# Frequently asked questions > Answers about PartLark: how the free maker-parts catalogue works, what prices include, ordering via shopping agents, match accuracy, shipping and your haul. Last updated 2026-11-13. Web version: https://partlark.xyz/faq Short answers to the questions people ask most about PartLark, a free catalogue for finding maker electronics on 1688 and Taobao. For the full picture, see [how it works](https://partlark.xyz/how-it-works)) and [our ethics](https://partlark.xyz/ethics)). ## About PartLark ### What is PartLark? PartLark is a free catalogue of maker electronics that matches common parts to listings on the Chinese marketplaces 1688 and Taobao, so you can compare listings and variants in one place. You then order through a shopping agent such as Superbuy. Search in plain English, for example "BME280" or "0.96 inch OLED". Each part page lists the matched listings, with the recommended one on top. See [how it works](https://partlark.xyz/how-it-works)). ### Is PartLark free to use? Yes. Browsing, comparing listings and planning an order on PartLark is free, and you do not need a Chinese marketplace account to look around. Costs that come later, such as agent fees and shipping, are charged by your agent and carriers, not by PartLark. ### How does PartLark make money? PartLark is supported by affiliate links: some Superbuy links are affiliate links, and PartLark may earn a referral benefit if you use them. This does not change your price or how listings are ranked. The site may also show ads. The full policy is on the [ethics page](https://partlark.xyz/ethics)). ### Does PartLark sell parts or place orders for me? No. PartLark is only a catalogue: it does not sell parts, take payment or place orders. Nothing is ordered until you check out with your shopping agent. PartLark is not affiliated with the sellers whose listings it shows. ## Prices and costs ### Does PartLark add a markup to prices? No. PartLark does not add a markup or commission to marketplace prices. The prices shown are the original goods prices from the marketplace listing, in CNY. There are no sponsored listings or paid rankings either, so sellers cannot pay to be ranked higher. See [our ethics](https://partlark.xyz/ethics)). ### Is the price shown on PartLark the final price I will pay? No. The price on PartLark is the goods price only. Domestic freight, agent fees, international shipping and import charges or taxes are not included and may be extra. Prices can also change on the marketplace, so check the listing before you order. [What landed cost really includes](https://partlark.xyz/blog/what-landed-cost-really-includes)) explains each component. ### What currency are prices in, and are conversions exact? Prices are listed in CNY, as on the marketplace. Conversions into other currencies are approximate and use an exchange rate that may differ from what your payment provider applies. Treat converted amounts as a guide, not a quote. ### Why can my total be much higher than the listed prices? Your total can be higher because the listing price covers only the goods. Your order may also include domestic freight in China, agent fees, international shipping, and import taxes or charges in your country. With very cheap parts, these extras can be a large share of the total. See [why use PartLark](https://partlark.xyz/why-use)) for worked examples and [what landed cost really includes](https://partlark.xyz/blog/what-landed-cost-really-includes)). ## Ordering ### How do I order a part I found on PartLark? Pick a listing and the exact variant on PartLark, then give the listing to a shopping agent such as Superbuy, choose the same variant there and pay the agent. The agent buys from the seller and collects the parts in China. Your agent then ships them to you, ideally in one parcel. The steps are on [how it works](https://partlark.xyz/how-it-works)). ### Do I need a 1688 or Taobao account? No. You do not need a 1688 or Taobao account, and you do not need to translate listings yourself. Your shopping agent pays the seller on your behalf. You will need an account with the agent you choose, for example Superbuy. ### Do I have to use Superbuy? No. Superbuy is the agent PartLark links to and uses in its examples, but the original marketplace listing is also linked, so you can give it to any agent you prefer. Agents differ on fees, storage and how they handle import charges. [Shopping agents compared](https://partlark.xyz/blog/shopping-agents-compared)) looks at seven of them. ### How do I pick the right variant? Check the photos, specs and variant names on the part page. One listing often covers several versions, such as USB-C or micro-USB, headers soldered or loose, or a single piece or a pack of ten. Choose