How to buy from 1688: A Mini-Importer’s Guide
If you’ve considered starting a mini-importation business, there’s a high chance you’ve heard of 1688.com, the Chinese marketplace known for ridiculously low prices and a wide variety of products. For many beginners, buying directly from 1688 feels overwhelming. The language barrier, account setup process, payment limitations, and even identifying genuine sellers — all these make 1688 seem complex to navigate.
1688 is where Chinese retailers on other platforms like Alibaba go to buy products in bulk, meaning it’s literally the source of the source. When you understand how it works, 1688 can help increase your profit in ways that other sourcing platforms simply can’t.
This guide walks you through the step-by-step process of buying from 1688, starting from account creation and verification, to finding reliable suppliers, ensuring product quality, making payments in yuan, and eventually shipping your goods into Nigeria or any region outside China.
Why 1688.com is great for mini-importers
1688 is the most preferred platform among mini-importers. Several aspects of the platform are suited to small importers and drop shippers. It is the ideal platform for mini-importers for the following four reasons:
1. Low Product Prices
Chinese sellers on 1688 consist of wholesalers and manufacturers, ideally to sell their goods to Chinese-based retailers. This keeps product prices low and affordable compared to big-time marketplaces like Alibaba and Temu, thus making 1688 one of the best options for mini-importers.
2. Wide Product Range
Almost any product can be acquired on 1688.com. In fact, for every product on 1688, there are multiple sellers offering variations of the product at different prices. The variety of products appeals more to mini-importers, because of their varying needs. Whether you want to cut costs by using lower-end materials or you want high-end products, there’s an offer for you on 1688.
3. Low MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
MOQ, an acronym for “minimum order quantity”, simply means the smallest number of products you can buy from a particular seller. Generally, sellers on B2B (business-to-business) marketplaces usually set an MOQ to encourage large orders. This number is usually lower on 1688 and higher on Alibaba and other marketplaces. You can find products with MOQs as low as two on 1688.
4. Product customization
Because sellers on 1688 sell to other businesses, they often offer product customization. It comes at an extra cost for the average order size, but it’s a great option for someone who is starting a new business. For large orders, you may get free product customization, but it’s best to inquire first before placing the order.
Overall, 1688 is the ideal sourcing platform for mini-importers. Product prices and MOQs on the platform are low compared to its counterparts, while it still offers other B2B marketplace benefits like product customizations.
In the next section, you’ll learn how to create a 1688 account and how to verify it immediately after.
How to Create A 1688 Account
There are two 1688 account types – personal account and enterprise account. The account to create as a buyer, even if you represent a business, is the personal account. The enterprise account is solely for Chinese sellers and requires some legal verification and a registration fee while the personal account is free to create.
Follow the steps below to create a personal account on 1688.com:
Step 1: Go to the 1688 sign up page. You can use a Chrome browser to automatically translate the Chinese to English.
Step 2: Select the 1688 personal account registration, the one at the left side of the page. This will take you to the registration page. A pop up will appear, agree to it by clicking the button at the bottom.
Step 3: Fill the registration form accordingly with:
- Your account name (5 to 25 characters limit),
- Your password (6 to 20 characters, including a number or unique character),
- Your confirmed password,
- And your phone number. Carefully scroll down to find your country code.
Then, slide the verification bar from left to right, tick the agreement box, and click the button to complete your registration.
With that, the registration process is now complete. Go to 1688.com to log into your account. Hover over the login icon at the top right and click the button to sign in. This will redirect you to a login page. You can either use a password login or an SMS login. Use your preferred option and click the login button.
How to Verify Your 1688 Account
To verify your 1688 account, create an Alipay personal account and link it to your 1688 account.
Alipay is the integrated payment method on 1688.com, which you can use to transfer yuan to Chinese sellers. To create an Alipay account, download the app on your smartphone and follow the prompts to sign up. It will require your phone number (the one used in creating your 1688 account), an email address, a login password, and your international passport.
After creating your Alipay account, return to 1688 to link it. Go to “Account” and select “Account management”. Then, go to “Verification” and select Verify using personal details.
You will be directed to a verification page. Enter your Alipay phone number and password, then click the button. Once your account is verified, you can buy goods on 1688.com and make payments using Alipay without restrictions.
How to Find Legit Sellers on 1688.com
There are four things to look out for when searching for reliable suppliers on 1688. They include the seller's badge, number of years since joining 1688, product reviews, and return rate.
1. Seller Badge
The two seller badges on 1688 are “Basic Pass” and “Reputable Seller” denoted by “诚” and “实力商家” respectively. The Reputable Seller badge is usually followed by a red bull's head icon and is not easy to miss.
