Use Alibaba.com, the English-language wholesale site for international buyers.
1688 Guide
What Is 1688? The 1688.com Guide for Overseas Buyers
- Alibaba Group
- Chinese-language
- Wholesale · MOQ pricing
Short answer: 1688 (1688.com) is Alibaba Group’s Chinese-language wholesale marketplace, where factories and wholesalers sell to business buyers inside China at tiered, minimum-order prices. It is not Alibaba.com, which is the English-language platform for international trade, and it is not Taobao, which is a retail marketplace.
1688 at a glance
| Website | 1688.com Official site: www.1688.com ↗ |
|---|---|
| Operator | Alibaba Group |
| Type | B2B wholesale marketplace: factories, wholesalers and trading companies |
| Language | Chinese. Browser translation helps you read listings, not place orders |
| Prices | Local Chinese pricing, usually tiered by quantity, with a minimum order quantity (MOQ) per listing |
| Built for | Business buyers inside China: Chinese account, domestic payment, China delivery address |
| Sister platforms | Alibaba.com (English, international trade) and Taobao (retail) |
1688 vs Alibaba.com vs Taobao
The three names are often mixed up. They belong to the same group but serve different buyers, so the same product can carry a different price, MOQ and page on each.
| Platform | Language | Main buyers | Order size | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1688This guide | Chinese | Businesses inside China | Wholesale, tiered pricing, MOQ | Often the lowest displayed unit price | Factory prices, bulk and custom orders |
| Alibaba.com | English and other languages | International trade buyers | Wholesale and export, MOQ | Often higher than the same item on 1688 | Screening suppliers in English |
| Taobao | Chinese | Retail shoppers | One piece and small batches | Retail price | Samples and small-batch retail |
Is there an English version of 1688?
The main 1688.com storefront is in Chinese, with domestic pricing and a domestic delivery flow. Searches such as “1688 English”, “1688 website in English” or “1688.com” all lead to the same Chinese platform. Browser translation makes listings readable, but it does not remove the account, payment and China delivery-address requirements.
If you want an English-language wholesale site for international buyers, that is Alibaba.com. If you want the 1688 factory price without a Chinese account, the usual route is a buying agent that places the order for you.
Order through a buying agent that handles the Chinese-language steps.
How to buy from 1688 as an overseas buyer
A buying agent handles the Chinese-language and domestic steps. On JTLGO the flow looks like this:
- Search 1688 on JTLGO, or paste a 1688 product link with the variant and quantity you want.
- JTLGO checks the specification, stock, MOQ and China domestic delivery cost. You confirm the price before paying.
- JTLGO places the order and follows up with the seller on your behalf.
- The goods arrive at a China warehouse, where they are registered and given basic QC photos.
- Parcels from several sellers can be consolidated. After the packed weight and carton size are measured, a shipping route is screened and the shipment leaves.
What 1688 is good for, and where to be careful
Factory-direct goods, bulk orders, private-label and custom production, and comparing several suppliers of the same item at tiered prices.
Telling factories from trading companies, buying a sample before a bulk order, MOQs that differ by variant, and separate domestic delivery charges from each seller.
Batteries, liquids, powders, magnets and brand-sensitive goods can limit which international routes are available.
Costs to line up beyond the listed price
- Product price at your quantity tier, plus any sample cost
- China domestic delivery to the warehouse, charged per seller
- Buying or payment support, and any agreed QC
- Warehouse handling, repacking and consolidation
- International freight, based on packed weight and carton dimensions
- Destination duties and taxes where they apply
Some of these amounts remain estimates until the seller confirms the order and the cartons are measured.
Frequently asked questions about 1688
What is 1688?
1688 (1688.com) is a Chinese-language wholesale marketplace run by Alibaba Group. Factories and wholesalers list goods at tiered prices for business buyers inside China.
Is 1688 the same as Alibaba?
No. Both belong to Alibaba Group, but Alibaba.com is the English-language platform for international trade, while 1688 serves the domestic Chinese wholesale market.
Is there an English version of 1688?
The main 1688.com site is in Chinese. Browser translation helps you read it, but ordering still needs a Chinese-market account, payment method and a China delivery address, so overseas buyers usually order through an agent.
Is 1688 cheaper than Alibaba.com?
The displayed unit price on 1688 is often lower because it is set for domestic buyers. A lower listed price does not guarantee a lower delivered cost, so compare the same specification, quantity, packaging and destination.
Can I buy from 1688 without a Chinese account?
Yes, through a buying agent. The agent buys on your behalf, receives the goods at a China warehouse, checks and consolidates them, and ships internationally.
Does 1688 ship internationally?
Sellers on 1688 generally deliver within China. Export is a separate step handled after the goods reach a China warehouse.
What is the difference between 1688 and Taobao?
1688 is a wholesale platform with MOQs and tiered prices, best for factory goods and bulk orders. Taobao is a retail marketplace, best for single items and small batches.
Is 1688 safe to use?
Check whether the seller is a factory or a trading company, buy a sample before a bulk order, keep records of the agreed specification, and use a buying agent that confirms the order before you pay. Photos from warehouse QC cover visible condition and quantity; they do not replace functional testing.
Next steps
Send a link or a search; JTLGO orders from 1688 for you.
The account, payment and address steps, explained.
Which platform to open first, and what to compare.
Taobao, JD, Pinduoduo, Xianyu and more, side by side.
Batch links, warehouse receipt and overseas shipping.
Screen freight once cartons are measured.