In today’s fast-paced fashion world, getting affordable deals on brands like Zara is a dream come true for many shoppers. Fortunately, platforms like 1688 and CNFans make it possible to purchase items at wholesale prices without directly shopping in China. If you're wondering how CNFans works as a forwarder and how to use it with 1688, this guide will walk you through the entire process.
CNFans is a Chinese freight forwarding and sourcing platform that helps international buyers purchase products from China-based marketplaces like 1688, Taobao, and Pinduoduo. By acting as a personal shopper, CNFans simplifies the process, offering consolidation, quality checks, and international shipping.
While Zara is originally a Spanish brand, 1688—Alibaba’s B2B platform—often carries similar styles at significantly lower wholesale prices. Sellers on 1688 offer "Zara-like" clothing and accessories, and CNFans bridges the gap by handling ordering, quality control, and shipping.
Here’s why this method is beneficial:
Before purchasing from 1688, create an account on CNFans and submit your desired product links. Alternatively, you can browse the Zara product spreadsheet here
CNFans will calculate the total cost, including service fees and shipping. After paying, they’ll purchase items from 1688 on your behalf.
Once the seller ships to CNFans’ warehouse, they check for quality issues before repackaging for export.
You’ll select from DHL, EMS, or other carriers based on budget and urgency.
The final price includes:
For a cost estimator, refer to the Zara affordability cheat sheet.
DHL takes 3-7 days, EMS 7-15 days, and sea freight 20-60 days.
CNFans allows returns within their warehouse but doesn’t take responsibility for manufacturer errors.
By leveraging 1688’s competitive pricing and CNFans’ reliable logistics, you can access budget-friendly Zara alternatives with minimized hassle.
Pro Tip: