1688.com is simply the largest go-to wholesale and sourcing website in China (one of the most popular wholesale websites for the Chinese people) and mainly for wholesales and manufacturing. All suppliers need to get Government business licenses for them to be able to sell their products at 1688.com. All suppliers will also need to pay an annual membership fee of 6888 CNY to express their level of commitment and seriousness for partnership. This website is legit and the sellers are real, so these sellers are real and not scammers.

You can learn more about 1688.com through my article. After reading this article, you’ll discover a whole new world, especially when it comes to sourcing products from China. This article is tailored for Amazon sellers, online store owners(eCommerce store), wholesalers, and B2B buyers.

Basically, all Chinese businessmen know about 1688.com, as it is a well-known website under Alibaba Group and covers all products manufactured in China (such as shoes, clothing, pants, electrical equipment, toys, tableware, electronics, office supplies, luggage&Bags, cosmetics, and more). 1688.com is China’s leading B2B e-commerce platform, relied upon by countless businesses and merchants for procurement, wholesale, and other commercial activities, and it enjoys extremely high recognition domestically. Additionally, the platform offers an incredibly diverse range of products, from raw materials to finished goods, meeting the varied needs of different users.

Very few foreign clients know about 1688.com, as most are familiar with Alibaba.com. If you can learn more about 1688.com, you could significantly reduce your product sourcing costs. On Alibaba.com, there are often many Chinese middlemen or trading companies that source products from 1688.com and then sell them to international clients(Oversea). In many cases, for the same product with identical quality, prices on Alibaba.com can be 10% to 30% higher than those on 1688.com. You might think I’m exaggerating, but you can compare the same products yourself—after doing so, you’ll find that what I’m saying is true.

For foreigners, purchasing products directly from 1688.com can still be quite challenging. For example, the website is currently only available in Chinese language, suppliers typically only speak Chinese (They don’t understand English), and there are hurdles related to payment methods, currency, and logistics. However, if you want to maximize your profits, it’s essential to learn and understand how to source from 1688.com. If you’re unsure how to proceed, you can rely on our services. We charge a 3% service fee and also offer additional services such as product procurement, warehousing, labeling,amazon prep, bundling, quality control, repackaging, dropshipping and international shipping.

I’ve listed more questions and details about 1688.com below:

1688.com VS alibaba.com 

1. Price Advantages of 1688.com

• Wholesale
  1688.com is mainly aimed at domestic enterprises, wholesalers, and individual buyers in China. The price is usually wholesaler price. almost no middle man on 1688.com  so the prices typically 10%-30% lower than Alibaba.com. For example, the same product priced at $2 on 1688.com ,but it needs $3 or more on Alibaba.com.
• Transparent Supply Chain
  1688.com integrates industrial resources to provide “source goods at source prices,” shortening supply chain layers and enhancing price transparency.
• Lower Commissions & Fees
  Compared to Alibaba.com, 1688.com charges sellers lower commissions and service fees, further reducing product costs.

2. Pricing Characteristics of Alibaba.com

• International Market Pricing Strategy
  Alibaba.com caters to global buyers, attracting many traders (middlemen) as registered members. Higher membership fees, advertising costs, and intermediary markups result in prices generally exceeding those on 1688.com.

II. Disadvantages Comparison

1. Disadvantages of 1688.com

• Language & Payment Barriers
  The platform interface and services are primarily in Chinese, with limited multilingual support. Payment methods are dominated by domestic channels (e.g., Alipay, WeChat Pay), making it less accessible for foreign users.
• Logistical Limitations
  1688.com’s logistics focus on domestic shipments. International buyers must first ship goods to a Chinese warehouse, then arrange overseas forwarding.

2. Disadvantages of Alibaba.com

• Lower Price Competitiveness
  Higher intermediary costs, labor fees, membership charges, and advertising expenses compared to 1688.com weaken its price competitiveness.
• More Intermediary Layers
  Some sellers on Alibaba.com are traders rather than manufacturers, lengthening the supply chain and reducing price transparency.

III. Summary & Recommendations

• Price-Sensitive Buyers: For bulk purchases with logistical solutions (e.g., local agents or warehouses in China), 1688.com is ideal.
• International Buyers/SMEs: Alibaba.com offers better language, payment, and logistics support for global users, albeit at higher costs.
• Future Trends: 1688.com is expanding overseas (e.g., cross-border distribution, localized warehousing), which may lower barriers for international buyers.

How to register a 1688.com account?

