If you're a fan of the Tampa Bay Lightning and want to get your hands on an affordable, high-quality hockey jersey, buying from China’s wholesale platform 1688 via a proxy service like Kakobuy can be a smart move. Kakobuy is a leading Chinese reverse purchasing platform that helps international buyers shop on 1688 with ease. This guide will walk you through the process while highlighting an essential product comparison spreadsheet
1688.com, owned by Alibaba Group, is China’s largest wholesale marketplace, offering products at factory prices. Unlike retail platforms, 1688 connects buyers directly with manufacturers, meaning you can get authentic NHL-style jerseys at a fraction of the cost. However, since 1688 mainly caters to domestic buyers, international shoppers often struggle with language barriers, payment issues, and shipping restrictions—which is where Kakobuy comes in.
Kakobuy is a Chinese reverse procurement service that simplifies shopping on 1688 for overseas customers. It acts as a middleman by:
Start by searching "Tampa Bay Lightning hockey jerseys" (坦帕湾闪电队冰球衣) on 1688. Look for high-performing stores with positive reviews. To verify the legitimacy and compare prices, refer to this wholesale sourcing spreadsheet, which lists trusted jersey suppliers along with fabric qualities and unit costs.
Sign up for a Kakobuy account and paste the 1688 product links into their order form. Specify jersey details (size, color, patches, etc.). Kakobuy will inspect selections, confirm availability, and provide a final quote including their service fee (typically 5-10%).
Pay via PayPal or credit card through Kakobuy’s secure checkout. They’ll make the purchase in China while handling quality checks before domestic shipping. Once received at their warehouse, your jerseys get repackaged for international transit (DHL, FedEx, or ePacket options available).
Not all jerseys on 1688 meet official NHL standards. Here’s how to choose a good one:
Traditional retailers sell Lightning jerseys for $170-$250 USD. On 1688, blank replicas cost $15-$30 (before bulk discounts), while stitched versions run $25-$50. Factoring in Kakobuy fees and shipping ($25-$40 for 2kg), you’ll still save 60-80%—especially when ordering multiple jerseys.
By leveraging Kakobuy’s expertise and cross-referencing supplier data with the comparison tools here, international fans can build affordable Lightning jersey collections without hassle.