Supplier listings decoded
How to read a Chinese product listing without guessing
To read a Chinese product listing, focus on the characters that repeat on almost every page: 产品 (chǎnpǐn, product), 规格 (guīgé, specifications), 起订量 (qǐdìngliàng, minimum order quantity), 价格 (jiàgé, price), 材质 (cáizhì, material), 尺寸 (chǐcùn, size) and 库存 (kùcún, stock). Each one tells you something practical about what you are ordering, what it will cost and what the supplier expects from you before they ship.
By Renata · October 20, 2026 · 5 min
The characters that appear on almost every listing
Chinese product pages are built from a small set of repeated labels. Once you recognise them, you can scan a listing in under a minute and know whether it is aimed at a retail buyer or a wholesale importer. The labels below are the ones you will see most often on 1688, Alibaba and supplier WeChat catalogues.
These characters are not decorative. They sit next to the number that matters for your order, so misreading one can change your price, your quantity or your delivery time.
| Chinese | Pinyin | What it means for your order |
|---|---|---|
| 产品 | chǎnpǐn | Product, the item name, often followed by a model number |
| 规格 | guīgé | Specifications, size, colour, version or pack size |
| 起订量 | qǐdìngliàng | Minimum order quantity, the smallest number the supplier will accept |
| 价格 | jiàgé | Price, check whether it is per piece, per set or per carton |
| 材质 | cáizhì | Material, what the item is made of, e.g. 不锈钢 (bùxiùgāng, stainless steel) |
| 尺寸 | chǐcùn | Size, measurements, usually in centimetres or millimetres |
| 库存 | kùcún | Stock, how many units are available now |
| 交货期 | jiāohuòqī | Lead time, how long before the supplier ships |
Price, quantity and the traps in between
The price label 价格 (jiàgé, price) is rarely the whole story. Look for 起订量 (qǐdìngliàng, minimum order quantity) nearby, because many listings show a low price that only applies above a certain quantity. You will also see 批发 (pīfā, wholesale) and 零售 (língshòu, retail), the same product can have two different prices depending on which one the supplier thinks you are.
Another common trap is 含税 (hánshuì, tax included) versus 不含税 (bù hánshuì, tax not included). If the listing does not say, ask. A price that looks 10% cheaper can be the more expensive one once tax and shipping are added.
- Check whether the price is per piece (每件, měi jiàn) or per carton (每箱, měi xiāng).
- Look for 包邮 (bāoyóu, free shipping), it usually applies only inside China.
- If you see 定金 (dìngjīn, deposit), the supplier expects part payment upfront.
Specifications, material and size: what you are actually buying
The 规格 (guīgé, specifications) section is where most order mistakes happen. It lists the variants, colour, size, voltage, plug type, and each variant may have its own price. Read the whole line, not just the first number, because a listing can show 红色 (hóngsè, red) and 蓝色 (lánsè, blue) with different stock levels.
材质 (cáizhì, material) tells you what the item is made of, and 尺寸 (chǐcùn, size) gives the measurements. If the listing says 约 (yuē, approximately), treat the number as a guide, not a guarantee. For anything you will resell, ask the supplier to confirm the exact measurement in writing.
Stock, lead time and shipping labels
库存 (kùcún, stock) tells you whether the supplier can ship now or needs to produce first. A high stock number is a good sign for a small trial order; a low one means you may wait. 交货期 (jiāohuòqī, lead time) is the supplier's estimate of how long before dispatch, and it is often separate from shipping time.
Shipping labels are where Chinese listings get vague. 国内 (guónèi, domestic) means inside China only. 国际 (guójì, international) means the supplier ships abroad, but the listing rarely says who pays duties or handles customs. That part is not the supplier's job by default, and it is not Renata's service either, she can explain what the supplier wrote, but she does not clear customs or arrange freight.
Reading between the lines: what the listing does not say
A Chinese listing is written for a Chinese buyer who already knows the conventions. Words like 厂家 (chǎngjiā, factory) and 直销 (zhíxiāo, direct sales) are marketing signals, not proof that you are talking to the factory itself. 现货 (xiànhuò, in stock) is stronger than 库存 (kùcún, stock) because it usually means the item is ready to ship today.
When something is unclear, the fastest route is to ask the supplier directly in writing. Renata sits in on live calls with Chinese suppliers and can read and write supplier messages with you, explaining what an answer really means. Her Chinese is HSK 4, solid everyday and operational business Chinese, not legal, technical or sworn-translation level, so for contracts or regulated products you still need a qualified professional.
| Term | Pinyin | What it signals |
|---|---|---|
| 厂家 | chǎngjiā | Factory, often used loosely, not verified |
| 直销 | zhíxiāo | Direct sales, a marketing claim, not a guarantee |
| 现货 | xiànhuò | In stock now, usually ready to ship |
| 定制 | dìngzhì | Customised, expect a longer lead time and a deposit |
| 样品 | yàngpǐn | Sample, ask whether it is free or paid |
| 大货 | dàhuò | Bulk goods, the full production order after samples |
Common questions
What does 起订量 mean on a Chinese product listing?
起订量 (qǐdìngliàng) means minimum order quantity. It is the smallest number of units the supplier will accept for that price. If you order fewer, the supplier may refuse or charge a higher unit price.
How do I know if the price includes tax or shipping?
Look for 含税 (hánshuì, tax included) or 不含税 (bù hánshuì, tax not included). For shipping, 包邮 (bāoyóu) means free shipping, but it usually applies only inside China. If neither appears, ask the supplier directly.
What is the difference between 库存 and 现货?
库存 (kùcún) means stock in a general sense, how many units exist. 现货 (xiànhuò) means the item is in stock and ready to ship now. 现货 is the stronger signal for a fast order.
Can Renata translate a whole supplier contract?
No. Renata's Chinese is HSK 4, which is solid everyday and operational business Chinese, not legal or sworn-translation level. She can read and write supplier messages and explain what an answer means, but contracts need a qualified professional.
Does Renata inspect factories or check product quality?
No. Renata is not a sourcing agent. She does not audit factories, inspect quality, handle samples, arrange freight or clear customs. She provides live interpreting and message support between you and your Chinese supplier.
How can I get help reading a listing I do not understand?
You can contact Renata on WhatsApp at +351 935 328 206. She offers remote interpreting at 25 EUR per half hour and on-location support in the Lisbon area at 45 EUR per hour, minimum two hours.
Want someone on the call?
Renata joins the call with you and your supplier, reads and writes the Chinese messages, and tells you what the answer really meant. Remote it is 25 EUR per half hour. She is not a sourcing agent and does not do sworn translation.
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