WorldFirst and 1688.com: All you need for wholesale sourcing in Singapore
Last update: 26 May 2025
If you’ve looked into sourcing products from China, chances are you’ve come across 1688.com, one of the country’s largest B2B wholesale marketplaces. Known for ultra-competitive prices and an enormous range of suppliers, it’s long been the go-to platform for domestic Chinese businesses.
But until recently, it wasn’t accessible to the rest of the world. Because 1688.com suppliers typically only accept payments in Chinese yuan (CNY), Singaporean and international businesses were locked out.
That changes with WorldFirst. Now, Singaporean and global businesses can pay suppliers on 1688.com in local currency, with seamless CNY conversion and cross-border payments handled in just a few clicks. That means direct access to factory-level prices without any intermediaries.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- Why 1688.com was difficult to access beforehand
- The benefits of sourcing from 1688.com
- Why open a WorldFirst account
- How to source wholesale on 1688.com with WorldFirst
- How Party Bestbuy speeds up procurement with WorldFirst
Want to get started right away? Sign up for a free WorldFirst account now and start sourcing directly from 1688.com.
Why 1688.com was previously difficult to access for Singaporean buyers
China is home to several well-established sourcing platforms used by e-commerce businesses worldwide, with the most recognisable being Alibaba.com, owned by Alibaba Group.
1688.com, also owned by Alibaba Group, operates differently. It was built specifically for the domestic Chinese market, which has made it challenging for international buyers to access. The platform is entirely in Chinese, with most suppliers only serving local customers. More importantly, 1688.com only supports payments in Chinese yuan (CNY), a currency not typically available to overseas businesses.
Understanding this barrier requires a brief look at how China’s currency system works. China operates a dual-currency framework:
- CNY (Chinese yuan) is used for domestic transactions within mainland China
- CNH (offshore yuan) is used for international transactions
This system gives China greater control over monetary policy and export competitiveness. However, it also creates friction for international businesses since most foreign companies can only transact in CNH or USD, while 1688 suppliers typically require CNY.
As a result, even businesses in Singapore with clear sourcing needs and supplier relationships were unable to complete payments or access the platform efficiently. Read more about why China has two currencies here: Why does China have two currencies?
At WorldFirst, we’ve developed an integrated solution that addresses these challenges. Through a direct partnership with 1688.com, businesses can now pay suppliers in local CNY, without needing a Chinese bank account. Payments are fully compliant, fast, and cost-effective, eliminating the need to convert to USD and reducing foreign exchange fees.
This opens the door for Singaporean and international businesses to source directly from 1688.com, access factory-level pricing, and simplify their supply chain with greater speed and confidence.
The benefits of sourcing from 1688.com
If you haven’t sourced from 1688.com before, you may be wondering what makes it different and why it’s worth considering.
As of early 2025, 1688.com has over 120 million registered users and attracts more than 31 million monthly visitors. Its scale and reach make it one of the largest sourcing platforms in China, despite being less known outside the country. Here are some of the benefits of sourcing from 1688.com:
Save up to 40% when sourcing goods: Many of the sellers on 1688.com are actual manufacturers, distributors or wholesalers, which means you’re getting access to factory-level pricing. Because there’s a lot of competition on the platform and most listings offer bulk discounts, the more units you order, the lower your cost per item tends to be. You can access 50+ industries and 1,700+ subcategories of products.
Source from verified wholesale suppliers: Every 1688 supplier must hold a verified Chinese business license, which includes details like their registration date, company address and capital. This adds an extra layer of trust, so you know you’re dealing with legitimate, established businesses.
Buy directly from manufacturers: Using 1688.com means you can purchase products straight from the source – the manufacturer or supplier – with no intermediary involved. This gives you greater control over your orders, allowing you to specify your exact needs, negotiate prices and talk through customisation and shipping costs directly.
Start with smaller orders: A lot of sellers on 1688.com offer low minimum order quantities (MOQ) – sometimes just one or two units – making it easier to manage cash flow and test products before committing to a bigger order. It’s a practical option if you’re running a small business or working with limited budgets, giving you the flexibility to scale gradually.
Why open a WorldFirst account
WorldFirst is a global payment platform trusted by over one million businesses for fast, secure cross-border transactions. Headquartered in China and operating internationally, we help e-commerce companies and import businesses simplify global payments.
Through our exclusive integration with 1688.com, Singaporean companies can now pay Chinese suppliers in CNY, directly and instantly. You also get competitive exchange rates, fast settlements and full compliance – making it easier to source from China and scale your business globally.
Easily pay 1688.com suppliers and enjoy lower prices
With WorldFirst, you can pay 1688.com suppliers directly in CNY, using CNH from your World Account. As an official payment partner of 1688.com, our integration ensures every transaction is fast, compliant, and secure without the need for third-party workarounds.