There are two types of 1688.com accounts: personal and Business. How should you choose between them? I recommend registering a personal account, as business account require submitting more documentation to complete the registration process. A personal account is enough if we just purchase products from 1688.com.

Steps to Register on 1688.com

1.Visit the Website
Go to this link(copy this link to your brower): https://member.1688.com/member/join/landing_join.htm

1. Left number 1 is to choose  personal account
2. Right Number 2 is to choose Business account

2.Registration
On the bottom , click the “立即注册” (Register now) button. Personal account to choose the left one and Business account to choose the right one .

Choose Account Type

Personal Account: Choose personal account ,then click the “立即注册” (Register now) button,then need to fill account details below:

1. account name (it can be 5-25 characters, including English letters, numbers, or Chinese characters.)
2. set your password (the password can be 6-20 english characters and cannot be the same username. It can only contain English letters, numbers, and punctuation marks, except for blanks.)
3. typle your password again (type the same password again )
4. Mobile phone number (it accepts all acounties mobile phone number,first of all you should choose your country code ,then enter your correct mobile phone number to receive the verification code from 1688.com)
5. verification (using your mouse to the verification part ,then hold down your mouse from Left to right for verification )
6. Agreement (Just agree the agreement)
7. Agree to register

Business Account: Choose business account ,then click the “立即注册” (Register now) button,then need to fill account details below:

1. account name (it can be 5-25 characters, including English letters, numbers, or Chinese characters.)
2. set your password (the password can be 6-20 english characters and cannot be the same username. It can only contain English letters, numbers, and punctuation marks, except for blanks.)
3. typle your password again (type the same password again )
4. Your name
5. Your company name
6. Mobile phone number (it accepts all acounties mobile phone number,first of all you should choose your country code ,then enter your correct mobile phone number to receive the verification code from 1688.com)
7. verification (using your mouse to the verification part ,then hold down your mouse from Left to right for verification )
8. Agreement (Just agree the agreement)
9. Agree to register

Notes

• Account name can not be modified.
• For passwords ,english letters, numbers, and punctuation must contain at least two types.
• Business account may need extra verification (e.g., company documents).
• For mobile phone number ,it’s better to use Chinese Mobile phone number.

What is 1688.com?

I’m sure every businessman knows about Alibaba – a very famous company in the world. 1688.com is a subsidiary of Alibaba in China. 1688. com is only for China’s domestic market (Only Chinese language now) and mainly in B2B, B2C, wholesale and manufacturing of products. Many Chinese businessmen use 1688.com to find products and other businesses are also catching up to the relatively fair prices for good products. More than 80% of the businesses that we trade and interact with our factories and about 20% are trading companies. Have a look around. You will definitely find something that interests you here.

What payment methods are supported on 1688.com ?

1688.com supports a variety of payment methods to meet the needs of different users. The main types are as follows:

• Alipay
• Bank transfer
• Cross – border Pay (Worldpay 跨境宝)
• Credit card (There is an additional transaction fee for credit card payments)

Note:Cross – border Pay (Worldpay 跨境宝) is mainly for international customers to make payments . (The foreign currency needs to be converted into RMB first, and then payments can be made on the 1688 website.)

What is the difference between 1688.com and Alibaba.com?

The difference between the two is that 1688 is mainly for the domestic market and Alibaba is mainly for international business trade. 1688.com only has Chinese language, only for the Chinese market. Alibaba.com is an international platform and can be read in many different languages worldwide. There are Spanish, German, French, Italian, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese,Portuguese, Arabic, Hindi, Indonesian, Dutch, and Hebrew languages.

Why do Chinese people like to buy products on 1688.com?

1688.com is a well-known website and at the moment, is the largest wholesale website in China. The Chinese people purchase products from us due to our relatively low prices. Many trading companies also to buy products through 1688.com and sell them worldwide. There are currently over 50,000 legitimate sellers on 1688.com. You will always find something you need on our website.

Can i custom logo,user manual and packaging from 1688.com ?

every seller want to build a brand . if you want to customize logos, user manual, and packaging from 1688.com and the most important condition is the order quantity. Normally, if the order quantities are over 500 units or more, the suppliers may offer customization free of charge or for a small fee. It needs more lead times, as all components will be reproduced again—such as packaging,user manuals, and logo printing.

Note: Before place an order from 1688.com, you must provide clear logo design files, packaging files, and manual documents, including specifications for colors, text, and images.

How do I communicate with the suppliers of 1688.com?

