Looking to source wholesale products from 1688.com? If you’re buying from the UK, there are a few things you’ll need to know before you get started.
For a long time, 1688.com was largely unavailable to international buyers because suppliers mainly accepted domestic payment methods in CNY. That’s changed with WorldFirst. 1688 World Pay is the official payment solution from 1688.com and WorldFirst, allowing eligible international buyers to pay suppliers directly in RMB using their World Account, without a Chinese bank account or sourcing agent.
In this article, we’ll cover what 1688.com is, why UK businesses source from the platform, how to find and evaluate suppliers, how to pay 1688.com suppliers from the UK, how to source wholesale with WorldFirst, and what to consider when getting your goods from China to the UK.
Open a WorldFirst account to pay eligible 1688.com suppliers directly and simplify your international payments.
Key takeaways
- 1688.com is a major B2B marketplace in China, with manufacturers, wholesalers, and suppliers across a wide range of product categories.
- UK businesses can source wholesale products from 1688.com, with many suppliers offering competitive prices and low minimum order quantities.
- Finding the right supplier matters. Compare pricing, MOQs, supplier history, response rates, reviews, and factory details before placing an order.
- Payment is an important part of sourcing from outside China. Eligible buyers can use World Pay to pay suppliers directly in RMB.
- Shipping from China to the UK involves freight, customs, VAT, duties and any product-specific requirements.
- WorldFirst can help manage supplier payments and international funds, giving businesses more control as they source from China.
What is 1688.com
1688.com is one of China’s largest B2B marketplaces for wholesale and sourcing. It connects businesses with manufacturers, wholesalers, and suppliers across a wide range of products, often with competitive prices and low minimum order quantities.
You may already know Alibaba.com, the global marketplace for international B2B trade. 1688.com is its domestic counterpart. Both are part of the Alibaba Group, but they serve different markets. Alibaba.com is built for international trade, while 1688.com was created primarily for businesses buying and selling within China.
According to Analysys, 1688.com was China’s largest integrated domestic wholesale marketplace by net revenue in 2021. Its focus on the Chinese domestic market has traditionally made it less familiar and accessible to businesses outside China, particularly when it comes to language, payments and shipping.
For UK businesses, payment has been one of the key challenges. Many 1688 suppliers accept local payment methods and RMB, rather than international currencies.
That’s where WorldFirst comes in. 1688 World Pay is the official payment solution from 1688.com and WorldFirst, allowing eligible international buyers to pay suppliers directly using their World Account, without needing a Chinese bank account or sourcing agent.
For e-commerce sellers, importers and other businesses sourcing from China, this makes it easier to tap into 1688.com’s broad supplier network and manage payments to suppliers.
Why source from 1688.com
1688.com is a major Chinese domestic wholesale marketplace and part of the Alibaba Group. It connects businesses with manufacturers, wholesalers and suppliers across a wide range of product categories.
The platform offers a broad choice of suppliers and pricing options, allowing businesses to compare products and find options that fit their budgets. Many suppliers also accept low minimum order quantities, making it easier to test products before placing larger orders.
Save up to 40% when sourcing goods
Many 1688.com suppliers are manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers, offering factory-direct prices. Strong competition and tiered pricing can also help lower your per-unit costs as your order volume increases.
Source from 50+ industries, 1,700+ subcategories and 10+ million wholesale suppliers
1688.com has a much wider variety of products than other marketplaces. You can find anything from raw materials, apparel, household goods, electronics, food, and more, all from licensed Chinese suppliers.
Suppliers on 1688.com must have a Chinese business certification, including the company’s date of incorporation, registered capital, and company address, which helps ensure you’re buying from reliable suppliers.
Buy directly from manufacturers
Sourcing from 1688.com lets you work with manufacturers and suppliers with fewer intermediaries involved. This gives you more control over your orders, from negotiating prices to discussing product customisation and shipping options. By sourcing directly, you can often get better prices and more control over your costs.
Evaluate quality with a small order
Many sellers on 1688.com have low minimum order quantities (MOQ), some as little as one or two items at a time, which can help with cash flow and let you try before you commit to a larger amount.
