1688.com gives UK importers direct access to the same factories that supply Alibaba, often at prices that can be significantly lower. In some product categories, buyers report savings of up to 40% compared to the same supplier’s Alibaba listing.
Because suppliers on 1688 are selling to the domestic Chinese market, they don’t price in export overhead, English-language sales costs or international shipping. What you see is closer to the factory floor price.
The platform is entirely in Mandarin, most suppliers are set up for domestic buyers only, and until recently there was no direct way to pay from a UK bank account, which kept most overseas buyers from accessing it at all.
This guide covers how to buy from 1688 as a UK importer, from account setup and supplier vetting to payment and shipping.
Key takeaways:
- Buying from 1688 involves more steps than a standard international order: the platform is in Mandarin, most suppliers are set up for domestic buyers only, and shipping to the UK requires a freight forwarder
- The listed price on 1688 is not your landed cost: UK import duty, 20% import VAT, China domestic freight, international shipping and customs broker fees all add to the final figure before goods reach you
- Supplier vetting matters more on 1688 than on Alibaba: There’s no Trade Assurance equivalent, so checking credentials, ordering samples and keeping written records protects your order
- A World Account lets you pay 1688 suppliers directly from the UK: Hold CNH, convert from GBP at a fee capped at 0.50%, and pay via World Pay at checkout without a Chinese bank account
Open a World Account to manage 1688 supplier payments and convert funds when your business needs them.
What is 1688?
1688.com is one of China’s largest domestic B2B wholesale marketplaces, owned by the Alibaba Group and launched in 1999. It’s part of the same group as Alibaba.com and AliExpress, but serves a different purpose: connecting Chinese manufacturers, factories and wholesalers with domestic retailers and resellers, not international buyers.
The platform covers over 1,700 product subcategories, including consumer electronics, homeware, textiles, packaging and industrial components. Many suppliers list products that aren’t available on Alibaba.com or AliExpress at all, which gives UK buyers access to a wider supplier base than international-facing platforms alone.
The challenge is that 1688 wasn’t built with overseas buyers in mind. Payments run through China’s domestic payment infrastructure, which is why a UK buyer without the right setup can’t complete a purchase at checkout.
WorldFirst’s 1688 World Pay integration is the official cross-border payment solution for international buyers.
Read more: How to trade with China
How to buy from 1688: Step-by-step guide
Before you can pay a supplier or place an order, you’ll need accounts on both 1688 and WorldFirst, and they need to be linked.
Step 1: Set up your 1688 account
You’ll need a registered 1688 account before you can message suppliers or place orders:
1. Open 1688.com in Google Chrome and accept the translation prompt
2. To reach the registration page, either click Log in in the top right corner, or click Mine at the bottom left, then My Ali. Both routes take you to the login page
3. Click Free registration (shown as a small text link below the login form)
4. On the account type page, select 1688 Personal Account Registration and click Register now
5. On the registration form, click Personal Account Registration
6. Fill in your member name, login password and contact name
7. For mobile number, change the country code from China (+86) to the UK (+44) and enter your number
8. Complete the SMS verification code and slide to verify
9. Agree to the terms and submit
Keep in mind that foreign companies and non-local individuals must register as individuals, even if buying on behalf of a business. Company account registration on 1688 is for Chinese suppliers and sellers only.
World Pay isn’t available for every supplier, item or order type, so check availability before placing your first order. The WorldFirst 1688 World Pay FAQ covers the most common setup issues.
Step 2: Find products and vet suppliers
Finding the right product is quick once you know how to search. Choosing the right supplier takes a bit more effort.
Searching for products
With Chrome’s translation enabled, you can search in English directly:
- Type your product name into the 1688 search bar (e.g. ‘stainless steel water bottle’) and click Search.
- Use the filter panel below the search bar to narrow results by material, style, function, minimum order quantity or price range.
- Alternatively, click the camera icon in the search bar to use image search: upload a product photo and 1688 returns visually similar listings.
Vetting suppliers
Every supplier profile shows a summary card at the top when you open it. The fields shown vary by supplier, but typically include:
- Years of presence: how long the store has been active on 1688 (aim for three or more years)
- Service points: a platform-assigned score based on transaction history and buyer feedback (higher is better)
- Main business categories: confirms the supplier operates in your product area
- Return rate: the proportion of buyers who have reordered, which is a strong signal of consistent product quality
- Location: the supplier’s province, which affects China domestic shipping cost and lead time
- Establishment date: cross-reference with years of presence to confirm the account age is genuine
On individual product listings, look for the cross-border supply badge (跨境供应).
Not everything on 1688 translates automatically, so you may see this in Chinese rather than English. It indicates the supplier is set up to handle international orders, which is relevant for UK buyers arranging their own freight.
