The Idea: Cross-Border Arbitrage
1688.com (China wholesale) → Carousell SG / Lazada Singapore. The math is simple:
- Buy AirPods silicone case on 1688: ¥3.5 (/usr/bin/bash.50)
- Sell on Carousell SG: S
- Profit margin: 900%
What I Built
A live dropshipping store at pricepulseapi.site/arbitrage that:
- Scans Carousell SG for in-demand products
- Finds matching items on 1688 at wholesale prices
- Lists them with direct order + shipping to Singapore
- Handles payment via WeChat/Alipay
The Tech Stack
- PricePulse API — real-time Carousell SG pricing data
- 1688 Mobile — product sourcing & images
- Static HTML/CSS/JS — fast, no framework overhead
- NGINX — served from Singapore Alibaba Cloud ECS
Real Numbers from the Store
| Product | 1688 Cost | SG Sell Price | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bone Conduction Headphones | ¥65 | S5 | 78% |
| USB-C 7-in-1 Hub | ¥45 | S8 | 155% |
| Phone Waterproof Pouch | ¥4 | S | 760% |
| LED Strip Lights 5m | ¥15 | S5 | 315% |
Why This Works
Singapore buyers pay premium for convenience. 1688 sellers offer rock-bottom wholesale prices. The gap is real and sustainable.
Try It Yourself
The PricePulse API that powers the price comparison is also available for developers — 100 free calls/day.
Feedback welcome! What other products would you want to see listed?
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