WorldFirst has an exclusive relationship with 1688.com, which means no other platforms can offer this and there’s no risk of getting your Alipay account suspended due to using an unapproved payment method.
You also avoid the cost and complexity of sourcing agents, Chinese bank accounts or relying on mainland partners to pay on your behalf. It’s a simpler, smarter way to unlock factory-level pricing.
Read more about our 1688.com solution here: Make Online 1688 Payments to Suppliers in Seconds
Make international payments in 100+ currencies and 200+ destinations
WorldFirst is more than just a 1688 payment solution – it’s a complete international payment account for global business.
You can open over 20 currency accounts, including USD, GBP, EUR, and AUD, each with local bank details. These accounts can be created directly from your dashboard, with no need for an overseas address or in-person setup. Once opened, you can hold funds to send in more than 100 currencies, or withdraw them home without fees.
You can also enable and use 20+ virtual World Cards, which allows you to:
- Make FX-free payments in 15 major currencies
- Create up to 20 virtual cards for different markets, spend categories or team members
- Set custom spending limits (per transaction, daily, or monthly)
- Earn 1% cashback on your monthly card spend
WorldFirst is fully transparent about pricing. Unlike traditional banks, there are no hidden fees, just clear, competitive rates you can track at any time. You can review all current fees via the WorldFirst Singapore Pricing page.
Collect from 130+ marketplaces and payment gateways
For international sellers, managing revenue across multiple currencies and e-commerce platforms can become complex and costly. Currency conversion fees, delays and multiple accounts often reduce your margins and slow down operations.
With WorldFirst, you can streamline your global collections. Our platform integrates with over 130 marketplaces and payment gateways, including:
- Amazon
- AliExpress
- eBay
- Shopify
This means you can receive payouts faster and consolidate your funds in one place. Better still, the same World Account you use to collect revenue can be used to pay suppliers in China, creating an easy-to-use end-to-end flow.
WorldFirst is also a certified member of Amazon’s Payment Service Provider Program (PSPP). This ensures full compliance with Amazon’s standards for security and reliability. With our Amazon Seller Payment Solution, you can receive payouts within the same day or next day, giving you quicker access to working capital and more flexibility when negotiating with suppliers.
- Open 20+ local currency accounts and get paid like a local
- Pay suppliers, partners and staff worldwide in 100+ currencies
- Collect payments for free from 130+ marketplaces and payment gateways, including Amazon, Etsy, PayPal and Shopify
- Save with competitive exchange rates on currency conversions and transfers
- Lock in exchange rates for up to 24 months for cash flow certainty
How to source wholesale on 1688.com with WorldFirst
To begin sourcing products from 1688.com, you’ll need to set up accounts with the following three platforms:
- WorldFirst
- Alipay
- 1688.com
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you register on each one.
Set up your WorldFirst account
Start by creating an account with WorldFirst. This will allow you to send and receive international payments, which is essential for sourcing on 1688.com.
Click ‘Get started’ to begin the registration process.
Create an Alipay account
Alipay gives you the payment access you’ll need to buy from suppliers on 1688.com. You can register in two ways:
Option 1: Using the mobile app
- Download the Alipay app (available for iOS and Android)
- Tap ‘Register’
- Choose your country code and enter your mobile number
- Enter the verification code you receive via SMS
Option 2: Using a desktop browser
- Go to alipay.com and click ‘Register’
- Choose Personal Account and select your country or region
- Enter your mobile number and the verification code sent to your phone
Register on 1688.com
Visit 1688.com and click the highlighted tab that means “Sign up for free” (refer to the image below for guidance).
If you already have a Taobao account, there’s no need to create a new one as you can use the same login details. Since both Taobao and 1688.com are owned by Alibaba Group, their login systems are connected.
Top tip: If you’re not fluent in Mandarin, don’t worry, you can use Google Translate. Just make sure you’re using Google Chrome as your browser. Right-click anywhere on the page and choose “Translate to English”.
This will instantly translate the content so you can follow along more easily.
When signing up, a user agreement pop-up will appear. Be sure to select the option to register as an individual. (If you’re unsure what it says, Chrome’s built-in translation or a tool like Google Translate will help you with navigation)
Important: If you’re based outside of China, do not register as a company on 1688.com; that option is reserved exclusively for Chinese-registered businesses. Whether you’re sourcing on behalf of a company or for personal use, you must sign up as an individual.
Once you’re on the registration page, fill in your details and click the highlighted button (you’ll see it in the diagram below), which translates to ‘Agree and register’.
After submitting the form, you’ll receive a one-time verification code on the mobile number you provided.
Enter the code in the designated field and click the button to complete your registration.
To activate your 1688.com account, tick the checkbox to accept the terms and click ‘Confirm’.
