Want to learn How to Buy from 1688.com Outside China? How can you find quality Chinese suppliers in the 1688 marketplace if you are not in China?
It might not be easy to use. for foreigners to navigate 1688.com. This blog can help you to understand 1688.com and how you can buy.
What is 1688.com？ 1688.com was founded in China in 2010. It is an online marketplace for B2B businesses. This is the subsidiary company of Alibaba.com, one of the largest online ecommerce companies.
The original intention of 1688.com is to serve as a platform exclusively for the domestic market . However, due to its lower prices and wide variety, many buyers from abroad have become interested.
With more than 50,000 businesses and 120 million registered users, it is considered to be one of China's most popular wholesale sites.
Alibaba is a Chinese word that has the same pronunciation as 1688.
Advantages of buying from 1688.com The buying cost could be more competitive than on Alibaba if you know how to work with Chinese suppliers. You can find direct manufacturers through online wholesale markets 1688.com has a wide range of categories and offers everything for a reasonable price. Find the best-selling products on Amazon/Wish/Aliexpress at 1688 5 Features About 1688.com You Should Know 1.Most Chinese customers buy bulk at 1688 rather than Alibaba.
2.The suppliers listed on Alibaba.com may be the same as those on 1688.
3.It's written in Chinese because it is intended to be the China wholesale market , which domestic buyers will use.
4.Most suppliers at 1688.com do not know what FOB Price is, or how to ship internationally. Basic Trade Terms Alibaba Incoterms can provide you with relevant information.
5.The best sellers on larger B2C websites like Taobao/Tmall/Wish/Aliexpress/DHgate/eBay /Amazon buy wholesale from 1688.com
How to Buy from 1688.com？ We have broken down each step of the buying process so that you can still buy on this platform, even if Mandarin Chinese is not your first language. It is important to remain meticulous during the entire process.
Step1:Decide who will handle your 1688 orders You have two options if you wish to purchase wholesale directly from 1688 in your country.
1.Contact the supplier directly on 1688.Com You can then log into your Aliwangwang Account to contact suppliers directly after registering with 1688.com.
You can also find the WeChat ID or mobile number of the supplier by visiting the product's page. Contact the supplier via WeChat.
It's just like ordering from Alibaba. You can discuss product information, sample orders, discount amounts, payment methods and so on with your supplier.
Advantage
Direct contact with the manufacturer is the best way to avoid the middle man. The majority of sellers only deal with Chinese buyers. Prices are typically lower on 1688.com than Alibaba. Shortcoming
Most suppliers don't speak English so use simple English and be patient. A large number of 1688.com vendors do not hold a PayPal Account. They only accept RMB on their bank cards. It is important to use a method of payment that the merchant can accept. 2. Choose the official authorized overseas version platform 1688order As we all know, 1688.com mainly focuses on the Chinese market, so it is very inconvenient for international customers in terms of language and logistics.
If you're looking to easily purchase from 1688, consider trying the overseas version authorized by 1688—1688order .
Compared to directly contacting suppliers, using shopping agent websites, or hiring purchasing agents, 1688order offers you more convenience and advantages.
Language Support: No need to worry about language barriers. 1688order provides multilingual support, ensuring seamless communication with suppliers. Multiple Payment Options: Supports international payment methods like PayPal and credit cards, avoiding the hassle of RMB payments. Comprehensive Service: From product selection to ordering, payment, and international logistics, 1688order offers a one-stop service, giving you a shopping experience as convenient as AliExpress. Quality Assurance: 1688order provides quality inspection services to ensure the products you receive meet your expectations. Flexible Shipping: Whether it's a small order or bulk purchase, 1688order offers various shipping options, including air and sea freight, to meet different needs. Register as a member now to receive discounts! Step2:Search for Products on 1688.com You can only access the website in Chinese. So you have 2 ways to find the products you want on 1688 in English.
1.Use Google Translate. Search for products by entering the keywords or clicking the camera icon.
1688.com offers products in a variety of qualities. Enter the keywords that are relevant to the products you're looking for in the site search.
2. Image search on 1688. Searching for products using images is another way. The camera icon is located in the upper-right corner of the search box.
You can use this feature to upload an image that represents the product or products you are looking for. The site will then display related items.
Step3:Identify a Good Suppliers on 1688.com 1. Chengxintong Chengxintong's annual fee is 66888 yuan. You can apply as long as you hold a valid business license. The Membership Fee is the lowest and we can't screen out quality merchants.
Number of years does not prove you have a good business. So, if we use this method to find good suppliers the chances are 20% or 10%.
2. Powerful Merchants The sign for Powerful Merchants is Bull Head. For women's apparel, there is a membership fee of 58,000 dollars, while for non-women clothing, it is only 28,000.
In general, choosing powerful traders is fine, but it's not enough. The chance of finding a good supplier at 1688.com is 60%.
3. Factory Inspection Report Inspections of the factory and business in depth. You can request an in-depth evaluation if you're a producer. You can apply only for a business assessment if you're not a factory type.
This is a more trustworthy option than the usual powerful merchants.