Most of our suppliers speak Chinese as it is more of a Chinese business and most of our customers are Chinese. You will need to have an agent with you who can act as your translator or take some quick Chinese lessons for you to order from the business directly. It’s better to find an agent to help you to buy the products, and then send the goods to your address. We are your Agent in China. You can contact us directly.

Does the products on 1688 have international certifications? Such as CE, RoHS, FCC, CB, UL, ISO..etc.

Before importing, we must understand what certifications our products need. Usually, we must confirm with the suppliers whether it’s available or NOT before placing an order. If you really want to buy this supplier ,then you can confirm with this supplier if they can make the certification for this order or NOT.

On 1688.com, many suppliers have certifications, and they also export these products to all over the world. If a supplier cannot provide product certifications, we can keep looking for the next one until we find a supplier who can provide them.

How do I pay suppliers on 1688.com?

We have various payment methods that you can use. Whichever suits you so that you can get the products you wish to buy. Here is a list of the payment methods. 1st method:  Pay through AliPay. 2nd method: Pay through Wechat. 3rd method: Pay through your personal bank account. 4th method: Pay through company bank account. Tips: The suppliers accept RenMinBi (RMB or CNY) only. We don’t accept US dollar. The buyers must have import and export licenses if the supplier’s bank account takes US dollars. You need to have an agent to help you with the payment if you want to pay the dollars. We can accept US dollars and then pay in renminbi (RMB) currency to your suppliers directly. We also accept bank transfer (T/T), Western Union or PayPal.

How to Register an Alipay  ?

Alipay is the primary payment method on 1688.com. There are two types of Alipay accounts: personal accounts and business accounts. Registering a business account requires more documents. Creating a personal account is simpler. For purchasing products from 1688.com, a personal account is enough .

Registration Methods

You can register for Alipay in three ways:

1. Android: Search for “支付宝” or “Alipay” in your app store and download the app.
2. iOS: Download the app from the App Store (search for “Alipay” or “支付宝”).
3. Web Registration (recommended for foreigners):
   Use the following link: https://www.alipay.com/x/personal

For non-Chinese speakers, we recommend using the web version with Google Chrome, as Chrome can automatically translate Chinese text into English or other languages. The mobile app does not support language translation, which may complicate the process.

Steps to Register a Personal Account

1. Open https://www.alipay.com/x/personal in Google Chrome.
2. Click “Register Now” (labeled as “立即注册” in Chinese).
3. Choose Personal Account”个人账号”：Left is personal account ,Right is Business account . There  are 2 ways to register a personal account . See my photo drawing Number 1 is by App QR code ,Number 2 by mobile phone or Email . For foreigners ,i recommed to register it by email due to only accept Chinese Mobile phone number .
4. Select Register it by mobile phone number/Email. There are 2 ways to choose one is by Chinese Mobile phone number ,other is by email . You can register it by alipay app through QR code or Register it by Email . For non Mailand mobile phone number ,So please choose “Register it by email”.
5. Enter your email address ,than click next step “下一步”.
6. It still need Chinese Mobile phone number to verify it . Enter mobile phone number ,then get sms verification code. Then click next step “下一步”.
7. Email confirmation has been sent,please click on the link in the email within 24 hours to continue registering.Need to active it by your email link .
8. Click the active link from your email . It needs to fill alipay account info such login password,payment password,name,gender and ID number .
9. Set payment method by bank credit card .Need to fill full name,bank card number ,ID number ,Mobile phone number to get SMS verification code .
10. Successfully registered for Alipay.Then you can use alipay as your 1688.com main payment method.

Do 1688.com suppliers speaker English?

Most suppliers don’t speak English. But you can use Google Translator to translate English to Chinese and then send your translates to your suppliers.

How to search products on 1688.com? 

There are two main ways to search for products on 1688.com:

1. Product Keyword Search: Enter Chinese keywords (translated from English product names) to display similar products, then select preferred items.
2. Image Search: Upload a product photo to find identical or highly similar matches.

• Product Keyword Search:Number 1 is the keyword search .
• Image Search:Number 2 is the image search .

Tips:

• Always translate English product names into Chinese before keyword searches.
• Image search yields more precise results and is highly recommended.
• The image search feature is particularly practical for efficiently locating target products.

How can I find a 1688.com Agent for my products?

We are your agents in China and have over 10 years of agency experience in this business. We purchase products in China and also do USD currency exchange to RMB, goods inspection before shipment, and ship to your address making us the best Chinese partner available in China. Working with us will save you time and cost. Our business only charges 3% service fee.

