Written by Miki · Updated 18 September 2026
Counterfeit goods are the biggest legal and financial risk in agent shopping. Buying an item that carries a brand name without the brand's authorization can get the parcel seized at customs, and there is no refund when that happens. The good news is that counterfeit listings are usually easy to recognize once you know the signals: impossible prices, coded descriptions, stock photos and thin seller histories. This guide covers the red flags on Taobao, 1688 and Weidian, how to use seller ratings and LitBuy's QC photos as a filter, what customs authorities do with counterfeit goods, and which product categories carry the most risk.
Understanding the landscape
The reality
Taobao, 1688 and Weidian all prohibit counterfeit listings and remove them when reported, but with millions of sellers some remain. The overwhelming majority of what people buy through agents is unbranded or from Chinese domestic brands, where the issue does not arise. The risk is concentrated in a few categories.
High-risk categories
- Luxury fashion (bags, belts, sunglasses with well-known logos)
- Electronics from major Western and Korean brands
- Premium skincare and cosmetics
- Sportswear with brand logos
- Luxury watches
Lower-risk categories
- Unbranded clothing, shoes and accessories
- Chinese domestic brands (Li-Ning, Anta, Xiaomi, Anker and similar)
- Home goods and decor
- Craft and hobby supplies
Red flags in a listing
1. Prices that cannot be real
A handbag that retails for $2,000 listed at $50, or a current-generation flagship phone at $100, is not the real product. Research the retail price before assuming a bargain.
2. Coded descriptions
Watch for phrases such as "AAA quality", "1:1", "same factory as", "top version" or a brand name with letters swapped or spaced out. Sellers use these to describe unauthorized copies without triggering the platform's filters.
3. Photo problems
- Only stock photos lifted from the brand's website
- Logos blurred or covered
- The same photo set across several unrelated sellers
- No photos of tags, labels or packaging
Good listings show the actual item from several angles, including labels and buyer-submitted photos in the reviews.
4. Seller history
- New shop with no transaction history
- Feedback below 95 percent
- Reviews that all read alike or were posted on the same day
- Slow or evasive responses to questions
How to check a seller
Ratings on Taobao
Taobao shows a seller level (hearts, then diamonds, then blue crowns, then gold crowns as cumulative sales grow), a positive-feedback percentage, and detailed scores for description accuracy, service and shipping speed. Look for:
- Diamond level or above for anything over a few dollars
- 97 percent or higher positive feedback
- Two or more years of history
- Buyer-photo reviews that match the listing
Reviews
Read the reviews with photos first. Look for comments on material, sizing and whether the item matched the listing. A single complaint about "fake" or "not as pictured" on an otherwise clean record is worth more than dozens of generic five-star reviews.
Ask before buying
Through LitBuy you can ask the seller for extra photos, the material composition and whether the item is a branded product or an unbranded design. A seller who refuses photos or answers "same as original" is telling you what you need to know.
Platform notes
Taobao
Strongest protections: 7-day returns, dispute resolution, verified brand stores. Use the brand-store filter for anything branded and prefer crown-level sellers.
1688
Wholesale-oriented, fewer reviews. Order a sample before bulk, ask for factory certifications where relevant, and use LitBuy's QC photos as your inspection.
Weidian
Thinner protections and more small shops selling brand-inspired fashion. Stay with sellers who have a track record, keep first orders small and inspect QC photos carefully.
Using LitBuy's QC photos
When an item reaches the warehouse, LitBuy photographs it. Use the photos to check:
- Whether the item matches the listing photos and description
- Logos, tags and labels
- Stitching, seams and material
- Included accessories and packaging
If the photos show a brand name or logo you did not expect, or the item clearly differs from the listing, request a return to the seller before shipping. Once a parcel has left China, the options narrow to what LitBuy can negotiate with the seller. For high-value items, an independent authentication service is the only reliable way to verify a branded product; LitBuy's QC is a visual check, not an authentication.
Category guidance
Electronics
Safer: Chinese brands sold under their own name, generic accessories described honestly. Risky: major Western brands at a fraction of retail. Check specifications, and remember that devices sold for the Chinese market may need a Chinese app or account.
Fashion and clothing
Safer: unbranded designs, Chinese domestic brands, custom-made items. Risky: luxury logos at low prices, "same factory" claims. Buy for the cut and material, not the label.
Beauty and skincare
Safer: Chinese and Korean brands from official stores. Risky: Western luxury brands at a discount, "same formula" claims. Never compromise on products that go on your skin; check expiry dates and ingredient lists.
Watches and jewelry
Safer: Chinese fashion watch brands, unbranded jewelry, custom pieces. Risky: luxury watch brands at any price below retail. Choose pieces sold on their own design.
Legal considerations
Importing counterfeit goods is illegal in the US, the EU, the UK, Canada, Australia and most other countries. Customs authorities actively screen small parcels from China for trademark infringement. If a parcel is found to contain counterfeit goods:
- The goods are seized and destroyed
- You do not get a refund from the seller or the agent
- Repeat cases can lead to fines
Agents including LitBuy state that they do not knowingly purchase or ship counterfeit goods and may refuse an order. Declaring an item under a vague description does not change any of this; see How to Declare on LitBuy.
Action plan
Before you buy
- Research the seller: level, feedback, history
- Read the buyer-photo reviews
- Compare the price with the real retail price
- Ask for extra photos if anything is unclear
When ordering
- Prefer unbranded items and Chinese domestic brands
- Keep the first order with a new seller small
- Use LitBuy's QC photos as your inspection step
After delivery
- Inspect immediately and compare with the QC photos
- Report problems to LitBuy within 48 hours
- Leave an honest review for the next buyer
Final thoughts
Shopping from China does not have to involve counterfeit goods. Stay with unbranded designs and domestic brands, vet the seller, read the QC photos and know that customs in your country can and does seize infringing parcels. Good design at a fair price is the reason to use an agent; a logo is not.
Sources
Checked September 2026.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Intellectual Property Rights
- European Union Intellectual Property Office
- UK Intellectual Property Office
- Taobao
- LitBuy official site
Ready to start shopping?
Browse the full LitBuy spreadsheet — every listing has QC photos and a verified buy link. If you know what you are after, jump straight to watch listings or electronics listings.
For a deeper dive on this topic specifically, see our editorial sister site's guide on how to read QC photos.
