How to Use 1688.com: The Cheapest Way to Source Products Directly from Chinese Factories

If you've been buying from Alibaba, you've probably been paying more than you need to.

1688.com is where Chinese businesses buy from each other. It's the same factories, the same products, but at domestic Chinese prices, with no export markup built in. The same item you find on Alibaba for $5 per unit could cost $3 on 1688. Multiply that across a 500-unit order and you're looking at a ₦1 million+ difference on a single shipment.

But there are downsides to using 1688:

The site is entirely in Chinese, doesn't accept Nigerian cards directly, and wasn't built for international buyers. But Nigerian importers are accessing it every day, and this guide shows you exactly how.

Step 5: How to Negotiate on 1688

1688 suppliers are used to negotiating, it's Chinese business culture. Most listed prices are not final.

Negotiation tips:

• Quote your intended order volume upfront. Even if you're starting small, mention your expected repeat orders. Suppliers will price better for potential long-term buyers.

• Ask for a tiered price list. Most suppliers have different prices at 50 units, 200 units, 500 units, etc. Ask for the full schedule so you can plan your orders.

• Compare and mention alternatives. If another supplier is offering the same product at a lower price, you can mention this (politely) to open the door for a better offer.

• Ask what's included in the price. Domestic shipping to a Chinese warehouse, packaging type, and customization options (if any) should all be clarified upfront.

Use Google Translate or your agent to communicate. Keep messages short and clear, Chinese suppliers respond better to direct, specific questions than long paragraphs.

Step 6: Shipping 1688 Orders to Nigeria

Here's something most beginners don't know: 1688 suppliers almost never ship internationally themselves. They ship to a Chinese address.

This means the shipping process has two legs:

1. Supplier ships to a Chinese warehouse (usually in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, or Yiwu)

2. Freight forwarder ships from that warehouse to Nigeria

Options for getting goods from China to Nigeria:

Air freight — 5–10 days, $5–$12/kg. Best for small, high-value orders (electronics, accessories, fashion).

Sea freight LCL (Less than Container Load) — 30–45 days, $100–$200/CBM. Best for medium-sized orders that don't fill a container.

Consolidated shipping — your goods are combined with other importers' shipments in one container, so you only pay for your actual space. This is the most cost-effective option for most Nigerian small businesses buying from 1688.

When working with an agent like Proc360, your goods go to our China warehouse after purchase, we consolidate with other Nigerian importers' shipments, and handle all export documentation on the China side — then customs clearance and delivery on the Nigeria side.

Common 1688 Mistakes to Avoid

Searching in English. The results are poor and the relevant suppliers won't appear. Always translate your search term to Chinese first.

Skipping supplier verification. Because 1688 is domestic, buyer protection is weaker than Alibaba. There's no Trade Assurance escrow for international buyers. Verification and samples matter more here, not less.

Ignoring the MOQ. Minimum Order Quantities on 1688 are often listed per SKU (per size, colour, or variant). Make sure you understand whether the MOQ is for one variant or the full product line.

Forgetting SONCAP. Your goods still need a SONCAP Product Certificate to clear Nigerian customs regardless of where you bought them. Your freight forwarder or agent should handle this — but confirm it's included in your service.

Using 1688 for regulated goods without guidance. Electronics, food, cosmetics, and health products all face scrutiny at Nigerian ports. Get specific advice on NAFDAC or SON requirements before ordering.

How Proc360 Gives You 1688 Access Without the Hassle

Accessing 1688 directly requires navigating a Chinese-only platform, setting up payment infrastructure you don't have, managing a Chinese warehouse address, and coordinating international freight. That's a lot of moving parts.

Proc360 simplifies all of it:

With Proc360’s Buy for me feature, all you need is the link to the goods from 1688. Once you upload them, you get quotes from verified suppliers at the best rate.

After that, you can make payments with your Proc360 wallet, and track delivery on the platform as well.

Everything you need to import for your business in one safe, simple platform.

Try it out now!

Step 1: Access 1688 in English (Without an Agent)

1688.com has no official English version. But you can still browse it:

On desktop (Chrome browser):

1. Visit www.1688.com

2. Right-click anywhere on the page and select "Translate to English"

3. Chrome will translate the full page automatically

On mobile: Download the 1688 app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). Use Google Translate's live camera feature to read product listings, or enable your phone's built-in translation.

For searching products: Machine translation works well enough for browsing, but searching is different. Chinese keyword searches return far more relevant results than translated English terms. For example:

• Phone accessories → 手机配件 (shǒujī pèijiàn)

• Women's shoes → 女鞋 (nǚ xié)

• Solar generator → 太阳能发电机 (tàiyángnéng fādiànjī)

Use Google Translate to convert your product name to Chinese first, then paste that into 1688's search bar. You'll get dramatically better results.

Alternatively, use image search: Click the camera icon in the 1688 search bar and upload a product photo. The platform will find visually similar listings, no Chinese required.

