Sourcing Cashback on AliExpress, Alibaba, 1688, Taobao, Temu
Last updated: October 29, 2026 · Rates checked in the Refundy Chrome extension (v0.7.13) on the same day
Quick answer: Global sourcers and dropshippers can earn cashback on all five major China-linked platforms: AliExpress (up to 11%), Alibaba.com (up to 9%), Taobao (up to 8%), 1688 (up to 8%, approval required) and Temu (up to 21%). Each platform suits a different sourcing job, and each has its own cashback window and cart rule.
Key takeaways
Match the platform to the job: AliExpress for fulfilment, Alibaba.com for bulk and private label, 1688 and Taobao for China-direct prices, Temu for research and samples.
Cashback is a margin lever, not a bonus. On thin dropshipping margins, a few percent back on every purchase changes the math.
The rules differ by platform: 12-hour windows on AliExpress, Alibaba.com and Taobao, 24 hours on Temu, and 1688 needs approval first.
One free Chrome extension can cover all five, so you don't need a separate tool per marketplace.
Why do global sourcers use five different platforms?
No single marketplace does everything well. Experienced sellers split their buying by job: where they test products, where they fulfil orders, and where they buy in bulk once a product proves itself. Each step usually happens on a different platform, at a different price level.
The price ladder is real. The same item often costs least on 1688, a little more on Taobao, more again on Alibaba.com once export handling is added, and most on AliExpress, which includes single-unit shipping to your customer. Temu sits outside this ladder: its prices are heavily subsidised, but it is built for consumers, not resellers. For a deeper look at why prices differ, see 1688 vs Alibaba: why 1688 looks cheaper.
Which platform fits which sourcing job?
Platform | Best for | Order size | Main trade-off | Refundy cashback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
AliExpress | Dropshipping fulfilment, small-batch buying | 1 unit and up | Higher unit price than China-direct | Up to 11% |
Alibaba.com | Bulk orders, private label, custom packaging | MOQ, often 50–500+ units | Negotiation and lead time | Up to 9% |
1688 | Lowest wholesale prices inside China | Small wholesale lots | Chinese-language, needs a China address or agent | Up to 8% (approval required) |
Taobao | Niche and trend items, small China-direct buys | 1 unit and up | Needs a forwarder for most countries | Up to 8% |
Temu | Product research, fast samples, price checks | 1 unit and up | No official dropshipping support, Temu-branded parcels | Up to 21% |
Rates are maximums shown in the Refundy extension on October 29, 2026. The actual rate depends on product category.
AliExpress: the fulfilment workhorse
AliExpress remains the default for dropshippers because it is built for single-unit orders shipped worldwide. It has a reseller programme, and most order-management apps connect to it. Quantity tiers and seller coupons can stack with cashback on the same order. Read our AliExpress cashback guide for the full breakdown.
Alibaba.com: when a product is ready to scale
Once a product sells consistently, moving to Alibaba.com usually cuts unit cost and opens custom branding. Orders are larger, so cashback is worth more per order. Our step-by-step test of how to get cashback on Alibaba.com shows the 12-hour rule in action.
1688 and Taobao: China-direct prices
1688 is China's domestic wholesale site, and Taobao is its consumer marketplace. Both are usually cheaper than export platforms, but you need a forwarding address in China and some patience with Chinese-language listings. See how to pay on 1688 and Taobao vs AliExpress.
Temu: research and samples, not fulfilment
Temu is useful for checking what a product should cost and for buying sample units quickly. It does not officially support dropshipping, and parcels arrive in Temu packaging. Most sellers use it before they commit, then fulfil elsewhere. Our Temu vs AliExpress for dropshipping guide explains why.
How much can cashback add to your margin?
Dropshipping margins are thin once ads, payment fees and refunds are paid. That is why a recurring percentage on cost of goods matters more than it looks. Here is an illustrative example, not a guarantee, assuming an average earned rate well below the maximums:
Monthly sourcing spend | Assumed average cashback | Back per month | Back per year |
|---|---|---|---|
$2,000 | 4% | $80 | $960 |
$10,000 | 4% | $400 | $4,800 |
$30,000 | 4% | $1,200 | $14,400 |
For a store with a 10% net margin, a 4% return on cost of goods can lift profit by a large share. The exact effect depends on your product mix and which categories qualify. For more ways to protect margin, see how dropshippers cut sourcing costs.
What are the cashback rules on each platform?
Cashback comes from each platform's affiliate program, so the rules follow how each platform tracks orders. These are the rules shown in the Refundy extension as of October 2026.
Platform | When to apply | Window to pay | Rule that trips people up |
|---|---|---|---|
AliExpress | Before adding to cart | 12 hours | Items already in the cart don't earn |
Alibaba.com | Once per session, before adding to cart | 12 hours | Orders over $5,000 and split payments are excluded |
Taobao | On the product page | 12 hours | Pay in the same browser tab |
1688 | After approval from Refundy support | Per order | Not active by default. Contact support to enable it |
Temu | With an empty cart | 24 hours | The last cashback link you click counts |
Two rules apply everywhere. First, the most recent cashback or coupon link you click replaces earlier ones, so don't click other deal links between applying and paying. Second, shipping, fees and taxes never earn cashback.
How to set up one cashback flow for all five platforms
Install one extension that covers all five. Running several cashback tools at once causes them to override each other.
Open the store from the side panel. In Refundy, each platform has a Shop button that opens it with cashback applied.
Add items after applying. On Temu, empty the cart first.
Pay inside the window, in one payment, from your own account. Orders paid by an agent's account belong to the agent.
For 1688, request approval once before your first order.
Track and withdraw. Cashback shows as pending first, becomes withdrawable after the order is confirmed (usually about 90 days), and can be withdrawn to PayPal from $5 with no fee.
The "Cashback by store" list in the Refundy side panel, with a Shop button for each platform.
If you source across several of these platforms, Refundy is a free Chrome extension that covers all five from one side panel.
Frequently asked questions
Which platforms can I get cashback on for sourcing from China?
With Refundy, you can earn cashback on AliExpress (up to 11%), Alibaba.com (up to 9%), Taobao (up to 8%), 1688 (up to 8%, approval required) and Temu (up to 21%). Actual rates vary by product category.
Is AliExpress or Alibaba.com better for dropshipping?
AliExpress is better for dropshipping fulfilment because it ships single units worldwide and connects to dropshipping apps. Alibaba.com is better once a product sells steadily and you want lower unit costs, bulk stock or private label.
Can I dropship from Temu and still earn cashback?
You can earn cashback on Temu orders, but Temu does not officially support dropshipping and ships in Temu-branded packaging. Most sellers use Temu for research and samples, and fulfil customer orders through AliExpress or a bulk supplier.
Why do I need approval for 1688 cashback?
1688 cashback is currently available only to approved users. Contact Refundy support once to activate it. After approval, it works on orders you pay from your own 1688 account.
Can I use more than one cashback extension at the same time?
It isn't recommended. Each extension tags your session, and the last link clicked wins. Two tools can override each other, so you may lose cashback on an order without noticing.
Images: Photo by Ali Mkumbwa on Unsplash; Refundy side panel screenshot, October 29, 2026.
Refundy provides cashback on AliExpress, Alibaba.com, 1688, Taobao and Temu. Cashback excludes shipping, fees, taxes and split payments, and rates vary by category. See the cashback terms for details.