1688fulfill Plan your order
Home/ Sourcing Journal THE SOURCING JOURNAL

A little knowledge.
A better next order.

Field notes on buying, inspecting, consolidating and shipping from China — written for importers who would rather get the details right the first time.

10published guides
3topics covered
Guangzhouwritten on the ground
Latest guide
Holiday & Seasonal Sourcing

Sourcing Father’s Day 2027 Gifts from China

Father's Day 2027 Gifts: The Order-By Date That Clears Customs in Time Father's Day 2027 is June 20. It sounds far away, but the sourcing math…

9 Nov 2026 · 5 min read
Read the guide →

All guides

Practical answers, written to be used — not skimmed.

Holiday & Seasonal Sourcing

Sourcing Father’s Day 2027 Gifts from China

Father's Day 2027 Gifts: The Order-By Date That Clears Customs in Time Father's Day 2027 is June 20. It sounds far away, but the sourcing math…

9 Nov 2026 · 5 min
Holiday & Seasonal Sourcing

Double 11 2026: Sourcing & Restock from China

What Double 11 Means for Buyers Importing from China If you buy from China, you have probably heard of Double 11 (11.11) — the largest shopping…

9 Nov 2026 · 5 min
Holiday & Seasonal Sourcing

Sourcing Black Friday 2027 Products from 1688

Black Friday 2027 Is Won in September — Here Is the Sourcing Timeline Black Friday 2027 is November 26, 2027 — more than a year away…

9 Nov 2026 · 5 min
Holiday & Seasonal Sourcing

Sourcing Valentine’s & Easter Gifts from 1688 Before CNY 2027

Why Valentine's and Easter Gifts Must Be Ordered Before the CNY 2027 Shutdown Valentine's Day 2027 falls on February 14 and Easter on March 28. Between…

9 Nov 2026 · 5 min
Restock & Consolidation

Consolidating Small Restock Orders into One Shipment

Why Small Restock Orders from Different Suppliers Are Costing You More Than You Think After a busy sales season, most importers reorder from several 1688 suppliers…

9 Nov 2026 · 5 min
Restock & Consolidation

Restocking After Black Friday via a 1688 Buying Agent

Why Your Post-Black-Friday Restock Order Has a Hard Deadline Black Friday is the one sales event that can empty a year's worth of inventory in a…

9 Nov 2026 · 6 min
Sourcing Journal

Why a light box can cost more to ship

Actual weight measures mass. Volumetric weight measures the space a parcel occupies. Carriers commonly compare them when calculating chargeable weight. A larger.

1 Nov 2026 · 3 min
Sourcing Journal

Is 1688 safe for international buyers?

Compare specifications, request samples where appropriate and review supplier information. Keep written records of agreed quantities, materials and acceptable.

1 Nov 2026 · 3 min
Sourcing Journal

Understanding minimum order quantities

Check the minimum quantity for each product and variant. Ask whether quantities can be mixed across sizes and colours. Samples and lower-volume orders may have.

1 Nov 2026 · 3 min
Ready to plan

Your next 1688 order, mapped out.

Send the product links and quantities. We will confirm the practical route — agent buying, inspection, consolidation and shipping.

Prepare your sourcing request →