Chinese phrases for buying from China: 40 lines
Copy these forty ready-made Chinese messages into a seller's chat on 1688, Taobao or Alibaba: each comes with pinyin, an English meaning and when to use it, grouped by price, minimum order, samples, customisation, payment, shipping, packing, lead time and defects. Never pay a personal account, and never ask for branded or replica goods.
How to use these lines
Copy the Chinese line, paste it into the seller's chat on 1688, Taobao or Alibaba, and send it. The pinyin is there so you can see how it sounds and recognise the reply; the English is what the line says. Replace anything in square brackets (such as the quantity or your reference code) before you send.
Keep each message to one question. Sellers on Chinese platforms answer short, specific messages quickly and long ones slowly, and a one-question message is easy to paste into a translation app when the reply comes back in Chinese.
Openers and closers
Start and finish every conversation politely. Sellers answer faster and more fully when you do.
| Send this (Chinese) | Pinyin | What it says | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 你好，请问这个商品还有货吗？ | nǐ hǎo, qǐng wèn zhège shāngpǐn hái yǒu huò ma? | Hello, is this item still in stock? | The first message on any listing. |
| 请问您这边是工厂还是贸易商？ | qǐng wèn nín zhèbiān shì gōngchǎng háishi màoyìshāng? | Are you a factory or a trading company? | Early on, so you know who you are dealing with. |
| 谢谢，我考虑一下，稍后回复您。 | xièxie, wǒ kǎolǜ yíxià, shāohòu huífù nín. | Thank you, I will think about it and reply later. | When you need time before you decide. |
| 麻烦您了，谢谢！ | máfan nín le, xièxie! | Thank you for your trouble. | A polite close after they have helped. |
Price and price tiers
Ask for the price in a way that makes clear what the quote covers.
| Send this (Chinese) | Pinyin | What it says | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 请问这个产品的价格是多少？ | qǐng wèn zhège chǎnpǐn de jiàgé shì duōshao? | What is the price of this product? | A plain price request. |
| 数量多的话有没有阶梯价格？ | shùliàng duō de huà yǒu méiyǒu jītī jiàgé? | Is there tiered pricing for larger quantities? | When you may order more later. |
| 这个价格含税吗？含运费吗？ | zhège jiàgé hán shuì ma? hán yùnfèi ma? | Does this price include tax? Does it include delivery? | Before you compare two quotes. |
| 我一次拿【数量】件，最低可以多少钱一件？ | wǒ yí cì ná 【shùliàng】 jiàn, zuì dī kěyǐ duōshao qián yí jiàn? | If I take [quantity] pieces at once, what is the lowest price per piece? | When you are ready to negotiate; put your own quantity in the brackets. |
Minimum order and mixing
The listed minimum is often negotiable, and many sellers allow mixed colours and sizes.
| Send this (Chinese) | Pinyin | What it says | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 请问起订量是多少？ | qǐng wèn qǐdìngliàng shì duōshao? | What is the minimum order quantity? | To confirm the minimum before anything else. |
| 不同颜色可以混批吗？ | bùtóng yánsè kěyǐ hùn pī ma? | Can I mix colours in one order? | When you want a few of each colour. |
| 不同尺码可以混着拍吗？ | bùtóng chǐmǎ kěyǐ hùn zhe pāi ma? | Can I mix sizes in one order? | For clothing, shoes and anything sold in sizes. |
| 第一次合作，可以先少量试单吗？ | dì yī cì hézuò, kěyǐ xiān shǎoliàng shìdān ma? | This is our first time working together; can we place a small trial order? | When the minimum is higher than you want to risk. |
Samples
Always ask what a sample costs, how long it takes, and whether the cost comes off a later order.
| Send this (Chinese) | Pinyin | What it says | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 请问可以先拿样品吗？ | qǐng wèn kěyǐ xiān ná yàngpǐn ma? | Can I get a sample first? | Before any bulk order. |
| 样品费用是多少？下大货后可以退吗？ | yàngpǐn fèiyòng shì duōshao? xià dàhuò hòu kěyǐ tuì ma? | What does the sample cost, and is it refunded when I place the bulk order? | To settle the sample cost and refund in writing. |
| 样品多久可以做好？ | yàngpǐn duōjiǔ kěyǐ zuò hǎo? | How long will the sample take to make? | For made-to-order or customised samples. |
| 请先把实物的照片和视频发给我看看。 | qǐng xiān bǎ shíwù de zhàopiàn hé shìpín fā gěi wǒ kànkan. | Please send me photos and a video of the actual item first. | When you want proof before paying for a sample. |
Customisation, logo and packaging
Be specific: say what you want printed, where, and how each unit is packed.
