What is 1688 Website and is 1688.com legit？

In today’s booming cross-border e-commerce and global sourcing landscape, more and more buyers are seeking highly efficient, low-cost procurement channels. 1688.com is one such platform – a treasure trove familiar to many businesses, yet often overlooked. This article will offer a comprehensive look at 1688.com from multiple angles, helping you determine if it’s the right fit for your business.

1. What is 1688.com?

1688.com is a B2B wholesale platform under the Alibaba Group, primarily serving the domestic Chinese market. It brings together a large number of Chinese manufacturers, factories, and wholesalers, offering highly competitive prices and supporting OEM and ODM customization. It is an important sourcing platform for both e-commerce sellers and brick-and-mortar retailers.

Although it is targeted at the Chinese market, overseas buyers can also source products from 1688 through purchasing agents or third-party shipping services.

2. Is 1688.com Legit?

Yes, 1688.com is a legitimate website. There are requirements for sellers on 1688.com. They must have valid business licenses and pay membership fees, indicating a level of verification and commitment from suppliers.

3. What Can You Buy on 1688.com?

1688.com offers a wide variety of products across nearly every industry. Here are some popular categories:

Consumer Electronics: Earphones, speakers, chargers, smartwatches
Home Appliances: Kitchen appliances, fans, heaters, massage devices
Apparel & Accessories: Clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry
Beauty & Personal Care: Skincare, cosmetics, hair tools
Toys & Gifts: Educational toys, promotional gifts, seasonal products
Tools & Hardware: Power tools, hand tools, repair equipment
Furniture & Home Decor: Chairs, tables, storage boxes, lighting
Packaging & Printing: Boxes, labels, customized packaging
Automotive Accessories: Car organizers, seat covers, electronics
Office Supplies & Stationery: Pens, notebooks, folders, organizers
Sports & Outdoors: Fitness gear, outdoor equipment, bikes
Pet Supplies: Pet clothing, feeders, toys

Whether you are looking for ready-made products or want to customize your own (OEM/ODM), 1688.com has countless options at factory-direct prices.

4. Advantages of 1688.com

Extremely low wholesale prices
Wide variety of suppliers and products
Support for custom OEM/ODM manufacturing
Ideal for sourcing private label products

5. Potential Issues When Using 1688.com

Language barrier (Chinese only interface)
Limited direct international shipping
Hard to verify suppliers without help
Customer service geared toward domestic buyers

6. How to Purchase Safely on 1688.com

Use a Trusted Sourcing Agent: Work with a reliable agent who understands the 1688 system and Chinese language.
Verify Supplier Credentials: Check the supplier’s ratings, business license, years of operation, and customer reviews.
Start with Small Orders: Place a small test order first to evaluate product quality and service.
Ask for Real Product Photos/Videos: Request real photos or videos of the product and packaging before placing a bulk order.
Use Secure Payment Methods: Pay through trusted channels (e.g., Alipay via agent) and avoid direct personal transfers.
Confirm All Details in Writing: Clearly confirm product specs, quantity, packaging, lead time, and shipping terms via chat or message.
Use a Quality Inspection Service: Hire a third-party inspection service to check goods before shipment.
Arrange for Consolidated Shipping: Use a freight forwarder or warehouse to consolidate multiple orders and handle international shipping.
Keep All Order Records: Save screenshots of chats, product links, invoices, and payment confirmations.

7. Comparison: 1688 vs Other Platforms

Platform	Focus Market	Main Advantage	Main Limitation
1688.com	Domestic China (B2B)	Lowest factory prices, huge selection	Language & logistics barriers
Alibaba.com	Global (B2B)	English interface, trade assurance	Higher prices, more intermediaries
AliExpress	Global (B2C)	Small MOQs, retail-friendly	Not ideal for bulk sourcing

Final Thoughts

1688.com is a highly promising sourcing platform in China, particularly suitable for buyers with some procurement experience who can navigate language and logistics challenges. Although it is not specifically designed for international users, with the help of sourcing agents, translation tools, and freight consolidation services, it can still become a valuable part of your global supply chain.