Comparing in-depth inspections of businesses, I prefer in-depth inspections of factories because the manufacturers are able to guarantee their product and offer low prices.
The chance of finding a supplier with a high rate is 80% at this stage. But It's still not enough.
4.File Report Click on “File Reports” in the “Company Profile”, to see the number of employees and the size of each company .
Consider the suppliers of many different people, preferably at least 100.
More is better. In general, larger companies raise more people to ensure quality. The success rate of finding a reliable supplier can now reach up to 98%.
5.Well Seller Index What is the best way to ensure product reviews on 1688.com for making buying decisions are authentic?
1688.com is a B2B platform and rarely leaves reviews, so we only read negative reviews, unlike Taobao or Amazon.
You can start by checking the supplier ratings system 1688, using women's clothes as an example.
The 1688 supplier rating system consists of 4 indicators, as shown in the red rectangle box above, which are:
product description 3%↑
response speed 8%↑
delivery time 5%↑
and repurchase rate 36%
The 36% rate of buyback is metric.If the supplier cannot provide a product that is cost-effective, people will not return. The above number shows that this supplier has 7 of the 1688 years experience. This is a long time. We screen for suppliers who have at least three years' experience.
Step4: Use the right Buying Procedures from 1688.com How can you avoid buying defective products from 1688? We usually have some suggestions.
1.Don't choose the cheapest products You must be careful when you sell your products on Amazon. There are at least five to ten suppliers, with prices that are often different.
It may seem logical to select the lowest-priced supplier in order to maximize profits. This is unfortunately a mistake that new Amazon sellers make. The mistake is that new Amazon sellers often choose the lowest-cost supplier and end up with low-quality goods.
Click to Read More
Top 15 High Demand Products with Low Competition 2025
How can 1688.com suppliers offer you such a low-price? This usually comes at the cost of quality. The supplier may have used inferior materials , low-cost labor and old equipment in order to offer you a lower price. The cost may be low, but the quality of the product will make it more expensive in the end.
It is important to receive the samples of the final unit production during the sampling phase.
The supplier will usually promise to fix any minor issues that may arise during production.
You're don’t believe it.
To make sure that the final sample is complete.
Click to Read More
How to Request Samples from Made in China
This type of contract allows you to put in writing all details that are requested, including the technology.
Please be as detailed and specific as you can. Include all measurements and dimensions, as well as the materials, weight, description of function, description of material, description for the product, etc.
Likewise, you should show the supplier your priority is product quality and the fact that nothing defective will be accepted. It will increase the pressure and force them to do things right.
Next, you need to know when your product will be manufactured. Pre-shipment checks are necessary to prevent defective products from being received.
Only an inspection can ensure the quality and solve problems for suppliers, who will be looking to receive any remaining payments from you.
At this time, 1688.com is not able to accept direct payments from buyers overseas.
However,PayPal and other international payment options are supported by 1688order.
1.Lanugage|Coummnication Barrier: Remember you are exploring the territory that belongs to the Chinese domestic buyers.
2.Ordering from China : You need to know how to pay for your order,you can not pay USD directly to the seller.
3.The sellers of 1688 did not have any experience in international trade. Risks of making mistakes in pricing, calculating logistic costs…etc.
4.If you do not inspect your wholesale purchases from China, there is a potential quality issue.
Follow these key tips to ensure a smooth online shopping experience.
In the end, 1688.com serves as a platform for online product sales. You may not have the opportunity to inspect your product in person as a buyer from abroad. Therefore, you cannot judge its quality by looking at pictures
Samples can be obtained by requesting them. You can use samples to determine the quality and material of a product before purchasing.
It isn't the best option for buying large and heavy items. You can do this by reading the product description and asking about the quality of the materials and the shipping method.
Do not forget to request samples. It is difficult to send heavy products internationally, and this can be expensive.
1688.com offers a return or refund policy that is in the buyer's favor. Be sure that the policies you are looking for have been included in your final offer before placing an online order.
If the supplier fails to fulfill your order, or delays it for some reason, you may be entitled to a reimbursement to compensate for lost time.
Check the authenticity of your supplier before you place an order. A blue check mark on the profile of the seller, an authenticity badge, more employees and other symbols in the profile are all indicators of authenticity.
Are you looking for a bulk purchasing platform?
1688order.com-Your Perfect Purchasing Assistant! Easy-shopping, quality assurance, affordable prices, meeting all your needs!
CLICK TO SEE MORE When buying from 1688.com, always request that payment be made to a bank account in the company's name. Genuine vendors will always have their bank account in the company name.
Sending money to a personal account or an individual's may be scam .
Ask for samples prior to placing a bulk order. The supplier will be happy to accommodate your request if he is genuine.
And if the supplier is not willing to send a sample, it is a red flag that that supplier might be a scam.
So is it worth purchasing from 1688.com?
Yes, because you can navigate the Chinese wholesale market and get more China suppliers and made-in-China products. You can also get more information about what Amazon's best sellers are buying from China. The most important part is you will be able to find out exactly what products are available in China by contacting direct factories.
We're 1688order.com, a leading sourcing company in China. If you need wholesale customization at preferential prices, contact us