How can I translate 1688.com website to be English?

The best browser to use to access this website is Google Chrome browser as it can directly translate webpage content into your preferred language. Click on this download link: https://www.google.com/chrome/ to download the Google Chrome browser. The browser is simple to use. You just right click on click on the webpage and you will find the option to translate the website language. You can follow the steps below for more clarity.

1. Open 1688.com

2. Click the right mouse button and select “Translate to English”

3. All Chinese translate to English (except pictures).

Are 1688.com of suppliers real or scammers？

All suppliers of the products on our website must get Government business licenses if to become 1688 sellers. Meaning that all the business and product sellers at 1688.com are real and genuine. You can check the company’s registration information on the seller’s store. Details like date of incorporation, registered capital, company address, and company’s business scope have been clearly displayed on the website. How do I check the supplier’s information? To check the supplier’s information, you can follow my steps as follows:

1. Open the supplier home page

2. Click on “Factory Archives”

3. Click on “Qualifications”

4. Check the information of seller’s business registration.

It included company name ,Registered capital,Company code ,registered address ,date of establishment ,legal representative and business ranges .

Can I Return and Get a Refund if the Product With Quality Issues Purchased on 1688?

Yes, definitely. For product quality issues, the seller is primarily responsible (both domestic shipping fees are covered by the supplier). If the products have quality issues, they can be returned to the supplier free of charge. If only some products have issues, they can be replaced or refunded for free.

There are two refund methods available.

1. Refund only
2. Return & Refund

Notes:

1. Product quality should typically be inspected within 7 days of receipt. After 7 days, the supplier may refuse returns or replacements. Ensure order requirements are clearly stated before placing the order.
2. If quality issues are found, take photos or videos as evidence. Provide the supplier with detailed descriptions and real proof of the issues. If the supplier refuses a refund, contact 1688’s official customer service for assistance. Retaining evidence is crucial.
3. For international returns: Suppliers usually only cover domestic shipping costs (within China). If products are already overseas, normally the suppliers do not cover international return shipping. We recommend using a Chinese purchasing agent to inspect products (functionality, appearance, packaging) upon receipt in China.

If the supplier agrees to a refund or product return, we need to apply for a refund or return in the 1688 order, fill in the tracking number of the returned express delivery. After that, the supplier will receive the goods and confirm the refund.

Step 1: Contact the Seller

• Use Wangwang ,call or the order page’s “Contact Seller” feature.
• State your request (full refund, partial refund, or replacement) and save chat records as evidence.

Step 2: Submit a Refund Request

• Go to My Alibaba → Purchased Products → Select Order → Request Refund.
• Choose “Quality Issue” as the reason and upload evidence (photos, videos, reports).

Step 3: Seller’s Response

• Sellers must respond within 5 days. If they ignore, the system auto-approves the refund.
• If rejected, escalate to official customer service (customer service) within 5 days.

Step 4: Return Shipping

• If approved, ship goods back to the seller’s address.
• Use tracked shipping (e.g., SF Express, ZTO) and keep the receipt/delivery proof.

Step 5: Refund Completion

• After the seller confirms receipt, the refund is processed to your original payment method.
• If the seller delays, request platform intervention.

Preparatory Work and Questions to Understand Before Purchasing on 1688.com

Preparatory Work

1.About 1688.com & Account Setup

• Understanding the Platform: 1688 is B2B wholesale website, targeting businesses and individuals. Prices on 1688 are 10%–50% lower than on Alibaba.com.
• Language: Use browser translation tools (e.g., Google Translate or Chrome) to overcome language barriers. Familiarize yourself with navigation features (product search, keyword optimization, supplier filtering, order management).
• Register an Account:

• • • • Business Account: Requires company license, legal ID, etc. Prepare documents in Chinese/English; approval takes 1–3 business days.
      • Personal Account: Simpler registration with minimal documentation.
• Sourcing Agent Services: Consider hiring a China-based agent to handle language barriers, payments, supplier communication, and logistics (e.g., order confirmation, quality checks, warehousing, international door-to-door shipping). Our current service fee is only 3%.

2.Market Research & Demand Planning

• Define Requirements: Clarify product type, specifications, budget, and delivery timelines to reduce communication costs.
• Analyze Trends: Track industry trends and price fluctuations using 1688’s search filters for popular products.
• Procurement Plan: Include order quantity, product specifications (color/size), delivery terms, trade terms (e.g., FOB/CIF), and logistics ports.