This way, you can evaluate product quality before making a large order. If you operate a small business with low budgets, this will also allow you to purchase smaller quantities as you scale operations.
Why use WorldFirst to pay 1688.com suppliers
With WorldFirst’s exclusive partnership with 1688.com, you can now pay suppliers on the marketplace in seconds.
WorldFirst offers simplified and secure solutions for global payments. Here are some of the benefits of setting up a WorldFirst account:
Easily pay 1688.com suppliers
With WorldFirst’s 1688 payment solution, you can make direct CNH payments to 1688.com. It is a compliant and efficient way to settle transactions in local currency, avoiding the hassle of third-party payment agents or workarounds.
Since WorldFirst is the official partner of 1688.com, you won’t have to worry about getting your Alipay account suspended for using an unapproved payment method.
Make international payments in 100+ currencies across 200+ destinations
WorldFirst isn’t just for payments to Chinese suppliers. With a World Account, you can open 20+ local currency accounts, receive payments and pay suppliers in 100+ currencies. You can settle transactions in your suppliers’ preferred currency while managing your international payments in one place.
You can also lock in currency conversion rates for up to 24 months, helping you manage the impact of currency movements on your margins.
There are no annual payment limits, and payments are often processed within the same day, helping you keep your supply chain moving.
Collect payments securely from 130+ marketplaces and payment gateways
WorldFirst integrates directly with 130+ marketplaces and payment gateways, including Amazon, AliExpress, eBay and Shopify, as well as payment gateways such as PayPal and Stripe. You can process sales revenue and manage your funds in one place.
Easily manage your account online
WorldFirst was built for online businesses, so everything from registration to account management is done entirely online.
Once your account is set up, you can add unlimited team members to your account with customised access levels. Your World Account also integrates with Xero, Sage and NetSuite, making your company accounting and reporting more efficient.
How to source wholesale on 1688.com with WorldFirst
For UK businesses sourcing wholesale from 1688.com, you’ll need to set up accounts with WorldFirst, Alipay and 1688.com.
We’ll walk you through the process, from setting up your accounts and finding suppliers to linking your 1688.com account and paying with WorldPay.
WorldFirst
Start by opening a World Account. The application is completed online and involves five main steps:
- Sign up and select your region: Select the UK as your business registration country, then provide your email address and mobile number to set up your account.
- Create your account: Add your business name and estimated monthly turnover to create your World Account.
- Verify your business: Provide your company registration number, business details, and trading address.
- Select your account requirements: Tell us how you plan to use your World Account, select your industry, and provide your website or storefront details if applicable.
- Complete identity verification: Verify the applying director and, where applicable, shareholders who own 25% or more of the business.
Once you’ve submitted your application, WorldFirst will review your details and may request additional information before approving your account.
For the full application process, including everything you’ll need before applying, we’ve put together a detailed guide on how to open a World Account as a company.
Alipay
To create an Alipay account from the UK, download the official Alipay app and register using your UK mobile number with the +44 country code or your email address. Complete the identity verification process with a valid passport, then link an eligible international debit or credit card.
Once verified, link your Alipay account to 1688.com to complete the verification process.
1688.com
To open a 1688.com account, go to 1688.com and select 免费注册, which means “Sign up for free”. If you already have a Taobao account, you can use the same login details to access 1688.com, as both platforms are part of the Alibaba Group.
If the page is in Chinese, use your browser’s built-in translation tool to translate it into English.
Important: Registering for a company account on 1688.com is for Chinese suppliers and sellers only. Foreign companies or non-local individuals need to register as an individual, even if doing so on behalf of a company.
Select Personal Account and accept the user agreement, as shown below, to continue with registration.
Enter your member name, create and confirm your password, select your country code, and enter your mobile number. Complete the verification step, tick the box to accept the agreement, and click Agree and register, as shown below.
You’ll receive a one-time verification code on the mobile number you entered on the form. Enter the code and click the button to submit.
Once your number is verified, your 1688.com account will be activated. You can complete your account profile on the following page, but this is optional.
How to verify your 1688.com account
World Pay is the official payment method provided by WorldFirst and 1688.com that lets foreign companies pay suppliers instantly and directly. In order to use it, you’ll need to verify your account.
