Sourcing from 1688 to Africa
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wangsiqi
Clare Shi
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Key takeaways
If you’re doing research on how to source wholesale from 1688.com, you may have a few questions such as:
If you’re doing research on how to source wholesale from 1688.com, you may have a few questions such as:
If you’re doing research on how to source wholesale from 1688.com, you may have a few questions such as:
If you’re an importer in Africa, chances are you’ve already heard of 1688.com, which is China’s largest B2B marketplace for wholesale products at factory prices. From electronics to textiles, furniture to beauty products, it’s where many global resellers source directly from verified Chinese manufacturers.
But 1688 was built for domestic Chinese buyers. The entire platform is in Mandarin, most suppliers only accept Chinese Yuan payments, and international payment options are extremely limited. While some sellers have recently begun accepting international credit cards, these are exceptions, not the rule.
So how can African businesses take advantage of 1688’s low prices and vast supplier network without getting stuck on payments, language barriers, or shipping logistics?
That’s exactly what this guide covers. You’ll learn how to:
- Find and verify reliable suppliers on 1688
Navigate the platform even if you don’t speak Chinese - Make secure payments on 1688 as an international buyer–using World Pay, the only authorized method
- Manage shipping, logistics, and customs clearance for imports into Nigeria
What is 1688.com?
1688 is China’s largest online wholesale marketplace and a part of the Alibaba Group. It connects over 10 million manufacturers, wholesalers, and suppliers listing products across 1,700 categories.* You’ll find everything from clothing and accessories to electronics, industrial supplies, automotive parts, furniture, toys and baby products on this platform.
Unlike Alibaba or AliExpress, which are primarily aimed towards international buyers, 1688 is exclusive for domestic traders. That’s also the reason 1688 is in Chinese and doesn’t readily accept international payment methods.
*Data provided by 1688.com
Why source products from 1688.com to Africa?
So why should you bother with 1688’s language barriers and payment complications when you can be importing from China through Alibaba or AliExpress?
Here’s your answer:
Low prices
1688 connects you directly with Chinese manufacturers and wholesalers. Through them, you can source the products at near-factory prices. This cost advantage lets you price your products competitively in the already price-sensitive Nigerian market without compromising on profit margins.
Low Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
Connecting with manufacturers and factory owners gives you room to negotiate prices, minimum order quantities, packaging and other specifications. This flexibility is particularly useful when you’re expanding your product range or testing demand for new categories, and you don’t want to tie up significant capital.
Reliable suppliers
Suppliers on 1688 must verify their Chinese business licenses and factory information to sell on the platform. You can check each supplier’s credentials, including their business address, years of operation, customer ratings, repurchase rates and factory details to reduce the risk of fraud.
Huge product range
1688 website gives you access to millions of products, from fashion and beauty items to electronics, home appliances, automotive parts and industrial supplies. This extensive access lets you source products for your wholesale or retail business without having to surf through multiple websites.
Custom orders and branding
You can connect with manufacturers on 1688 and get products customised to your specifications. Many of these manufacturers also offer white-labelling services where they add your logo and custom packaging to create branded products for the African market.
Step-by-step: How to buy from 1688.com in Africa
Buying from 1688 as an African importer takes a few extra steps. But with this detailed guide, you can know how to import goods from 1688 to Africa:
Step 1: Open a 1688 account
You can check the main 1688.com website or their global version, which is global.1688.com. Either way, you will have to translate the 1688 website into English using your browser tools or a third-party extension.
To create an account on 1688, click ‘sign up for free (免费注册)’ or ‘Log in (签入)’ on the top right corner of your 1688 homepage.
Next, accept the agreement (同意协议) to proceed further. Since 1688 is specifically built for Chinese businesses, international buyers can only register as a personal user.
You will have to add details such as
- Member name
- Login password
- Password confirmation
- Phone number
Once you fill in the details, verify your account using the SMS code sent to your phone.
You can download the 1688 app from your iOS or Android device and register using your phone number.
Alternatively, you can also register on Global 1688, that is built for international markets.
Step 2: Set up an Alipay account
To activate your 1688.com account, you’ll need an Alipay account — this is required for verification.
If you don’t already have one, here’s how to set it up:
Set up your Alipay personal account
- Download the Alipay app from Google Play or the App Store.
- Register for a personal account (not a business account).
- Enter the verification code sent to your mobile number.
- Complete identity verification by uploading your passport photo and taking a live selfie for real-time verification.
Once verified, your Alipay personal account will be active and ready to connect with 1688.
Connect Alipay to your 1688 account
- Log in to 1688.com and go to Alipay Account Management (支付宝账户管理).
