%[A foreign buyer looking at the 1688 website on a laptop, looking confused but determined.](

You see the incredibly low prices on 1688 and know the potential. But the language, payment, and shipping barriers feel impossible to overcome. This guide solves that.

To buy from 1688 as a foreigner, you must solve three core challenges: payments, logistics, and communication. This means using a service like WorldFirst¹ to pay in RMB, hiring a freight forwarder for international shipping, and implementing a strict supplier vetting and QC process.

%[A flowchart showing the process: 1688 Product -> Agent/Forwarder in China -> International Shipping -> Buyer’s Warehouse.](![A flowchart showing the process: 1688 Product -> Agent/Forwarder in China -> International Shipping -> Buyer’s Warehouse.]()

I’ve been in the international trade business here in Guangdong since 2011. I’ve worked in factories and now run my own sourcing company, REPA. I’ve seen so many buyers, just like our client Jacky from Poland, get excited by 1688’s prices but then hit a wall. They don’t know how to pay, how to ship, or who to trust. The truth is, you can unlock those savings, but you need a system. It’s not as simple as clicking "buy now." In this guide, I will walk you through the exact steps and workflows we use to help our clients buy safely and efficiently from 1688. Let’s begin.

How does 1688 really work for foreign buyers in 2025?

You see amazing prices on 1688. But you wonder if they are real for you. The platform’s domestic focus creates confusion and risk for foreign buyers.

1688 is a domestic B2B site, so prices are for local bulk orders. Suppliers expect payment in RMB and only ship within China. As a foreigner, you must use specific workarounds for payment and international logistics to access these prices.

%[Screenshot of a 1688 product page showing tiered pricing in Chinese Yuan (¥).](![A split image showing the Alibaba.com interface on one side and the 1688.com interface on the other.]()

When I first help clients navigate 1688, the first thing I explain is that it was never built for them. It was built for Chinese factory bosses to sell to Chinese distributors. Understanding this is the key to using it correctly. You are essentially finding a backdoor into the Chinese domestic supply chain. This comes with huge cost benefits but also requires you to bridge the gaps that the platform doesn’t.

Pricing, MOQs, and Limitations

The prices you see are real, but they come with conditions. The most common is tiered pricing. The more you buy, the lower the price per piece. MOQs (Minimum Order Quantities) are often surprisingly low, sometimes just 2 or 3 pieces. This is because they are supplying small local shops, not necessarily giant international importers. The main limitations for you are always the same:

How can you register a 1688 account and link Alipay securely?

Want to browse 1688 properly? A guest account is limited. But registering seems complex, especially with payment security concerns. Here is the safe way to do it.

You can register a personal 1688 account using your foreign phone number. Then, download the Alipay³ app and complete the identity verification with your passport. This is the foundation for linking a secure payment source like WorldFirst.

%[A phone screen showing the Alipay app’s identity verification page asking for a passport scan.](

This is a step that trips up many people, but it has become much easier in recent years. You don’t need a Chinese ID. I’ve walked many clients through this process. The key is to do it step-by-step and make sure your information matches your documents exactly.

Step-by-Step Registration

1. Register on 1688: Go to the 1688 registration page. You can use a browser with auto-translate. Choose individual account registration and use your own country’s phone number to receive the verification code. It works for most countries now.

2. Download and Set Up Alipay: Alipay is the payment arm of Alibaba Group, just like PayPal is for eBay. Download the app on your phone. When you set it up, you can switch the language to English.

3. Verify Your Identity: This is the most important step for security. In the Alipay app, go to "Me" -> "Profile" -> "Real-name Verification." You will be prompted to scan your passport and take a selfie. This process usually takes a day to be approved and is necessary to unlock most payment features.

How can you pay suppliers without a Chinese bank account?

You found a great product. But the supplier only accepts Alipay or a bank transfer in RMB. Your international card will not work. This is how you pay.

The best method is using a cross-border payment service like WorldPay (now called WorldFirst). You create an account, get virtual Chinese bank details, and link them to your verified Alipay. This lets you pay suppliers in RMB directly.

