Is DHgate Legit? The ultimate guide to safely sourcing from DHgate

In today's globalized sourcing landscape, cross-border e-commerce platforms like DHgate have become the first choice for many international retailers and wholesalers.

Especially, recently, DHgate has risen to second in the US App Store ranking. All sourcers who hope to profit by purchasing from China have begun to understand this special platform.

Yet, for first-time sourcers, one crucial question remains: Is DHgate legit? Or, more specifically, is DHgate trustworthy?

Whether you are a start-up retailer, a seasoned wholesaler, or simply wondering if DHgate is safe, this guide will give you the confidence to source smarter. Let's dive in!

What is the DHgate？

Although DHgate has been very popular recently, your understanding of it may not be in-depth. DHgate, founded in 2004, is one of the world’s leading Chinese B2B cross-border e-commerce marketplaces. It connects Chinese suppliers with overseas small to medium-sized wholesalers and retailers.

With over 33 million products, electronics, apparel, home decor, jewelry, etc, DHgate supports small orders, perfect for budding businesses and buyers who may not meet traditional MOQ thresholds.

Its unique “small wholesale” model empowers buyers to access bulk-discount prices without huge minimum orders.

From order management to customs clearance, DHgate offers one-stop solutions, and its DHLink logistics network, like Amazon FBA, along with a global warehouse footprint, has significantly boosted cross-border delivery efficiency in recent years.

Is DHgate Legit? Is DHgate Trustworthy?

Generally, DHgate is a fully legitimate company and has grown rapidly. It processed approximately $20 billion in transactions in 2024, hosts over 2.54 million registered suppliers and 60 million global buyers. On DHgate, all sellers undergo a stringent vetting process, including business license verification, identity authentication, and more, to ensure DHgate is a legitimate company in the global marketplace.

While DHgate itself is legal, its third-party marketplace nature means product quality and seller reliability can vary.

Buyers should be aware of potential risks:

1. Counterfeit Goods: High-risk categories include luxury items and branded sneakers (e.g., many inquiries about whether DHgate shoes are legit surface on Reddit and other forums).
2. Misleading Listings: Some sellers may use exaggerated images or descriptions to overstate features.
3. Logistics Delays: Economy shipping options sometimes result in lost packages or delays of up to 60 days.

To mitigate these challenges, DHgate provides multiple safeguards:

• Escrow Payment System: Funds are held until buyers confirm receipt of goods.
• Buyer Protection: “Item Not Received” and “Not as Described” guarantees.
• 2025 Service Upgrades: Local return addresses in the US & UK, plus a “100% Genuine Guarantee” label applicable to electronics and select categories.

If you want to know more about DHgate, you can read the previous blog "Is DHgate Legit? Is It Safe to Source From in 2025?"

How to Safely Source from DHgate?

Successfully and safely sourcing from DHgate depends on how you use it. After discussing with American procurement experts, we offer some key steps to safely source products as follows.

Screen Reliable Suppliers

Start by filtering for sellers with at least a 95% positive feedback score and no fewer than 100 genuine reviews, especially those that include customer-uploaded photos in any negative comments. Because these comments can reveal real quality issues and service responsiveness. Besides, please verify that each seller has completed a business license and identity authentication. 

And avoid stores that stock hundreds of unrelated product types, as their lack of specialization often leads to inconsistent quality. Instead, choose niche shops focused on a single category, since these specialist vendors typically deliver more stable products and more knowledgeable support.

Use the DHgate Platform Protection

Next, make full use of DHgate’s built-in buyer protection tools.

1. Check the “100% Genuine Guarantee” filter to ensure your order qualifies for a full refund or replacement under the “item not received” or “not as described” policies.
2. Opt for DHLink logistics when possible to gain end-to-end tracking and the right to compensation for delays
3. Before confirming payment, request a short video of the actual item in hand and always record your unboxing process upon delivery(both are crucial if you ever need to file a dispute).

Choose a Safe Payment Method

Equally important is choosing secure payment methods.

Please mind never agree to off-platform transfers!!!

Every seller who wants you to pay off-platform is a scam.

And prefer PayPal or credit card payments to access their additional dispute-resolution services. Document every detail of your conversations—materials, dimensions, color options, packaging—and save the full chat history in case you need to prove what was agreed.

Pay Attention to Details

Watch out for prices that seem improbably low, particularly on luxury goods, branded sneakers, or health supplements; these are often red flags for counterfeits or substandard merchandise.

For electronics, always confirm whether a valid manufacturer’s warranty applies; for apparel, scrutinize the seller’s size chart and ask for garment measurements.

Place initial orders in small batches to test product quality and the seller’s reliability before scaling up to full production runs.

Partner with Procurement Expertise

Finally, if your company lacks in-house cross-border sourcing expertise, consider partnering with a professional China sourcing agent like EJET Procurement.

We conduct supplier and factory audits, perform sample inspections and lab tests, consolidate orders from multiple suppliers, optimize freight routes, and manage any after-sales issues.

All of the services dramatically reduce your risk exposure and free you to focus on growing your business.

How Long does Dhgate Take to Ship?

DHgate's delivery times vary widely depending on shipping method and the seller’s warehouse location you choose, so you should align your logistics choice with your urgency and budget. There are three common logistics methods:

Economical Logistics

Economy options such as ePacket or China Post Small Packet typically cost less but can take 15–60 days. And their tracking is often sparse, and packages may be lost, delayed, or even returned to sender, making them suitable only for low-value, non-time-sensitive goods.

Emergency Express Delivery

Express couriers like DHL, FedEx, or UPS usually deliver within 5–10 business days, offer comprehensive online tracking, and provide delay or loss compensation, making them ideal for high-value or urgent shipments.

Local Delivery

A third increasingly popular route is local-warehouse fulfillment. Factly, many DHgate sellers now stock in U.S., European, or other regional warehouses, cutting delivery times to 3–7 days, bypassing customs hurdles, and reducing import duties. This way is perfect for frequent restocks or products where rapid turnaround is critical.

Some Tips

Keep in mind that shipping windows can stretch by 1–2 weeks during China’s major holidays (e.g., Chinese New Year) and global shopping festivals (Chinese Singles’ Day, American Black Friday, etc). To stay informed about your shipment, check DHLink or the courier’s tracking portal daily. If your package is more than 15 days past its estimated delivery date, contact the seller immediately and escalate via DHgate’s dispute process.

For high-value consignments, purchasing optional transport insurance can safeguard against loss or damage. In practice, allocate economy shipping to sample orders, express couriers to small but critical shipments, and local-warehouse options to routine replenishment; once you establish a reliable supplier relationship, negotiate tailored logistics solutions, such as consolidated cargo or special rate express to further streamline your supply chain.

Conclusion

DHgate has emerged as a powerful bridge between Chinese manufacturers and global markets, offering unbeatable price advantages and unmatched product variety.

To determine DHgate is safe, you must combine careful supplier vetting, savvy use of platform protections, secure payment practices, and—when needed—professional sourcing support.

For one-step solutions including digital procurement, product sourcing, Product Branding, product development, Freight Forwarding, supply chain finance, etc, visit EJET Procurement and contact us today!

Let us help you make your DHgate sourcing experience safer, faster, and more profitable!

All images sourced from: Pexels