DiFFreight Blog Useful Tips for Wholesale Ordering from 1688

Useful Tips for Wholesale Ordering from 1688

The platform 1688.com is best suited for wholesale orders, and we’ll prove it in this article! Many avoid the marketplace because of its Chinese interface and payment difficulties. But DiFFreight will help you get the most out of wholesale purchases from China on 1688.

1688 — Wholesale Goods Directly from Factories and Suppliers

1688 is the largest B2B (business-to-business) platform, part of the Alibaba Group. It has several key distinctions:

Focused on the domestic Chinese market — meaning Chinese businesses sell to Chinese buyers.
Primarily oriented toward wholesale sales, but there’s also a low MOQ.
Delivery is available only within China, so international businesses need an intermediary.

One major barrier is the language. Since the marketplace is for the domestic market, few company representatives speak English well — which complicates negotiations.

However, these specifics don’t scare buyers away. On the contrary, the number of foreigners buying on 1688 keeps growing due to low prices and good quality. This is possible because you buy directly from the factory or first supplier. In terms of direct sourcing, 1688 even surpasses Alibaba.

How to Verify a Supplier on 1688

The simplest way is to check their profile. Open the product listing that interests you. On the right side of the image, you’ll see prices, size charts/specifications, and shipping options. Then scroll down below the product photo.

The store name is highlighted in green. The status is shown in orange. The Bull icon means the supplier has been active for over 5 years and verified by the platform after submitting documents. After the status, you’ll see the main type of goods sold — in this example, men’s clothing.

Next, you’ll see several key metrics:

Return rate.
Service quality score.
Delivery punctuality.
Store “praise” rating.

The next step is to open the menu under the arrow near the store name.

First, analyze the left block. Under the store name (first line), you’ll find (from top to bottom):

Sales volume (A icons): the more, the better.
Business model: in this case, 经销批发 means a wholesale supplier (distributor), while a manufacturer is marked with 生产厂家.
Region.
Return percentage.
Certification (document verification) — shown as a medal icon.

Now look at the right block. The number of stars is the seller’s overall rating, including returns, purchase experience, delivery timeliness, dispute resolution, and quality of consultations during procurement.

Bottom block (right to left):

Foundation year and month — here, September 2006.
Warehouse/facility area.
Annual number of new models.

The bottom line of the block shows certification.

Summary — How to Find Reliable Wholesale Suppliers from China on 1688:

High rating: Bull status or 4–5 A stars.
Over 3 years of platform activity.
Low return percentage.
Customer reviews (at the bottom of the page).

We explained how to register on 1688 in another article. Try your hand at verifying wholesalers and manufacturers on the platform!

Why 1688 Wholesale Is a Profitable Solution for Business

We recommend this marketplace for several reasons:

Lowest prices on the market. Since most sellers are manufacturers, it eliminates intermediaries from the chain. As a result, prices are as close to cost as possible. Moreover, they’re significantly lower than export prices because the platform targets the Chinese domestic market.
More opportunities: private label manufacturing, product branding, customization.
Up-to-date assortment with bestsellers and new arrivals. Catalogs are constantly updated according to Chinese and global trends. You can purchase new items at the most attractive prices.
Transaction reliability. A detailed rating system, accurate seller information, and verified accounts for some suppliers reduce the risk of scams, though it’s not zero.

However, finding a Chinese supplier on 1688 can turn into a nightmare for beginners — everything is in Chinese, and translators are highly inaccurate. That’s why you can entrust this process to us or simply order product purchasing from China according to your needs.

There are also a few challenges when buying wholesale from 1688:

Problem	Description
Not suitable for dropshipping	No direct delivery to other countries, only within China.
Quality issues may occur	It’s best to order control samples and inspection of the first “real” batch.
Difficult communication	You can use a translator, but it often causes misunderstandings and inaccuracies.
Insufficient packaging for international shipping	Additional packaging is often needed to ensure goods survive sea or air transport.
Complex logistics	Delivery from 1688 to Ukraine is only possible through third-party logistics companies.
Customs issues due to trademarks	If you order copies or replicas of famous brands, customs may seize them.

Wholesale purchasing on 1688 helps increase profit margins due to low procurement costs and strengthens business competitiveness through exclusive assortments and product customization.

Order a trial wholesale batch from China via 1688 and become a regular client!

DiFFreight ensures you get maximum benefits! That’s why we actively work with 1688 — over 1,000 clients order goods through this marketplace. In addition to sourcing and purchasing services, we also handle shipping from China to Ukraine. Place your first import order from 1688 and experience the advantages of the Chinese market for your business!

FAQ

1. How can I verify a seller on 1688 to avoid scams?

Check the store level, years on the platform, certifications, transaction rating, real customer reviews, and photos of the production facility.

2. Why do 1688 sellers rarely respond to foreign buyers?

1688 is designed for the domestic Chinese market, and most suppliers do not work directly with foreigners. Using an agent fluent in Chinese solves this issue.