For 1688.com accounts opened by individuals based outside of China, the verification process requires you to connect with a verified personal Alipay account.
On your 1688.com account, click on your account name and navigate to ‘account management’. Then, under ‘My Verification ’, go to ‘verify using personal details’.
You’ll be redirected to the quick verification page. Enter your Alipay login ID and password, then click the orange button ‘link to Alipay account’.
Once your status has been authenticated as ‘已绑定已认证’, you can start to authorise your 1688.com account with WorldFirst to make 1688 payments.
In your World Account, after signing up, head to your account dashboard > Payments > World Pay.
At the top of the World Pay (跨境宝) page, you’ll see the available CNH balance you have to make purchases at 1688.com. If you don’t have sufficient balance, you can top up from an external bank account or convert your balances in other currencies into CNH.
You’ll first need to link your 1688.com account to WorldFirst. To do so, click on “Manage linked 1688.com accounts”.
Next, fill in the phone number you used to sign up for your 1688.com account and click on “Next”. By following the prompts, you’ll be able to authorise your 1688.com account.
Now, you can start making orders on 1688.com. On the 1688.com checkout page, select ‘担保交易’ (secured transactions). You will be taken to select from multiple payment methods.
Then select ‘跨境宝’(World Pay) from the list; you’ll then be redirected to a WorldFirst checkout page, where you can complete the payment with your WorldFirst balance.
You can start using 1688.com to find suppliers and then pay them directly with 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 WorldFirst helps Party Bestbuy receive supplies faster
Party Bestbuy is a company specialising in party supplies, from wedding and birthday decorations to supplies for other events.
Rocky Yan, founder of Bestbuy, sources from 1688.com because it offers the highest number of sellers in China and the best prices for the products his business needs.
He uses WorldFirst to simplify supplier payments and manage funds securely when making international payments.
The biggest advantage is that instead of transferring money to China and waiting for funds to clear, he can pay suppliers instantly with WorldFirst. This speeds up procurement, reduces cash flow gaps, and ensures faster delivery of goods.
Want to source wholesale from 1688.com? Use WorldFirst
1688.com gives UK businesses access to a broad network of Chinese manufacturers, wholesalers and suppliers, making it easier to source wholesale products from China at competitive prices and with low minimum order quantities.
WorldFirst makes paying those suppliers simpler. Open a World Account, fund your CNH balance, and use World Pay to pay eligible 1688.com suppliers directly at checkout.
With sourcing and payments managed in one place, you can explore more suppliers, place smaller orders, and keep your international payments moving.
Open a WorldFirst account to pay eligible 1688.com suppliers directly through World Pay.
FAQs
1. How to source wholesale from 1688.com outside China?
Start by finding products and comparing suppliers based on pricing, minimum order quantities, reviews, and supplier information. Once you’ve chosen a supplier, confirm the order details, arrange payment, and organise shipping to your destination. Be sure to factor in customs, taxes, and any local import requirements.
2. Does paying 1688.com suppliers in RMB avoid currency conversion fees?
Not necessarily. Converting GBP to CNH may still involve FX costs. World Pay charges a standard rate for automatic-debit transactions, plus a tiered service fee of up to 0.2% based on average monthly transaction volume. Check your World Pay account for the applicable fee breakdown before paying.
3. How do I pay 1688.com suppliers from the UK?
You can pay eligible 1688.com suppliers through World Pay. Connect your 1688.com account to your World Account, make sure you have enough CNH available, then select World Pay at checkout. You can convert other currency balances into CNH if needed.
4. How to order from 1688 to the UK
First, find a supplier and confirm the product, price, minimum order quantity, and shipping arrangements. Once you’ve placed and paid for your order, arrange delivery to the UK through the supplier or a freight forwarder. You’ll also need to account for UK customs, VAT, duties, and any product-specific requirements before your goods arrive.
Sources:
- https://www.1688.com/
- https://www.worldfirst.com/uk/product/fx/
- https://www.worldfirst.com/uk/product/pay/pay-chinese-suppliers/
- https://www.worldfirst.com/uk/product/pay/1688-world-pay/
