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Best way to pay 1688 suppliers from Australia

Last update: November 5, 2025

Contents

Here’s how to pay suppliers from Australia securely and without a Chinese bank account

Key takeaways

Most 1688.com suppliers don’t accept international cards, and wire transfers are slow, expensive, and risky for overseas buyers
World Pay by WorldFirst is the only officially authorised way for non-Chinese buyers to pay on 1688.com, offering full integration and buyer protection
A World Account from WorldFirst also lets you pay other business partners, collect from global marketplaces, and manage multiple currencies with ease

1688.com platform offers competitive pricing for wholesale products, a wide supplier base, and access to China’s local manufacturing ecosystem. But for international buyers based in Australia, New Zealand, or anywhere else, paying suppliers on 1688.com is often the biggest challenge.

Most 1688 sellers don’t accept international cards, wire transfers are slow and costly, and not having a Chinese bank account makes the process even harder–and riskier.

In this guide, we’ll cover the top ways to pay 1688 suppliers as an international buyer along with their advantages, disadvantages, and fees.

Top ways to pay suppliers from outside China

World Pay by WorldFirst

World Pay is a secure, cross-border payment solution launched by 1688 and WorldFirst, a global payments provider that supports businesses in global trade. It’s the only authorised payment method for overseas buyers on 1688.com.

Once you open a free WorldFirst account and link it to 1688 buyer ID, you can pay suppliers at competitive exchange rates (with margins of up to 0.8%) in just a few clicks, without needing a Chinese bank account.

Advantages

Official integration with 1688.com: WorldFirst integrates directly with 1688, making payments seamless, reliable, and secure
Pay in your local currency: WorldFirst converts major currencies such as USD, AUD, and NZD into CNY at competitive exchange rates, allowing you to pay Chinese suppliers in their local currency
Fast settlement: Payments reach suppliers almost instantly, reducing lead time
High trust factor: You get full 1688 buyer protection when using World Pay
Bilingual support: WorldFirst offers English and Chinese customer service for any payment issues that might come up

Disadvantages

Only available to World Account holders

Credit and debit cards

You can now use VISA and Mastercard credit or debit cards to pay some 1688.com suppliers, but there are limitations.

While convenient for one-off payments or test orders, not all 1688 suppliers accept card transactions possibly due to high transaction fees which can quickly add up.

Advantages

Simple setup: Just add your card details to make the payment
No need for a local account: Great for first-time or low-volume buyers
Fast processing: Payments usually go through immediately

Disadvantages

Not all suppliers accept international cards: You’ll need to confirm this before placing the order
High transaction fees: Some suppliers may not accept international credit cards due to high transaction fees and unfavourable exchange rate

How to pay suppliers on 1688.com with World Pay

Getting started with World Pay takes just a few minutes:

Register for a WorldFirst account. There’s no setup fee or monthly charges
In your dashboard, go to Payments > World Pay
Click “View details and sign up for 1688.com”
Authorise your 1688.com ID and agree to the terms

Once linked, World Pay becomes available at checkout on 1688.com

Funding your World Account

Before paying, make sure your World Account has sufficient funds in CNH (Chinese yuan). Here’s how to load your account:

Create a new receiving account in your WorldFirst dashboard
Choose your funding currency (e.g. AUD or USD)
Enter the amount to convert and confirm the exchange
WorldFirst will convert your funds to CNH at a competitive rate

Whether you’re placing a small test order or restocking a bestseller, here are some tips when making payments on 1688.com with WorldFirst

Pre-fund your account: Convert and hold CNH in your World Account to avoid delays at checkout
Verify your supplier: Always check reviews, order history, and business licenses before paying
Double-check payee details: The company name should match the registered supplier on 1688
Confirm VAT and shipping terms: Some prices may not include taxes or freight charges
Save all records: Keep screenshots, invoices, and receipts in case of disputes

Do more with WorldFirst

Paying 1688 suppliers is just one part of managing your international sourcing operations. You’ll also need to pay freight forwarders and logistics partners and cover marketing and platform fees. If you are selling your products on global marketplaces, you’ll also have to collect payments in multiple currencies.

With WorldFirst, you get a comprehensive platform built for global business. Whether you’re paying suppliers in China, collecting funds from Amazon US or eBay UK, or settling invoices with partners across multiple countries, WorldFirst gives you the control, visibility, and speed you need to grow, minus the banking friction.

Here’s what you can do with a World Account:

Multi-currency support

Send, receive, and hold funds in 15+ major currencies, including AUD, USD, CNH, NZD, and more. You can pre-fund your account and convert whenever you’re ready to pay, which can help you lock in favourable rates and avoid last-minute conversions.

Fast payments to suppliers
Make payments in over 100 currencies to 130+ countries, including China. WorldFirst has no hidden fees, which ensures your suppliers receive full payments.

Collect funds from 130+ marketplaces
WorldFirst lets you collect funds from global marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, Shopee, and more—directly into your World Account.

Spend funds with the World Card
World Card is a multi-currency debit card powered by Mastercard which you can use for business expenses. Issue up to 20 cards for your team to easy fund management and reconciliation.

Access to competitive exchange rates
Competitive exchange rates and transparent pricing helps you protect margins and budget accurately, especially when paying large suppliers or topping up inventory.

Fast settlement times
Suppliers receive your payment quickly, allowing them to start production or ship goods without delay. That means faster turnarounds and fewer disruptions in your supply chain.

Ready to simplify your 1688 payments and scale global sourcing with confidence?

Disclaimer: The information contained is general only and largely our views. Before acting on the information you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Although 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, estimates, mentioned products/services and referenced material constitute the author’s own judgement as of the date of the briefing and are subject to change without notice. WorldFirst shall not be responsible for any losses or damages arising from your reliance of such information. Information on 1688 and its products/services are sourced from and can be found at 1688.com

Based in Sydney, Jim is responsible for the WorldFirst business across Australia and New Zealand. He brings with him over 25 years of experience helping Business Owners, CFO’s and Treasury Managers overcome the challenges with cross border payments and navigating volatile foreign exchange markets.

Jim Vrondas

Author

Country Manager ANZ at WorldFirst

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Best way to pay 1688 suppliers from Australia