While 1688.com currently operates exclusively in Simplified Chinese, international buyers can still navigate the platform effectively using these tools:
1. [External Solution] AIBUY Browser Extension – Your 1688 Shopping Assistant
- Download and install the AIBUY extension
- Click the extension icon in your browser toolbar to activate
- After installing the plugin, click the settings icon on the right side of your browser, where you can customise your preferred language and currency
- Open any e-commerce platform like AliExpress or Amazon, find the product you want to purchase, hover your mouse over the product image, and a [1688 AIBUY] logo will appear in the upper right corner of the image. Click it to search for the same product
- AIBUY instantly translates product details into your preferred language and converts all prices to your selected currency in real-time
- After clicking on the product image, you will be redirected to the corresponding product page on 1688
Note: The browser’s translation feature can only translate text-based information displayed on 1688 web pages, and cannot translate text embedded in images
2. 1688.com On-Site Features
Use the browser’s translation feature (using Chrome as an example)
- Download and install Google Chrome browser
- Open the 1688 website directly, or go to the 1688 site via the 1688 AIBUY plugin. Right-click on the webpage and select [Translate to your preset language] to convert the page content to your preset language.
- Additionally, after translation, click the button at the top right to freely switch to other languages of your choice.
Note: The browser’s translation feature can only translate text-based information displayed on 1688’s webpage and cannot translate text embedded in images.
Using AIBUY to Translate Conversations in WangWang (If Needed)
WangWang chat software allows you to communicate directly with 1688 suppliers. With the AIBUY plugin, you can use this feature to chat with 1688 suppliers on WangWang while having your conversations translated in real time.
- After visiting 1688.com, click the WangWang chat icon on the right to enter the conversation interface
- Then, click the image next to the supplier’s message box to automatically translate the conversation into your preset language
