Five platforms, one account
One account reaches five Chinese marketplaces. You almost never pick the platform by hand — the link decides. Knowing the source, though, is what sets the right expectations on price, variety and whether a minimum order applies.
← Back to overviewThe short version
Most guides mention three platforms; we reach five, so more of what you find is orderable from one login — including brand-official storefronts and electronics some agents can't handle.
- One account, covers Taobao, Weidian, 1688, Tmall and Pinduoduo — no separate sign-up per marketplace.
- The link decides — paste a product URL and we take it from there; you rarely pick the source yourself.
- Source sets expectations: 1688 is usually cheaper per unit but often carries a minimum; Tmall is mostly brand-official; Pinduoduo undercuts on small everyday items.
Marketplace coverage and policies can change — treat each platform's own pages as the source of truth.
What each platform is
Presented by what each one is good for, not by size.
- 1TaobaoBiggest variety
China's largest consumer marketplace: single-item purchases, everyday finds, and where most beginner links come from.
- 2WeidianBoutique sellers
Smaller independent sellers and boutique storefronts, popular for trend-driven items — stock can be limited, so confirm availability early.
- 31688Wholesale
A wholesale and sourcing platform: lower unit prices, but listings may carry a minimum order quantity — great for multiples, less so for one piece.
- 4TmallBrand-official
Official brand storefronts with stricter seller standards — the one to favour when you want a listing that comes straight from a verified brand shop.
- 5PinduoduoElectronics
Low prices and group buying are its signature — everyday small items often cost less, which makes it handy for buying in volume.
How to tell — and why it matters
The platform is usually visible on the listing or in the link's domain. It rarely changes what you do, but it hints at the price level and whether a minimum quantity might apply.
- Check the domain: taobao, weidian, 1688, tmall and jd all show up in the URL.
- Check the price: 1688 tends to sit lower, Tmall brand shops sit closer to official pricing.
- Check the minimum: Wholesale listings often state a minimum quantity — read it before you commit.
At the platform level
- · One account reaches all five marketplaces
- · The link you paste pins down the exact listing to buy
- · Platform type hints at the price band and possible minimums
- · Live price, stock and any minimum order — check the quote
- · Whether a wholesale (1688) listing needs multiples
- · Whether seller-side promotions are still valid
Compiled from public materials as a pre-order reference — real coverage, prices and policies come from each marketplace's own pages.