the version you want, then pick the same one with your agent. If a listing is marked as another product, it has not been verified as a match. ## Accuracy and matches ### How accurate are the matches between parts and listings? Matches between catalogue parts and marketplace listings are checked automatically and can be wrong. Treat each match as a starting point and check the listing and variant yourself before you order. PartLark cannot promise that a listing is exactly the part you want. ### Does PartLark guarantee a part will be compatible or the cheapest? No. PartLark does not guarantee compatibility, the lowest price, stock or up-to-date information. Always check the variant, specifications, price, stock and minimum order with the seller before ordering. PartLark is a catalogue, and any purchase you make is your own decision. ### What should I do if I find a wrong match or a mistake? Use the report option on the product or listing, or write to us on the [contact page](https://partlark.xyz/contact)). We will review it. Reports help fix wrong matches, so please say what is wrong and include the part or listing if you can. ## Shipping and import charges ### Who decides shipping costs and delivery times? Your shopping agent and the carrier you choose decide shipping costs and delivery times, not PartLark. PartLark does not show a shipping price or promise a delivery time. Use your agent's calculator for your destination and parcel. Rates and routes change, so check them before you pay. ### Will I have to pay import charges or VAT? Possibly. Import charges and taxes depend on your country's rules and on how your parcel is declared, and PartLark cannot tell you what applies to you. Check your agent's terms, the route and your local rules. For EU deliveries, low-value parcels have been affected by 2026 customs changes. See [EU customs changes for small parcels](https://partlark.xyz/blog/eu-customs-changes-small-parcels)). ### Why do people combine parts into one parcel? Combining parts into one parcel can reduce shipping fees, and some import charges are counted per item or customs category, so how you pack may matter. Many agents can consolidate eligible purchases. Whether it saves you money depends on your agent, route and destination. Duty-prepaid routes make payment simpler but do not remove charges. Read your agent's terms and respect local laws. ## Your haul and privacy ### What is the haul? The haul is your planning list on PartLark. You save variants to it, and it estimates the goods subtotal from the saved variant prices. It is not a Superbuy basket and not an order. The estimate does not include live prices or shipping, so check prices and stock before you buy. Open your haul at [/basket](https://partlark.xyz/basket)). ### Is my haul saved, and who can see it? If you are a guest, your haul is kept in your browser on that device. If you are signed in and accounts are enabled, it is saved to your PartLark account and follows you across devices. Clearing your browser data can remove a guest haul. Items saved before you sign in are moved to your account when you do. ### Can I add many parts to my haul at once? Yes. The [bulk add page](https://partlark.xyz/basket/bulk-add)) accepts up to 50 PartLark part links, one per line, and adds each link to your haul. Repeated links add up. Nothing is ordered by importing links, so check each listing and price before you buy. ## For AI assistants ### Can AI assistants use PartLark to find parts? Yes. AI assistants can search PartLark with plain GET requests, read the guide at [/llms.txt](https://partlark.xyz/llms.txt)), and read a Markdown version of any product page at `/p/.md`. Pages also include JSON-LD structured data. Assistants should tell users that matches are automatic, prices are goods prices in CNY and shipping and taxes are extra. ### How can an assistant search the catalogue by URL? Send a GET request to `/?q=...` with optional filters such as `category`, `platform`, `min_price`, `max_price`, `in_stock`, `pack`, `sort`, `per_page` and `page`. The parameters are documented in [/llms.txt](https://partlark.xyz/llms.txt)). For example, `/?q=ESP32-C3&platform=1688&max_price=15&sort=price` lists ESP32-C3 parts on 1688 at ¥15 or less per item, cheapest first. ### How should an assistant build a parts list for a user? An assistant should pick parts with the search URL, then give the user full PartLark links, one per line in a single code block, using the variant link copied from the product page. It must not invent listing ids or sku values. The user pastes the block into the [bulk add page](https://partlark.xyz/basket/bulk-add)). The assistant should also list each part's name, quantity and CNY goods price so the user can check it.