Verifying business credentials
Some suppliers have a Factory profile tab on their store page, which shows deeper verification data. Not all suppliers have this section filled in, though. Where it’s present, check:
- Transaction records: number of paid orders, fulfilment rate and response rate in the last 30 days
- Certification section: business licence, account opening permit and any registered trademarks
- Corporate Credit: the Alibaba Enterprise TrustPass grade, which reflects the platform’s own assessment of the supplier
For higher-value orders, request a factory audit report or product test certificate directly from the supplier before confirming the order.
Read more: How to find China wholesale suppliers
Checking export capability
Not all 1688 suppliers are set up to export. There’s no visible export licence field on supplier profiles, so ask directly whether the supplier handles cross-border orders.
If they don’t, you’ll need to work through a licensed trading company or freight forwarder who can manage the export declaration on their behalf.
Communicating with suppliers
Use the Messages function (visible in the top navigation bar when you’re logged in) to make initial contact. Most suppliers move to WeChat once a conversation is underway.
Keep messages short, clear and specific. Cover product name, quantity, specifications, return policy and timeline.
Negotiating your order
Negotiation is expected on 1688. Don’t assume the listed price is fixed, especially for larger quantities. Before placing any order, confirm:
- Sample price, including China domestic shipping to your freight forwarder
- MOQ and whether it can be reduced for a first order
- Payment terms, including whether a deposit is required before production
- Lead time from payment to dispatch
Order a sample before placing a bulk order to confirm the quality and specifications.
Confirming order terms in writing
Once negotiation moves to WeChat, ask the supplier to confirm the company name that will appear on the invoice. It should match their 1688 business registration.
Keep all agreed prices, specifications and timelines in writing; screenshots of chat conversations are your record if anything changes.
Before any order:
- Clarify who is responsible for China domestic delivery to your freight forwarder’s warehouse
- Agree on what happens if the goods don’t match the agreed specification
- Confirm the bank account details on the invoice match the supplier’s registered business name before sending any payment
Step 3: Pay your supplier with WorldFirst
World Pay (跨境宝) is the official payment method for 1688.com, provided by WorldFirst. It lets foreign businesses pay 1688 suppliers instantly and directly in RMB, without a Chinese bank account. UK buyers can’t pay 1688 suppliers using a standard bank transfer at checkout.
When paying 1688 suppliers from the UK, you’ll transact in CNH (offshore Chinese yuan), not CNY. CNH is the internationally traded version of China’s currency, freely available to foreign businesses. CNY is onshore RMB, restricted to domestic use within mainland China.
Read more: Why does China have two currencies?
Before you set up World Pay: verify your 1688 account
To use World Pay, your 1688 account must be verified via a linked Alipay account. This is a one-time identity verification step required by 1688 for non-Chinese buyers. It doesn’t mean you’ll pay with Alipay.
Note: The verification screens are in Chinese and may not translate automatically. Use the screenshots below as a visual guide.
1. In your 1688 account, click your account name and go to Account management (账号管理).
2. Under My verification (我的认证), select Verify using personal details.
3. Enter your Alipay login ID and password, then click Link to Alipay account.
4. Once your status shows as authenticated (已绑定 已认证), you’re ready to link WorldFirst.
How to set up and use 1688 World Pay (跨境宝):
The setup takes a few minutes the first time. Once your accounts are linked, you select 跨境宝 at checkout and pay from your CNH balance.
1. Open a World Account at worldfirst.com/uk and complete identity verification. The account is free to open with no monthly fee.
2. Add funds in GBP to your World Account via bank transfer from your UK business account.
3. Convert GBP to CNH in the World Account dashboard. WorldFirst’s FX fee is capped at 0.50% for major currency pairs.
4. Go to Payments > World Pay in your WorldFirst dashboard and select the 1688 option.
5. Click Manage linked 1688.com accounts, enter the phone number registered to your 1688 account and click Next. Follow the on-screen prompts to authorise the link. If your 1688 account was previously linked to an Alipay International account, you’ll need to unlink it first before the WorldFirst authorisation can complete.
6. Enter the 6-digit verification code sent to your registered mobile number to authenticate your account.
7. Return to 1688.com and place your order with your supplier as normal.
8. At checkout, select 担保交易 (Secured transaction) as your transaction type.
9. From the payment method list, select 跨境宝 (World Pay) and you’ll be redirected to a WorldFirst checkout page.
10. Confirm the payment. The full amount, including the World Pay service fee, is shown before you confirm. Payment is processed immediately, and the supplier receives funds in RMB.
After payment, save your WorldFirst payment record, 1688 order confirmation, supplier chat history and product specification documents together. You’ll need these for freight tracking, customs clearance and any supplier disputes.
Step 4: Arrange shipping to the UK
Most 1688 suppliers ship within China only, so getting goods to the UK requires a freight forwarder and, in most cases, a consolidation warehouse in China.
- Your supplier ships the goods to a consolidation warehouse in China. Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Yiwu are common hubs. Arrange this through a UK-based freight forwarder with China operations, or a sourcing agent with warehouse space.
- The warehouse inspects the goods, confirms quantities and consolidates orders from multiple suppliers into a single outbound shipment where needed.
