Why Overseas Buyers Are Turning to 1688
For many international buyers, Alibaba has long been the go-to platform for sourcing products from China. But recently, more and more importers are turning their attention to 1688.com, a powerful B2B platform that offers significantly lower prices—often at factory cost.
But there’s one big catch: 1688 is designed primarily for domestic Chinese users, which leaves overseas buyers wondering…
Can I buy from 1688 if I live outside of China?
Does 1688 ship to the USA or other countries?
How do I pay if I don’t have Alipay or a Chinese bank account?
This guide answers all of those questions and more. Whether you’re an Amazon seller, a small business owner, or a global sourcing agent, we’ll walk you through how to buy from 1688 overseas, including how to find a trusted agent, pay securely, and ship internationally—especially to the USA.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to unlock the value of 1688, even if you’re located far outside of China.
What Is 1688 and How Is It Different from Alibaba?
1688.com is a leading B2B wholesale platform owned by Alibaba Group, but unlike Alibaba.com, it is primarily designed for China’s domestic market. The platform connects manufacturers, wholesalers, and factories with Chinese retailers and resellers. In many cases, the same supplier listed on Alibaba is also on 1688—but with lower prices.
Here’s how 1688 differs from Alibaba:
| Feature | 1688.com | Alibaba.com |
|---|---|---|
| Target Audience | Chinese domestic buyers | Global/overseas buyers |
| Language | Chinese only | Multilingual |
| Payment Methods | Alipay, local bank transfer | PayPal, credit card, TT, more |
| Shipping | Domestic China only | Supports international shipping |
| Pricing | Lower (factory prices) | Higher (includes export costs) |
So why is 1688 cheaper?
Because it’s not designed for international shipping or foreign transactions, most 1688 sellers assume you already live in China or use a freight forwarder to get your goods. As a result, prices are often 10–30% lower than what you’ll find on Alibaba.
But that doesn’t mean overseas buyers can’t access 1688—you just need to know how to do it the right way, which we’ll explain in the next section.
Can 1688 Ship Overseas?
Short answer: No, 1688 does not ship directly overseas.
If you’re asking, “Does 1688 ship to the USA or other countries?”—the answer is that the platform itself doesn’t support direct international delivery. Most suppliers on 1688 are only prepared to ship within China, and the platform is not optimized for handling international logistics or foreign payments.
But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck.
Thousands of overseas buyers successfully shop on 1688 every day by using a third-party buying and shipping agent. These agents act as a bridge between you and the Chinese suppliers. They help with:
Placing orders on your behalf
Paying local suppliers via Alipay or bank transfer
Receiving and consolidating goods in a domestic Chinese warehouse
Arranging international shipping to your country (USA, UK, Middle East, etc.)
In other words, while 1688 doesn’t ship overseas, you can still easily access its low prices and massive product variety using a trusted 1688 freight forwarding partner like Tonlexing.
How to Buy from 1688 Overseas: Step-by-Step
Even though 1688 is not built for international buyers, you can still buy from it smoothly with the help of a buying and shipping agent. Here’s a simple step-by-step process for buying from 1688 overseas:
Browse and Search on 1688.com
Visit www.1688.com. The site is in Chinese, so use a browser like Chrome to translate pages into English. Search for products using keywords, images, or product links.
Tip: Use product images from Alibaba or Taobao and do a reverse image search on 1688 to find the factory source.
Create a 1688 Account (Optional)
You can register using a Chinese mobile number, but most overseas buyers skip this step and let a sourcing agent handle it. Many agents can order without needing your own account.
Contact a 1688 Buying Agent
Find a trusted 1688 overseas agent who can:
Communicate with sellers in Chinese
Confirm product details and availability
Negotiate prices
Place the order on your behalf
Agents like Tonlexing provide full-service 1688 purchasing and shipping for global buyers.
Make Payment
Most 1688 suppliers only accept RMB (CNY) via Alipay or local bank transfer. Since overseas users usually can’t pay this way, your agent will pay the seller and you can reimburse them via PayPal, Wise, bank wire, etc.
Ship to Agent’s China Warehouse
Once paid, the 1688 seller will ship the goods to your agent’s warehouse in China. There, items can be inspected, consolidated, repackaged, and prepped for export.
Arrange International Shipping
Finally, your agent will help you choose the best shipping method—such as air freight, sea freight, or express courier—to deliver the goods to your country (e.g. USA, Canada, UK, UAE, etc.).
With a reliable logistics partner like Tonlexing, you can complete the entire process—from browsing to delivery—without needing a Chinese bank account or a local presence in China.
Tonlexing – Your Trusted 1688 Overseas Shipping Agent
At Tonlexing, we help overseas buyers unlock the full potential of 1688.com—even if you don’t speak Chinese or have a local payment method. As a professional 1688 sourcing and logistics company, we provide a complete one-stop solution to make buying from 1688 simple, secure, and stress-free.
Here’s how we help:
1688 Product Sourcing
We help you find reliable suppliers with factory prices on 1688 and confirm product details, MOQs, lead times, and certifications.
Payment Assistance
We support flexible payment options including PayPal, bank transfer, Wise, and more—then pay the 1688 seller on your behalf via Alipay or RMB transfer.
Inspection and Warehousing in China
All goods are delivered to our local warehouse, where we can consolidate, inspect, label, or repackage your products before international shipment.
International Shipping to the USA and Worldwide
We offer air freight, sea freight, express, and DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping solutions from China to more than 120 countries. Whether you’re in the USA, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, or Africa, we deliver directly to your door.
Amazon FBA & E-commerce Fulfillment
Need to ship to Amazon or Shopify fulfillment centers? We handle labeling, customs, and compliance to ensure your goods arrive on time and in perfect condition.
Whether you’re just starting to explore overseas 1688 sourcing or looking to scale up your imports, Tonlexing is here to guide you every step of the way.
Contact us today for a free consultation or instant shipping quote.
Let Tonlexing be your reliable partner in buying from 1688 and shipping worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does this platform ship to the USA or internationally?
No, the platform is designed for domestic delivery within China. However, international buyers can still access its products by using a third-party agent who will receive the goods locally and arrange shipping to countries like the USA, UK, UAE, and more.
How can I place an order if I live outside of China?
You’ll need to work with a professional sourcing and shipping agent who can place orders on your behalf, pay local suppliers in Chinese currency, and handle international delivery. Tonlexing offers a full suite of services to help global buyers source efficiently.
Is it cheaper than Alibaba?
Yes. This wholesale site often offers factory-direct pricing that is 10–30% lower than what you’ll find on international platforms. However, it requires local support to navigate payments, language, and logistics.
Can I pay the sellers using PayPal or a credit card?
Not directly. Most suppliers accept local payment methods like Alipay or bank transfer. However, a freight forwarder or purchasing agent can accept international payments such as PayPal or Wise and pay the supplier on your behalf.
What’s the best way to ship goods from this website?
It depends on your volume and urgency:
Use air freight for fast or light items
Choose sea freight for bulk shipments
Go with express courier for small and urgent orders
Tonlexing will help you choose the best option based on your needs.
