DHgate Guide: Is It Legit? How to Buy Safely

DHgate gets a mixed reputation online. Some buyers swear by it. Others have had serious problems. The truth is that DHgate is legitimate, but quality varies a lot and counterfeits are common if you’re not careful.

This guide breaks down what DHgate is, how it differs from Alibaba, what protections you actually have, and when it makes sense to use it.

What DHgate Is

DHgate is a Chinese B2B and B2C hybrid marketplace. It launched in 2004 and now has over 30 million product listings from more than 2 million sellers.

The biggest difference from Alibaba is the order size. On Alibaba, you’re usually ordering 100 to 1,000 units minimum. On DHgate, you can order 1 unit on many listings. That makes it much closer to a consumer shopping site, even though most buyers use it for wholesale.

DHgate targets small business owners, dropshippers, and ecommerce sellers who want wholesale-ish prices without committing to large orders. It’s not the right platform if you want to build a real supplier relationship or get factory-direct pricing on large volumes.

Is DHgate Legitimate?

Yes, DHgate is a real and operational company. It processes millions of orders per year and has a functioning buyer protection system.

But “legitimate platform” doesn’t mean every seller on it is trustworthy. DHgate has a significant counterfeit problem. Brand-name electronics, luxury goods, and designer items on DHgate are almost always fakes or gray market products. This is not a gray area: selling counterfeit goods is illegal in most countries, and importing them puts you at risk, not just the seller.

For unbranded or white-label electronics, the risk is different. You’re checking product quality, not authenticity. That’s a more manageable situation if you order samples first.

Our guide on avoiding scams when sourcing from China covers the warning signs that apply to DHgate sellers too.

How DHgate Differs from Alibaba

The key differences come down to order size, price structure, and supplier type.

Order minimums: DHgate lets you order 1 to 10 units on most listings. Alibaba typically requires 100 to 500+ units.

Pricing: DHgate unit prices are higher than Alibaba for equivalent products. You’re paying a premium for the low MOQ. On a per-unit basis, a phone case that costs $0.80 on Alibaba might cost $1.50 to $2.50 on DHgate.

Supplier type: Most DHgate sellers are small traders, not factories. Some are individuals reselling from wholesale markets like Yiwu. The supply chain is less transparent than on Alibaba.

Buyer protection: DHgate has a functioning buyer protection program, but it’s weaker than Alibaba’s Trade Assurance. Alibaba covers up to $30,000 per order on quality disputes. DHgate’s coverage is more variable and claim resolution takes longer.

Brand risk: Branded product listings are everywhere on DHgate. On Alibaba, branded fakes exist but the platform has invested more in removing them. DHgate has a higher density of counterfeit-adjacent listings.

For a full side-by-side comparison, see Alibaba vs DHgate vs 1688.

DHgate’s Buyer Protection System

DHgate’s Buyer Protection Program (BPP) covers three scenarios: non-delivery, items significantly different from the listing, and items damaged on arrival (reported within 72 hours of receipt).

Here’s how the dispute process works. First, contact the seller through DHgate’s messaging system and try to resolve it. If you can’t, open a dispute through the Resolution Center. Submit your order number, photos, tracking info, and a written explanation.

DHgate’s team will review and respond, usually within 10 business days. In 2025, DHgate resolved about 68% of buyer protection claims in favor of buyers, with average resolution times around 11 days.

If you disagree with the outcome, you can appeal once. You have 5 business days to submit additional evidence after an appeal is filed.

One timing detail that matters: you must open a dispute before your buyer protection window closes. If you don’t, the funds automatically release to the seller. After that, getting a refund becomes very difficult.

Fee Structure on DHgate

DHgate doesn’t charge buyers a membership fee. You pay the product price plus shipping. Most sellers build platform commissions into their listed price.

Sellers on DHgate pay a commission of 3% to 5% of the transaction value to DHgate. This cost is usually passed on to buyers through pricing. Credit card payments may incur a small processing fee depending on your card and country.

