The entire cross-border sales operation consists of six stages: sourcing → receiving → preparation → labeling → shipping → sale. The seller manages the process remotely; the supplier, fulfillment center, and marketplace handle the manual work.
Six stages
- Sourcing. The supplier is found on 1688, price and fapiao are agreed upon — 1688 guide
- Receiving. The fulfillment center in Guangzhou/Yiwu receives the batch, checks quantities, and inspects for defects
- Preparation. Packaging according to marketplace requirements; inserts and gifts are optional
- Labeling. Barcodes for each unit are applied in China, saving 1–2 days during the receiving process
- Shipping. Delivery to a WB warehouse (cities) or an Ozon drop-off point (addresses)
- Sale. The marketplace handles delivery, the buyer receives the item, and yuan are received via the payment system
Costs at each stage
- sourcing — the seller's only prepayment (or zero in the "made-to-order" model)
- fulfillment — a few yuan per unit of goods
- marketplace logistics — deducted from revenue: WB by weight (rates), Ozon by grams (rates)
- marketplace commission — deducted from revenue, based on category
- taxes — once a year: 1% VAT + 5% on profit
Cycle timelines
Things move quickly within China: sourcing and delivery to the fulfillment center take 1–3 days, preparation takes one day. The long part is cross-border shipping: 15–30 days via standard rates, 6–10 via express. The full cycle from ordering from the supplier to receiving funds is 30–45 days; this is your working capital planning horizon.
Frequently asked questions
Where is time most often lost in the chain?
At the hand-off points: supplier→fulfillment without notice and receiving without labels. This is solved by standard operating procedures: notification of every shipment and printing labels before the goods arrive.
Is it possible to complete the cycle without partners at all?
If you are physically located in China — yes. Remotely — a fulfillment center is mandatory: someone must receive, inspect, and hand over the goods to the marketplace.
How to control the chain from a different time zone?
Seller account statuses + fulfillment reports cover 95% of control. Rule: any disruption in the chain is visible in the numbers (receiving delays, increased defect rates) before it appears in customer complaints.
How long does the entire sales cycle take from ordering to receiving funds?
The full cycle from ordering from the supplier to receiving funds typically takes 30–45 days. This timeframe serves as your planning horizon for working capital.
What are the six stages of the cross-border sales process?
The process consists of sourcing, receiving, preparation, labeling, shipping, and sale. These stages involve the seller managing the process remotely while partners handle the manual work.
How often are the commission and rate calculations updated for Chinese sellers?
Commissions, rates, and calculations are pulled in real-time from the current WB and Ozon Global rate databases. The last data update was on 20.09.2026.
Do I need a fulfillment center if I am selling remotely?
Yes, a fulfillment center is mandatory for remote sellers because someone must receive, inspect, and hand over the goods to the marketplace. If you are physically located in China, you may be able to complete the cycle without partners.
- Live WB and Ozon rates
- Listings from 1688
- Publishing to both accounts