The ultimate guide
to sourcing on
as an international buyer
Introduction
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.
WorldFirst, an international payments expert, has put together a comprehensive
guide for 1688.com buyers - from product sourcing, supplier communication,
international shipping to making easy cross-border supplier payments.
In this guide:
1 Background of 1688.com 5 Communication
2 Why source from 1688.com 6 Payment
3 How to get started 7 Shipping
4 Product sourcing 8 How WorldFirst can help
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1
Background
of 1688.com
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1. 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.
120M 10M
registered users suppliers
35M+ 1,700
monthly web visits sub-categories
16 136
industries countries/regions
Including raw materials, industrial where account registrations are allowed
products, apparel, household goods,
small commodities, electronics and
food & beverage
*Note: Price may differ according to product type, campaign promotion and market factors.
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1. BACKGROUND OF 1688.COM
Types of sellers
Wholesalers Brand owners
Wholesalers make up the bulk of shops on Brand owners are similar to wholesalers in that
1688.com. The majority have a minimum order they offer a low minimum order quantity. However,
quantity of only a few pieces, as well as a while wholesalers will often sell white label goods,
minimum spend amount. As a rule, wholesalers branded stores on 1688.com will operate a
hold more inventory and stock than factories. storefront with their brand name and logo.
Factories & Sourcing agents or
manufacturers virtual factories
Factories specialise in receiving production Similar to a middleman, these merchants help
orders, with the minimum order quantity (MOQ) buyers find a reliable supplier, negotiate the best
starting at 1,000 pieces in some cases. There is a price, assist with documentation, coordinate with
‘Find a Factory’ option in the 1688 app, which the factory or perhaps oversee the production to
buyers can use to filter for factories in different ensure it aligns with specifications. As sourcing
categories. Generally, factories do not keep agents, they don’t hold stock; rather, they help to
inventory but make products based on orders. secure products within the promised lead time.
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2
Why source from
1688.com?
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2. 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 Low min. order quantity
factories and wholesalers, customers are able to
bypass export agents or trade companies who Unlike other wholesale websites with high
add on a service fee or margin. On other minimum order quantities, many sellers allow
platforms, these factories often rely on trading buyers to purchase one or two pieces. This
companies to reach a global audience; on benefits small businesses who may not yet have
1688.com, they have an online presence and the budget for large orders to purchase a wider
listed contact details, allowing buyers to range of products, while it allows more
purchase goods directly at a lower price. established businesses to evaluate the quality
Furthermore, strong competition and tiered before committing to a large order.
pricing means prices are lower and the more
units you purchase, the cheaper the per unit price.
High quality sellers
Variety of products Suppliers on 1688.com are required to have a
Chinese business licence, with details listed on
As the largest local wholesaling platform in China their store page, including the company’s date of
with dozens of categories listed, 1688.com incorporation, registered capital and company
allows buyers countless options when it comes address. Buyers also have the option of procuring
to products and suppliers. The majority of from 1688.com’s cross-border site,
factories in China are listed on 1688.com, which global.1688.com, which exclusively promotes
gives buyers a variety of choices, compared to reliable suppliers selling trending products in the
attending a trade show or expo. 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.
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3
How to
get started
8
3. HOW TO GET STARTED
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:
Via Taobao on mobile: To register for an account on a mobile device, you will
need to register via Taobao. Both Taobao and 1688 accounts may share the
same details as they are both subsidiaries of Alibaba Group. If you already have a
Taobao account, you can use those details to log into 1688.com.
Via 1688.com on PC: To register via the website, visit www.1688.com and click
on the 免费注册 tab, which means ‘Sign up for free’.
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’.
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3. HOW TO GET STARTED
A pop-up will appear for a user agreement. Please select to register as an
individual. (Again, use Google Translate to change the text into English if
necessary.)
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.
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3. HOW TO GET STARTED
Username
Password
Confirm password
Mobile no.
✓
Slide button right
Fill in your information on the registration page and click 同意并注册,
which means ‘Agree and register’.
You will receive a one-
time password at the
mobile number indicated
for verification. Enter the
code and submit by
clicking 提交 .
To activate your 1688 account, tick the check box to accept the agreement and click
‘Confirm’
Completing your profile (optional): 1688.com will request that you complete your
account profile on the following page.
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3. HOW TO GET STARTED
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 ( 跨境
宝 ) 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 ( 跨境宝)?
Cross-border Pay solution (跨境宝) 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.
*Applicable for registered companies only
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3. HOW TO GET STARTED
How it works
1. Receiving funds from 2. Use WorldFirst to collect & 3. Pay 1688.com
bank account and convert currencies into Alipay suppliers
marketplaces business account
How to open a personal Alipay account
On Mobile: On Desktop:
1. Open Alipay mobile app (iOS 1. Log into www.alipay.com and select
and Android) and click 'Register' 'Register'
2. Select your country code and 2. Next, click 'Personal Account' and select
add your mobile number 'Nationality/ Region'
3. Enter the verification code sent 3. Fill in your mobile number and enter the
to your mobile number. verification code sent to your mobile number.
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3. HOW TO GET STARTED
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.
Click on your account name and navigate to 账户管理 (account management)
Under 我的认证 (my verification), go to 我要认证 under 个人认证 (verify using
personal details)
You will be redirected to the quick verification page. Enter your Alipay login ID
and password, then click the orange button ‘link to Alipay account’
You are now verified and your Alipay account is connected to your 1688.com
account
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4
Product sourcing
15
4. 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.
