Sourcing Electronics on 1688 vs Alibaba
3 resources tagged with "1688"
1688 is Alibaba's domestic Chinese wholesale platform, priced for the local market and typically 20–40% cheaper than the same listing on Alibaba.com. Listings are in Chinese, payment runs through Alipay on a Chinese ID or bank account, and most suppliers do not handle export, so buyers usually need a domestic agent to consolidate and ship. Many 'manufacturers' on 1688 are trading companies reselling factory stock, which is exactly what factory verification is meant to expose.
When you actually buy on 1688, the main pitfalls are the language barrier, RMB-only payment, and suppliers who won't deal with export paperwork or small foreign orders. We verify whether a 1688 seller is the real factory or a reseller before any money moves.
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FAQ
Is 1688 cheaper than Alibaba?
Usually yes — often 20–40% lower for identical goods, because 1688 prices for the Chinese domestic market without the export markup. The trade-off is no English support, RMB-only payment, and no built-in export handling.
Can foreign buyers order directly from 1688?
Not easily. Most 1688 sellers require a Chinese payment method and won't manage export, so foreign buyers typically use a domestic agent to place the order, inspect, consolidate, and ship internationally.
How do I know if a 1688 supplier is a real factory?
Many are trading companies. Cross-check the business license against the manufacturing scope, ask for in-house process photos, and run a basic factory verification before wiring funds.
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