1688.com offers factory-direct prices 20–50% cheaper than Alibaba — but it's in Chinese and doesn't ship internationally. Here's how Australian businesses can access it.
If you've ever shopped on Alibaba and wondered why your Chinese competitors seem to get better prices, there's a good chance they're not using Alibaba at all. They're using 1688.com.
1688.com is China's largest domestic B2B wholesale marketplace, owned by the Alibaba Group. It's where Chinese businesses buy from each other — at factory-gate prices, without the export markups baked into Alibaba's international platform.
For Australian businesses, 1688 can be a goldmine. Prices are typically 20–50% lower than Alibaba for the same products, MOQs are often more flexible, and you get access to suppliers who don't even list on Alibaba's English-language site.
The catch? The platform is entirely in Chinese, only accepts Chinese payment methods, and doesn't ship internationally. That's where this guide — and a good sourcing agent — come in.
Both platforms are owned by the Alibaba Group, but they serve completely different markets. 1688 targets Chinese domestic buyers with factory-direct pricing in RMB, domestic-only shipping, and a Mandarin-only interface. Alibaba targets international buyers with export pricing, English support, Trade Assurance, and global shipping.
The key insight: many Alibaba suppliers are actually reselling products they buy on 1688, with a markup for international service. By going direct to 1688, you're cutting out the middleman.
Lower prices. No export markup, no platform fee for international trade, no middleman cut. For e-commerce sellers, private label brands, and retailers, this can be the difference between a viable product and a loss-maker.
Access to more suppliers. Many smaller factories and specialist producers only sell on 1688 because they don't have English-language capability or export infrastructure. 1688 opens up a much larger pool of potential suppliers.
Lower MOQs for testing. Unlike Alibaba where MOQs of 500–1,000 units are common, many 1688 suppliers will sell as low as 2–10 units. Brilliant for testing product viability before committing to a large order.
Transparent pricing. Prices are displayed upfront with tiered quantity breaks visible on the product page — no need to request a quote and wait.
Language barrier. The entire platform is in Chinese. Google Translate helps with browsing, but it's unreliable for product specifications and supplier communication.
Payment restrictions. 1688 only accepts payment in RMB through Alipay, WeChat Pay, or Chinese bank transfer. WorldFirst's World Pay is the only authorised international payment option. Most overseas buyers use a sourcing agent to handle payments.
No international shipping. You'll need a freight forwarder or sourcing agent with a Chinese warehouse address to receive goods, consolidate them, and ship to Australia.
Quality risk. 1688 has less rigorous supplier verification than Alibaba and no Trade Assurance program for international buyers.
No English support. All communication happens in Mandarin through Aliwangwang, WeChat, or phone.
Step 1: Access and translate. Go to www.1688.com in Google Chrome and use built-in page translation. Translate your search keywords into Chinese first — this dramatically increases results.
Step 2: Create an account (optional). You can browse without an account, but you need one to contact suppliers or place orders. The site accepts international mobile numbers. Choose personal account and select "I want to buy" when prompted.
Step 3: Search for products. Three options: keyword search (Chinese keywords give far more results), image search (upload a product photo to find matching items), or browse 49 main categories.
Step 4: Evaluate suppliers. Look for high transaction volumes and strong ratings, a valid business licence on their store page, 3+ years of operation, genuine factory photos, and sensible tiered pricing. Verify company registration via Tianyancha or Qichacha.
Step 5: Contact the supplier. Use Aliwangwang (on-platform chat) to discuss specifications, pricing, MOQ flexibility, sample availability, lead time, and custom branding — all in Chinese.
Step 6: Payment. Pay in RMB via Alipay, WeChat Pay, Chinese bank transfer, or WorldFirst's World Pay. Most international buyers use a sourcing agent who pays in RMB and accepts AUD repayment via Wise or bank transfer.
Step 7: Shipping to Australia. Goods ship from the supplier to a warehouse in China, then consolidated and forwarded to Australia by sea (12–18 days), air (3–7 days), or express (5–10 days). Import duty is generally 0% under ChAFTA for most manufactured goods; GST of 10% applies at the border.
1688 covers virtually every category, but these are particularly strong for Australian businesses: clothing and apparel (MOQs as low as 5–10 pieces), custom packaging and labels, homewares and kitchenware, electronics accessories, beauty and cosmetics, toys and novelty items, and industrial hardware.
1. Relying on Google Translate for technical specs. One wrong measurement can mean an unusable shipment.
2. Choosing suppliers based on price alone. Check transaction history, ratings, years of operation, and whether the supplier is a factory or reseller.
3. Skipping sample orders. Always sample before committing to bulk.
4. Ignoring total landed cost. Factor in agent fees, domestic shipping, international freight, customs, and GST — not just the product price.
5. Paying suppliers directly without protection. Use a sourcing agent or secure payment channel.
6. Not checking compliance requirements. Products must meet Australian standards — check electrical safety, food contact, toy safety, and labelling laws before ordering.
7. Trying to handle it all yourself. If you don't speak Mandarin and haven't imported before, the time and risk can easily outweigh the savings.
At Epic Sourcing, our team in China uses 1688 daily for Australian businesses. You tell us what you need, we search and shortlist suppliers in Chinese with industry knowledge, order samples for inspection and forward them to you, handle RMB payment so you pay us in AUD, manage quality control at our warehouse, and ship to Australia by sea or air. You get 1688's factory-direct pricing with none of the language, payment, or logistics headaches.
Indicative prices based on recent sourcing projects. Actual prices vary by specification, quantity, and supplier. Excludes shipping, agent fees, and import charges.
1688.com is one of the best-kept secrets in product sourcing. Whether you want to start with a small sample order or shift your entire supply chain to factory-direct pricing, our team can help you navigate the platform and get the best deal.
Get in touch today — tell us what you're looking to source and we'll show you what's available on 1688, with pricing, at no obligation.
Book a free discovery call and let's talk sourcing.
1688.com is China's largest domestic B2B wholesale marketplace, owned by the Alibaba Group. Prices are typically 20–50% lower than Alibaba.com because it's designed for the Chinese domestic market without export markups.
Yes, but not directly. Most Australian buyers use a sourcing agent who handles the language, payment, and logistics on their behalf.
1688 is a legitimate platform owned by Alibaba Group, but it has less buyer protection than Alibaba (no Trade Assurance for international buyers). Always verify suppliers, order samples first, and use a sourcing agent or secure payment method.
Almost always. Savings of 20–50% on product price are common, though you need to factor in agent fees and freight when calculating total landed cost.
1688 accepts payment in RMB through Alipay, WeChat Pay, or Chinese bank transfer. International buyers can use WorldFirst's World Pay, or pay through a sourcing agent who accepts AUD.
No. 1688 suppliers only ship within China. You need a freight forwarder or sourcing agent with a Chinese warehouse to receive, consolidate, and forward goods to Australia.
Absolutely. Our Chinese team sources from 1688 daily for Australian businesses. We handle supplier search, communication, payment, quality inspection, and shipping. Get in touch to find out more.
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