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2024-09-27
Alibaba is the world's leading online wholesale and sourcing platform. It aims to make doing business easier by connecting suppliers with B2B buyers. When you browse Alibaba, you can see that this platform has manufacturers and suppliers from all over the world. Alibaba offers a wide variety of products, including electronics, clothing, machinery, and more.
1688 is a Chinese domestic website for wholesale and direct product sales. It is a combination of the Chinese versions of Alibaba and Aliexpress. The site caters to B2B and B2C customers, who can buy goods directly from Chinese factories. The site is primarily aimed at Chinese businesses and individual users.
| Global Reach | Trade Assurance | Multiple Payment Options | Supplier Verification | User-Friendly Interface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alibaba connects buyers and suppliers worldwide, offering a vast range of products from various industries. | Provides trade terms for buyers and makes sure that the consignee receives their products as described and within the agreed timeframe | Supports various payment methods, including credit cards, bank transfers, and online payment systems, making transactions convenient. | Offers verification services for suppliers, helping buyers identify reliable partners. | There are language interfaces designed specifically for merchants in various countries. |
| Higher Cost | Longer Shipping Times |
|---|---|
| Prices on Alibaba are often higher than those on domestic platforms like 1688, especially for smaller quantities. | International shipping time is long, depending on the location of the supplier and consignee. |
| Lower Prices | Domestic Focus | Directly Connect With The Factory | Local Rich Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Products in 1688 are typically priced lower than those in Alibaba, making it an attractive option for bulk purchases. | Tailored for the Chinese market, offering a wide selection of goods directly from manufacturers. | Many suppliers in 1688 were manufacturers, offering direct pricing and potential for customization. | Suitable for those with connections in China, as it provides access to products not easily found on international shopping platforms. |
| Language Barrier | Payment Methods | Limited International Shipping | No Trade Assurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The platform is primarily in Chinese, which can be challenging for non-Chinese speakers. | Limited payment options for international buyers, often requiring a Chinese bank account or payment services like Alipay. | Many suppliers focus on the domestic market, making international shipping more complex and requiring a freight forwarder. | Unlike Alibaba, 1688 does not offer extensive buyer protection, which can increase the risk for international transactions. |
Alibaba is a multilingual trading platform that focuses on international buyers and sellers. Businesses from all over the world can connect and trade with Chinese manufacturers and suppliers. If you are an international buyer looking to import or purchase products from China, Alibaba is a good choice.
1688 is a Chinese shopping platform that focuses on Chinese domestic buyers and sellers. If you are currently in China and want to purchase your daily use items in 1688 or wholesale goods in 1688 and sell them in China, 1688 may be more suitable for you.
Alibaba is a trading platform that provides multilingual communication methods that are convenient for international users. If the supplier's language is unfamiliar to you, you can directly translate it into your own language online.
1688 is** mainly in Chinese**. The website is designed for the Chinese market, which may be a big obstacle for international buyers who do not understand Chinese, and the products may not be so international.
Alibaba generally places more emphasis on product authenticity and has various verification processes in place to ensure the trustworthiness of suppliers, which in turn makes products more authentic. While there may still be issues, it is generally considered more reliable for international buyers.
1688 may have a wider range of products, but the risks in terms of product authenticity and quality control may be greater. When buying in 1688, it is important for international buyers to filter out more reliable sellers and good quality products.
Alibaba's goods comparison matches that of a large-scale purchasing goods enterprise. Alibaba's supply of allowances and commercial capital has a minimum order quantity, which is not suitable for individuals or small businesses.
1688, it is possible to provide a small demand for more selections because it's a platform that is designed for individuals and businesses.
Products on Alibaba tend to be pricier, especially for small orders, as they are often priced for the international market.
Products on 1688 are often **cheaper **as it is a domestic platform focused on the Chinese market.
Alibaba offers more than 20 global payment methods, making it easier for international buyers to conduct transactions.
1688 Settlement mainly uses Alipay and China's savings card and credit card, which is a big trouble for international buyers who don't have an Alipay account and China's savings card and credit card.
a. Go to Alibaba website: Login [www.alibaba.com]
b. Click "Sign in": After logging in to Alibaba, you can see on the top right corner of the home page that there is a 'Sign in' button. Please Click it.
c. Fill in your personal information: After entering your email address, create an uncommon password and provide basic personal information (name, email, country, company details, etc).
d. Verify Email: After submitting your basic personal information, you will receive an email for verification. Please open your email and click on the link to verify the email address.
e. Fill in your personal details: After logging in, you will need to fill in the details, and then you can start chatting with the suppliers.
a. Searching products: Enter the product name or keyword of the product in the search field.
b. Filter Suppliers: Use Trade Assurance, Verified Suppliers, etc. to filter out suppliers with a good track record.
c. Price Comparison and View Reviews: Compare prices for the same product, minimum order quantity (MOQ) for goods, and view customer reviews.
