Under the wave of rapid development of cross-border e-commerce, Alibaba’s B2B platform 1688.com has become the core channel for global sellers to obtain cost-effective Chinese sources. The platform brings together a large number of factories and wholesalers, offering a complete range of commodities and significant price advantages. It is truly a “treasure platform” for small and medium-sized sellers looking to tap into China’s manufacturing resources.

However, opportunities and risks go hand in hand. Many cross-border sellers have encountered scams when purchasing from 1688, including misrepresentation of goods, payment fraud, fake logistics, and private transfer traps. How can you avoid these risks and protect your procurement security?

This article will break down the most common 1688 fraud schemes and introduce digital procurement tools to help you build a safe, efficient, and intelligent supply chain management system.

1. Comprehensively Review Suppliers: Your First Line of Defense

With millions of suppliers on 1688, quality varies greatly. Choosing a trustworthy seller is the key first step to prevent fraud.

  • Check Certification Logos: Prioritize stores with badges like “Deep Factory Audit,” “Powerful Merchant,” or “Brand Authorization.” These indicate platform or third-party verification of company credentials and capabilities.
  • Verify Business Qualifications: Use the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System to validate the supplier’s business license, capital, scope, and integrity history.

  • Analyze Transaction Data & Reviews: Examine monthly transaction volumes and customer reviews for authenticity. Watch out for short bursts of fake reviews or overly perfect scores.

  • At least the 1688 seller have 3 years experience on 1688 store; Yes, the annual membership fee for sellers on the 1688 platform is typically: RMB 6,688 per year about 1000USD  — This refers to the standard annual fee for a Chengxintong (诚信通) membership, which is required for most factories and suppliers to operate officially on the 1688 platform. So if you want to pay one big amount like 10,000USD to one 1 years store, they may have risk, cause they can get money and close the store and not send you the items, you lose the 1688, and Alibaba group protects. They really can happen.
  • Ask them to send a video or a video call of their factory. The best way is you go to the factory directly, if they don’t want you to visit or send an address, hesitate, they are a trading company or a fake company.

2. Request and Strictly Test Samples

Before making bulk purchases, always request samples. It’s a crucial step to verify product quality.

  • Test Material Quality: Ask for test reports such as CE, FCC, or GB/T certifications. Lack of reports signals higher risk. if you are not sure the CE is real, you can check our other BLOG here.
  • Compare Process Details: Check for quality differences in stitching, printing, parts, and materials against product descriptions.
  • Inspect Packaging & Labeling: Especially for branded goods, ensure packaging meets requirements and is not misleading or substandard.

Consider placing a small trial order (50–100 units) to assess consistency and service before scaling up.

3. Use Safe Payment Methods and Sign Clear Contracts

  • Use Alipay for Escrow: Alipay holds funds until the buyer confirms receipt, reducing financial risk. Avoid private WeChat or bank transfers.
  • Sign Electronic Purchase Contracts: Use 1688’s contract function for large orders. Specify delivery dates, product specs, after-sales terms, and breach liabilities.
  • Keep Records: Save all chats, order details, and receipts as proof for future claims.
  • Do not pay 100% payment. Always 30% deposit and 70% balance. If your order below 500USD, they ask to pay 100% is also reasonable.

4. Monitor Logistics to Prevent Fake Tracking

The logistics stage is often a hotspot for fraud. Stay alert.

  • Use Verified Tracking Numbers: Choose services like Cainiao or SF Express. Avoid “dedicated lines” or internal tracking numbers.
  • Hire Third-Party Inspectors: Use agencies like Bureau Veritas or Intertek for quality checks, quantity confirmation, and pre-shipment inspection.
  • Verify Export Documents: Ensure customs documents like invoices, packing lists, and export declarations are complete to avoid clearance delays.

5. Leverage Digital Procurement Tools

Digitalization is the future of cross-border procurement—and a strong anti-fraud weapon.

  • Use Procurement Plugins: Tools like “Fire Eye Identification,” “1688 Assistant,” and “AliTools” help analyze seller credibility and price history.
  • Search Smarter: Filter by “Foreign Trade Supply,” “RTS,” and “Cross-Border Hot Items” to find better suppliers faster.
  • Integrate with ERP: Systems like Dianxiaomi, Mabang, or Tongtu automate order syncing, payment reminders, and inventory tracking.
  • Set Inventory Warnings: Monitor stock in real time to auto-trigger replenishment before you run out of bestsellers.

6. Build a Supplier Blacklist and Share Industry Insights

  • Join Seller Communities: Engage on Hugo, WeAreSellers, and 1688 forums to learn from others’ fraud experiences and share your own.
  • Create Internal Supplier Ratings: Track each supplier’s performance and maintain a regularly updated blacklist to avoid repeat risks.
  • Train Your Team: Educate your procurement staff on scam detection and standardize the buying process to reduce human error.

Conclusion

1688 is a goldmine for global sourcing, but like any powerful tool, it requires care and strategy. By using scientific vetting methods, sample testing, secure payments, reliable logistics, digital tools, and community intelligence, you can prevent fraud and build a resilient cross-border supply chain.

In cross-border e-commerce, safety comes first, efficiency comes second. We hope this guide helps you avoid common traps and unlock the full potential of 1688 sourcing.

If you’d like personalized help with digital procurement tools or a custom supply chain solution, feel free to contact our professional sourcing team!