The mandatory minimum to start selling from China is about 13,000 yuan, of which 10,000 is the refundable WB account deposit. Everything else depends on the model: with batch purchasing, the budget increases by 5,000–30,000 ¥, while with the "on-demand" model, you may not need to invest in inventory at all.
Mandatory one-time expenses
| Item | Amount | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| State registration fee for a company | 1,600 ¥ | one-time official payment |
| WB account deposit | 10,000 ¥ | refundable, frozen while the account is active |
| Nominal office | from 350 ¥/month | when paid annually; ~500 ¥ if paid monthly |
| Accountant | 3,600 ¥/year | about 300 ¥ per month, communication in English |
| Registered capital | 0 ¥ at the start | declared (recommended — 100,000 ¥), not paid in |
Inventory: two models
The classic model is purchasing a batch on 1688: test 50–200 units per SKU, typical purchase price 10–50 ¥ per unit. The budget for the first batch is 5,000–30,000 ¥ depending on the category and number of SKUs.
The "on-demand" model requires zero investment in inventory: product listings are created based on the 1688 assortment, and purchasing occurs after a customer order is placed. Domestic shipping in China takes 1–3 days, and since the customer in Russia is already waiting for cross-border delivery, there is enough time. Money comes from revenue, and dead stock is avoided entirely.
- testing 3–5 SKUs in small batches is more reliable than putting the entire budget into one product
- before wholesale purchasing — get samples from 2–3 suppliers (costs tens of yuan, saves thousands)
- popular items are more profitable to ship in batches over time: lower purchase price, faster delivery
Logistics and fulfillment
WB cross-border logistics does not require prepayment — it is deducted from revenue at a fixed rate (the main one is 0 ¥/kg + 0 ¥ per order, all rates). Warehouse services in China (receiving, packaging, labeling) cost a small fixed amount per unit.
Two budget scenarios
| Scenario | Amount | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum (on-demand) | ~13,000–15,000 ¥ | company + WB deposit + office and accountant for the first months, inventory from revenue |
| Comfortable (with batch) | ~25,000–45,000 ¥ | same as above + test purchase of 3–5 SKUs + samples + reserve for contingencies |
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum amount of money I need to start selling on Wildberries from China?
The mandatory minimum to start is about 13,000 yuan, which includes a 10,000 yuan refundable account deposit plus costs for company registration, an office, and an accountant.
Do I have to pay for Wildberries cross-border logistics upfront?
No, Wildberries cross-border logistics does not require prepayment as costs are deducted from your revenue at a fixed rate of 0 ¥/kg plus 0 ¥ per order.
How does the on-demand model work for inventory?
The on-demand model requires zero investment in inventory because you create listings based on the 1688 assortment and only purchase products after a customer order is placed.
When was the commission and rate data last updated for Chinese sellers?
The commissions, rates, and calculations are pulled in real-time from the database, with the last data update occurring on 20.09.2026.