d. Contact Suppliers: Use Alibaba's chat tool to communicate directly with suppliers online. You can ask questions about products, shipping, and payment methods. You can also discuss prices with suppliers to get lower prices.
e. Ask for Samples: Before you place a large order, request product samples to check the quality and make sure the product meets your requirements.
a. Determine the product: After the product is determined, click on the product list to view the product details.
b. Talk with suppliers: Negotiate directly with suppliers through Alibaba's chat tool on price and product customization, as well as the price of subsequent shipments of goods.
c. Place an order: After both parties confirm the terms and conditions, click the “order” button on the product page.
d. Confirm the payment method: Alibaba supports more than 20 kinds of payment methods, such as Apple Pay and credit cards; the Alibaba platform also has a safe payment system, “Trade Assurance,” which can protect your money.
e. Confirm the order: check the content of the order again whether it is correct, such as confirming the correctness of the payment, so that the order is completed.
a. Shipping Price and Shipping Times: Please note that shipping costs can be high depending on the size of the order and the shipping method. Please be sure to clarify shipping terms with your supplier.
b. Duties and Taxes: You may need to pay duties, VAT, or other taxes for your products. This is depending on your country. Please check with your supplier before placing your order.
c. Quality Assurance: Confirm product quality by reading valid reviews, checking supplier certifications, and requesting samples when possible.
d. Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): Some suppliers have high MOQs for their products, so be sure to check how much you need to order before placing an order to get a lower price.
e. Trade Guarantee: Make payments on the Alibaba platform. Use Alibaba's Trade Guarantee to protect your order. It ensures that your order is fulfilled according to the agreed terms, including product quality and shipping time.
a. Visit 1688 website: Login [1688. com] (https://www.1688.com/).
b. Click “Join for Free: On the top left corner of the home page, you will see "免费注册" (Free Registration) button. Click it.
c. Select the registration method: Cell Phone Number: Choose” 手机注册” (Cell Phone Registration). Enter your cell phone number, and you will receive an SMS verification code. Complete the verification code check, fill in your personal information, and enter the login password. The account will be registered.
a. Search for products: Enter the name of the product you are interested in in the search field. You can also search using product keywords and more.
b. Filtering results: Search results can be narrowed down based on criteria such as “ratings” （评分） and “transactions” （销量）. If you know which factory the item belongs to, you can also search directly for the factory name.
c. Check supplier ratings: Look for suppliers with high ratings and positive reviews. On the home page of the store, there are ratings about the supplier, such as 5A, and the way the main qualification certificates.
d. Compare prices: Enter the name of the product you want to know about in the search bar, and different suppliers will appear, as well as different prices. You need to be careful with very low prices; in this case, the quality of the goods may not be good.
e. Contact Suppliers: Use 1688's chat tool to communicate directly with suppliers online. You can ask questions about products, shipping, and payment methods. You can also discuss prices with suppliers to get lower prices.
f. Request Samples: Before you place a large order, request product samples to check the quality and make sure the product meets your requirements.
a. Add product to the cart: Find out the product you want to buy, open the product link, and click “Add to cart.” You can add multiple products to your cart. And be aware of the number of products available.
b. Check Cart: Click on the shopping cart icon to check if the selected product is what you want.
c. Checkout: Once you have selected your shipment, click "结算" (checkout). Fill in your receiving address and choose the payment method. Here, we usually fill in the shipping address in China. If you need immediate logistics to receive the goods for you, please contact us at our warehouse address.
d. Payment: Complete the payment process. 1688 supports a variety of payment methods, including Alipay, Chinese bank cards, credit cards, and so on.
e. Tracking Orders: After placing an order, the seller will normally ship the order within 1-3 days. You can check the status of your order through My Orders（我的订单）.
a. Familiarize yourself with the site layout, Including the search bar and product categories.
b. Search for products: Use the 1688 search tool to find the products you want. You can filter the results by comprehensive sales volume, price product features, MOQ, service guarantee, product style, and more.
c. Filter suppliers: Check the supplier ratings, reviews, and certifications; stores show “超级工厂（super factory）、 “实力商家” （strength of the merchant）, and so on are more reliable suppliers.
d. Tracking orders: Through the account control panel, monitor the status of the order; if the seller has not shipped, communicate with the seller in time. If you don't know Chinese, you can use a translator to translate the language.
e. Communication: Use the platform's messaging system to communicate with the seller.
When the buyer is sourcing products from Alibaba and 1688, understanding the available international shipping methods and their associated costs is crucial for successful transactions. Here’s a breakdown of the shipping options and pricing considerations for both platforms. You need to find a Chinese freight forwarder like Jikeship to arrange the below shipping methods for goods from Alibaba and 1688
Express delivery is the fastest mode of door-to-door transportation, ideal for international shipping of small packages. With expedited customs clearance, the consignee typically receives the goods within 3-6 working days."
- Carriers: DHL, FedEx, UPS. - Best For Small, urgent shipments. - Cost: Higher due to speed and convenience.
