What "QC" means and why DHgate lacks it
In spreadsheet culture, QC means quality-control photos: pictures of your actual item, taken in an agent's warehouse after the seller delivers it and before you pay for international shipping. If the photos show a flaw or the wrong size, you return the item to the seller inside China. DHgate does not work that way. The seller posts the parcel directly to you, so there is no point at which a neutral party photographs your item. Searches for "dhgate spreadsheet with qc" and "dhgate high quality spreadsheet" come from buyers who want that reassurance; the honest answer is that you have to build it yourself.
Before you pay: three sources of evidence
| Evidence | How to get it | How much to trust it |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer photos in reviews | Listing reviews, filtered to photos, newest first | High, if several and recent |
| Fresh seller photo | Ask in DHgate chat for a photo of the item in stock | Medium; good sellers send them quickly |
| Third-party hauls | Reddit, TikTok, Discord posts naming the seller | Medium; watch for promotion |
Without warehouse photos, recent buyer photos are the closest thing DHgate has to QC.
What to look for in photos
For clothing, look at stitching along seams and hems, print alignment, label quality and fabric texture in daylight. For shoes, look at symmetry between left and right, glue marks along the sole, and stitching around the heel. For bags, check hardware, zips, strap attachment and edge finishing. For jewelry, look for plating wear and uneven stones. Compare buyer photos with the listing images; consistent differences mean the listing images are not the real stock.
When it arrives: record and decide fast
Film or photograph the parcel before opening, then the item from several angles, including any labels and flaws. Measure garments against the size chart. If something is wrong, open a dispute in DHgate while protection is active, attach your photos, and keep every message inside DHgate. Do not confirm receipt until you are satisfied, because confirming releases payment to the seller.
How disputes go in practice
Missing parcels usually end in a refund. "Not as described" cases are harder; several Trustpilot reviews read on 6 October 2026 describe partial refunds of a dollar or two on orders around $30. Clear photos showing a specific difference from the listing, such as a wrong colour, a size measured against the seller's own chart, or visible damage, give you the strongest case. Vague complaints about "quality" rarely win.
"High quality" listings
Listings that call themselves "high quality", "top quality" or "best version" are making a marketing claim, not a measurable one. The only way to test it is the evidence above. Often, those labels sit on listings copying a brand, which brings a separate risk: customs in all five countries this site covers can seize trademark-infringing goods, and seized items are not refunded.
When to switch to an agent for quality
If the item is expensive, fit-sensitive or from a seller with few reviews, consider buying the equivalent Taobao or Weidian item through an agent. You will see warehouse photos of your actual item and can return it within China. KakoBuy, USFans and Hipobuy even publish QC photos openly, so you can see what other buyers received before you order. The agent pages in our status table list each agent's QC policy, and DHgate or an agent covers the trade-off.
A short checklist
Before paying: recent buyer photos, a fresh seller photo, measurements in centimetres. On arrival: film the unboxing, measure, compare. If wrong: dispute inside DHgate before the window closes, with photos, and do not close it until you are refunded. Pair this with the seller check and most quality problems never happen.
On DHgate, quality checking is your job before and after delivery; with an agent it happens in between.
Sizing: the most common quality complaint
Many returns and disputes on DHgate are really sizing problems. Sellers often use Asian sizing, which runs one or two sizes smaller than US or UK labels, and some size charts are copied from a different garment. Measure a piece you own that fits well, flat, across the chest and from shoulder to hem, and compare those numbers with the seller's chart in centimetres. If the seller has no chart, ask for one before you pay. A correct size removes the biggest single reason buyers feel an item is "low quality".
If you would rather not do any of this yourself, our WhatsApp service sends you photos of Taobao and Weidian items before they leave China, which is the same protection agents offer without opening an account.
FAQ
Does DHgate provide QC photos?
No. Sellers ship directly, so there is no warehouse inspection. Ask the seller for a fresh photo before paying.
How do I get QC photos for a DHgate item?
You cannot get warehouse QC on DHgate itself. Recent buyer photos and seller photos are the substitutes.
Can an agent QC a DHgate order?
Some agents can buy DHgate items and photograph them, but it adds a second shipping leg and rarely saves money.
What should I photograph when my order arrives?
The sealed parcel, the item from several angles, labels, measurements and any flaw.
Is 'high quality' on a listing meaningful?
Only as a claim; check buyer photos to test it.
How long do I have to open a DHgate dispute?
It depends on the order's protection window shown in your order page. Open the dispute before it ends; sellers can extend it if a parcel is late.
What if the item is fine but smaller than expected?
Compare it with the seller's size chart in centimetres. If it matches the chart, a dispute is unlikely to succeed; if it does not, include your measurements as evidence.
Should I confirm receipt to be polite?
No. Confirm only when you are satisfied, because confirming releases your payment to the seller.