Step 2: Find and Evaluate Suppliers

Once you've found products you're interested in, here's how to evaluate suppliers on 1688:

Look for these signals:

• Years in business — displayed on the supplier's store page. Prefer 3+ years

• Transaction volume — higher is better; shows real buying activity

• Store rating — a rating above 4.5/5 is a good sign

• Verified business license — look for the authentication badge (实名认证)

• Response rate — contact a few suppliers before ordering; fast responses indicate reliability

Gold Supplier status on 1688 (similar to Alibaba's verification) indicates the supplier paid a significant annual membership fee (around 6,888 CNY) and has been reviewed by the platform. It's not a guarantee, but it's a positive sign.

Compare at least three suppliers for the same product. Prices will vary. If one quote is dramatically lower than all others, that's a red flag, not a deal.

Step 3: Request Samples Before Bulk Orders

This rule is the same on every platform: never skip the sample.

On 1688, most suppliers will ship domestic samples within China quickly and cheaply. Your sourcing agent in China can receive the sample, inspect it, photograph it, and send you a full video review before you commit to any bulk order.

What to check in a sample:

• Does it match the product listing photos?

• Is the build quality what you expected?

• Are dimensions, weight, and materials accurate?

• Is packaging adequate for shipping to Nigeria?

The cost of a sample (usually $20–$100 depending on the product) is insurance against a bad bulk order. Don't skip it.

Step 4: The Payment Problem — and How Nigerian Buyers Solve It

This is the biggest barrier to buying directly on 1688: the platform only accepts Alipay and Chinese bank transfers (RMB). Nigerian ATM cards, dollar cards, and PayPal don't work directly.

There are three ways Nigerian importers handle this:

Option 1: Use a Sourcing Agent (Most Common): A sourcing agent based in China has a Chinese Alipay or bank account. You pay the agent in USD or Naira, and they pay the 1688 supplier on your behalf. The agent charges a service fee — typically 2–5% of the order value.

This is how most Nigerian importers access 1688 prices without needing any Chinese payment infrastructure. It's also how Proc360 works — you pay in Naira, we pay the supplier.

Option 2: Use a Virtual Card with International 1688 Access: Some platforms (like EverTry) issue USD virtual cards that can be linked to Alipay for cross-border payments. This gives you more independence but requires account setup and still carries conversion fees.

Option 3: Direct Alipay (Advanced) If you travel to China or have a Chinese contact who can help set it up, Alipay now supports limited international card linking. This is complex and not recommended for most Nigerian buyers.

Option 4 (The best option): Proc360 wallet enables you to pay any supplier, including on Alibaba and 1688. The process is easy, seamless and much safer than any other option

Never use unofficial cash transfers or peer-to-peer money changers to pay 1688 suppliers. These have no traceability and no recourse if something goes wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 1688.com legit? Yes. It's owned by Alibaba Group and all sellers are required to register with a government business license and pay an annual platform fee. The platform has been operating since 1999 and serves millions of Chinese businesses daily.

Can foreigners use 1688 without an agent? You can definitely handle it by yourself. In fact, it’s cheaper than using agents. All you need is a simple, safe platform like Proc360.

What's the minimum order quantity on 1688? It varies by supplier and product. Many 1688 suppliers actually have lower MOQs than their Alibaba counterparts because they're used to selling to small domestic businesses. Some will sell as few as 10–20 units. Always check the listing and confirm with the supplier.

How long does 1688 to Nigeria shipping take? Air freight: 10–14 days door-to-door. Sea freight: 45–60 days including customs clearance. Your timeline depends on how quickly your agent purchases the goods and how long they spend at the China warehouse before shipping.

What's the difference between 1688 and AliExpress? AliExpress is retail — it's designed for individuals buying single items internationally. 1688 is wholesale — designed for businesses buying in bulk from factories. Prices on 1688 are significantly lower, but minimum orders apply and payment is more complex.

1688 is genuinely the cheapest way to source products from Chinese factories. The barrier to entry isn't knowledge, it's the language, payment, and logistics setup. With the right platform, that barrier disappears entirely.

What is 1688.com?

1688.com is a wholesale B2B marketplace owned by Alibaba Group, built for the Chinese domestic market. While Alibaba.com was built to connect Chinese factories with international buyers, 1688 is where those same factories sell to other businesses inside China.

That distinction matters a lot for pricing. On Alibaba, suppliers price in export costs: English support, international packaging, trade compliance, and profit on top. But on 1688, they're quoting domestic wholesale prices: factory-direct, no frills, no export overhead.

The result: products on 1688 are typically 15–40% cheaper than the same item on Alibaba.

It's not a secret website. It's just one that requires a bit more setup to use from Nigeria, which is exactly what this guide covers.

1688 vs Alibaba: Which Should You Use?

Bottom line: Use Alibaba when you're new and need hand-holding. Use 1688 when you're ready to cut costs and work with an agent who knows the platform.

Many successful Nigerian importers use both, by starting a supplier relationship on Alibaba, then finding the same factory on 1688 for repeat bulk orders at lower prices.