Here is the cost example for shipping to the USA by express delivery (September/2024):
| Company | 5KG+ | 10KG+ | 30KG+ | 50KG+ | 100KG+ | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPS | $12/KG | $10.5/KG | $9.8/KG | 9.2/KG | $9.7/KG | 3-5 working days |
| DHL | $12/KG | $11/KG | $10/KG | 9.8/KG | $9.5/KG | 3 working days |
| FedEx | $14/KG | $10.5/KG | $9.5/KG | 9/KG | $8/KG | 4-6 working days |
By partnering with JIKEship, you can secure rates that are 30% lower than those of official express companies, significantly reducing your costs.
When it comes to speed and efficiency, air transport is the fastest mode of cargo delivery. For businesses with time-sensitive, high-value shipments, this method offers unparalleled advantages.
- Carriers: CZ, TK, CA, CI. - Best For Medium-sized shipments that require a faster delivery than sea freight. - Cost: Lower than express but higher than sea freight, often calculated by weight and volume.
Here is a price example shipping from Alibaba or 1688 to some airport (September/2024):
| Air freight costs from China | 45KG+ | 100KG+ | 300KG+ | 500KG+ | 1000KG+ | Airline | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen(SZX)-New York(JFK) | $7/KG | $6.65/KG | $6.27/KG | $6.13/KG | $6.65/KG | CZ | 1-3 days |
| Shenzhen(SZX)-Abu Dhabi(AUH) | $7.31/KG | $5.34/KG | $5.2/KG | $5.06/KG | $4.92/KG | TK | 2-5 days |
| Shenzhen(SZX)-Madrid (MAD) | $7.73/KG | $5.06/KG | $4.92/KG | $4.78/KG | $4.78/KG | CA | 2-5 days |
| Shenzhen(SZX)-Bangkok (BKK) | $4/KG | $2.67/KG | $2.53/KG | $2.25/KG | $2.11/KG | CI | 1-2days |
Sea shipping is suitable for large-volume goods and can be categorized into full-container loads (FCL) and less-than-container loads (LCL).
- Speed: 4-45 days. - Best For Large, bulky shipments where time is less of a concern. - Cost: Lowest cost per unit, ideal for large orders, but longer delivery times.
The prices for shipping from Alibaba or 1688 to your country change frequently. The following are the recent cheaper shipping prices to some seaports.
| Sea freight costs from China | 20GP | 40GP | 40HC | Shipowner | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen-Long Beach | $3900 | $5000 | $5000 | MSC | 23 days |
| Shenzhen- Singapore | $100 | $200 | $200 | TSL | 4 days |
| Shenzhen- Ashdod | $4300 | $5900 | $5900 | EMC | 34 days |
| Shenzhen- Ensenada | $4900 | $6550 | $6550 | COSCO | 29 days |
- Speed: 16-25 days. - Best For Large shipments to Europe, where air freight is too expensive and sea freight is too slow. - Cost: Lower than air freight, competitive with sea freight.
Rail shipping price from Alibaba or 1688 to some train stations (August/2024).
| Departure | Terminal | Container | ETD | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chongqing | BUDAPEST | 40HQ | Everyday | USD8150 |
| Wuhan | MALASZEWICZE | 40HQ | Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday | USD8800 |
| Xian | MALASZEWICZE | 40HQ | 3/10-Sept | USD9200 |
| Yiwu | HAMBURG | 40HQ | Thursday | USD10300 |
| Chongqing | POTI | 40HQ | Friday | USD7600 |
The price changes frequently. Please contact JIKEship to get the latest price for your country.
| Contact Jike for competitive shipping services from China |
| Whatsapp - Online Customer Service |
All suppliers on Alibaba and 1688 need to submit their company's legal qualifications and deposit to register a store, and products need to be strictly screened by the platform before they can be legally sold.
Alibaba is geared towards international customers, and the platform has trade terms to protect sellers, so if you have a dispute with a seller, you can look to Alibaba's official customer service for help.
If you want the lowest prices, 1688, which has thousands of Chinese factories registered, maybe the best choice. The premise is that you need to know how to purchase and place orders in 1688.
1688 is a wholesale platform for the Chinese domestic market; it is not built for an international audience and operates mainly in Chinese.
If you want to purchase on 1688, you may need to find an agent like us who can help you communicate with the merchants, which can also add to the cost. Since the main customer base is Chinese, the prices of products in 1688 were often lower than those in Alibaba. 1688 does not have international shipping to your country; it can only ship to a Chinese address. So, if you want to ship to the globe, you need to find a Chinese freight forwarder like Jikeship.
With the help of our guide on Alibaab vs 1688, it becomes easier to order from Alibaba or 1688 in your country. At the same time, don’t forget to choose a reliable freight forwarder and select a suitable shipping method so that you can save shipping costs and get your goods safely and quickly.
Contact JIKEship to get more help.
| Shipping services from China to your country |
| Whatsapp - Online Customer Service for Questions on Alibaba vs 1688 |
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