1688 Search By Image

Find visually similar 1688 supplier products from an image URL. Call the 1688 Search By Image API via REST or MCP with your Nexscope API key.

CostRecent 10 credits / call

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POST · https://api.nexscope.ai/alibaba1688/imageSearchMCP · nexscope_1688_search_by_image

What this API does

Find visually similar 1688 supplier products from an image URL. The request accepts imageUrl, imageBase64, imageId, page, pageSize. Its documented result includes imageId, products.asin, products.asinUrl, products.compositeServiceScore, products.consignPrice, products.currency, products.dataType, products.deliveryTime.

1688 Search By Image API use cases

Find products matching a sourcing brief

To find products matching a sourcing brief, a marketplace analyst submits imageUrl and imageBase64 to 1688 Search By Image. The returned imageId, products.asin, products.asinUrl help identify products matching the requested search criteria.

Compare a product search shortlist

A marketplace analyst uses 1688 Search By Image with imageUrl and imageBase64 to compare a product search shortlist. The returned imageId, products.asin, products.asinUrl help compare candidates before requesting individual product details.

Collect candidates for a market review

For this workflow, a marketplace analyst calls 1688 Search By Image with imageUrl and imageBase64 to collect candidates for a market review. The result helps choose products for a supplier or competitor review.

1688 Search By Image API FAQ

What does the 1688 Search By Image API return?

Find visually similar 1688 supplier products from an image URL. The documented output includes imageId, products.asin, products.asinUrl, products.compositeServiceScore, products.consignPrice, products.currency, products.dataType, products.deliveryTime. It corresponds to the supplied imageUrl, imageBase64, imageId, page, pageSize. Optional fields can be absent; a missing value should not be interpreted as a measured zero. Example values illustrate the response shape, rather than live account results.

How many credits does the 1688 Search By Image API cost?

The current documented cost is Recent 10 credits / call. This is the same cost shown at the top of this page. If a range or estimate is displayed, the final charge depends on the request. Review your available credits and the pricing page before calling the API, and check API usage records for the actual charge.

How do I call the 1688 Search By Image API from my app or an MCP client?

Send a POST request to https://api.nexscope.ai/alibaba1688/imageSearch with your API key as a Bearer token and the JSON inputs shown in API integration. In a compatible MCP client such as Claude or Cursor, connect Nexscope and call nexscope_1688_search_by_image. Use the MCP arguments shown in the MCP guide, or switch Online test to MCP to review its request before adding it to your app.

View plans and credits Connect this API with MCP

Try this API

Endpoint

https://api.nexscope.ai/alibaba1688/imageSearch

MCP method

nexscope_1688_search_by_image

Step 1 of 3 · Authenticate

Authentication

All run endpoints require a user API key. Send it as a bearer token in the Authorization header.

Authorization: Bearer nk-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Missing or invalid API keys return an authentication error. Manage keys from .

Step 2 of 3 · Send a request

POSThttps://api.nexscope.ai/alibaba1688/imageSearch

Run an API

Send a JSON request body using the parameters described below.

Example request

Replace YOUR_API_KEY, then run this command in your terminal.

curl -X POST 'https://api.nexscope.ai/alibaba1688/imageSearch' \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
  "filter": "1688Selection,totalEpScoreLv1,qrr0",
  "imageUrl": "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/719mRAn2VrL._AC_SL1500_.jpg",
  "page": 1,
  "pageSize": 20,
  "sort": "{\"price\":\"desc\"}"
}'

Code example

{
  "filter": "1688Selection,totalEpScoreLv1,qrr0",
  "imageUrl": "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/719mRAn2VrL._AC_SL1500_.jpg",
  "page": 1,
  "pageSize": 20,
  "sort": "{\"price\":\"desc\"}"
}

Step 3 of 3 · Inspect the result

Check the response

Read code for the request status and data for the result. Open the parameter and response reference for the full field definitions.

