1688 Agent Service Fees: How Much Does TruePriceAgent Charge?
Rates last updated and verified:
TruePriceAgent charges a separate and transparent service fee for helping buyers purchase from 1688, Pinduoduo and Taobao. You can verify the public product price first. We do not hide profit inside the product cost.
Quick answer: Our service fee usually ranges from 5% to 10% depending on order value. Small orders have a minimum service fee of $20 USD. International shipping is charged separately after packing. A 5% payment handling fee applies to all available payment methods.
What this pricing page explains
How our 1688 buying agent service fee is calculated
What is included and not included in the service fee
Why international shipping is billed after packing
How Stage 1 and Stage 2 billing works
Why buyers should provide product links, SKU and quantity
TruePriceAgent Service Fee Table
Our service fee is calculated based on the product cost and China domestic shipping. International shipping is billed separately after the goods are packed.
For small orders, the minimum service fee is $20 USD. If 10% of the order value is less than $20 USD, we charge $20 USD. This helps cover supplier communication, order processing, payment coordination, warehouse receiving and basic order follow-up.
What Is Included in the Service Fee?
Our service fee is not a hidden product markup. It pays for the purchasing and coordination work needed to complete your order from Chinese platforms.
Supplier Communication
We contact suppliers to confirm product details, price, stock, SKU, quantity and China domestic shipping where needed.
Order Follow-up
We place orders, follow up with suppliers and help reduce delays caused by unclear requirements or missing order details.
Warehouse Receiving
Goods from different suppliers can be received at our China warehouse before consolidation and packing.
Basic Inspection
We check visible problems, wrong variants, missing items and basic order consistency before international shipment.
Consolidation & Repacking
We can combine goods from multiple suppliers and repack them to reduce unnecessary volume where possible.
Shipping Coordination
We help coordinate international air freight, sea freight or handoff to your nominated freight forwarder in China.
What Is Not Included in the Service Fee?
These costs depend on supplier quotation, final packing details or special order requirements, so they are quoted separately.
International shipping
International shipping is not included in the service fee. It can only be quoted accurately after packing, because the final charge depends on actual weight, volumetric weight, carton count, destination country and shipping route.
China domestic shipping
Many 1688 suppliers do not include domestic shipping in the listed product price. This fee is usually charged separately from the supplier to our China receiving warehouse.
100% full inspection
Standard service includes basic checking or random sampling. If you need item-by-item full inspection, power-on testing, assembly testing or special testing, extra fees may apply depending on product type and workload.
Special packing materials
Reinforced cartons, wooden boxes, pallets, extra protective packing or special export packing materials may be charged separately based on actual usage.
Hidden Cost & Operational Policies
We explain exchange rate handling, warehouse storage and defect return support clearly before you start ordering.
Exchange Rate Policy
We use the current USD/RMB exchange rate available at quotation or payment time. We do not add a hidden exchange-rate spread or extra currency conversion markup.
Warehouse Storage
We provide up to 30 days of free warehouse storage in China. This helps buyers consolidate goods from multiple suppliers before international shipment.
Defect Returns & Refunds
If visible defects, wrong items or failed inspection issues are found, we help contact the supplier for return, replacement or refund support at no extra TruePriceAgent service charge. China domestic return shipping may be deducted from the refund if the supplier refuses to cover it.
How Stage 1 and Stage 2 Payments Work
We separate product purchasing from international shipping because final shipping costs depend on actual packing results.
Product Purchase Invoice
Stage 1 is paid before purchasing from suppliers. It usually covers the product cost, China domestic shipping, service fee and payment handling fee.
International Shipping Invoice
Stage 2 is paid after packing is complete. At this stage, we can confirm the actual weight, volumetric weight, carton size and available shipping options.
Why international shipping is not quoted accurately from the beginning
Before packing, the final carton size and weight are unknown. Shipping companies usually calculate costs based on actual weight or volumetric weight, whichever is higher. That is why we quote international shipping after the goods are received, checked, consolidated and packed.
Example of a Transparent Quote
This example shows how a buyer can understand the full cost structure before and after packing.
Stage 1 Example
Stage 2 Example
Basic packing handling is included in the service fee. Reinforced export cartons are usually charged at $2 per carton. If multiple cartons or special packaging are required, we will confirm the final packing cost with the buyer before shipment.
Best for Buyers Who Already Have Product Links
TruePriceAgent is suitable for buyers who already found products on 1688, Pinduoduo or Taobao and need help purchasing, checking, packing and shipping.
Suitable for
- Importers and wholesalers buying from 1688
- Online sellers who already selected products and suppliers
- Small businesses that need samples or trial orders
- Buyers who need consolidation from multiple suppliers
Please prepare before requesting a quote
- Product links from 1688, Pinduoduo or Taobao
- SKU, color, size, model or product specification
- Quantity for each product
- Destination country and preferred shipping method
Important note
We do not randomly search products without clear requirements. To receive an accurate quote, please send product links, SKU, quantity and shipping destination. This helps us confirm the real supplier cost, domestic shipping and service fee more accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fees
These questions explain how our 1688 buying agent fees, payment handling fee and shipping billing work.
How much does TruePriceAgent charge as a 1688 buying agent?
Do you hide profit inside the product price?
Is international shipping included in the service fee?
Why do you use two-stage billing?
Does the 5% payment handling fee apply to all payment methods?
Can you quote if I only send a product link?
Send Your Product Links for a Transparent Quote
To receive a quote, please send product links, SKU, quantity and destination country. We will help confirm supplier cost, China domestic shipping, service fee and the next steps.
Send 1688, Pinduoduo or Taobao product links with SKU and quantity.
We confirm product cost, domestic shipping, service fee and payment handling fee.
After payment, we place orders and follow up with suppliers.