1688.com – China’s Factory Sourcing & Wholesale Marketplace
Source factory-price products directly from Chinese manufacturers. A clear and simple guide for international buyers who want to use 1688 safely.
About 1688.com
1688.com is Alibaba Group’s domestic wholesale marketplace. It connects factories, wholesalers, and manufacturers across China with buyers who want lower prices and flexible order sizes.
Although designed for local Chinese businesses, 1688 is widely used by global sellers because it offers factory-level pricing, rich product categories, and direct access to original suppliers.
Key Features
1 Factory-Level Pricing
Products are sourced directly from manufacturers, eliminating middlemen and lowering purchasing costs.
2 Large Supplier Network
Thousands of OEM/ODM factories and wholesalers across different regions and industries.
3 Flexible MOQs
Many suppliers support small trial orders suitable for new products and small brands.
4 Powerful Search Tools
Keyword search, image search, and advanced filters help you find similar or alternative suppliers quickly.
5 Supplier Transparency
Business years, ratings, and response speed make it easier to evaluate supplier reliability.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lower prices compared to international B2B sites
- Easier to reach real factories instead of intermediaries
- Suitable for private-label and custom manufacturing
- Wide range of categories including niche and industrial items
Cons
- Chinese-only interface
- Requires local payment methods (Alipay, China bank cards)
- No built-in international shipping
- After-sales and dispute services mainly for domestic users
1688.com vs. Alibaba
| Platform | 1688.com | Alibaba |
|---|---|---|
| Users | Chinese wholesalers & factories | Global B2B buyers & suppliers |
| Pricing | China wholesale prices | International wholesale |
| Languages | Chinese only | Multi-language |
| Best For | Sourcing, OEM, bulk buying | Global wholesale |
Shopping Tips
DO
- Communicate clearly using simple Chinese or translated messages. This helps suppliers understand your requirements accurately.
- Request samples before placing large orders. It reduces the risk of quality issues in final production.
- Check supplier details carefully. Business years, ratings, transaction volume, and product photos reflect reliability.
- Use trusted agents or freight forwarders for payment, domestic shipping, and inspections.
- Confirm everything in writing, including price, MOQ, production time, packaging, and customization.
DON’T
- Do not choose suppliers only based on the lowest price. Extremely low prices often mean low quality or hidden costs.
- Do not skip the sample stage. Going straight into bulk production is risky.
- Do not use unverified personal accounts for payments. Stick to secure methods through agents or official payment channels.
- Do not ignore logistics planning. Domestic shipping and international freight can significantly affect total costs.
Shopping FAQs
Explore More
Explore more trusted Chinese shopping platforms on Seltru.
We keep improving this guide to provide the latest and most helpful information for global shoppers.