- Click “现在去认证” to start verification.
- Once the status changes to “已绑定已认证” (bound and verified), your Alipay account is successfully linked to 1688.
Now you’re ready to authorise your 1688 account with WorldFirst to make secure international payments.
Step 3: Pay 1688 suppliers from Africa using World Pay
1688.com only supports local payment methods like WeChat Pay, Alipay, or Chinese bank transfers, and suppliers only accept payments in Chinese Yuan (CNH).
For African importers, this used to mean relying on agents or middlemen to make payments on their behalf.
World Pay is the official cross-border payment solution for 1688.com. Powered by WorldFirst, it is the only officially authorized way to pay 1688.com suppliers from outside China.
It lets you make instant, secure, and compliant payments directly to Chinese suppliers–no need for sourcing agents or a local bank account.
Here’s why businesses prefer using World Pay
100% secure and seamless: Pay in USD, and your supplier receives CNH directly in China.
Instant transfers: Payments to suppliers are processed instantly with fees as low as 0.8%.
No transaction limits: There’s no minimum or yearly transfer limit for foreign exchange payments.
How to pay 1688 suppliers with World Pay
- Register on WorldFirst and create a World Account.
- Fund your account by adding money from your African bank account or receive USD payments from global clients and convert them to CNH.
- Go to Payments → World Pay (跨境宝) on your WorldFirst dashboard.
You’ll see your available CNH balance for 1688 purchases.- If needed, convert funds from other currencies into CNH
- If needed, convert funds from other currencies into CNH
- Link your 1688.com account to WorldFirst:
- Go to “Manage linked 1688.com accounts.”
- Enter the phone number you used for 1688 registration.
- Follow the prompts to authorise your 1688 account.
- Once authorised, go back to 1688.com to place your order.
- On the checkout page, choose Custom border logistics → Custom order.
- Select RMB as currency and Cross-border treasure as payment method.
- Agree to the terms and confirm your payment using your Alipay password.
That’s it. Your payment will be deducted directly from your World Account’s CNH balance and sent to your supplier securely.
Finding products on 1688
Navigating 1688.com for the first time can feel overwhelming — the marketplace covers 50+ industries and over 1,700 product subcategories, ranging from fashion and electronics to home décor, office supplies, food, and industrial materials.
But once you know how to search, the process becomes much easier.
There are two effective ways to search for products on 1688.com:
1. Use translation
Translate the product name (i.e., Golf shoes) into Chinese and copy and paste it into the 1688 search bar. You can also translate the entire website into English using Chrome’s auto-translate feature to easily navigate through the website.
2. Search by image
Alternatively, you can also upload a product photo for sourcing products similar to the ones you’ve seen on Instagram or other platforms. You get the option to upload an image or add an image URL.
Finding reliable suppliers on 1688
Your sourcing success on 1688 depends largely on the supplier you choose.
Here’s what to look for before placing any order:
- Years of operation (经营年限): The longer a supplier has been active, the more stable and trustworthy they’re likely to be.
- Response rate (回复率): It indicates how quickly a supplier replies to messages which is mportant for smooth communication.
- Delivery time (发货速度): It shows how fast the supplier typically ships out products. Some suppliers dispatch within 24 hours (labelled 24⼩时发货), though this may not apply to cross-border deliveries.
- Trustworthiness label (实⼒商家): This badge marks suppliers with proven records of quality, reliability, and timely fulfilment.
- Location (所在地区): Filter suppliers by region to reduce inland shipping costs before your goods are exported.
- Repurchase rate (回头率): A high repeat-purchase rate means satisfied buyers
- MOQ (最小起订量): The minimum number of units per order. Smaller MOQs can be more expensive due to high unit product price, so consider bulk orders to save costs.
Factory inspection (工厂档案): Under the supplier’s profile, click this section to review factory details like address, staff size, product range, and photos.
Communicate with suppliers
You can communicate with suppliers through Aliwangwang or WeChat. However, most sellers don’t understand English. So use Google Translate or consider hiring a translator to ensure communication seamless and accurate
Ask short and simple questions like:
- Can you provide product inspection photos before shipping?
- Can you customise the product with my logo and packaging?
- What’s your refund/return policy for defective items?
- Do you have English product specifications or user manuals?
- Can we negotiate the MOQ?
- Do you offer samples before bulk orders?
Importing from China to Africa
Most 1688 suppliers only support domestic shipping. So, unless your supplier ships internationally, you need freight forwarders or 1688 agents.
