Quick facts
Overview
1688.com is Alibaba Group's domestic Chinese marketplace, offering factory-direct prices often 30-50% lower than Alibaba.com. Designed for the Chinese domestic market, it requires some Chinese language ability or a sourcing agent to navigate. The best platform for finding genuine factory pricing.
Key features: Significantly lower prices than Alibaba; Direct factory access and Enormous product range.
When to use 1688.com
1688.com makes sense if you lower prices, factory-direct sourcing, bulk purchases. It's a common pick in the Sourcing category for importers who need this kind of capability.
Pricing explained
Free to browse, prices visible without account. For most importers, total cost depends on volume, service level and how much you negotiate. If you're comparing 1688.com against alternatives, request quotes from all of them and compare on equivalent scope — not just list price.
Pros
- Significantly lower prices than Alibaba
- Direct factory access
- Enormous product range
Cons
- Chinese-only interface
- Requires Chinese payment method
- No built-in export/logistics support
Frequently asked questions
How much does 1688.com cost?
Free to browse, prices visible without account
What is 1688.com best for?
Lower prices, factory-direct sourcing, bulk purchases
Does 1688.com have an affiliate program?
As of our last check, 1688.com does not appear to offer a public affiliate or referral program. You can still link out to the tool from your site, but no commission is tracked.
What are the main advantages of 1688.com?
Significantly lower prices than Alibaba; Direct factory access; Enormous product range.
How do I get started with 1688.com?
Visit www.1688.com and create an account. Most importers complete setup in under an hour. If the service requires a quote, expect a sales response within one business day.
Alternatives in Sourcing
If 1688.com isn't the right fit, these cover similar needs.