may apply.
30. Supplier Disputes
Where a supplier disputes the customer’s claim, we may assist by providing available evidence and communicating the customer’s position.
However, we cannot act as a court, arbitrator, regulatory authority, or independent dispute-resolution body.
The final outcome may be determined by:
- The supplier
- 1688 platform procedures
- Payment provider rules
- Applicable law
- Other relevant dispute mechanisms
31. No Guaranteed Outcome
Our service is an assistance service.
We do not guarantee:
- Return approval
- Exchange approval
- Refund approval
- Full refund
- Supplier cooperation
- Refund processing time
- Recovery of all related expenses
Our responsibility is to provide reasonable assistance within the scope of the service we have agreed to provide.
32. Fraudulent or Unsupported Claims
We reserve the right to refuse assistance where we reasonably believe that a claim is:
- Fraudulent
- Misleading
- Unsupported by evidence
- Inconsistent with the confirmed order
- Intended to misuse supplier or platform refund procedures
Customers must provide accurate information when requesting return or refund assistance.
33. Prohibited and Restricted Goods
Return assistance may be limited for prohibited, dangerous, regulated, counterfeit, or restricted goods.
Customers are responsible for ensuring that goods comply with applicable purchasing, export, shipping, and import requirements.
We may refuse to handle a return if doing so would create a legal, regulatory, or safety risk.
34. How to Request Return or Refund Assistance
If you believe there is a problem with your goods, contact us as soon as possible.
Please provide:
- Your name or customer reference
- 1688 order or product link
- Product name
- Supplier information where available
- Quantity affected
- Description of the problem
- Photos or videos where available
- Your preferred solution
Your preferred solution may be:
- Return
- Exchange
- Replacement
- Refund
- Partial refund
Our team will review the available information and explain the next reasonable step.
35. Recommended Time to Report a Problem
Customers should report problems immediately after receiving our inspection results or becoming aware of the issue.
The earlier a problem is reported while the goods remain in China, the greater the likelihood that practical return or exchange options may still be available.
36. Customer Authorization
Before taking material action on a return, exchange, refund settlement, or disposal of goods, we may request customer approval.
Customers should respond promptly to avoid:
- Supplier deadline expiry
- Additional storage
- Return delays
- Loss of platform dispute rights
37. Communication
Return and refund matters may be handled through:
- Other agreed communication channels
Customers should retain relevant communications and order information until the matter is completed.
38. Relationship With Other Terms
This Policy should be read together with our:
- Service Terms
- Terms of Use
- Privacy Policy
- Shipping Terms
- Warehouse Terms and Storage Policy
- Any specific quotation or written agreement
Where a specific written agreement for a transaction contains different terms, the specifically agreed terms may take priority for that transaction.
39. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Returns & Refund Assistance Policy from time to time to reflect:
- Changes to our services
- Changes to supplier practices
- Changes to platform rules
- Operational changes
- Legal or regulatory requirements
The updated version will be published on 1688warehouse.com.
The Last Updated date at the top of this page will indicate the latest revision.
40. Contact Us
If you need assistance with a product problem, return, exchange, or refund request, please contact:
1688Warehouse
Website: 1688warehouse.com
Email: crownwatchhub@gmail.com
Phone / WhatsApp: +44 7732 448253
For faster assistance, please send your 1688 product link or order information, a description of the problem, and relevant photos or videos.
Our team will review the information and help determine the available next steps.
