You can order samples from 1688 without purchasing the full minimum order quantity (MOQ), provided the supplier accepts a smaller order. Some listings allow single-unit purchases, some offer a separate sample option, and others require you to contact the seller first.
For overseas buyers, the main challenge is often not finding a sample. It is completing the purchase, paying the Chinese supplier, and receiving the product somewhere it can be checked before international shipping.
This guide explains how to order samples from 1688, including what to do when the MOQ is too high, how to arrange payment, and how to use a China warehouse to receive and check your purchase.
Can You Order Just One Sample from 1688?
Yes, but it depends on the listing and the supplier.
1688 is primarily a Chinese domestic wholesale marketplace. Many sellers advertise prices based on minimum quantities, but their sample policies may be different from their regular wholesale terms.
When you open a product listing, you may encounter three situations.
| What You See on 1688 | What to Do |
|---|---|
| The listing allows a quantity of one | Select the correct variation and check the checkout price. |
| A separate sample option is available | Review its price, quantity restrictions and product specifications. |
| The listing requires a higher MOQ | Contact the seller and ask whether a paid sample order is possible. |
Some listings or platform sections use Chinese terms such as 拿样 (request or obtain a sample). The exact interface and available options can vary by product, seller and account.
A sample option may also have restrictions. For example, the seller might offer only selected colors or a standard version rather than your preferred customized specification.
If you need a specific variation, confirm it before paying.
What if the MOQ is 50 pieces, but you only want one?
Do not order 50 pieces simply because the listing displays that minimum.
First, ask the seller whether they can provide one paid sample.
If the supplier agrees, ask how the smaller order should be placed. Depending on the seller’s arrangements, this might involve a separate sample listing or another confirmed order method.
Make sure the order details reflect the agreed product, quantity and price before paying.
If the supplier refuses to sell below the MOQ, you will need to find another seller or accept the supplier’s minimum. A purchasing agent may help with communication, but cannot force a supplier to offer samples.
How to Order Samples from 1688: Step by Step
Step 1: Identify the Exact Product You Want to Test
Open the 1688 listing and identify the product variation you intend to purchase in bulk later.
Do not rely only on the first product photo or the lowest advertised price.
A single listing might include different sizes, materials, colors or product grades.
Before contacting the supplier, prepare:
- 1688 product link
- Product model or variation
- Required color, size or material
- Sample quantity
- Packaging requirements, if relevant
- Any important customization details
For example, suppose you want to buy 300 cotton tote bags with a specific fabric weight.
You should not simply request “one tote bag sample.”
Confirm the fabric specification, bag dimensions, handle length and whether you need an unprinted stock sample or a custom-printed version.
Otherwise, you may receive a sample that cannot answer your original purchasing question.
Step 2: Ask the Supplier Whether a Sample Is Available
If the listing does not allow the quantity you need, send the seller a clear request.
Here is a Chinese message you can copy and adapt:
Sample request in Chinese:
你好，我对这款产品感兴趣，想先购买1件样品进行测试，如果符合要求，后续可能会批量采购。
产品链接：[1688产品链接]
需要的规格：[颜色、尺寸、型号或材质]
请问可以购买1件样品吗？样品价格和国内运费分别是多少？大概什么时候可以发货？
另外，如果后续批量采购，是否可以提供与样品相同规格和材质的产品？
谢谢！
What the message asks:
The buyer wants one sample for testing, specifies the required variation, and asks about the sample price, domestic shipping, dispatch time and consistency with a possible future bulk order.
This is usually more useful than simply asking, “Can you send a sample?”
It gives the supplier enough information to confirm a specific purchase.
Step 3: Confirm the Price and Sample Conditions
Before you pay, check the following details.
| Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| What is the sample price? | It may differ from the listed wholesale price. |
| Is domestic delivery included? | The supplier may charge separately to ship within China. |
| When will the sample be dispatched? | Stock samples and custom-made samples may have different lead times. |
| Can you choose the exact variation? | Some sample offers limit colors, models or sizes. |
| Can the same specification be supplied in bulk? | You need to know what the sample actually represents. |
Also distinguish between two types of samples.
Stock samples are existing products the seller already supplies. They are useful for checking standard product features.