%[A diagram showing money flowing from a user’s local bank, to a WorldFirst account, then to Alipay, and finally to a 1688 supplier.](![A diagram showing money flowing from a user’s local bank, to a WorldFirst account, then to Alipay, and finally to a 1688 supplier.]()

Before services like WorldFirst became easily accessible, this was the biggest headache for my clients. They had to rely 100% on an agent’s bank account, which lacks transparency. Now, you can control your own funds. It gives you more power in the transaction.

The WorldFirst (WorldPay) Workflow

This method is the most professional way to handle payments yourself. It separates you from beginners who are completely reliant on agents.

1. Sign Up for WorldFirst: Create an account with WorldFirst. It’s a financial service company that specializes in cross-border payments. You will need to provide your business details.

2. Request a Collection Account: Inside your WorldFirst account, you can request a "Collection Account" for Mainland China. They will provide you with virtual bank account details in your name.

3. Link to Alipay: Go into your Alipay app. Under "Me" -> "Bank Cards," you can add a new card. Enter the bank account details that WorldFirst provided.

4. Pay Your Supplier: Now, when you check out on 1688 and choose Alipay, you can select this linked account. You simply need to ensure you have topped up your WorldFirst balance in your home currency first. WorldFirst handles the conversion to RMB.

How do you manage international shipping from 1688?

Your supplier will only ship to a Chinese address. You are in Poland. How do you get your goods? The logistics seem like a nightmare to manage.

You must use a freight forwarder with a warehouse in China. The 1688 supplier ships your goods to the forwarder’s address. The forwarder then consolidates your packages, handles customs, and arranges international shipping to you.

%[Photo of a busy Chinese warehouse with workers consolidating many small boxes into one large pallet for shipping.](![Workers consolidating boxes in a large warehouse setting.]())

This is the second major service gap you need to fill. Think of your freight forwarder as your logistics partner on the ground in China. When I started REPA, this was one of the core services we built. A good forwarder doesn’t just ship boxes; they can check quantities, take basic photos, and save you a lot of money by consolidating shipments.

The Forwarding and Consolidation Process

Never ship items one by one from different suppliers. The cost will be huge. The key is consolidation.

1. Find a Freight Forwarder: Find a reliable forwarder and get their Chinese warehouse address. This address is what you will use as your "shipping address" on 1688.

2. Consolidate Shipments: Ship all your orders from different 1688 suppliers to this one address. The forwarder will receive them, and you can usually track what has arrived via their system.

3. Repack and Ship: Once all your goods have arrived, the forwarder will remove unnecessary packaging, combine everything into a single, efficiently packed shipment, and prepare it for export. They will then give you quotes for different shipping methods.

How do you vet suppliers on 1688 to avoid scams?

Low prices are tempting. But many 1688 sellers are just traders, not factories. Choosing the wrong one can lead to poor quality, delays, and lost money.

Look for key trust signals on their 1688 store page. Check for the "实力商家" (Powerful Merchant) badge, "深度验厂" (Deep Factory Inspection) reports, and a high "回头率" (Repurchase Rate). These are your first line of defense.

%[A screenshot of a 1688 supplier page with the ‘Powerful Merchant’ bull head icon and ‘Deep Factory Inspection’ report link highlighted.](![Screenshot of 1688 supplier page showing vetting signals and product listings.]())

This is the most important part of my job. At REPA, our principle is "Do what’s right," and that means protecting clients from bad suppliers. Many foreigners don’t realize that a beautiful 1688 store can be run by one person in a small office. You must learn to read the signs.

Key Vetting Metrics

1. 实力商家 (Powerful Merchant): This is a paid membership on 1688, symbolized by a bull’s head icon. It means the company has paid a significant fee and submitted business documents to 1688 for verification. It shows they are a serious business, not a fly-by-night scammer.

2. 深度验厂 (Deep Factory Inspection): This is a downloadable report. If a supplier has this, it means 1688 or a third party has physically visited the site and created a detailed report with photos of the production line, certificates, and business information. I always check this for my clients.

3. 回头率 (Repurchase Rate): This percentage shows how many customers have placed a repeat order. It’s a powerful indicator of quality and satisfaction.

Is 1688 really better than Alibaba for overseas buyers?

Everyone knows Alibaba. But you hear whispers of lower prices on 1688. Is the extra hassle worth the potential savings for a serious buyer like you?

