If you are sourcing products from China, there is one platform you should not ignore: 1688.com.
The majority of foreign consumers depend on Alibaba. However, what most people do not know is that Chinese sellers do not shop on Alibaba. Internally, the Chinese manufacturers, wholesalers, and resellers rely on 1688.com. It is Alibaba’s domestic marketplace. This is an impressive opportunity.
When you buy from 1688 as an overseas buyer, you gain access to local Chinese prices. Factories that don’t sell to the West face less competition. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to buy from 1688 if you’re outside China, even if you don’t speak Chinese. So let’s get started.
What Is 1688.com?
1688.com was launched by Alibaba Group in 1999 as a China-only B2B and B2C marketplace. Think of it as “Alibaba, but only for China.”
Chinese businesses use 1688 to:
- Find manufacturers
- Buy wholesale inventory
- Source raw materials
- Compare factory pricing
Due to its domestic market orientation, prices tend to be significantly lower than those of Alibaba. Many suppliers on 1688 didn't sell in the foreign market. For foreign buyers, this is an opportunity to experience the actual production process firsthand.
Why Buy From 1688 Instead of Alibaba?
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Lower Prices 1688 shows local Chinese pricing, not “international buyer” pricing. There is usually a significant discount of 20-50% on the same item.
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More Factories, Fewer Middlemen Many suppliers on Alibaba are trading corporations. In 1688, you’ll find:
- Small factories
- Specialized manufacturers
- Domestic wholesalers
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Less Competition The majority of Western sellers do not use 1688 due to the language barrier. That obstacle is to your advantage.
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Better Negotiation Power Seeing accurate domestic prices gives you strong leverage when negotiating costs.
Challenges of Buying From 1688 (Be Honest)
Buying from 1688 is not perfect. You must know the dangers beforehand.
Common Challenges
- The website is entirely in Chinese (the browser can translate)
- The majority of the suppliers do not speak English.
- No Alibaba Trade Assurance
- The prices and photos of products are often inaccurate.
- Shipping is not aimed at foreign consumers.
Who Should Use 1688?
Beginners can use 1688 for:
- Product research
- Price comparison
- The acquisition of actual manufacturing costs.
The intermediate seller will find:
- Simple products
- Accessories
- Non-technical items
- Low-risk inventory
Advanced importers will get access to:
- Factory partnerships
- Custom manufacturing
- Long-term sourcing strategies
How to Buy From 1688 if You’re Overseas: Step-by-step Guide
Here’s a complete guide on how you can order products from 1688:
Step 1: Translate 1688 Into English
1688.com does not have any integrated English translation. The entire website is written in Chinese. The simplest and surest means of doing this is through the Google Translate Chrome Extension.
The first step is to open the Google Chrome browser on your desktop or laptop. Next, add the Google Translate extension in the Chrome Web Store. After being installed, go to 1688.com and refresh.
If there is still some unclear text, you can choose alternative options. You may copy the Chinese text and paste it into ChatGPT to have a better translation.
Always use a desktop or laptop. The 1688 mobile application lacks translation capabilities, rendering it extremely difficult for foreign customers to use.
Step 2: Open a 1688 Account (Not mandatory, but suggested)
You are allowed to browse 1688 without an account, but most of the features are limited. By registering an account, you will have more convenient access to product descriptions, supplier contact information, and communication options.
The signup process can be assisted with Google Translate during registration. If creating an account is not easy, you can continue browsing products. Nevertheless, the ability to reach out to suppliers or see some of the listings is highly recommended with the help of an account.
Step 3: Search Products at 1688 (3 Proven Methods).
The 1688 has three effective methods of locating products. You should visit all three, as certain products can only be found using a specific search technique.
Method 1: Image Search (Very Effective)
Click the camera button in the search bar. Add a product image to your computer. 1688 will present products that look similar.
This technique is quite effective in:
- Locating original manufacturers
- Reverse-engineering the existing products
- Finding vendors of the popular items
In some cases, the outcomes are extraneous products. If this occurs, narrow down your search by clicking similar listings, image search, and keyword search.
Method 2: Search on English Keywords
You may enter the English keywords right into the search box, like:
metal straws
This method is effective, but its results are limited. You may only see a few pages of listings. English searches are helpful for quick checks but not for deep sourcing.
Method 3: Search in Chinese Keywords (Most Effective Method)
It was the most effective search method in 1688.
The first step is to use Google Translate to have your product name translated into Chinese. Thereafter, paste the Chinese characters in the 1688 search bar.
Example: Metal straw → 金属吸管
It is a technique that increases the likelihood of search results being found 10 times more often than English searches. As 1688 is a Chinese platform, products are listed using Chinese keywords by suppliers. The approach will allow you to reach out to the entire market.
Step 4: Product Listings Evaluation
1688 is not as regulated as Alibaba, so you must analyze every product listing with care.
Pricing Is Often Wrong
Never trust the listed price. Suppliers can either quote prices depending on the very large quantities of orders or can indicate the most economical variant of the product. Others offer low prices to receive enquiries.
Never take the supplier's word for it. Look up the actual unit price. All the prices are quoted in Chinese Yuan (RMB), and hence one should always confirm the current exchange rate before estimating the cost.
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
The MOQ is generally precise and comes at a lower price. Use MOQ to:
- Filter vendors who are not suitable for your order size
- Find suppliers that fit your budget and volume.
