📚 China import course
29 free lessons + 20 advanced lessons
Yalla China · Import · Course
1688.com: China's Internal Wholesale Platform
1688.com is the domestic Chinese version of Alibaba, aimed at Chinese buyers themselves. Prices on it are 20–40% lower than on Alibaba for the same products!
Why is 1688 cheaper than Alibaba?
Because suppliers on 1688 do not pay fees to target foreign importers. It is the real domestic market.
How to use 1688 if you do not speak Chinese
1. Use Google Chrome with automatic translation of Chinese pages
2. Or use the Google Translate app on your phone to translate images
3. Search by image: open 1688, click the camera icon in the search box and upload a photo of the product you want
4. You can also search with English words (the platform partly understands them)
How to deal with 1688 from abroad
Because 1688 targets Chinese buyers, you may need:
- A Chinese buying agent who communicates and buys on your behalf
- Services such as Superbuy, CSSBuy or Yoybuy that buy on your behalf
- Or a direct account if you have a Chinese party you trust
1688 vs Alibaba
- 1688: cheaper, for Chinese buyers, Chinese interface, lower MOQ
- Alibaba: for international exporters, English interface, Trade Assurance, easy communication
Expert strategy: use 1688 to research products and learn the real factory prices, then go back to Alibaba to negotiate with better information.
⚠️ An important warning about 1688
1688.com is designed exclusively for the Chinese domestic market. Most suppliers on it sell only to Chinese buyers and cannot ship abroad directly. The interface is entirely in Chinese, and communicating with suppliers requires Chinese.
If you want to benefit from 1688 prices as an Arab importer, the only practical way is to work through a trusted agent or specialised office inside China that buys on your behalf and re-exports the goods.
← Browse trusted Arab agents and offices in China
Why is 1688 cheaper than Alibaba?
Because suppliers on 1688 do not pay fees to target foreign importers. It is the real domestic market.
How to use 1688 if you do not speak Chinese
1. Use Google Chrome with automatic translation of Chinese pages
2. Or use the Google Translate app on your phone to translate images
3. Search by image: open 1688, click the camera icon in the search box and upload a photo of the product you want
4. You can also search with English words (the platform partly understands them)
How to deal with 1688 from abroad
Because 1688 targets Chinese buyers, you may need:
- A Chinese buying agent who communicates and buys on your behalf
- Services such as Superbuy, CSSBuy or Yoybuy that buy on your behalf
- Or a direct account if you have a Chinese party you trust
1688 vs Alibaba
- 1688: cheaper, for Chinese buyers, Chinese interface, lower MOQ
- Alibaba: for international exporters, English interface, Trade Assurance, easy communication
Expert strategy: use 1688 to research products and learn the real factory prices, then go back to Alibaba to negotiate with better information.
⚠️ An important warning about 1688
1688.com is designed exclusively for the Chinese domestic market. Most suppliers on it sell only to Chinese buyers and cannot ship abroad directly. The interface is entirely in Chinese, and communicating with suppliers requires Chinese.
If you want to benefit from 1688 prices as an Arab importer, the only practical way is to work through a trusted agent or specialised office inside China that buys on your behalf and re-exports the goods.
← Browse trusted Arab agents and offices in China