The complete guide to sourcing from 1688 in South Asia
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Learn how businesses in South Asia can source wholesale products from 1688.com, one of the biggest B2B wholesale marketplaces in China
Key takeaways
- 1688.com is one of the largest B2B wholesale marketplaces in China, with over 10 million suppliers across 1,700 product categories
- Products on 1688 are listed at wholesale prices but access to those low prices sellers need to place high MOQ orders
- The platform is in Chinese because it was majorly built for the domestic market but international buyers can source products from it as well
- World Pay, supported by WorldFirst, is the authorised international payment provider for 1688.com, letting businesses in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh pay suppliers directly in CNH without needing a Chinese bank account
Sourcing from 1688.com gives South Asian importers direct access to Chinese factories at domestic wholesale pricing. But it’s not all as easy as it sounds.
The marketplace was initially built for Chinese buyers only, which is why the entire website is in Chinese, and it only supports limited international payment methods.
In this guide, we take a look at how to source products from 1688, find the right suppliers, and make payments on the marketplace through World Pay.
What is 1688.com?
1688.com is one of the biggest B2B wholesale markets in China. Established in 1999, it connects buyers directly with Chinese manufacturers, factory owners and wholesalers. The platform covers over 50 industries and 1,700 subcategories including clothes, electronics, office suppliers, and even raw materials. Its also possible to place customisation orders on the marketplace.
Unlike Alibaba, which is built for international buyers and comes decked with English-language support and global payment methods, 1688 is designed primarily for domestic buyers in CHina.
That is why the entire website is in Chinese and there is limited support for international payments. This makes sourcing from 1688 more complex for overseas buyers. But once you can get past the initial hurdle, 1688 can actually give you direct access to the same factories that supply goods to Alibaba sellers.
Why source from 1688 to South Asia?
Low pricing: Most suppliers on 1688 are factory owners or wholesalers selling at bulk prices. As a result, you will often find prices comparatively low for most products
Low minimum order quantities: While the best wholesale prices are only accessible at high MOQ orders, many suppliers still accept orders for one or two products which can help you test product quality before committing to large volumes.
Direct access to manufacturers: You can contact suppliers directly, communicate requirements, discuss customisation and negotiate prices, without intermediaries
Verified supplier: 1688 suppliers are required to hold a Chinese business licence and each supplier’s store page shows their company details including date of incorporation, registered capital and factory address. You can even find factory inspection reports conducted by third parties to ensure the suppliers you are dealing with are legit
How to create a 1688 account and find 1688 suppliers
Since the entire website is in Chinese, you will first need to translate the web page. You can either use a built-in translator tool available in your browser or download an add-on for it.
1- Register your account
If you are an international buyer, you need to register as an individual and not as a company. There are two main ways to register and log into 1688.
- 1688.com website: Go to the main website and click on the 免费注册 tab, which means ‘Sign up for free’
- Taobao mobile app: Taobao and 1688 accounts can share the same login details. If you already have a Taobao account, you can use those details to log in to 1688.
2- Verify with Alipay
To activate your 1688 account, you will need a verified Alipay personal account. So, download the Alipay app, register with your mobile number, and complete the identity verification process. You may be asked to upload a picture of your passport along with a live photo. Once your Alipay account is verified, connect it to your 1688 account through the account management settings.
3- Finding products and reliable suppliers
Since the site is in Chinese, there are two major ways you can find products
- You can use Google Translate to convert product names from English to Chinese, then paste the Chinese text into the 1688 search bar.
- You can use the image search feature where you can upload the image of the products you want and check if 1688 suppliers have similar products
While evaluating suppliers, make sure to do your due diligence and cross check everything. Here are the key indicators that you should check on the supplier’s profile:
- Years of operation
- Response rate
- Delivery time
- Repurchase rate
- Factory details
Communication tip: Since 1688 is primarily built for the domestic market, most 1688 suppliers you connect with might speak limited English. So you might want to use a translation app or better yet, a translator who can help you communicate your requirements to the suppliers.
How to pay 1688 suppliers from South Asia
1688.com only accepts payments through Alipay, WeChat Pay, mainland Chinese bank transfers, and limited international credit cards.
World Pay, supported by WorldFirst, is the authorised international payment provider for 1688.com. It lets businesses in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh pay 1688 suppliers directly in CNH from their World Account, without needing a Chinese bank account
Here is how to pay 1688 suppliers with World Pay
Here is how to set up and use World Pay for your 1688 payments:
Step 1: Open your World Account. The application is fully online and there is no setup fee.
Step 2: Link your 1688 by logging into your World Account and going to the World Pay section. You will be asked to enter the phone number you used for your 1688 registration to link both the accounts together
Step 3: Load your CNH balance into your World Account to make sure you have sufficient CNH funds before placing an order. You can top up from an external bank account or convert from any other currency balance you already hold in the account.
Step 4: Place your order and pay. When you are making a purchase on the 1688.com website, choose CNH as the currency on the checkout page and select the cross-border payment option. Next, you will be prompted to add your Alipay password to confirm the payment. Once the payment is done, the same amount will be deducted from your World Account’s CNH balance.
Payments through World Pay are processed instantly, with a conversion fee of up to 0.8% of the transaction amount. There is no minimum transfer amount.
FAQ
Can I buy from 1688 if I am based in India, Pakistan or Bangladesh?
Yes. International buyers can register on 1688 and browse products from anywhere. The main challenge is payment — 1688 does not accept international payment methods. World Pay, supported by WorldFirst, lets businesses in South Asia pay 1688 suppliers directly in CNH without a Chinese bank account.
Do 1688 suppliers ship internationally?
Most 1688 suppliers are set up for domestic Chinese shipping. International buyers typically need to arrange their own logistics — either through a freight forwarder or a sourcing agent who can handle customs clearance and international delivery.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or professional advice. This article should not be regarded as constituting an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell any regulated or financial products or services. WorldFirst makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content, and readers are encouraged to consult with legal professionals or other professionals for advice tailored to their specific situation. WorldFirst does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this article and expressly disclaims any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance on this article.
Hu Wenzhan is the Emerging Markets Country Manager at WorldFirst. He brings expertise across Fintech, Payments, Banking, New Markets Growth to help clients grow their global business.
Hu Wenzhan
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