1688 generally has lower prices because it’s a domestic platform without export markups. Alibaba is built for convenience with English support and easier payments. 1688 is for cost optimization, while Alibaba is for lower initial barriers.

%[A side-by-side comparison image showing the same product on Alibaba.com and 1688.com with different prices.](![A side-by-side comparison image showing the same product on Alibaba.com and 1688.com with different prices.]())

I get this question all the time. My answer is always: it depends on your goal. If you are just starting and want a simple, protected transaction, Alibaba’s Trade Assurance is great. But if you are an experienced e-commerce owner like Jacky, looking to optimize your supply chain and get the best possible cost, the extra work on 1688 is often worth it. You are cutting out a layer of middlemen that often exists on Alibaba.

1688 vs. Alibaba: A Direct Comparison

How do you handle compliance and import duties in 2025?

You’ve found a product and a supplier. But you worry about customs. Unexpected taxes and compliance issues can destroy your profit margins and get your shipment stuck.

You must calculate your total "landed cost⁴" before you order. This includes the product, all shipping, and import duties. Check your country’s "de minimis" value for small shipments and use the correct HS code for larger ones.

%[An infographic illustrating the components of landed cost: product cost + domestic shipping + freight + insurance + duties + taxes.](![An infographic illustrating the components of landed cost: product cost + domestic shipping + freight + insurance + duties + taxes.]())

This is a step many buyers forget until it’s too late. I’ve seen profits on a great product completely erased by unexpected customs fees. For my client Jacky in Poland, we always calculate the estimated landed cost before he even places a sample order. You have to know your final cost to know if the product is viable.

Planning for Landed Cost

1. The Landed Cost Formula: It’s simple: Product Cost + China Logistics + International Shipping + Insurance + Duties & Taxes = Your Final Cost Per Unit. Don’t just look at the 1688 price.

2. De Minimis Value: This is the value threshold below which a shipment can enter a country without any duties or taxes. For example, the US is $800. For the EU, it’s much lower (€150 for duty, but VAT is often due from €0). Check the 2025 rules for your specific country as they can change.

3. HS Codes are Crucial: For any shipment above the de minimis value, you need a Harmonized System (HS) code. This 6-10 digit number classifies your product for customs worldwide and determines the exact duty rate you will pay. Ask your supplier or forwarder for the correct code.

What is a winning workflow for samples, QC, and negotiations?

Just finding a supplier is not enough. You need a system. Without a clear process, you risk miscommunication, quality issues, and getting a product you cannot sell.

A professional workflow is essential. Always get samples first. Provide a detailed specification sheet. And most importantly, perform Quality Control (QC) inspections before you pay the final balance. This is non-negotiable for serious buyers.

%[A quality control inspector in a Chinese factory checking products on a production line with a clipboard.](![A quality control inspector in a Chinese factory checking products on a production line with a clipboard.]())

This is where my factory experience really helps my clients. I know the shortcuts factories can take. A winning workflow is about removing opportunities for error. It’s about risk control. At REPA, we persuade clients to cancel orders if a supplier fails these steps, even if it means we lose a service fee. Doing what’s right is more important.

The Professional Sourcing Workflow

1. Samples & Spec Sheets: Never place a bulk order without testing a sample. Once you approve it, create a simple "Specification Sheet" with photos and details about the color, materials, logo placement, and packaging. This document removes any ambiguity.

2. Negotiation: Even on 1688, there can be room to negotiate, especially on larger orders. Using a Chinese-speaking agent or translator shows you are a professional buyer and can sometimes unlock better terms or pricing.

3. Quality Control (QC): This is the most critical step. Never pay your final 70% balance until the goods have been inspected. We perform pre-shipment inspections for our clients where we check a sample of the finished goods against the spec sheet. This is your last chance to catch problems before they leave China.

What is the reality of dropshipping from 1688?

You have heard you can dropship from 1688 for huge profits. It sounds like the perfect business model. But the reality is often very different and full of challenges.

Direct dropshipping from 1688 is nearly impossible for foreigners. Suppliers don’t handle single international orders, and shipping is too slow. You must use a specialized dropshipping agent⁵ in China to make it work, which adds costs.

