DiFFreight Blog The Best Chinese Platforms for Bulk Purchases

The Best Chinese Platforms for Bulk Purchases

The Best Chinese Platforms for Bulk Purchases

Chinese marketplaces are not limited to AliExpress and Temu. Nowadays, these are the least advantageous platforms for purchasing and reselling goods. The best prices can be found in China's domestic markets. Here, we will introduce marketplaces that are suitable for business.

Top Chinese Online Stores

Many Chinese shopping sites are already being optimized for international customers. This has its pros and cons, as we’ll see from the comparison of wholesalers. DiFFreight works with these marketplaces, ensuring the best purchasing terms in China.

Alibaba

One of the largest B2B platforms for wholesale purchases. It is oriented toward the international market and features products from both manufacturers and intermediaries. All product categories are represented, from industrial equipment to small consumer goods. Alibaba focuses on wholesale, making it suitable for medium-sized businesses.

Purchase terms:

  • High Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ), but test batches can be negotiated.
  • Operates through Trade Assurance – buyer protection.
  • Price and terms are negotiable.

The marketplace includes the best Chinese online stores offering free delivery to Ukraine through postal services or freight forwarders. These forwarders consolidate goods in Alibaba warehouses to conveniently deliver the entire batch. A bonus is payment in USD*.

*If you choose a different currency, the amount will be converted at your bank’s exchange rate.

1688.com

Known as "The Cheapest Chinese Online Store" since it targets the domestic market. Its assortment includes products from big and medium-sized factories, mostly for big wholesale.

Purchase terms:

  • The interface is in Chinese only, complicating operations for businesses.
  • Very low purchasing prices and small minimum orders.
  • Payment is in yuan (via intermediaries or direct transfer).

Direct payments to manufacturers can be made using services like Alipay, WeChat Pay, or specialized payment platforms such as PayPal or Wise. DiFFreight has prepared a video on how to set up Chinese payment services:

There is no direct delivery to Ukraine. However, these "disadvantages" allow for purchasing products at low prices and selling them with a high margin, as not all businesses can navigate China's domestic market. This increases your chances of finding cost-effective goods not yet available in the Ukrainian market.

Pinduoduo

A store for group purchases with a focus on low-cost retail.

Key trading terms:

  • No MOQ – single items can be purchased.
  • Good discounts for group orders (combining multiple buyers).
  • Payment only through domestic platforms (WeChat Pay, Alipay).

Although the marketplace has a large assortment, it’s less convenient for large batches. Prices are still higher than on 1688.

Taobao

The platform features suppliers from China for retail and small wholesale. It’s an excellent option for small businesses since you can buy a small amount and test the product.

Purchase features:

  • Single items can be purchased.
  • Payment in yuan via Alipay.
  • A mediator is needed for assistance with purchasing (if there’s no address in China).

Some items are eligible for direct delivery through AliExpress Shipping. Others are shipped via cargo companies. Importing from Taobao is recommended if you’re not ready to start with large batches. It’s a great marketplace for getting acquainted with the Chinese market.

Made-in-China

Chinese wholesale websites like Made-in-China primarily operate for export in the B2B segment, focusing on equipment and industrial goods.

Key features of purchasing on the platform:

  • Oriented toward large orders, suitable for medium businesses.
  • Sample requests are allowed.
  • Secure transactions via the platform (Trade Assurance) in USD.

Prices are competitive only for large batches. Delivery to Ukraine is handled via international courier services for medium wholesale or through intermediaries for large orders. The platform’s standout feature is personalized discounts for wholesalers.

Working with Made-in-China is optimal if you purchase equipment in large quantities. For other businesses, the benefits need to be carefully weighed.

Tmall

Tmall is a Chinese marketplace offering products from brands for end consumers. These include local companies (Huawei, Xiaomi, Anta, Li-Ning) and international brands such as Nike, Adidas, Apple, and Estee Lauder. Tmall partners with verified sellers and official representatives.

Purchasing international brands through China can be advantageous due to lower prices during promotions and discounts. However, consider additional costs: delivery charges, mediator fees, and potential import taxes.

It’s likely more cost-effective to buy only Chinese brands, as American and European ones may be cheaper when ordered directly from the U.S. or Europe.

How purchasing on Tmall differs:

  • High prices due to the focus on brands.
  • Items can be purchased in retail.
  • Buyer protection is at a high level.
  • Payment via Alipay or other payment systems.

For international buyers, services for currency conversion and fund transfers may be required if Alipay cannot be set up. Products can be consolidated in a warehouse, but a logistics company is needed to ship them to Ukraine.

Yiwugo

Yiwugo is a Chinese wholesale site for small-scale purchases from Yiwu, the world’s largest retail and wholesale market. The marketplace specializes in selling clothing, accessories, toys, electronics, and household items.

Purchase terms:

  • Small MOQ.
  • Communication with sellers is in Chinese.
  • Payment in yuan.

Yiwugo is advantageous for small batches due to prices aligned with the domestic market and for larger ones, thanks to good wholesale discounts. Several orders can be consolidated in a warehouse, but a mediator or logistics partner is needed for delivery.

how to buy goods on chinese marketplaces

TechZK

A lesser-known Chinese platform internationally, but worth attention. TechZK offers electronics, gadgets, and various equipment at favorable prices. It focuses on wholesale buyers, small businesses, and individual clients.

Purchase Terms

  • Minimum batch volumes exist.
  • Supports various payment methods, including bank transfers, PayPal, and international payment systems (depending on the seller).
  • International delivery is available, with terms and costs varying by seller and destination country.

The interface is entirely in Chinese, making it challenging to navigate product details and conditions.

MarketplaceAssortmentPurchase TermsPrices
AlibabaWholesale, wide rangeHigh MOQ, payment in $Medium, discounts for bulk
1688Small wholesaleLow MOQ, payment in yuanLowest
PinduoduoRetail, group purchasesNo MOQ, payment in yuanLow, discounts for wholesalers
TaobaoRetail, small wholesaleNo MOQ, payment in yuanAffordable
Made-in-ChinaEquipment, B2BLarge orders, payment in $Competitive
TmallBrands, premium productsNo MOQ, payment in yuanHigh, as the products are premium
YiwugoSmall wholesale, Yiwu goodsLow MOQ, payment in yuanLow
TechZKElectronics, gadgetsNo MOQ for private clients, low MOQ for businesses, payment in yuanMedium, discounts for bulk


Recommended Platforms for:

  1. Small Businesses: Alibaba, Taobao, Pinduoduo, Yiwugo, TechZK. Minimal wholesale and competitive prices are available.
  2. Medium Businesses: 1688, Made-in-China, Tmall (for premium segments). Better terms for larger batches with buyer protection.

Organizing dropshipping is challenging with most marketplaces, which once made AliExpress popular. However, the domestic market offers more favorable prices for online stores and other businesses.

DiFFreight: Your Reliable Partner for Delivering Chinese Goods from Online Stores

As this overview shows, direct delivery to Ukraine from Chinese marketplaces is rare. The best terms are offered by platforms that require a mediator. DiFFreight provides freight delivery from China to Ukraine and purchasing services.

We will find sellers that meet your requirements or purchase batches on your preferred platform.

Your order will arrive at our warehouse, where we’ll ship it in a consolidated container (for small batches). DiFFreight’s buyers speak Chinese, ensuring complete understanding with sellers. By choosing China’s domestic marketplaces, you gain exceptional savings and competitive products.

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