The Basic Pass is a sign that a seller has been vetted by 1688. Usually, this means that the seller has paid a registration fee to sell on 1688. The Basic pass sign (诚) is followed by a number, which is how long the business has been on 1688.
The Reputable Seller badge is reserved for manufacturers and costs more. Sellers with this badge have undergone a physical inspection of their factory before attaining the badge. They can be more trustworthy.
You can find the seller badge by clicking on a product and then clicking on the seller's name to open their profile. The badge can be found at the top of the profile page together with other relevant information.
2. Years on 1688
For all sellers, the number of years since they joined 1688 is displayed on the side of their seller badge.
This number is not an indication that any seller is the best, but rather an indication of how reliable a seller can be. Sellers with negative reviews and reports over the years typically don't last long on online marketplaces. You can find sellers with numbers as high as 13 years and others as low as a year. The higher the number of years a 1688 seller has, the better for you, the buyer.
3. Reviews
Product reviews are another way to vet sellers on 1688. The aggregated reviews paint a clearer picture for buyers' reference. It includes the total number of reviews a seller has received on 1688, along with popular review statements about their goods.
Visit the profile page of any seller on 1688 to view their aggregated reviews before initiating an order.
4. Return Rate
The return rate on 1688 is a measure of how many buyers purchase repeatedly from a seller. The higher the number, the better. From a mini-importer’s perspective, this is one of the most significant indicators of a good supplier.
In summary, if a seller on 1688 has the Reputable Seller badge, and has been selling on 1688 for a long time with above-average reviews and a high return rate, they're potentially a good supplier.
How to Find High Quality Products on 1688.com
The ability to find quality goods on 1688 comes down to rigorous product research. This means carefully examining various aspects of the product you're interested in.
For instance, to acquire a gold necklace, you'd look through the offers on 1688 to find a necklace with your preferred length that is made of gold. Necklaces are made with different materials, sometimes a mix of two materials. They come in different lengths and colors and these elements affect the offers you see. You may find a necklace made of steel and polished with gold for a cheap price and wrongly consider it a bargain.
With a more specific request like an 18-inch 24-karat gold necklace, you’d quickly filter out products that don’t meet your expectations.
On 1688, the details matter a lot. Here are five tips to help you find high-quality products:
- Compare pricing: Before settling for the cheapest price, compare the same product on other marketplaces. A 24-karat gold necklace would never cost 10 yuan, it’s more likely you’re getting subpar quality.
- Review specifications: Don’t rely on product images, the details are in the descriptions. There you’ll find the materials used, the size of the product, and other relevant information.
- Request extra details: When you don’t find enough information in the product description, you can ask the supplier directly. There’s a chat feature on 1688 that allows you to talk directly with Chinese suppliers.
- Plan test orders: Buy your goods in small quantities to verify the quality, before committing to bulk orders. This will help you avoid major disappointments with new suppliers.
Making Payments on 1688
The available payment methods on 1688 are Alipay, WeChat, and direct bank transfers (between Chinese accounts). Direct bank transfers are a non-viable option for foreigners, leaving Alipay and WeChat as the only viable options. Both Alipay and WeChat operate exclusively in Chinese yuan, which creates the challenge of acquiring yuan.
There are several payment providers that you can use to pay into an Alipay wallet, depending on your region. In Nigeria, over 7000 mini-importers use Midddleman to buy Chinese yuan and fund their Alipay wallets because it’s easy to use, faster than alternatives, and secure. Midddleman is available for download on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
How does Midddleman Work?
On Midddleman, you can buy Chinese yuan at the most competitive Naira rates and send it to Chinese sellers on 1688, Alibaba, or any Chinese marketplaces — in six simple steps:
- Download Midddleman on mobile and create an account
- Verify your account using your BVN
- Go to “Products” and select “Buy RMB”
- Enter the amount and proceed
- Enter the recipient's Alipay ID and their full name. Click “Next” to proceed.
- Select your payment method and click “Pay Now”
Proceed to pay and the recipient account will receive the yuan in minutes. You can download your payment receipts and share with your suppliers as proof of payment.
Create your Midddleman account and start paying Chinese suppliers with ease. Sign up here
How to Ship Your Goods from 1688 to Nigeria
You can’t ship goods bought on 1688 directly to Nigeria because the platform only facilitates local delivery within China. In other words, you need a reliable shipping agent (or a freight forwarder) with a license to import goods from China to Nigeria.
How this works: You order your goods from a seller on 1688 and input your shipping agent’s Chinese address as the address to deliver your goods. Your shipping agent receives the goods, weighs them, and charges you a shipping fee just before importing them into the country. It’s usually a simple and straightforward experience, depending on your shipping agent.