- Your freight forwarder handles export customs clearance in China and ships to the UK via air freight (5–10 days) or sea freight (25–45 days).
- Goods arrive at a UK port and go through HMRC customs clearance. You’ll need an EORI number to import commercially.
Read more:
UK import costs to factor in:
These costs apply to every commercial shipment arriving in the UK, regardless of the platform you sourced from.
- Import duty: Varies by product HS code under the UK Global Tariff. Common rates range from 0% to 12% depending on product category.
- Import VAT: 20% on the customs value plus any applicable import duty, charged at the UK border. VAT-registered businesses can reclaim this, and those using Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA) don’t pay at the border at all.
- De minimis threshold: Goods valued under £135 are currently not subject to customs duty, though import VAT still applies; most bulk commercial orders from 1688 will exceed this. The government has confirmed this relief will be removed from October 2028.
- Customs broker fee: Typically £100–£200 per shipment for a UK broker to handle the customs declaration.
- Freight cost: LCL sea freight from China to the UK typically runs £80–£200 per CBM depending on route, season and forwarder. Request an all-in quote before booking, as rates fluctuate monthly and handling charges add to the base rate.
Read more:
Pay your 1688 suppliers with WorldFirst
Paying a first 1688 order is usually manageable when the order details match the invoice. Repeat orders, new product tests and multiple suppliers need more consideration, because each payment has to connect to the right invoice, delivery route and supplier record.
Paying through a UK bank means converting GBP to CNH at an FX margin that’s typically 2–3% above the mid-market rate, then waiting 3–5 business days for a SWIFT transfer to clear, with no direct integration with the 1688 checkout. Many 1688 suppliers won’t dispatch, or even begin production, until they receive the payment.
WorldFirst offers a World Account, which is a multi-currency account that allows you to:
- Hold CNH ready to pay suppliers, without converting every time you place an order
- Convert GBP to CNH at an FX fee capped at 0.50% for major currencies, with no hidden markup
- Pay 1688 suppliers directly at checkout via World Pay, WorldFirst’s official cross-border payment integration for 1688.com
- Track every payment in your dashboard with a full record for accounting and supplier reconciliation
- Send to 210+ countries and territories in 100+ currencies where supported, useful as your supplier base grows beyond China
Take a UK importer placing a CNH 500,000 order with a 1688 supplier. Through a standard UK bank at a 2.5% FX margin, the GBP cost is approximately £54,300. Converting the same amount through a World Account at 0.50% costs approximately £53,200, saving around £1,100 on a single order, with the payment often landing the same day rather than in three to five business days.
WorldFirst isn’t a bank. It’s authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as an Electronic Money Institution, providing international payment and currency services for businesses. Client funds are safeguarded in line with FCA requirements but are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Open a World Account and start paying 1688 suppliers directly from the UK.
FAQs
Can I buy from 1688 as a UK sole trader?
Yes. You don’t need to be a registered limited company to buy from 1688 or open a World Account. Sole traders can register a personal 1688 account and use it for business purchasing.
What is the minimum order quantity on 1688?
MOQ varies by supplier and product. Many suppliers accept one to two units for standard stock items, which makes the platform suitable for sample orders before committing to bulk.
How do I know if a 1688 supplier can export?
Not all 1688 suppliers hold an export licence. Ask directly in your first message whether the supplier has export capability (出口资质) before placing any order.
Do I need to be VAT-registered to import from 1688?
No, but VAT registration is worth considering before your first bulk order. VAT-registered businesses can reclaim the 20% import VAT charged at the UK border; non-registered businesses pay it as a hard cost.
How do I raise a dispute if a 1688 order goes wrong?
1688’s secured transaction (担保交易) process holds payment until the buyer confirms receipt. If goods don’t match the agreed specification, raise the dispute within the platform before confirming receipt and keep all supplier chat history and payment records.
Can I use 1688 for dropshipping to the UK?
1688 is primarily a wholesale platform, and most suppliers don’t offer direct international shipping. Dropshipping from 1688 typically requires a sourcing agent or fulfilment partner in China to handle individual order dispatch.
How do I check if a 1688 product meets UK standards?
Product compliance requirements vary by category; electronics, toys and PPE all have specific regulations. Check the UK product safety guidance on GOV.UK for the requirements that apply to your product before placing a bulk order.
Sources:
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a350baf6422bec01b117817/china-trade-and-investment-factsheet-2026-06-23.pdf
- https://www.1688.com
- https://www.gov.uk/eori
- https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/find_commodity
- https://www.gov.uk/import-goods-into-uk
- https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforming-customs-rules-for-low-value-imports/reforming-the-customs-treatment-of-low-value-imports-into-the-uk
- https://www.epicsourcing.co.uk/post/how-much-does-it-cost-to-ship-from-china-to-the-uk
- https://register.fca.org.uk/
- https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/placing-products-on-the-market-under-the-ukca-and-ce-regimes