| Send this (Chinese) | Pinyin | What it says | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 可以定制我们的标志吗？ | kěyǐ dìngzhì wǒmen de biāozhì ma? | Can you customise it with our logo? | For own-brand products. |
| 定制的起订量和费用是多少？ | dìngzhì de qǐdìngliàng hé fèiyòng shì duōshao? | What are the minimum quantity and cost for customisation? | Right after they say yes to customising. |
| 可以按我们的要求单独包装吗？ | kěyǐ àn wǒmen de yāoqiú dāndú bāozhuāng ma? | Can you pack each item separately to our requirements? | When you sell each unit to customers. |
| 请问可以先出设计稿让我们确认吗？ | qǐng wèn kěyǐ xiān chū shèjì gǎo ràng wǒmen quèrèn ma? | Can you send a design proof for us to approve first? | Before any printing starts. |
Payment and invoices
Pay only to the company you are buying from, and keep the details in writing.
| Send this (Chinese) | Pinyin | What it says | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 请问付款是付到哪个公司的账户？ | qǐng wèn fùkuǎn shì fù dào nǎge gōngsī de zhànghù? | Which company's account do I pay into? | Before you send any money. |
| 请把公司名称、开户行和账号发给我，我核对一下。 | qǐng bǎ gōngsī míngchēng, kāihùháng hé zhànghào fā gěi wǒ, wǒ héduì yíxià. | Please send the company name, bank and account number so I can check them. | To verify the payee against the invoice. |
| 可以开发票吗？是增值税发票还是普通发票？ | kěyǐ kāi fāpiào ma? shì zēngzhíshuì fāpiào háishi pǔtōng fāpiào? | Can you issue an invoice (fapiao)? Is it a VAT invoice or an ordinary one? | When your accounts or customs agent need paperwork. |
| 我们先付定金，余款发货前验货后再付，可以吗？ | wǒmen xiān fù dìngjīn, yúkuǎn fāhuò qián yànhuò hòu zài fù, kěyǐ ma? | We pay a deposit first and the balance after inspection before dispatch; is that acceptable? | To propose safer payment terms. |
Shipping to a China warehouse
If you use a forwarder or our warehouse in China, put the reference code on the parcel.
| Send this (Chinese) | Pinyin | What it says | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 请发货到这个地址，并在包裹上写明我们的编号【编号】。 | qǐng fāhuò dào zhège dìzhǐ, bìng zài bāoguǒ shàng xiěmíng wǒmen de biānhào 【biānhào】. | Please ship to this address and write our reference code [code] on the parcel. | When the goods go to a warehouse or forwarder. |
| 发货后可以提供快递单号吗？ | fāhuò hòu kěyǐ tígōng kuàidì dānhào ma? | Can you give me the courier tracking number after dispatch? | Always, so you can follow the parcel. |
| 请问是哪家快递？多久能到仓库？ | qǐng wèn shì nǎ jiā kuàidì? duōjiǔ néng dào cāngkù? | Which courier will you use, and how long to reach the warehouse? | To plan when the goods will arrive. |
| 国内运费是你们承担还是我们承担？ | guónèi yùnfèi shì nǐmen chéngdān háishi wǒmen chéngdān? | Who pays the domestic delivery in China, you or us? | Before you compare total prices. |
Packing, carton size and weight
Freight is charged by weight and volume, so you need these figures before you book shipping.
