Differences between Alibaba and 1688.com

Alibaba and 1688 are to China what Amazon and eBay are to the US. These two platforms are some of the biggest platforms where Nigerian mini-importers source and import goods, yet many don’t know the differences between the two.

In this article, we'll focus on the significant differences every Nigerian mini-importer should be concerned about. By the end of the article, you’ll have the knowledge needed to make an informed decision on what platform to use in your mini-importation journey.

Language

Alibaba and 1688 are equally Chinese platforms, but they do not use the same language. 1688 uses Chinese as its default and only language for its app and website, while Alibaba has an option that allows users to switch to their preferred language.

This implies that you would need a translator like Google Translate when using 1688, and on Alibaba, you could use the app without any additional tools.

Verification process

Buying internationally usually requires a slightly higher level of verification than buying locally. This applies to both Alibaba and 1688, although the two platforms differ slightly in their verification processes.

To verify your buyer account on Alibaba, you will need an international passport or driver's license, an email address, and a phone number. Alibaba will confirm all of this information before creating an account for you.

On 1688, you will need all of the previously mentioned information plus a verified Alipay wallet. The 1688 verification process will require you to register an Alipay account — if you don't already have one — and link it to your 1688 account. This extra step, as simple as it sounds, could potentially prevent you from verifying your 1688 account. Alipay is known for freezing and blocking accounts without reason, and this may affect your 1688 verification process.

Product prices & Shipping rates

While it is widely accepted that Alibaba has a wide range of high-quality products from trusted suppliers, it is also believed that their products are expensive, just as their shipping rates are high. On the other hand, 1688 is known for having affordable products with lower shipping rates.

This is as a result of how both platforms were designed. Alibaba was designed with international buyers in mind who are expected to spend more, while 1688 was designed for local Chinese trade which is usually cheaper.

You should note that the 1688 does not prevent you, as a Nigerian, from sourcing and importing goods from China to Nigeria.

Payments

Since Alibaba was designed with international buyers in mind, its payment options are more flexible. It includes credit/debit card payments from globally recognized issuers like MasterCard or Visa. It also includes the widely used Alipay wallet.

1688 was designed for local Chinese trade and, therefore, does not accept payments via international payment providers. You can only make payments through an Alipay wallet or a local Chinese bank.

To avoid the hassle of payments to Chinese suppliers, use Midddleman for your payments. The transactions are secure and take less than 10 minutes to complete.

Conclusion

It doesn't matter whether you're using Alibaba or 1688.

What matters is that you're sourcing original items from trustworthy vendors at a fair price that ensures profitability. If you can achieve this on either of the two platforms, then you're in the best place.

We hope that this article has guided you toward a decision on the ideal platform for your mini-importation journey.

We are always rooting for you.