Custom samples are prepared to meet your requirements, such as a printed logo, different material or modified packaging. They may require extra preparation, fees or revisions.
Ask whether a sample charge can be credited toward a future bulk order, but do not assume the supplier offers this arrangement.
Alibaba.com’s official guide to requesting wholesale samples explains the importance of defining sample requirements before committing to a larger purchase. Its instructions concern Alibaba.com rather than the 1688 checkout interface, but the general wholesale sampling principle is relevant.
Step 4: Place the Sample Order and Arrange Payment
Once the seller confirms the details, there are two practical purchasing routes.
Route A: Buy the Sample Yourself
If your account supports the transaction and you have a usable payment method, you can place the order directly.
Before submitting payment:
- Select the agreed product variation and quantity.
- Check that the final order reflects the supplier’s confirmed sample terms.
- Enter a valid receiving address in China.
- Review the total charge, including domestic shipping.
- Complete payment through the supported transaction method.
If the seller agreed to a smaller quantity but the checkout still enforces the original MOQ, ask the seller to provide an appropriate order method rather than placing an incorrect order.
Keep the seller’s confirmation and transaction details for reference.
Route B: Ask a Purchasing Agent to Place the Order
If you cannot complete payment, communicate with the seller or place the agreed sample order, you can use a China-based purchasing service.
Through our 1688 purchasing service, 1688Warehouse can help with supported purchases, RMB payment and basic supplier communication.
You send us the product link, required specifications and sample quantity. We can review the purchasing requirements and applicable costs before an order is placed.
You do not need to claim that you are already buying hundreds of units. Simply explain that you want to purchase samples first.
However, the seller must still agree to supply the requested quantity.
Step 5: Arrange Delivery to a China Warehouse
Many 1688 suppliers are set up for domestic delivery, making a receiving address in China important for overseas buyers.
You can use a China warehouse whether you purchased the sample yourself or asked an agent to do so.
Before the supplier ships, contact the warehouse to obtain the correct receiving information.
At 1688Warehouse, this may include a warehouse address, recipient details and customer identification reference.
Do not send goods to an old or unconfirmed warehouse address.
Once the supplier dispatches the sample, keep the domestic tracking number and order details.
The warehouse needs to know which parcel belongs to you, particularly if you purchased samples from several sellers.
For example, suppose you order:
- One tote bag sample from Supplier A
- One cosmetic bag sample from Supplier B
Both sellers can send their parcels to the same warehouse, even if the parcels arrive on different days.
Our China warehouse service can receive independently purchased goods as well as orders placed through our purchasing service.
Once the parcels arrive, they can be identified and handled according to your instructions.
Remember that a domestic courier status of “delivered” is not necessarily the same as a confirmed warehouse receiving record.
What Happens After Your 1688 Sample Arrives?
Before the sample is shipped internationally, decide what you actually need to check.
If You Only Need Basic Visual Confirmation
For an ordinary product, you might first request photos or videos showing:
- The product received
- Its visible model, color or size
- Product quantity
- Obvious damage
- Packaging condition
For example, if you purchased a black cosmetic bag but the supplier sent a white one, a basic visual check may identify that problem before you pay for international shipping.
You can then decide whether to ask the supplier for a replacement.
If the wrong sample is shipped overseas immediately, correcting the issue may be more complicated and expensive.
Warehouse photos are useful for visible discrepancies, but they do not prove that all materials, functions or technical characteristics are correct.
If You Need to Test the Sample Yourself
Some products require physical evaluation.
Examples include clothing that needs a fit test, accessories that must match another product, or items whose material feel and performance matter.
For these products, arranging international sample delivery is usually more useful than relying only on photographs.
Do not approve a major order solely because the sample looks acceptable in pictures.
If a product requires specialized safety or performance verification, arrange appropriate testing separately.
What if the Sample Is Wrong or Damaged?
If an obvious problem is found while the product remains in China:
- Record the discrepancy with suitable photos or videos.
- Compare it with the original order specification.
- Contact the supplier to explain the issue.
- Request a correction, replacement or return where appropriate.
- Confirm how the issue will be resolved before arranging international shipping.