Shipping from China can often be frustrating for mini-importers because of bad service and lack of communication. That’s why we partnered with Novoinno, a global trade expert company, to provide an improved shipping experience for Nigerian mini-importers.
We’ve eliminated common challenges like poor communication, constant delays, and hidden fees and created a space (with more than 400 mini-importers) that prioritizes support at every step of the shipping process.
Book your next shipment from China to Nigeria and enjoy a shipping experience that values you.
Useful Features on 1688.com
1688 offers several useful features for foreign buyers. Together, these features make the platform one of the best Chinese marketplaces for mini-importers.
- Image search: 1688’s image search tool is located at the top of the homepage, beside the search bar. You can use it to find product offers using images or screenshots.
- Keyword search: The search bar on 1688 allows you to search for products in both Chinese and English. Although searching in Chinese is more accurate, searching in English can be helpful for particular products without a Chinese translation.
- Chat tool (Aliwangwang): The chat tool can be found on product pages or seller profiles. Use it to converse with a seller about the details of their goods. Alternatively, you can move your conversations with Chinese sellers to WeChat as it’s usually their preferred option.
- Seller verification: The seller badges on 1688 help you filter reliable sellers from the rest. Use this and other profile details to vet sellers before placing an order.
- Alipay: Alipay is the integrated payment platform on 1688 and the most used mobile payment option in China. Over 80 million merchants accept payments through Alipay, making it a reliable option for foreign buyers.
- Return policy display: Sellers on 1688 are expected to display their return and refund policies on product pages. Use this to understand their terms and conditions before placing an order.
Challenges of Buying from 1688.com
1688 is designed to serve local Chinese trade and is yet to fully accommodate international buyers, so you’ll run into some challenges when using the platform. Here’s how to navigate these challenges.
Default Language
The default language on 1688 is Chinese. With no other language options, it can be difficult to use. To better navigate the platform, use the automatic translation feature on a Chrome browser. In some cases, where it doesn’t translate everything on a page, copy the Chinese text and translate using Google Translate.
Communication
The language issue extends to communicating with sellers, and the solutions referenced above also apply. Chinese sellers majorly communicate in Chinese, so you’ll need Google Translate to understand their messages and communicate back in Chinese.
Shipping
Unlike Amazon or Alibaba, you can’t ship directly from 1688 to countries other than China. You need a shipping agent, that is an organization with a license to export your goods outside China. Almost any international shipping company offers this service.
Payment
Sellers on 1688 only receive payments in Chinese yuan, making it difficult for foreign buyers. There are various ways to navigate the challenge — you can buy and transfer yuan from payment platforms into your Alipay or WeChat wallet or use a local agent for Chinese bank transfers.
Common questions about 1688.com
Is 1688 the best site to import from China to Nigeria?
It depends on your specific use case. 1688 offers a wide range of goods for the lowest prices in comparison to other Chinese marketplaces, making it a great option for mini-importers, and one of the best sites to import goods from China.
Is 1688 cheaper than AliExpress?
Yes, primarily because 1688 is designed for businesses to purchase directly from Chinese manufacturers while AliExpress is designed for consumers to purchase from Chinese retailers.
Can I use my Nigerian bank card to pay on 1688?
No, you can’t use a Nigerian bank card to pay directly on 1688. The platform only accepts Chinese payment methods like Alipay, WeChat Pay, or local bank transfers between Chinese accounts. You can fund your Alipay wallet with Midddleman and then pay your suppliers directly.
How long does it take to receive goods shipped from China to Nigeria?
Delivery time to your shipping agent in China usually takes 2 to 5 days. Shipping to Nigeria can take 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the shipping method (air or sea) and the efficiency of your shipping agent.
Can I buy just one item from 1688?
While some sellers allow you to buy as little as one or two units, most on 1688.com have a minimum order quantity above two. If you only need one item, platforms like Taobao or AliExpress may be more suitable.
Do I need a Chinese phone number to use 1688 or Alipay?
No, you can register on both platforms with an international phone number. Just make sure to select your country code during registration.
Which is better to use, the 1688 app or the 1688 website?
The 1688 website is generally the better option because it allows you to use automatic translation tools (like Google Translate), which are not available on the mobile app. This makes it easier to navigate and understand product details if you don’t read Chinese.
Conclusion
You're now ready to source goods confidently from 1688.com. You've understood how 1688 works for mini-importers and how to get started.
With this guide, you've learned how to:
- Create and verify a 1688 account
- Identify reliable Chinese sellers on 1688
- Find high-quality products on 1688
- Pay Chinese sellers seamlessly using Alipay and Midddleman
- Ship your goods from China using a shipping agent
Feel free to return to the different sections of the article as you begin your mini-importation journey on 1688.com.
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