HTTP status codes

Code	Description
200	Default HTTP response for both success and many business errors. Only outer JSON code 0 indicates success or asynchronous acceptance; inspect data for the result.
429	Execution admission rate limit; honor Retry-After when present.
503	Execution admission is temporarily unavailable; honor Retry-After when present.
Opt-in	X-Nexscope-Http-Status: semantic maps controller-handled business errors to HTTP status on run and task routes. Pre-authentication failures, such as a missing API key (code 11209), may still return HTTP 200 before this mapping. Always check the outer JSON code; malformed requests and infrastructure failures may also return non-200 HTTP responses.

View parameters & response Try online

All categories/ 1688 Sourcing

POSThttps://api.nexscope.ai/alibaba1688/imageSearch

Run this API

Send a JSON request to execute this API and receive the documented response payload.

Open tester

Endpoint

Method	`POST`
Path	`https://api.nexscope.ai/alibaba1688/imageSearch`
Auth	`Bearer API key`
Content-Type	`application/json`

Request parameters

Name	Type	Required	Description
`filter`	`string`	optional	Comma-separated filters: 1688Selection, certifiedFactory, totalEpScoreLv1, totalEpScoreLv2, totalEpScoreLv3, totalEpScoreLv4, qrr0, qrr1, qrr5, qrr10, shipInToday, shipIn24Hours, shipIn48Hours, noReason7DReturn, isOnePsale, isOnePsaleFreePost, new7, new30, isQqyx, JPFL, USFL, KRFL, VNFL, SAFL, RUFL, KZFL, HKFL, MOFL, TWFL.
`imageBase64`	`string`	optional	Pure Base64 encoding, does not contain `data:image/jpeg;base64,` prefix; only supports png/jpg/jpeg; choose one of `imageUrl` and `imageId`
`imageId`	`string`	optional	1688 picture ID; it is recommended to carry `page>1` when paging, which can speed up the response; choose one of three `imageUrl` and `imageBase64`
`imageUrl`	`string`	optional	Image URL, maximum length 1000; only supports png/jpg/jpeg; choose one of `imageBase64`, `imageId` Maximum length: 1000
`keyword`	`string`	optional	Keywords to further search in the results
`page`	`integer`	optional	Page number, starting from 1 Default: 1 Minimum: 1
`pageSize`	`integer`	optional	The number of products per page cannot exceed 50 Default: 20 Minimum: 1 Maximum: 50
`priceEnd`	`string`	optional	Price filter end value (RMB), such as `100`
`priceStart`	`string`	optional	Price filter starting value (RMB), such as `10`
`productCollectionId`	`string`	optional	One cross-border product collection ID from the allowed values. Allowed: 262105288, 262105286, 262105253, 262105281, 262105280, 262105277, 262105276, 262105274, 262105269, 262185282
`sort`	`string`	optional	JSON-encoded string: price, rePurchaseRate, or monthSold with asc or desc. Default: {"monthSold":"desc"}

Any of option 1 — requires imageUrl

Any of option 2 — requires imageBase64

Any of option 3 — requires imageId

Response example

Platform response envelope. code 0 indicates success or acceptance; data contains the business result.

{
  "code": 0,
  "cost": "0",
  "data": {
    "products": [
      {
        "currency": "CNY",
        "offerId": "1234567890123456789",
        "price": 4.2,
        "title": "Example product"
      }
    ],
    "total": 1,
    "columns": []
  },
  "msg": null,
  "time": "2026-10-20T00:00:00Z",
  "traceId": null,
  "ts": "0"
}

