About DHgate
DHgate is a leading Chinese cross-border B2B (Business-to-Business) and B2C (Business-to-Consumer) e-commerce marketplace founded in 2004 by Diane Wang. Often referred to as the “online Silk Road,” it connects international buyers—primarily small and medium-sized retailers—directly with Chinese wholesalers and manufacturers.
While it is similar to platforms like AliExpress, DHgate has a stronger focus on bulk purchasing and wholesale transactions, allowing buyers to secure lower prices by purchasing larger quantities. The platform lists over 30 million products, ranging from electronics and fashion to home and garden supplies.
DHgate Affiliate Program Overview
The DHgate affiliate program allows marketers to monetize their traffic by promoting millions of products from Chinese suppliers. It is particularly lucrative for those whose audiences are interested in wholesale, dropshipping, or affordable consumer goods.
| Feature | Description |
| Industry | E-commerce / Wholesale Trade / Cross-border Trade |
| Product Type | Physical Goods (Electronics, Apparel, Home & Garden, Health & Beauty, Toys, etc.) |
| Affiliate Program Type | CPS (Cost Per Sale) |
DHgate Affiliate Program Offers
DHgate provides a standard suite of tools for affiliates, with a generous cookie duration compared to some competitors.
| Feature | Information |
| Promotional Materials | Banners, Text Links, Smart Links, Product Feeds, Coupons, Deals |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | 30 Days (Standard) |
| Accepted Traffic Source | Social Media (TikTok, YouTube, Instagram), Blogs, Content Sites, Cashback/Coupon Sites, Email Marketing |
| Accepted Countries | Global / Worldwide (Ships to 220+ countries) |
| Explicit Content | Strictly Prohibited (No adult, sexually explicit, or violent content) |
| Religious or Political Content | Restricted (Sites promoting discrimination or sensitive political/religious agendas are generally rejected) |
DHgate Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The program operates on a tiered commission structure, rewarding higher sales volumes with higher rates. It also includes a referral feature for recruiting other affiliates.
| Feature | Information |
| MLM | No (However, it has a “Refer a Friend” sub-affiliate feature earning ~30% of referred affiliate’s commission) |
| Commission Rate | 3% – 60% (Varies by product category and sales volume; standard rates are typically 3-10%) |
| Commission Structure | Tiered Volume-Based. Commission rates increase as your monthly sales volume grows. New users often get special bonus rates. |
| Payout Frequency | Monthly (Net-30 to Net-45 basis usually) |
| Payout Methods | PayPal and Bank Wire Transfer |
| Minimum Payout | $50 for Paypal – $500 for Wire Transfer |
Suitable Affiliates for DHgate Affiliate
This program is highly effective for creators who focus on “budget finds,” “dupes,” or business sourcing.
- Bloggers: Especially those in niches like “Dropshipping,” “Small Business Tips,” “Tech Reviews,” or “Budget Fashion.”
- TikTokers: Highly suitable for “DHgate Finds” or “Unboxing” videos, particularly for fashion and accessories.
- KOC (Key Opinion Consumers): Everyday consumers who review products honestly; very effective for building trust with budget-conscious buyers.
- KOL (Key Opinion Leaders): Established authorities in e-commerce or import/export who can recommend DHgate for sourcing inventory.
- Influencers: Instagram and Pinterest influencers focusing on lifestyle and affordable aesthetics.
- YouTubers: Creators doing “Haul” videos, product comparisons, or “How to Import from China” tutorials.
- Video Editors: Can repurpose content for Shorts/Reels to drive traffic to affiliate links.
- Livestreamers: Hosts who showcase products in real-time, demonstrating quality to overcome “cheap product” skepticism.
DHgate Affiliate Software
Both In-House and Networks.
DHgate uses its own In-house Affiliate Workplace (which often offers the best distinct rates and direct support). However, they are also present on major third-party affiliate networks such as:
- ShareASale
- Commission Factory
- Webgains
- Admitad
3 Alternatives for DHgate Affiliate Program
Here are three major competitors in the cross-border e-commerce space.
- AliExpress: The closest direct competitor, focused more on individual B2C retail orders than bulk wholesale.
- Temu: A rapidly growing marketplace with very aggressive marketing, extremely low prices, and high conversion rates for gamified shopping.
- Banggood: Focused heavily on electronics, RC toys, and gadgets, often preferred by tech-focused affiliates.
| Comparison Factor | DHgate | AliExpress | Temu | Banggood |
| Average Bill (AOV) | High ($100+ due to bulk/wholesale focus) | Low ($30 – $40) | Low ($25 – $40) | Medium ($40 – $60) |
| Entry Fees | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Withdrawal Threshold | $50 (PayPal) | $16 | $20 | No Minimum (or very low) |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly |
| Commission | 3% – 60% (Tiered) | 3% – 9% (Up to 50% on select items) | 5% – 20% (+ Download Bonuses) | 6% – 13% |
| Conversion | Moderate (B2B takes longer to convert) | Moderate (2-4%) | Very High (Gamified/Impulse buy) | Moderate |
| Marketing Materials | Banners, Coupons, Smart Links | Banners, API, Data Feed | Codes, Banners, App Invites | Banners, API, Coupons |
