Where do small and medium businesses find suppliers for their products? How to establish wholesale purchases directly from manufacturers? The answer often leads to Alibaba — a Chinese online platform in the B2B segment focused on export. Today we’ll learn how to order the best products for your business on Alibaba.
Quick overview of Alibaba’s benefits
The platform is popular for wholesale purchases directly from manufacturers:
- A large assortment of goods and suppliers in any category: from electronics and clothing to industrial equipment and raw materials.
- Competitive unit prices, especially for large-volume orders.
- Direct communication with suppliers via the website account.
- Accessibility. Despite its wholesale focus, many suppliers offer low minimum order quantities (MOQ).
- Safety: Alibaba provides tools for secure transactions, including payment protection.
The algorithm for how to buy on Alibaba in Ukraine is very simple, as the platform is designed for international trade, not the domestic market.
How to order from Alibaba to Ukraine — choosing a seller
Before making purchases on Alibaba, check the verification status:
- Unverified suppliers — these companies have not yet undergone in-depth verification. While some may be honest sellers (especially new or small ones), there's a risk of encountering fraud.
- Gold Supplier — the company pays to operate on the platform and has passed a business license verification. This status indicates the supplier’s financial stability and seriousness.
- Verified Supplier — this is the most reliable category. Companies have passed inspection and audits by independent agencies commissioned by Alibaba. The supplier’s facilities, quality control systems, and certifications have been reviewed. Look for the “Verified” mark next to the name.
Regardless of status, it’s recommended to conduct transactions via Trade Assurance. The money is held by Alibaba until confirmation, and there is a dispute resolution mechanism.
How to order on Alibaba: all steps from registration to payment
Registration
- Open the Alibaba.com website.
- Click on Join Free or Register. For wholesale purchases, it’s better to register as a company.
- Fill in your details, including contact information. Confirm your email address.
- Set the language and currency. Although the main language is English, you can try Russian (available in the interface).
Searching for products
- Enter the product name in the search bar (preferably in English). For example, “wireless headphones” or “cotton t-shirts.”
- Use filters: supplier type, material, color, size, minimum order, region.
- Study the listings. The price is shown in a range and depends on the quantity.
Supplier evaluation
- Go to the supplier’s page. Check how long they’ve been on the platform, their verification status, reviews, and rating. Pay attention to Transaction Level/History (shows volume of deals) and Response Rate — a high percentage indicates responsiveness.
- Compare several sellers by terms, price, and reliability. DiFFreight offers supplier search in China based on your needs: we search not only on Alibaba but also on internal marketplaces.
Negotiations
- Use the Contact Supplier or Chat Now! buttons.
- Write a message. Introduce yourself (name, company, country), include a link to the product, specify the quantity in the batch, and ask for the price per unit for your quantity. Inquire about MOQ if it’s unclear. Ask about sample orders and production time.
It’s best to communicate in English.
- If the terms suit you, discuss payment and shipping.
A few tips from DiFFreight:
- Product inspection in China is highly recommended if you’re ordering a large shipment.
- Discuss payment terms. Usually, it’s 30% advance and 70% before shipping or after receiving document copies. Trade Assurance is a good method to order safely on Alibaba.
- Find a warehouse service in China in advance. Sellers on Alibaba usually only deliver within China — to a port or warehouse.
- Consult on Incoterms delivery terms. Pricing varies significantly depending on the seller’s involvement.
- Most businesses contract with logistics companies. This way, shipping from China to Ukraine is cheaper and more controlled: container tracking, a personal manager for monitoring and consultation.
While the process of ordering from Alibaba to Ukraine is not complicated, you need to consider all the nuances of working with China.
Placing the order
- Check all deal details. It’s best to summarize all terms again in the platform correspondence.
- Make the advance payment using your selected method.
- Wait for production notifications.
Shipping and logistics
- Receive the goods at the location specified in the agreement.
- Check the documents provided by the supplier: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading (for sea transport) or air waybill.
- Complete the purchase: pay the balance/confirm receipt of the batch.
Then you transfer the cargo to a logistics company for shipping to Ukraine. Now you know how to buy wholesale on Alibaba!
Customs specifics when shipping from China
The next step is customs clearance. Wholesale imports must go through customs, meaning payment of duties, taxes, and excise (if applicable). DiFFreight recommends hiring a customs broker. We provide this service for shipments from China to Ukraine.
Submit all received documents (invoice, packing list, bill of lading/air waybill), contract, certificates (if required for your goods), and proof of payment. The broker will process everything to ensure smooth clearance without delays or penalties.
How to pay on Alibaba safely
Sellers offer different methods. The safest are protected payments through Alibaba. You can also pay via Western Union, PayPal, or bank card (Mastercard, Visa).
If you want to establish stable supplies, avoid scams, and optimize your procurement, contact DiFFreight. We offer product purchasing in China, secure payment handling, and fast logistics with affordable freight. Leave a request on our website or request a callback for expert advice.
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