Response fields

Name	Type	Required	Description
`code`	`integer`	optional	Nexscope transport/business envelope code; 0 means the request was processed. Inspect data for operation outcomes.
`cost`	`string`	optional	Processing time in milliseconds, not credits.
`data`	`object`	optional	Data value used by this API operation.
`data.columns`	`array`	optional	Render column definition
`data.columns[]`	`any`	required	Item in data columns.
`data.imageId`	`string`	optional	The image ID after uploading; returning it during paging query can speed up the process
`data.products`	`array`	optional	Products value used by this API operation.
`data.products[]`	`object`	required	Item in data products.
`data.products[].asin`	`string`	optional	Item number, same as `offerId`
`data.products[].asinUrl`	`string`	optional	Product link
`data.products[].compositeServiceScore`	`string`	optional	Comprehensive service experience points
`data.products[].consignPrice`	`number`	optional	Price for one piece (yuan)
`data.products[].currency`	`string`	optional	Currency, fixed to `¥`
`data.products[].dataType`	`string`	optional	Data type, fixed to `monthlyData`
`data.products[].deliveryTime`	`string`	optional	Shipping time (24/48 hours)
`data.products[].estimatedSalesAmount`	`number`	optional	Estimated sales
`data.products[].hasPromotion`	`string`	optional	Is there a marketing campaign (yes/no)
`data.products[].imageUrl`	`string`	optional	Product pictures
`data.products[].isJxhy`	`string`	optional	Whether to select supply sources (yes/no)
`data.products[].isOnePsale`	`string`	optional	Whether to ship on behalf of one piece (yes/no)
`data.products[].isPatentProduct`	`string`	optional	Is it a patented product (yes/no)
`data.products[].isSelect`	`string`	optional	Cross-Border Select Pallet Identification
`data.products[].offerId`	`string`	optional	Product ID
`data.products[].offerIdentities`	`string`	optional	Product label (carefully selected)
`data.products[].price`	`number`	optional	Wholesale price (yuan)
`data.products[].promotionType`	`string`	optional	marketing type
`data.products[].quantityBegin`	`integer`	optional	Minimum batch size
`data.products[].repurchaseRate`	`string`	optional	Repurchase rate
`data.products[].salesQuantity`	`integer`	optional	Number of pieces sold per month
`data.products[].sellerIdentities`	`string`	optional	Merchant identity (super factory/powerful merchant/integrity member)
`data.products[].sendGoodsAddressText`	`string`	optional	Place of shipment
`data.products[].sourceType`	`string`	optional	Source type, fixed to `1688`
`data.products[].title`	`string`	optional	Product title
`data.products[].tradeScore`	`string`	optional	Product Transaction Rating
`data.sourceType`	`string`	optional	Source type, fixed to `1688`
`data.total`	`integer`	optional	Quantity of products on this page
`data.totalPage`	`integer`	optional	Total pages
`data.type`	`string`	optional	Rendering style, fixed to `productWorkbenches`
`msg`	`string \| null`	optional	Safe response message.
`time`	`string`	optional	Server response time.
`traceId`	`string \| null`	optional	Request trace identifier.
`ts`	`string`	optional	Server timestamp.

Responses

Code	Description
200	Default HTTP response for both success and many business errors. Only outer JSON code 0 indicates success or asynchronous acceptance; inspect data for the result.
429	Execution admission rate limit; honor Retry-After when present.
503	Execution admission is temporarily unavailable; honor Retry-After when present.
Opt-in	X-Nexscope-Http-Status: semantic maps controller-handled business errors to HTTP status on run and task routes. Pre-authentication failures, such as a missing API key (code 11209), may still return HTTP 200 before this mapping. Always check the outer JSON code; malformed requests and infrastructure failures may also return non-200 HTTP responses.

Data source, freshness, and limitations

Source, freshness, coverage, rate limits, and estimation notes are not specified in this API definition unless they appear in the request or response field documentation above. Do not assume official marketplace data or real-time freshness when it is not explicitly documented.

Step 1 of 2 · Connect your MCP client

MCP

V2 recommended

Connect remote agents through the standard MCP 2025-11-25 Streamable HTTP endpoint. Use OAuth 2.1 Authorization Code with PKCE, or an API key for compatibility.