There are no subscription fees for buyers. The cost you see on the listing plus shipping is what you pay.

Payment Methods on DHgate

DHgate accepts credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), PayPal, and bank transfers. Credit card is the safest option for buyers since you have chargeback rights if DHgate’s dispute process fails you.

Avoid paying outside of DHgate’s platform. Some sellers will ask you to send payment via WeChat Pay or wire transfer to skip platform fees. Don’t do it. You lose all buyer protection the moment you pay outside the system.

See our payment methods guide for a broader look at how to pay suppliers safely.

What DHgate Is Best For

DHgate works well in specific situations. It doesn’t work well in others.

Good use cases:

Test orders before committing to a larger Alibaba buy
Low-volume, ongoing restocks where you need small quantities
Finding price benchmarks before negotiating on Alibaba
Products where you need just a few units quickly

Poor use cases:

Large orders where per-unit cost matters
Branded products (you’ll almost certainly get fakes)
Building long-term supplier relationships
Products requiring strict compliance documentation (CE, FCC, RoHS)

For electronics compliance requirements, read our FCC and UL compliance guide.

Red Flags on DHgate

Watch for these warning signs when checking DHgate sellers:

Sellers with fewer than 50 completed transactions
Product photos that don’t match the actual item (stolen stock photos)
Price dramatically below all other similar listings
Sellers who message you immediately asking to move to WhatsApp
Listings claiming brand authenticity on high-end electronics or luxury goods
No response to specific product questions, only generic “yes we have good quality” replies

Check the seller’s feedback score and look at negative reviews specifically. A 97% positive score sounds good until you read that 3% of buyers received wrong items or nothing at all.

Importing DHgate Products: What to Know

DHgate ships internationally through carriers like DHL, FedEx, and China Post. Transit times vary from 7 days (express) to 30+ days (standard). Most sellers offer several shipping options at checkout.

Be aware that your country’s customs authority will apply duties and taxes to imports. DHgate sellers sometimes under-declare shipment values on customs forms. While this might seem helpful, it’s technically illegal and puts liability on you as the importer. Don’t request it.

For U.S. buyers, the de minimis threshold currently allows imports under $800 to enter without formal customs entry or duties. Policy on this has been shifting, so check current rules before you order. See our US customs and duties guide for current thresholds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DHgate legit? Yes, DHgate is a real marketplace that has operated since 2004. It processes millions of orders per year. The platform itself is legitimate, but individual sellers vary significantly in quality and reliability. Always check seller ratings and order samples before larger purchases.

Is DHgate good for electronics? DHgate can work for unbranded or white-label electronics in small quantities. It’s not a good choice for branded electronics, which are almost always counterfeits or gray market products. For legitimate branded electronics sourcing, use a verified Alibaba supplier with Trade Assurance.

What is DHgate’s buyer protection? DHgate’s Buyer Protection Program covers non-delivery, items significantly different from the listing, and items damaged on arrival (reported within 72 hours). You must open a dispute before your protection window closes. DHgate resolved about 68% of claims in buyers’ favor in 2025.

How long does DHgate take to ship? Shipping time depends on the method you choose. Express options like DHL take 5 to 10 business days to most countries. Standard shipping through China Post takes 20 to 40 days. Most sellers list multiple shipping options at checkout with estimated delivery times.

What is the minimum order on DHgate? Many DHgate listings allow orders of 1 unit. Some sellers set minimums of 2, 5, or 10 units. There’s no platform-wide minimum. This low MOQ is one of DHgate’s main advantages over Alibaba for buyers who need small quantities.

How do I open a dispute on DHgate? Log into your DHgate account, go to My Orders, and find the relevant order. Click “Open Dispute” and follow the prompts to submit your evidence. You must do this before your buyer protection window expires. DHgate typically responds within 10 business days.