This is what many sellers interested in selling on Takealot want to know most: With so many products on 1688, which ones can be sold to South Africa? How should they be priced? How do you calculate profits? This article ties the entire process together.

💡 Are you sourcing products on 1688 but unsure which ones are suitable for the South African market? Unsure about your initial order quantity and pricing strategy? Add WeChat ID qcygscszk or call 18676749275, and send 【Product Sourcing Guide】 to receive one-on-one product sourcing guidance.

Step 1: Find potential products on 1688

Not all products on 1688 are suitable for sale in South Africa. Priority should be given to products that meet the following criteria: small, lightweight items (volume less than 1 liter, weight less than 1 kilogram) to control initial shipping costs; Monthly sales exceeding 1,000 units, demonstrating a domestic market and a high likelihood of success in South Africa; suppliers with export experience or the ability to provide English labels to reduce compliance risks; product categories subject to South African tariffs below 20%—check the HS code before finalizing; products that do not require mandatory certification or have low certification costs to lower market entry barriers.

Step 2: Assess Market Demand in South Africa

When searching for similar products on Takealot, you should look at four key factors: whether there are competing products on the search results page and how many there are; the number of positive reviews from top sellers—fewer reviews indicate an earlier stage of market development; the price range of competing products; and whether any sellers are out of stock, which suggests that demand exceeds supply.

The ideal product selection signal is when there are 1 to 5 competing products, but each has 20 or fewer positive reviews. This indicates that there is market demand but no dominant players yet, leaving room for new entrants.

📌 Want to get the Takealot competitor analysis tool and product selection scoring template? Add me on WeChat: qcygscszk

Step 3: Cost and Pricing Calculations

Calculate the break-even point using the following formula: The minimum selling price equals (purchase cost plus freight plus import duties plus customs clearance fees plus FBL fees) divided by (1 minus the commission rate minus the VAT rate minus the foreign exchange loss rate).

Based on the break-even price, add the target profit margin (recommended: at least 20%) to arrive at the minimum target price. Compare this to competitors’ prices: if your minimum target price is lower than the median price of competitors, you can enter the market; if it is higher than the median price of competitors, you should reassess whether to switch suppliers or change your product selection.

Step 4: Negotiating Prices and Creating Prototypes

There are three key techniques for negotiating prices on 1688. First, specify a clear quantity (even if it’s just a trial order of 100 to 200 pieces), and the supplier will provide an accurate quote. Second, clarify the MOQ (minimum order quantity) and prioritize suppliers with low MOQs for your first order to test the product. Third, request samples (which usually incur a fee; once received, you can verify the quality and packaging specifications).

When producing prototypes, be sure to confirm the plug type (South African Type M plug), the language on the packaging (English), and the barcode (EAN format; registration must be applied for in advance).

Step 5: Controlling the Quantity of the First Order

The general rule for a first order is to limit it to no more than twice your estimated 30-day sales volume. Even if you’re very confident in the product, keep your first order between 100 and 300 units. The goal is to gauge market response, not to make a big bet all at once.

Once you’ve successfully launched an SKU, gradually expand your product categories and inventory. Each expansion should be based on existing sales data, not guesswork.

Summary of the Key Points of the Five-Step Process: The core step in product selection on 1688 is to screen for lightweight, compact items and export-friendly products; the key metrics are monthly sales exceeding 1,000 units and a tax rate below 20%. The core step in market validation is conducting a competitor analysis on Takealot; the key metrics are fewer than 5 competitors and fewer than 20 positive reviews. The core step for cost calculation is preparing a complete income statement, with the key metric being a net profit margin greater than 20%; the core step for price negotiation and sample requests is specifying quantities and requesting samples, with the key metrics being a low MOQ and English-language packaging; the core step for first-order control is multiplying the 30-day sales volume by 2, with the key metric being an order quantity not exceeding 300 units.

📞 Want to get the complete SOP—from product selection on 1688 to listing on Takealot—along with a checklist to help you avoid pitfalls? Feel free to contact Qcaiying. WeChat: qcygscszk

WhyWhy Choose Qi Cai Ying?

What Can We Do for You—

South African Company Registration (CIPC): A valid business address that can be verified during on-site KYC checks by the bank; not a virtual or registered-only address.

Opening a Bank Account (FNB, etc.): We’ll help you schedule your remote in-person interview and prepare the necessary documents—so you won’t have to figure it out on your own.

Takealot Cross-Border and Local Store Onboarding: We provide end-to-end support—from KYC documentation to store operations—not just help with submitting documents

South African VAT Registration and Tax Filing: SARS-Compliant Filing and Regular Bookkeeping to Eliminate Potential Tax Risks

Johannesburg Local On-Site Team: Receiving government correspondence, assisting with bank verification, handling emergencies, and maintaining a permanent local presence

Why You Can Trust Us—

Hong Kong Licensing Qualifications: Three licensed secretarial firms certified by the Hong Kong Companies Registry—not ordinary agencies—that possess the qualifications to serve as statutory secretaries.

In-House Accounting Firms: 1 self-operated Hong Kong accounting firm + a Greater Bay Area accounting firm; audit reports are not outsourced

Endorsed by Industry Associations: Vice President Member of the Shenzhen Bookkeeping Services Association; Board Member of the Shenzhen Cross-Border E-Commerce Association

Founded in 2015, we have served over 500,000 small, medium, and micro enterprises with a team of over 400 professionals, including lawyers, CPAs, tax consultants, and cross-border compliance experts. Our core team members have an average of 8 to 15 years of industry experience.

Global Presence: Headquartered in Shenzhen, with branch offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, and the United States

For more information on opening a store on Takealot or registering a company in South Africa, please contact Qicaiying:

Cell Phone / WeChat: 18676749275 (WeChat ID: qcygscszk)