How to Dropship From 1688 to Shopee With ZQ Solution
How to Dropship From 1688 to Shopee With ZQ Solution
Short answer: connect the Shopee store to ZQ, import or create the product with the exact 1688 variant, calculate the complete delivered cost, then route paid Shopee orders through ZQ for purchasing, China-warehouse receiving, the selected QC level, packing, international shipping and tracking return.
1688 is the product source; Shopee is the sales channel. ZQ provides the purchasing and fulfillment workflow between them.
What each part of the workflow does
| Part | Role | What it does not replace |
|---|---|---|
| 1688 | Chinese wholesale marketplace and supplier source | Your Shopee store, destination compliance or international delivery |
| Shopee | Customer-facing marketplace | 1688 supplier payment, China receiving or warehouse QC |
| ZQ Solution | Store connection, 1688 purchasing, receiving, QC options, packing, international fulfillment and tracking | Your product choice, retail pricing, local tax obligations or Shopee account compliance |
ZQ supports Shopee through the same product import, inventory sync, order routing and tracking pipeline used for its connected sales channels. See the current Shopee integration overview.
Step-by-step: 1688 to Shopee
1. Connect the Shopee store
Create the Shopee seller account in the market where you are eligible to sell, then connect it to ZQ. Shopee policies, supported logistics and category restrictions can differ by market, so use the Seller Centre rules for that specific country rather than a timetable or policy copied from another market.
2. Select the exact 1688 product and variant
Keep the original 1688 URL, selected color or size, quantity and supplier visible in the product record. Do not price from the lowest number shown on a listing unless it is the price for the exact variant and quantity you will order.
ZQ is an official 1688 API-authorized partner. In ZQ's workflow, the customer pays ZQ and ZQ places the supplier order through the official API. The customer does not need a separate 1688 or Alipay account.
3. Build the Shopee listing for the destination market
Use accurate product specifications, variant mapping, localized language, measurements and customer-facing delivery information. Remove supplier claims you cannot verify. For branded, character or patented-looking products, complete the necessary IP and destination-market review before publishing; a live 1688 listing is not proof of resale rights.
4. Calculate delivered cost before setting the retail price
Start with:
1688 product amount + supplier domestic freight + ZQ purchase commission + selected QC/packaging + international shipping + applicable tax/duty + Shopee/payment fees + advertising + expected after-sales cost
ZQ's 1688 purchase commission is 7% for Basic, 3% for Advanced and 0% for Enterprise accounts, calculated from the supplier product amount. Supplier-to-ZQ domestic freight is separate. Use the shipping cost calculator for a destination estimate and the 1688 profitability guide for the complete formula.
5. Route the paid order to ZQ
Once a customer order enters the connected workflow, ZQ purchases the mapped SKU from the 1688 supplier and receives it at the Shenzhen warehouse. The supplier order and international customer order are related but remain different business stages.
For an ordinary in-stock 1688 item, supplier dispatch is commonly 24–48 hours; a weekend can add about one day. China domestic transport to Shenzhen commonly takes 3–5 days, while Pearl River Delta shipments can be faster. Oversized or restricted goods may take longer. These are purchasing and domestic-transport stages, not part of the international carrier ETA.
6. Choose the right QC level
The free receiving check is a quick visible check of the ordered item or variant, color, size label and obvious external damage. It has no photos or functional test.
- Basic QC — $0.50 per selected SKU: 3 photos (front, back and side) plus an applicable basic appearance or function check.
- Advanced QC — $1.00 per selected SKU: includes Basic QC, 5 photos including 2 close-ups, and minor-defect inspection.
Sealed packaging is opened only with explicit customer authorization. Detailed QC is recommended for a new supplier or high-value product; it is not necessarily required on every repeat order from a proven supplier.
7. Pack and ship the order
ZQ removes a domestic courier bag because it carries the China waybill and cannot be reused after opening. A suitable intact product box is not discarded automatically because replacing it can increase chargeable volume. Damaged, deformed or unnecessarily bulky boxes are handled according to the product and packing instruction. Chinese information is covered where practical and packaging is replaced when it cannot reasonably be covered.
The customer selects an available international route for the destination. The route ETA begins after carrier acceptance and does not include supplier processing, China domestic transport or warehouse operations. Tracking is returned through the connected order workflow after it becomes available.
How returns and after-sales actually work
There are two separate stages:
- 1688 purchasing stage: cancellation, return or exchange follows the marketplace and supplier's rules. The key supplier return window is often about seven days after warehouse receipt, but eligibility and domestic return freight depend on the product and supplier.
- International fulfilled-order stage: ZQ has a separate 30-day after-sales request window for fulfilled customer orders. This does not extend the supplier's 1688 return period.
If a paid QC or receiving check finds a problem, ZQ follows the customer's saved exception rule. Without a saved rule, the team pauses the next step and asks the customer how to proceed.
Direct dropship or Bulk Ship for Shopee?
| Model | Better fit when | Main cost or risk to measure |
|---|---|---|
| Direct dropship from China | Demand is unproven and the seller wants low inventory exposure | International shipping and total end-to-end delivery time on every order |
| Bulk Ship to a destination warehouse | Order history supports inventory and local fulfillment improves the model | Headhaul, receiving, storage, local pick/pack, last-mile delivery and unsold stock |
Start with the model supported by actual demand. A local-stock model can reduce per-order cross-border movement but is not automatically cheaper once warehousing and inventory exposure are included.
What not to promise Shopee buyers
Do not copy a universal “7–15 day” delivery statement into every market. The full customer timeline depends on supplier dispatch, China domestic delivery, warehouse processing, the selected international route, customs and destination delivery. Show a delivery promise only after those stages are mapped to the specific Shopee market.
Do not claim that every 1688 product is available, unrestricted or suitable for international dropshipping. Batteries, liquids, cosmetics, magnetic items, oversized goods, branded goods and regulated products may need a different route, documents or may not be accepted.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Shopee with ZQ Solution?
Yes. Shopee is one of ZQ's supported store connections for product import, inventory sync, order routing and tracking.
Do I need my own 1688 or Alipay account?
No. The customer pays ZQ and ZQ purchases through its official 1688 API workflow.
Can I dropship one unit when a supplier lists an MOQ?
ZQ can ask the supplier to sell one unit or a sample and can search for a lower-MOQ alternative. The supplier decides whether to accept MOQ 1, so it cannot be guaranteed.
Does free receiving include QC photos?
No. Photos are part of paid Basic or Advanced QC.
Is 1688-to-Shopee automatically profitable?
No. Profit depends on the exact product, destination, route, Shopee charges, advertising and after-sales cost. Calculate the delivered contribution per market before publishing.
Can I sell branded 1688 products on Shopee?
Only when you have the required rights and the product complies with the destination and Shopee-market rules. ZQ purchasing or QC is not proof of brand authorization. See the 1688 IP-risk checklist.
Related ZQ guides
- 1688 dropshipping guide
- How long 1688 shipping takes
- How to choose a 1688 sourcing agent
- How ZQ quality inspection works
ZQ workflow reviewed September 23, 2026. Shopee eligibility, category rules and seller requirements must be checked in the relevant market's current Seller Centre.