POST https://api.nexscope.ai/mcp
MCP-Protocol-Version: 2025-11-25
Content-Type: application/json

Authentication

OAuth clients request the mcp:tools scope. The endpoint's 401 response advertises protected-resource metadata for authorization discovery.

Step 2 of 2 · Call the tool

Call a tool

{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": "tool-call-1",
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "nexscope_1688_search_by_image",
    "arguments": {
      "imageUrl": "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61v6nYvQ7+L._AC_SL1500_.jpg",
      "page": 1,
      "pageSize": 20
    }
  }
}

Legacy MCP v1

Existing API-key clients can continue using the compatibility endpoint. New integrations should use MCP v2.

GET / POST /mcp/legacy

What can you do with this API?

Data explained and practical use cases

AI Guide

Question

What data can 1688 Search By Image provide, and how might I use it?

AI answer

Submit a product image URL, Base64 image, or existing imageId to find visually similar 1688 listings. Results include product summaries and can be paged, filtered, and sorted.

Data category	Documented fields	What the values mean
Visual matches	`products`, `total`, `totalPage`	Listings on the current page, the number on that page, and the reported page count.
Product identity	`offerId`, `asin`, `title`, `imageUrl`, `asinUrl`	Listing identifiers, title, image, and product link.
Buying terms	`price`, `consignPrice`, `quantityBegin`, `currency`	Wholesale price, one-piece price, minimum batch size, and currency; prices are documented in yuan.
Sales indicators	`salesQuantity`, `estimatedSalesAmount`, `repurchaseRate`	Monthly pieces sold, estimated sales, and reported repurchase rate.
Seller and service	`sellerIdentities`, `tradeScore`, `compositeServiceScore`, `deliveryTime`, `sendGoodsAddressText`	Merchant identity, transaction and service indicators, shipping time, and shipment origin.
Product flags	`isOnePsale`, `isJxhy`, `isPatentProduct`, `isSelect`	Reported one-piece shipping, selected-source, patent-product, and cross-border selection flags.

Upload a reference product photo to discover visually similar wholesale listings.
- Prompt example: “Use the product photo at [paste image URL] to find wholesale listings for a similar ribbed ceramic mug. Show the first ten visual matches with their image, title, yuan price and listing link.”
Compare match images and listing links before investigating potential suppliers.
- Prompt example: “For my reference image at [paste image URL], put the five closest-looking listings in a comparison table with each match image and product URL. I want to inspect whether the handle and glaze really match before contacting a supplier.”
Narrow similar items by yuan price, minimum batch size, and monthly units sold.
- Prompt example: “Using [paste image URL], find similar canvas tote bags priced at ¥12 or less, with a minimum batch of 100 or fewer and at least 500 reported monthly units sold. Show the returned values for each candidate.”
Review one-piece shipping and seller indicators when screening candidates for small orders.
- Prompt example: “I need to test-sell one unit of the item in [paste image URL]. Which visual matches report one-piece shipping? For each, show the one-piece price if returned, seller identity, service score, delivery time and product link.”

Visual similarity does not establish that two listings describe the same product. The optional flags are reported listing data, not independent verification.

Online test

Execute the current API with your API key and JSON payload. Online tests use this site's configured API environment; the Endpoint and copyable examples use the public integration address.

Recent 10 credits / callAPI usage records

Try it

Send a real request with the same contract shown in the reference.

Endpoint

/alibaba1688/imageSearch

MCP method

nexscope_1688_search_by_image

API key*

JSON payload*

cURL

curl -X POST \
  https://api.nexscope.ai/alibaba1688/imageSearch \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer nk-..." \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{ "filter": "1688Selection,totalEpScoreLv1,qrr0", "imageUrl": "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/719mRAn2VrL._AC_SL1500_.jpg", "page": 1, "pageSize": 20, "sort": "{\"price\":\"desc\"}" }'

Response

No response yet. Run the request to see the response here.

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