You’ll then be taken to a page prompting you to complete your account profile. This step is optional, so feel free to skip it if you’d rather come back to it later.
How to verify your 1688 account
World Pay is the official payment solution powered by WorldFirst and 1688.com, designed specifically for foreign buyers. It allows you to pay Chinese suppliers instantly and securely.
To activate World Pay, you’ll first need to verify your 1688.com account.
For users registering outside of China, verification must be done by linking a verified personal Alipay account.
Here’s how:
- Log in to your 1688.com account
- Click your account name in the top-right corner and select ‘Account Management’
- Under ‘My Verification’, choose the option to ‘Verify using personal details’
You’ll be redirected to the quick verification page. Simply enter your Alipay login ID and password, then click the orange button labeled ‘Link to Alipay account’.
This will connect your verified Alipay account to 1688.com and complete the verification process.
Once your verification status shows ‘已绑定已认证’ (which means ‘Linked and Verified’), your 1688.com account is ready to be authorised with WorldFirst.
This enables you to make secure, instant payments to suppliers directly through 1688.com.
After signing up, log in to your World Account and navigate to your dashboard. From there, go to Payments and select World Pay to get started.
At the top of the World Pay (跨境宝) page, you’ll see your available CNH balance – this is the currency used to make purchases on 1688.com.
If your balance is low, you can add funds by either:
- Transferring from an external bank account
- Converting existing balances in other currencies into CNH
Before you can make payments, make sure your 1688.com account is linked to WorldFirst. Just click on ‘Manage linked 1688.com accounts’ to complete the connection.
Enter the mobile number you used when signing up for 1688.com and click ‘Next’.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the authorisation process and link your account to WorldFirst.
Once your accounts are linked and verified, you’re ready to start ordering.
At checkout on 1688.com, choose ‘担保交易’ (which means secured transaction). You’ll then be prompted to select from several available payment methods, including World Pay.
From the list of payment options, select ‘跨境宝’ (that’s World Pay). You’ll be redirected to the WorldFirst checkout page, where you can finalise the transaction using your available WorldFirst balance.
You can now start sourcing products on 1688.com, connect with suppliers, and pay them directly and securely using the World Pay solution.
To learn more about how to navigate 1688.com and select the best suppliers, read our guide: The Complete Guide to Buy from 1688 Outside China
How Party Bestbuy speeds up procurement with WorldFirst
Party Bestbuy is a fast-growing business specialising in all things celebration, from wedding and birthday decorations to themed party supplies for every kind of event. With a diverse and constantly evolving product range, speed and supplier reliability are key to keeping up with customer demand.
Founder Rocky Yan sources the majority of his products through 1688.com, China’s largest B2B wholesale platform. He chooses it for its broad supplier base, competitive prices, and the ability to find exactly what his business needs quickly.
But while 1688.com makes sourcing efficient, international payments can slow everything down. That’s where WorldFirst comes in.
By using World Pay, the payment service powered by WorldFirst and integrated with 1688.com, Rocky can pay his suppliers instantly. There’s no need to transfer money through traditional banking systems or wait days for funds to clear in China.
The ability to pay on demand has helped shorten procurement times significantly, reduced cash flow strain, and now allows Party Bestbuy to respond quickly to customer needs. For Rocky, it’s become a key part of how his business stays efficient, competitive and well-stocked with high-quality products after years of experience.
View the full case study here:
If you’re getting started with 1688.com, use WorldFirst
With over 10 million suppliers and more than 1,700 product subcategories, 1688.com is one of the most powerful platforms for international businesses looking to source directly from China.
Now, thanks to WorldFirst, tapping into this supplier network is easier than ever.
With a World Account, you don’t have to worry about not having the right currency – you can pay suppliers directly and securely and can complete payments in hours rather than days.
This setup gives you access to better pricing, lower minimum order quantities, and a broader pool of suppliers, all while ensuring your funds stay safe throughout the payment process.
To get started with WorldFirst, head here: Open a WorldFirst account
1688.com: how to source wholesale supplies from Alibaba’s B2B giant
Looking to source from 1688.com? Learn about how WorldFirst can help you source from one of the largest marketplaces in China.
May / 2025
What is a China export licence (and what are the requirements?)
In our latest guide, we look at everything to do with China export licenses – who needs them, what for, and how to make sure your partners have one.
May / 2025
Spring Canton Fair 2025 - 15 April to 5 May
The Canton Fair, also known as the China Import and Export Fair, is the largest trade fair in China. This highly rated trading event is held twice a year in Guangzhou, during spring and autumn.
Apr / 2025- Almost 1,000,000 businesses have sent USD$300B around the world with WorldFirst and its partner brands since 2004
- Your money is safeguarded with leading financial institutions
