How to Buy from 1688 in 2026: Guide for International Buyers
1688.com is Alibaba's domestic wholesale marketplace — the same factories that supply Taobao and export sites, but at wholesale prices. It is entirely in Chinese, sellers only accept domestic payment, and many set minimum order quantities. Here is how to buy from 1688 from outside China.
What is 1688?
1688 is a business-to-business marketplace where Chinese factories and wholesalers sell in bulk. Because you buy closer to the source than on Taobao, unit prices are often lower — but listings assume you are a domestic reseller.
1688 vs Taobao — which is cheaper?
1688 is usually cheaper per unit, especially when buying several pieces, while Taobao offers more variety and smaller quantities. Many shoppers browse both. Sugobuy supports 1688, Taobao, Tmall and Weidian, so you can compare and mix.
Minimum order quantities (MOQ)
Some 1688 sellers require a minimum quantity or offer tiered pricing that gets cheaper per piece as you order more. Check the listing before ordering. For small quantities of the same item, 1688 can still work well through an agent.
Step 1 — Find and order
Paste a 1688 product link into Sugobuy, or search by keyword or image. Add it to your cart, select the specification and quantity, and pay in your currency. Sugobuy places the wholesale order with the 1688 seller for you.
Step 2 — Quality check & consolidation
Your 1688 order arrives at the Sugobuy warehouse with free quality-check photos. Bulk orders especially benefit from consolidation — combine everything into one shipment to minimize per-item freight.
Step 3 — International shipping
Pick a shipping line to your country. Heavier wholesale parcels are where tax-free and economy lines save the most; use the shipping calculator to compare options by weight before paying.
FAQ: buying from 1688
Can I buy from 1688 as an individual?
Yes. Through an agent like Sugobuy you can buy from 1688 without a Chinese business account, even in small quantities, depending on the seller's MOQ.
Is 1688 cheaper than Taobao?
Per unit, 1688 is often cheaper because it is wholesale, but Taobao has more variety and no minimums. Compare both — Sugobuy supports each.
Do 1688 sellers ship internationally?
Rarely. 1688 sellers ship within China, so an agent receives the order and forwards it abroad for you.
How do I pay for 1688 orders?
You pay Sugobuy in your own currency (PayPal, card or balance); Sugobuy settles with the 1688 seller in China.
Buy wholesale from 1688 with Sugobuy
Paste a 1688 link or search to see wholesale prices.