A small MOQ does not necessarily imply a small price. Never accept MOQ without confirming the price.
Product Photos Are Not Reliable
The stock images or photos used by many suppliers are copied ones. Others depict concept designs and not actual products.
Always ask the supplier for:
- Real product photos
- Sample images
- Manufacturing pictures
Quality will be verified at a later stage through samples or inspections.
Step 5: Evaluate Suppliers the Right Way
The most crucial step is to evaluate suppliers. This keeps you safe against scams, poor quality, and wastage.
Enquire about the duration of the time that the supplier has been in business. At least 3-5 years in business. Check the company's size, the factory's size, and the ratings of suppliers. Do not use the suppliers whose history is very short, or those whose company information is not provided.
Good suppliers react well, are direct to the point, and show actual photos when requested to do so. When a supplier evades questions or insists on speedy payment, then proceed.
Taking time here saves money and stress later.
Check Supplier Membership Levels
1688 employs the level of paid membership to filter out serious suppliers and those of low quality. These membership badges enable a quick assessment of the supplier's reliability. Membership by itself is not enough to ensure quality, but it will be a significant initial filter.
1. ChenXintong (诚信通) The entry-level of verified suppliers in 1688 is Chenxintong. At this level, there is a membership fee and a valid business license, which the suppliers have submitted. This implies that the company is legal and incorporated in China. This is a good level to start with, although it needs to be verified further. Many small factories and trading businesses fall under this classification. There are good ones, and others might be inexperienced with foreign shoppers.
2. Powerful Merchant (Bull Head) Powerful Merchant suppliers are a higher-level and more reliable option. This is a very costly membership, and therefore most suppliers at this level are serious businesses whose operations are stable. These suppliers often have:
- Better quality control
- Faster communication
- More consistent delivery
To the majority of foreign customers, Powerful Merchants are the most suitable solution for reliability and flexibility. They tend to take medium-sized orders, and they also react professionally.
3. Source Factory (厂) The highest-ranked suppliers on 1688 are Source Factory suppliers. These are certified manufacturers with:
- Large production capacity
- Rigorous inspection procedures.
- High annual sales
They tend to have the best quality and production standards, but they normally have high minimum order quantities (MOQs). The ideal customer of Source Factories is an experienced importer who places large or repeat orders. These suppliers may not be suitable for small volume orders.
Check Company Information
Once you have reviewed the level of membership, you should verify the company details of the supplier. This move will prevent inexperienced or dangerous sellers.
For information, check the “Factory Archives” option:
Look for suppliers with:
- 3–5 years or more in business
- 25 to 1,000 employees
- At least 200 square meters of factory area.
- SGS/Intertek verification, where possible.
Review Performance Scores
1688 gives supplier performance scores using actual platform data. These scores have an advantage as they are calculated automatically, as opposed to being self-reported.
Pay close attention to:
- Punctual delivery rate - indicates dependability.
- Response speed - indicates the quality of communication.
- Re-order rate- demonstrates customer satisfaction.
Hire a Sourcing Agent Instead of Contacting Suppliers Directly
If you are overseas and new to 1688, contacting suppliers directly can feel difficult. Language barriers, payment risks, and shipping issues often slow things down. This is why many overseas buyers choose to hire a sourcing agent instead.
A sourcing agent would be your Chinese partner. They are in contact with the suppliers, negotiate prices, quality control, and shipping on your behalf. This will be time-saving and less risky, particularly when you are making your first orders with 1688.
Ready to simplify your 1688 sourcing? Contact the Aurosourcing team today to get expert help with negotiation, quality control, and logistics.
What Is a 1688 Sourcing Agent?
1688 is targeted at the local Chinese customers. The majority of suppliers will require local payments, local delivery, and Chinese communication. This poses a problem for foreign customers.
Hiring an agent helps you:
- Avoid language problems
- Reduce misunderstandings
- Prevent payment mistakes
- Deal with local logistics with ease.
- Concentrate on retailing rather than sourcing.
In the case of 1688 sourcing, first-time sourcing is likely to reduce the learning curve considerably through an agent.
Types of 1688 Sourcing Agents
Agents do not all operate in the same manner. Knowing the types will help you select the appropriate one.
- Independent Sourcing Agents: These are small teams or individuals who provide individual service. They are lenient and tend to be less expensive.
- Sourcing Companies: They are registered companies, have employees, offices, a warehouse, and inspection departments. They are not only expensive but also offer comprehensive services.
- Freight Forwarders with Sourcing Services: Some logistics companies also provide supplier sourcing and order management. It is handy in case you prefer sourcing and shipping to be done altogether.
Why Hiring an Agent Makes Sense for Overseas Buyers
- 1688 is built for domestic Chinese buyers, not overseas users
- Most suppliers expect local payments and local shipping
- Communication is mainly in Chinese, which creates barriers
Hiring an agent helps you to:
- Avoid language problems
- Reduce misunderstandings with suppliers
- Prevent payment and currency mistakes
- Handle local shipping and logistics easily
- Save time and focus on selling instead of sourcing
- For first-time 1688 buyers, an agent greatly shortens the learning curve
Final Thoughts
Buying from 1688 as an overseas buyer is not easy—but it is worth it.
If you’re willing to learn, communicate patiently, and verify suppliers properly, 1688 gives you access to better prices, better factories, and better margins than most Western sellers ever see. Once you master 1688, Alibaba will feel like the beginner platform it truly is.
