If you’re looking to source products from China, you have likely come across 1688.com. The platform is China’s leading online B2B marketplace for businesses dealing with wholesale orders and sourcing. 1688.com caters to businesses of all sizes, including those looking to open eCommerce stores and is a cost-effective option when considering wholesale marketplaces.

Background Of 1688.Com

As a subsidiary of Alibaba Group, 1688.com launched in 1999 with an initial focus on connecting local manufacturers, factories and wholesalers with local buyers.

When comparing prices on other B2B platforms, the products on 1688.com could be anywhere from 4% to 15%* lower, a substantial saving for small-to-medium sized businesses. Part of its appeal, also, comes from the ability to make small orders of as little as two pieces. As more merchants discover the benefits of purchasing from 1688.com, early adopters and those who are able to leverage the platform will gain an advantage over their competitors.

Wholesalers make up the bulk of shops on 1688.com. The majority have a minimum order quantity of only a few pieces, as well as a minimum spend amount. As a rule, wholesalers hold more inventory and stock than factories.

Brand owners

Brand owners are similar to wholesalers in that they offer a low minimum order quantity. However, while wholesalers will often sell white label goods, branded stores on 1688.com will operate a storefront with their brand name and logo

Factories & manufacturers

Factories specialise in receiving production orders, with the minimum order quantity (MOQ) starting at 1,000 pieces in some cases. There is a ‘Find a Factory’ option in the 1688 app, which buyers can use to filter for factories in different categories. Generally, factories do not keep inventory but make products based on orders

Sourcing agents or virtual factories

Similar to a middleman, these merchants help buyers find a reliable supplier, negotiate the best price, assist with documentation, coordinate with the factory or perhaps oversee the production to ensure it aligns with specifications. As sourcing agents, they don’t hold stock; rather, they help to secure products within the promised lead time.

Why Source From 1688.com

There are several reasons 1688.com offers buyers an advantage over other wholesale sourcing platforms in China

Low, transparent prices

As the majority of suppliers on 1688.com are factories and wholesalers, customers are able to bypass export agents or trade companies who add on a service fee or margin. On other platforms, these factories often rely on trading companies to reach a global audience; on 1688.com, they have an online presence and listed contact details, allowing buyers to purchase goods directly at a lower price.

Furthermore, strong competition and tiered pricing means prices are lower and the more units you purchase, the cheaper the per unit price.

Variety of products

As the largest local wholesaling platform in China with dozens of categories listed, 1688.com allows buyers countless options when it comes to products and suppliers. The majority of factories in China are listed on 1688.com, which gives buyers a variety of choices, compared to attending a trade show or expo.

High-quality sellers

Suppliers on 1688.com are required to have a Chinese business licence, with details listed on their store page, including the company’s date of incorporation, registered capital and company address. Buyers also have the option of procuring from 1688.com’s cross-border site, global.1688.com, which exclusively promotes reliable suppliers selling trending products in the global marketplace.

Keep in mind: 1688.com was originally developed as a platform for local Chinese suppliers to reach local buyers. As such, the website is listed in Chinese with no English support. Furthermore, the majority of the factories and suppliers won’t have English speaking employees to assist with requests from overseas. There are tools to assist with the language barrier, Google Translate and Google Lens among them.

How to get started?

If this the right place for you (I believe it is), next thing you need to do is to open an account at 1688

Opening an account

All users must register for an account on 1688.com in order to begin purchasing. There are two ways to open a 1688.com account:

Top tip: If you can’t read Chinese, use Google Translate to convert the page into English. Make sure you’re using Chrome as your browser, right click and select ‘Translate into English’.

Important: Registering for a company account on 1688.com is meant for domestic suppliers and sellers only. Foreign companies or non-local individuals are required to register as an individual, even if doing so on behalf of a company.

Verifying your account

After registering for your 1688.com account, you can choose to verify your account. While this is not mandatory, if you would like to use the 1688 Cross-border Pay (???) solution, a verified 1688 account is necessary.

Other benefits of a verified 1688 account include the ability to restore your account in the event it is frozen or restricted.

What is the 1688 Cross-border Pay (???)?

Cross-border Pay solution (???) is the official cross-border payment method jointly launched by Ant Group and 1688.com. It allows foreign companies* to pay suppliers on the platform securely to avoid your account from being frozen. The Cross-border Pay solution has no annual limit transfers which makes it easy for foreign buyers to make large purchases.

Verifying your identity

 For 1688 accounts opened by individuals based outside of China, the verification process requires you to connect with a verified personal Alipay account.

Product Sourcing

How to source goods

 With 16 industries represented on 1688.com and over 1,700 sub-categories, there’s no lack of products to search for. Top categories include fashion, accessories, sports equipment, home decoration, office supplies, automobile supplies food & beverage and raw materials.

The platform offers a convenient tool where buyers can upload an image of the product to return search results.

Global 1688.com

 eCommerce sellers may want to consider the cross-border version of 1688.com. The global site is targeted towards international trade and as such, filters suppliers who are willing to distribute overseas, can offer low MOQs and list trending goods.

Using a sourcing agent

 There are several ways to source on 1688.com as a foreigner. For those with little cross-border business experience or who are overwhelmed by the language barrier, sourcing agents can assist with language translations, timely delivery of your products and quality control. Agents generally charge a commission between 1 – 3%.

If you feel confident in sourcing yourself, you’ll need to take care of selecting a supplier, communication and payments on your own.

Selecting a supplier

 Visit the 1688 website. Once you have searched for your product, you can filter the search results by:

Other options include:

As with all of Alibaba Group’s brands, trust is an integral part of the platform. On a supplier’s shop page, you can see how many years they have been operating on 1688.com their response rate, return rate, other customers’ rating and whether they offer buyer protection. You can also access a cumulative history of transactions from the last 90 days compared to the industry average. This will allow you to benchmark their service and capabilities against their competitors.

Communication

Communication with suppliers is one of the most important but sometimes most difficult aspects of product purchasing. A sourcing agent can help with translations and requests; without one, you have to rely on digital tools and your own abilities.

You can communicate directly with factories and wholesalers, via the details listed on their shop profile. The majority will provide options for chatting via WeChat as well as Aliwangwang, the official chat tool on 1688.com.

Most suppliers have a limited understanding of English or other languages, so it’s important to keep communication simple, professional and concise.

Some questions to ask include:

Payment

The most cost-effective and secure way to pay cross-border suppliers is by using the the Cross-border Pay (???) solution, which allows registered companies in selected countries to pay using their WorldFirst account and Alipay business account. Compared to bank transfers, the exchange rate is generally more competitive, with minimal fees.

Do you have an Alipay business account?

 Once you sign up for an Alipay business account, click on ‘???’ in the menu to open the settings. The blue ???? button (meaning ‘open now’) will take you to the page where you can provide the details of the 1688.com account you want to link to.

Paying from Singapore and Malaysia

*This payment solution is applicable to registered companies in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and the British Virgin Islands only.

As shipping costs can vary widely depending on the delivery method, it is one of the most important aspects to consider when making a purchase. Below are the four most common methods of delivery from China to Asia.

Have you considered a freight-forwarding partner?

Freight forwarders are intermediaries specialising in cross-border shipping. They take the headache out of getting your cargo from the factory to your warehouse with services that include preparation of documentation, insurance, customs clearance and storage options. They can also advise on the best shipping method for your cargo.