| Send this (Chinese) | Pinyin | What it says | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 请问一箱装多少件？ | qǐng wèn yì xiāng zhuāng duōshao jiàn? | How many pieces go in one carton? | To plan cartons and pallets. |
| 外箱的长、宽、高和重量是多少？ | wàixiāng de cháng, kuān, gāo hé zhòngliàng shì duōshao? | What are the outer carton's length, width, height and weight? | To get a freight quote. |
| 请问单个产品的重量和包装尺寸是多少？ | qǐng wèn dāngè chǎnpǐn de zhòngliàng hé bāozhuāng chǐcùn shì duōshao? | What is the weight and packed size of a single unit? | For customs paperwork and shipping costs. |
| 外箱上可以贴我们的唛头吗？ | wàixiāng shàng kěyǐ tiē wǒmen de màitóu ma? | Can you put our shipping mark on the outer carton? | So the warehouse can identify your goods. |
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
Lead time and stock
Ask whether the item is in stock or made to order, and get a ship date in writing.
| Send this (Chinese) | Pinyin | What it says | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 请问是现货还是需要生产？ | qǐng wèn shì xiànhuò háishi xūyào shēngchǎn? | Is it in stock, or does it need to be produced? | To know whether to expect days or weeks. |
| 下单后多久可以发货？ | xià dān hòu duōjiǔ kěyǐ fāhuò? | How long after I order will it ship? | To set a delivery expectation. |
| 我们要【数量】件，库存够吗？ | wǒmen yào 【shùliàng】 jiàn, kùcún gòu ma? | We need [quantity] pieces; is there enough stock? | Before you pay for a large order. |
| 如果要延期，请提前告诉我。 | rúguǒ yào yánqī, qǐng tíqián gàosu wǒ. | If there will be a delay, please tell me in advance. | At the time you place the order. |
After-sales and defects
Agree what happens when goods are wrong before you pay, not after.
| Send this (Chinese) | Pinyin | What it says | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 收到的货如果有质量问题，怎么处理？ | shōudào de huò rúguǒ yǒu zhìliàng wèntí, zěnme chǔlǐ? | What happens if the goods arrive with a quality problem? | Before you place the order. |
| 我发现部分产品有瑕疵，附上照片，请补发或退款。 | wǒ fāxiàn bùfen chǎnpǐn yǒu xiácī, fùshàng zhàopiàn, qǐng bǔfā huò tuìkuǎn. | Some items are defective; photos attached, please resend or refund. | When you find faults on delivery. |
| 发货前可以让我们的验货员来检查吗？ | fāhuò qián kěyǐ ràng wǒmen de yànhuòyuán lái jiǎnchá ma? | Can our inspector check the goods before dispatch? | For any order where a fault would be costly. |
| 请问质保期是多久？ | qǐng wèn zhìbǎoqī shì duōjiǔ? | How long is the warranty? | For electrical and long-life products. |
What not to send or agree to
Do not agree to pay into a personal bank account or a personal payment-app account for a company sale. If the payee name differs from the seller on the invoice, stop and ask for the company's own account.
Do not ask for branded or "same style" items. Many 1688 and Taobao listings copy well-known brands; we do not buy or ship replica or counterfeit branded goods. Check with the relevant UK authorities or your customs broker about the risk of seizure at the UK border and any criminal liability for selling such goods in the UK. Ask for an unbranded equivalent instead.
Do not send your passport, bank login or card details in a seller chat. A seller never needs them to quote or take an order.
If you would rather not message in Chinese
Our own staff in China can contact sellers for you in Chinese, ask these questions, compare the answers, check the goods when they arrive and consolidate them for shipping to the UK. See how we buy from 1688, Taobao and other Chinese sites, or contact us with the links and quantities.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to write Chinese to buy from 1688 or Taobao?
Not if you use ready-made lines. Copy a Chinese line from the tables above, replace anything in brackets and send it; a translation app can read the reply. If you would rather not, our staff in China can message the sellers, check the goods and consolidate them for you.
Which Chinese words should I know first?
Three lines cover most first messages: asking whether the item is in stock, asking for the minimum order quantity, and asking which company receives the payment. They are the first row of the openers table, the first row of the minimum order table and the first row of the payment table.
Is it safe to pay a seller I met in a chat?
Only if the payee is the company named on the invoice and contract. Ask for the company name, bank and account number, check them against the invoice, and never pay a personal account for a company sale.
Can I ask for branded or "same style" goods?
No. Check with the relevant UK authorities or your customs broker about the risk of seizure at the UK border and any criminal liability for selling replica or counterfeit branded goods in the UK. Ask for an unbranded equivalent.