1688Warehouse can assist with supplier communication and China-side return or exchange handling where applicable.
The seller’s acceptance of a return, replacement or refund depends on the circumstances and relevant terms.
Once you are satisfied with the sample, you can decide whether to proceed with the bulk purchase. Confirm the approved specifications in writing; sample approval alone does not guarantee identical future production.
How Much Does It Cost to Order Samples from 1688?
The product’s displayed price is only one part of the total sample cost.
For overseas buyers, the amount paid may include:
| Cost Component | What Affects It |
|---|---|
| Sample purchase | Seller’s sample price and quantity |
| Domestic shipping | Delivery from supplier to the China warehouse |
| Purchasing agent | Applicable commission or purchasing service charges |
| Warehouse handling | Agreed inspection or additional handling requirements |
| International shipping | Destination, product type, weight, dimensions and route |
| Import charges | Applicable destination-country taxes or duties |
1688Warehouse publishes a standard purchasing commission of 8% of the product value.
This percentage is not the total cost of receiving a sample overseas. Supplier charges, delivery, additional services and international freight are separate where applicable. Confirm the full quotation and any conditions relevant to a small sample order before payment.
Is It Worth Paying an Agent for Only One Sample?
That depends on which problems you need help solving.
If you already have a working 1688 account, can pay the seller and only require a Chinese receiving address, using a purchasing agent may be unnecessary.
You can buy the sample yourself and use a warehouse for receiving or forwarding.
But if you cannot pay the supplier, arrange the smaller order or communicate the required specification, purchasing assistance may save you from an incorrect or incomplete transaction.
If you plan to order samples from several suppliers, a warehouse can also receive them separately and help arrange a combined international shipment where practical.
Combining parcels may lower unnecessary shipping costs, but it does not guarantee savings. The final charge depends on the products, packaging, chargeable weight and available shipping service.
Always compare the complete cost of getting the samples to you, not just the cost of one item on 1688.
When Do You Need a 1688 Purchasing Agent?
Not every sample order requires full purchasing assistance.
The right arrangement depends on the point where your own purchasing process becomes difficult.
| Your Situation | Practical Arrangement |
|---|---|
| You can pay and place the sample order yourself | Buy directly; use a China warehouse if needed. |
| You can purchase but have no Chinese receiving address | Arrange warehouse receiving before checkout. |
| You cannot complete RMB payment or communicate with the seller | Request purchasing assistance. |
| The seller agrees to one sample, but the normal checkout does not support it | Ask the seller or agent to confirm the correct order method. |
| You are ordering samples from several suppliers | Arrange one warehouse to identify, receive and organize the parcels. |
The goal is not to make every buyer use an agent.
It is to complete the sample purchase correctly, avoid preventable shipping mistakes and make the product available for the checks that matter to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Get Free Samples from 1688?
Some sellers may offer free or discounted samples under specific conditions, but you should expect to pay unless the supplier confirms otherwise. Domestic or international shipping may still be charged.
Can I Order Samples from 1688 Without a Chinese Bank Account?
Yes, if you have a supported direct payment arrangement or use a purchasing agent that can pay the supplier in RMB. The available payment methods depend on your account and transaction.
Can I Order Samples from Multiple 1688 Suppliers at Once?
Yes, provided the suppliers accept the individual sample orders. Each seller may ship separately to your China warehouse, where the parcels can be identified before further handling or international shipment.
Should I Order Another Sample After Requesting Customization?
If the customization changes something important, such as material, dimensions, printing or packaging, a revised sample may be necessary before approving a larger production order.
Need Help Ordering Samples from 1688?
You do not have to place a bulk order to ask about sample purchasing or China warehouse receiving.
1688Warehouse can help with supported sample purchases, RMB payment, supplier communication, parcel receiving, basic checks and international shipping arrangements.
If you already purchased the sample, you can also ask us about warehouse receiving without using our purchasing service.
To get started, prepare:
- Your 1688 product link
- Sample quantity
- Exact color, size, model or material
- Whether you need purchasing assistance or warehouse receiving only
- Any requested photographs or checks
- Destination country if international sample delivery is needed
Contact 1688Warehouse with these details so we can review the available arrangement and applicable charges before your sample order moves forward.