3.Supplier Screening & Evaluation

• Reputation Check: Review suppliers’ “Chengxintong 诚信通” rating, customer feedback, and transaction history.
• Production Verification: Request factory videos, third-party inspection reports (e.g., SGS), or samples.
• Product Certifications: Confirm international certifications (e.g., FCC, CE for electronics).
• Export Experience: Prioritize suppliers with international order experience to avoid cultural/logistical issues.
• Customization: Verify support for logo, packaging, manuals, or functional customization.

4.Payment & Logistics Arrangements

• Payment Methods: Options include international credit cards (Visa/Mastercard), Alipay, bank transfers (TT), or Cross-Border Pay. Note fees and exchange rate risks.
• Logistics Strategy: Choose international express (small orders) or sea freight (bulk orders). Factor in shipping costs and customs clearance time.
• Risk Mitigation: Use Letters of Credit (LC) or Alipay Escrow to avoid full prepayment.

5.Legal & Compliance Review

• Export Policies: Understand China’s export restrictions and the destination country’s import tariffs/certifications (e.g., CE, FDA).
• Contract Terms: Define quality standards (e.g., sampling inspection), delivery deadlines, breach penalties, and dispute resolution.

Common Questions & Solutions

1.How to register a 1688 account?

• Guide is above and link to register here : https://member.1688.com/member/join/landing_join.htm.

2.How to overcome language barriers?

• Use Chrome translation tools, hire a sourcing agent, or select English-speaking suppliers.

3.How to filter high-quality products?

• Use keywords and filters (price, MOQ, location). Check product certifications and reviews.

4.How to evaluate supplier reliability?

• Assess “Chengxintong 诚信通” status, transaction history, reviews, and request factory audit reports.

5.What if a supplier delays delivery?

• Send a formal notice for explanation, negotiate compensation. Switch to backup suppliers or pursue legal action if repeated.

6.How to obtain samples?

• Most suppliers offer paid samples. Clarify shipping costs and inspection standards before bulk orders.

7.How to mitigate international payment risks?

• Use LC or Alipay Escrow. Pay 30% upfront, 70% after confirming product photos/videos.

8.How to choose cost-effective logistics?

• Small orders: DHL/FedEx (3–5 days). Bulk: Sea freight (cheaper but slower). Compare freight quotes.

9.How to calculate shipping costs and tariffs?

• Shipping: Based on weight/volume. Tariffs: Check the destination’s HS code. Example: USA allows duty-free imports under $800.

10.What if products don’t meet quality standards?

• Note requirements in order comments. Include third-party inspection clauses in contracts. Use platform arbitration or legal channels.

11.How to avoid intellectual property issues?

• Request patent/trademark proof from suppliers before purchasing.

12.What is the return/refund process?

• Negotiate return policies, retain logistics proof. If refused, escalate to 1688 customer service.

Can I pay US dollars to suppliers on 1688.com?

1688.com is mainly for Chinese people now and only accept the renminbi (CNY) through Union-pay and Alipay. But we also offer special services for customers with US currency. We can help you in China.

This is our 1688.com Agent Service fees 

Remarks:

• 1.) Total amount = Product cost + Domestic Shipping + Service Fees + My address to your own forwarder Shipping or My address to your address .
• 2.) Domestic shipping to our address is automatically calculated by 1688.com
• 3.) New Carton size less than 60*50*40 cm/60*40*40cm/60*40*30cm
• 4.) We accept various payment methods, including bank transfers, as well as digital payment platforms like Wise and Payoneer. In terms of currencies, we support major ones such as USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and AUD, among others.
• 5.) Exchange Rate: 1 USD = 7.2 RMB  (updated it every day)

Conclusion 1688.com is a very good procurement platform that offers relatively low prices for their products. The main challenge is that is China-based and most, if not all, of the sellers only speak in the Chinese language. But otherwise, their services are pretty good. You can use a sourcing agent or a Chinese friend to help you communicate with the suppliers in order to make and finalize sales. We also offer free procurement services which you can try for free. Here are some benefits of our services:

1. Help you to get samples before max purchasing.
2. Checking your goods before shipment according to your requirements.
3. Bundle different products into one package for you.
4. Mark your labels on products if you request.
5. Offer foreign currency exchange services.
6. Handle your shipment in China to your address by sea, air or express… etc.

Feel free to contact us on [email protected] and or leave a comment below for any further queries.