Click on the camera icon and upload the image
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.
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4. PRODUCT SOURCING
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%.
WorldFirst has partnered with Leeline Sourcing
To provide a discount for small and medium sized businesses. WorldFirst
clients can enjoy a 20% discount on the service fee for their first order. With
over ten years’ experience in exporting, Leeline Sourcing offers exceptional
service and can assist with product inspections, factory audits, shipping and
Amazon FBA.
If you feel confident in sourcing yourself, you’ll need to take care of selecting a
supplier, communication and payments on your own.
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5
4. PRODUCT SOURCING
Selecting a supplier
Visit the 1688 website. Once you have searched for your product, you can filter the
search results by:
Categories ( 商品分类)
Cross-border capabilities ( 跨境特色 ) which includes international certification
and patent certification
Other options include:
MOQ: Enter your preferred MOQ in the field 起订量以下
Time: Dispatch within 24 hours (tick checkbox 24 小时发货 ; not available for
cross-border delivery)
Trustworthiness: This option is only available to suppliers who have achieved a
certain standard in quality and timely delivery (tick checkbox 实力商家
)
Price
Manufacturing time: Enter the maximum number of days in the field next to 上架
时间
Location ( 所在地区 ): This allows you to filter by proximity to your logistics
provider, potentially saving on shipping costs and time
Top tip: Don’t forget to use Google Translate if necessary. You can also translate
into other languages by clicking on the Google Translate icon on the right of the
address bar and clicking on the three dots to select a different language.
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.
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5
5
Communication
19
5. 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:
✓ Can products be sent outside of China or are they for domestic sale only?
✓ What is the return policy?
✓ What is the delivery timeframe?
✓ What is the inventory and/or manufacturing timeframe?
✓ Product certifications (if your product requires these)
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6
Payment
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6. PAYMENT
The most cost-effective and secure way to pay cross-border suppliers is by using
the the Cross-border Pay (跨境宝) 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 跨境宝
menu to open the settings. The blue ⽴即开通
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.
1688 sourcing solution with seamless
payment method
Easy & 100% safe No annual Lower your
Seamless limits costs
Frictionless The one-and-only No threshold limits Competitive
procurement fully compliant for yearly foreign exchange rate for
experience flow of funds to exchange conversions to
make 1688.com payments RMB
supplier
payments
*Note: Alipay business currently accepts company registrations opened in Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Singapore,
Malaysia, Thailand and the British Virgin Islands.
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6. PAYMENT
Paying from Singapore and Malaysia
1. Register and activate an Alipay Business account
2. Register for a World Account with WorldFirst
3. In your Alipay Business account, add funds into your currency accounts
and make an outward transfer to WorldFirst
4. Pay your suppliers on 1688.com via Cross-border Pay solution (跨境宝 )
*This payment solution is applicable to registered companies in Singapore, Malaysia,
Thailand, Australia, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and the British Virgin Islands only.
Find more information here:
Paying from Singapore Paying from Malaysia
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7
Shipping
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7. SHIPPING
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.
Standard Standard Premium
ePacket Air
Ultraexpress Plus Sea freight
Ultra Special line
Buyers purchase full Chartered flights and
China’s express International air
containers or partial distribution channels
Description postal service carriers such as
containers to travel
DHL, FedEx, UPS along popular routes
by boat
Products destined
Small, lightweight
Urgent deliveries, Heavy or bulky for Amazon FBA
Best for packages of low
items of value shipments warehouses, items
value
of value
Cost Low High Low Medium
Delivery time Regular Fatest Slow Fast
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. WorldFirst has partnered with
Lucky Lucky (an Amazon certified service provider) to offer members a
special price as Amazon sellers.
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8
How WorldFirst
can help
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8. HOW WORLDFIRST CAN HELP
WorldFirst is an international payments provider specialising in global remittance
services for online sellers and SMEs. As part of Ant Group since 2019, we share a purpose
‘to make it easy to do business anywhere’ by offering inclusive and affordable services
to small and medium-sized businesses and online merchants trading globally.
Our flagship product, World Account, allows you to convert multiple currencies to pay
suppliers on 1688.com. It is seamless, fast and secure. For more information on how
WorldFirst and the Cross-border Pay solution (跨境宝), reach our local Singapore team for
assistance.
Collect. Convert. Pay. Manage.
Collect international Convert money at a Pay in multiple Manage your money
payments from time and rate that currencies from a and FX transactions
global marketplaces suits you single account all in one place
Contact the WorldFirst +65 6805 4381
worldfirst.com/sg/marketplaces/
More guides: bit.ly/1688-step-by-step 1688-supplier-payments/
Disclaimer: This guide was produced independently by WorldFirst. These comments are the views and
opinions of the author and should not be construed as advice. You should act using your own information
and judgement. Whilst information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the
author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy and it may be incomplete or
condensed. All opinions and estimates constitute the author’s own judgement as of the date of the briefing
and are subject to change without notice.
World First Asia Pte. Ltd. (Company Registration No. 201229924N) (“WorldFirst”) is licensed to carry on
cross-border money transfer services as a Major Payment Institution under the Payment Services Act 2019
by the Monetary Authority of Singapore ("MAS"). WorldFirst is also exempted from holding a licence in
respect of its provision of account issuance services, domestic money transfer services and e-money
issuance services pursuant to the Payment Services (Exemption for Specified Period) Regulations 2019.
WorldFirst's registered office is located at 51 Bras Basah Road, #04-08 Lazada One, Singapore 189554.
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