Taking Nigeria as an example, shipping methods for importing goods to Nigeria
- Air freight: Speedy (5-10 days on average) and time-efficient, but quite expensive. Best for urgent shipments or high-value products
- Sea freight: Takes 30-60 days on average, depending on the route and port congestion. Cheaper and better suited for bulk orders and heavy goods
Customs and delivery in Nigeria
For smooth clearance at Nigerian ports, get all the documents mentioned in the Destination Inspection Scheme in Nigeria.
Here are the main documents required for customs clearance
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Exit note
- Product certificate
- Bill of Lading (B/L) or Airway Bill (AWB)
- Combined Certificate of Value and Origin (CCVO)
- PAAR (Pre-Arrival Assessment Report)
- Form M
- Single Goods Declaration (SGD)
Import duties and taxes in Nigeria
When importing goods into Nigeria, the duties and taxes you’ll pay depend primarily on your product’s CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight) and its HS (Harmonised System) code.
Since you’re importing from China (a non-ECOWAS country), the ETLS (ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme) levy (CET tariff) will apply to your shipment.
In addition to import duties and the CET tariff, you’ll pay 7.5% VAT and depending on your product category, excise duties may also be applicable. The total customs payment is cumulative, so factor in all these charges when calculating your landed costs.
Tips for African importers using 1688
Check these specific importing tips on 1688 for safe and efficient sourcing:
- Supplier verification: Check the supplier’s legitimacy through reviews, return rates, delivery guarantees, and certifications on their profile
- Only pay through Alipay: Never make payments outside the 1688 platform or Alipay, even if the supplier offers better pricing
- Sample orders: Confirm product quality with small orders before committing to large shipments
- Negotiation: Don’t hesitate to negotiate on price and MOQ
- Sourcing agents: 1688 agent can help you source products, communicate with suppliers, manage shipping logistics and even arrange product inspection for a 2–5% service fee
- Clean documentation: Ask your freight forwarder to share all essential documents needed for clearance at Nigerian ports
- Product restrictions: Review the import prohibition list to avoid confiscation at customs
Quality control: Request pre-shipment inspection photos or videos from your supplier before making the final payment
1688 dropshipping: Can Africans do it?
1688 doesn’t officially support international dropshipping, but you can work with local dropshipping agents in China. These agents can buy products from 1688 on your behalf, store them in their warehouse, customise the packaging and ship directly to your customers when orders come in.
How to find dropshipping agents in China?
Search “1688 dropshipping agent Africa” on Google or join Facebook groups dedicated to mini importation from China.
Evaluate different options considering their service fees (typically 5-10% commission), shipping rates, processing times and customer reviews. Clearly communicate your quality standards and delivery requirements. And before committing, get a written dropshipping agreement that covers terms for returns, refunds, handling fees and breach of contract.
Streamline payments with World Pay when sourcing from 1688 to Africa
Sourcing products from 1688 gives African importers access to low prices and a massive supplier base, but payments have always been the biggest challenge.
World Pay by WorldFirst solves this challenge as the only authorised international payment solution for 1688.com, allowing you to pay Chinese suppliers instantly, safely, and at competitive exchange rates.
With WorldFirst, you can:
- Pay suppliers and shipping partners in CNH (Chinese Yuan) directly from your USD balance.
- Enjoy competitive FX rates and low transfer fees
- Get instant payment confirmation and ensure your suppliers receive funds without delays.
- Open local currency accounts in 15+ currencies including CNH, USD, EUR, GBP, and more to easily collect payments from customers across the world
FAQs
Is 1688 available in English?
No, 1688 is built in Chinese. You can, however, use the Google Translate extension to navigate the 1688 website in English.
Can I buy from 1688 without a Chinese bank account?
You can now use your Visa and Mastercard debit & credit cards to make International payments on 1688. Alternatively, you can also work with freight forwarders who pay suppliers on your behalf and accept reimbursement via PayPal or bank transfer.
How long does it take to ship goods to Nigeria from China?
Depending on air or sea freight, it can take anywhere from 5-60 days to ship goods from China to Nigeria. You should also factor in customs clearance time (3-7 days) at Nigerian ports.
Do I need a business license to buy from 1688?
You can place orders on 1688 by setting up a personal account. However, it’s necessary to have a valid Chinese business license if you want to register as a corporate account on 1688.
Is it safe to buy from 1688?
Yes, it is safe to buy from 1688. It’s one of the largest marketplaces in China, operating since 1999. Only registered businesses can become suppliers on this platform, and there are legitimate ways to check their credentials as well. You just need to practice caution and avoid payments outside of this platform to avoid scams.
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