%[An image showing a ‘Not Possible’ sign over a diagram of a 1688 supplier shipping one item directly to a customer in the US.](![An image showing a ‘Not Possible’ sign over a diagram of a 1688 supplier shipping one item directly to a customer in the US.]())

Many people ask me about this. They see the low prices and think they can connect it directly to their Shopify store. The reality is that 1688 is a B2B platform for bulk orders. The entire system is designed for shipping cases of products to a warehouse, not single items to a customer’s home.

The Dropshipping Reality Check

1. Why Direct Dropshipping Fails: The supplier on 1688 expects to ship a carton to a Chinese address. They won’t process a single order, create an international shipping label, and send it to a customer in Poland. The payment, language, and logistics barriers make it impossible on a per-order basis.

2. The Role of a Dropshipping Agent: To make it work, you need an agent in China. The workflow looks like this: your customer orders from you, you order from 1688 and ship to your agent’s warehouse, the agent repacks the item, applies your branding, and ships it internationally.

3. Is It Worth It?: This agent-based model adds costs and complexity. For many people starting out, using a platform like AliExpress, which is designed for B2C dropshipping, is a much simpler and more realistic option. 1688 is best when you are ready to buy in bulk and hold your own inventory.

How do I use the 1688AIBuy Chrome Extension to help me source products efficiently?

The 1688 website is entirely in Chinese. This makes searching and comparing products a slow, frustrating process. You need a tool to break the language barrier.

The 1688AIBuy Chrome Extension⁶ is a popular tool that translates the 1688 website in real-time. It also offers image search and currency conversion, making your sourcing process much faster and more efficient.

%[A screenshot of the 1688 website with half in Chinese and the other half translated to English by the 1688AIBuy extension.](![A screenshot of the 1688 website with half in Chinese and the other half translated to English by the 1688AIBuy extension.]())

Before these tools were good, we had to copy and paste everything into a translator. It was slow and painful. Now, extensions like this make the initial research phase much easier for my clients. It allows them to browse and find potential products on their own before we dive deeper into vetting the supplier.

Using an Extension for Efficiency

1. Key Features: The main benefit is one-click translation of the entire page. You can also search for products using an image, which is very powerful. It often includes a currency converter so you can see the prices in USD or EUR, and some have quick links to purchase through an agent.

2. A Faster Workflow: With the extension, you can search in English (it translates your query), browse results, and quickly understand the key details on a product page like the tiered pricing and MOQ. This lets you shortlist potential products 10x faster than doing it manually.

3. Know the Limitations: While the translation is great for browsing, it is not perfect. For technical specifications or for communicating with the supplier, you cannot rely on it. It’s a research tool, not a replacement for clear, precise communication or professional translation when it matters.

What are the most common mistakes foreign buyers make on 1688?

You are ready to start buying. But one simple mistake can cost you thousands. Many eager buyers fall into the same traps, turning a great opportunity into a disaster.

The biggest mistakes are: assuming the product price is the final cost, not vetting the supplier (believing every seller is a factory), skipping samples, and paying 100% upfront without a Quality Control inspection before shipment.

%[An image of a frustrated person on the phone, with a pile of low-quality or broken products next to them.](![An image of a frustrated person on the phone, with a pile of low-quality or broken products next to them.]())

I have seen these mistakes happen over and over. It is painful to watch. A client once came to us after paying $10,000 for a shipment of electronics. He skipped the inspection to save a couple hundred dollars. The goods that arrived were the wrong model and didn’t work. He lost everything. This is why our process at REPA is built around preventing these exact mistakes.

How to Avoid Critical Errors

1. Ignoring Landed Cost: The #1 mistake is getting excited about a $2 price and forgetting it will cost $4 by the time it reaches your warehouse. Always calculate your full landed cost.

2. Skipping Due Diligence: The second mistake is trusting blindly. You must check the supplier’s credentials, look for the "Powerful Merchant" badge, and review factory inspection reports. Assume everyone is a trader until you can prove otherwise. This is the core of risk management.

3. No QC Process: Paying the final balance is your only leverage. Once you pay, the game is over. Never, ever pay the final 70-80% of your order value until an independent party (like our team at REPA) has inspected the goods and confirmed they match your specification sheet.

Conclusion

1688 offers incredible prices, but it demands a professional approach. By bridging the gaps in payment, logistics, and risk control, you can safely access China’s domestic market and optimize your costs.

References