1688 + Purchasing Agent: A Low-Cost and Highly Flexible Global Sourcing Solution
For brand owners, e-commerce sellers, and retailers, China is one of the most important global manufacturing and supply chain hubs. Many buyers immediately think of Alibaba, but Alibaba is not the only option. Within the Alibaba ecosystem, 1688 and AliExpress also exist, each targeting different markets and user needs.
Different Roles of Alibaba, 1688, and AliExpress
- Alibaba.com: Designed for international markets with a multilingual interface, trade assurance, and payment protection. Prices are relatively higher, making it suitable for large-volume purchasing and buyers who require convenience and protection.
- AliExpress: Geared towards individual consumers and small businesses. Suitable for single-item or low-quantity orders but with limited profit margins.
- 1688: Built for China’s domestic market. It offers lower prices, low MOQs, wide product variety, and customization options, but buyers must manage supplier qualification, quality, and logistics themselves.
| Platform | 1688 | Alibaba | AliExpress |
| Purpose | China domestic B2B platform. | Mainly used for B2B (business-to-business) transactions. | B2C (business-to-consumer) platform. |
| Audience | Chinese businesses and retailers sourcing from local manufacturers. | International buyers looking to purchase in bulk from Chinese manufacturers. | International consumers seeking one-time or small-quantity purchases. |
| Features | Lower prices, but lacks export licenses and international buyer protection. | Offers trade assurance and various payment protection measures. | Similar to a global online retail store; provides buyer protection and often free shipping. |
| Language | Mainly Chinese, catering to the local market. | Available in multiple languages to meet international users' needs. | Available in multiple languages, targeting a global audience. |
In short:
Alibaba offers convenience and security, AliExpress is ideal for small retail orders, while 1688 provides the best cost advantage and flexibility, making it a high-profit opportunity for international buyers.
Core Advantages of 1688
1688 stands out in both cost and sourcing flexibility:
- Lower costs: Prices are typically 30%–50% cheaper than Alibaba for the same items, offering significant profit potential in bulk purchasing.
- Low MOQ flexibility: Very low minimum order quantities make it suitable for product testing and multi-SKU operations.
- Rich selection & customization: Supports OEM/ODM for branding or customized designs.
- Fast domestic logistics: Quick local shipping, and combined consolidation can reduce international freight costs.
Why Is 1688 Cheaper Than Other Platforms?
The reasons why 1688 prices are significantly lower than Alibaba or AliExpress include:
- It is designed for domestic trade, so suppliers do not factor in export-related costs.
- Fewer intermediaries—buyers can deal directly with manufacturers.
- Lower listing and transaction fees.
- Many sellers spend little on branding or fancy product presentations, minimizing costs.
Some believe 1688 is “not suitable” for overseas buyers due to concerns about compliance with EU or US standards. However, this is not always true. In fact, many global retailers with offices in China leverage 1688 to source products at much lower prices.
This is because Chinese factories understand the platform and its local customer base. They know that most 1688 buyers are price-sensitive domestic businesses, so they typically offer more competitive pricing than on Alibaba.com.
Therefore, do not be easily influenced by sourcing agents or trading companies who try to discourage you from using 1688—often because 1688 is their own “gold mine,” and they prefer you not discover how much cost savings it can provide. With the right approach, international buyers can also make full use of 1688 to achieve high-value sourcing.
Using Purchasing Agents to Enable International Procurement
Although 1688 offers low prices and abundant product choices, it is primarily designed for the Chinese domestic market: a Chinese-only interface, supplier information tailored to local buyers, and no built-in support for international logistics or export services.
To source smoothly and ship abroad, international buyers often rely on third-party purchasing agents.
Purchasing agents can assist with sourcing, inspection, packaging, consolidation, and even branding, enabling 1688 products to reach overseas markets while maintaining low costs and high profits.
Through purchasing agent services, international buyers can fully unlock the potential of 1688 and achieve low-cost, high-profit, globalized sourcing.
Updates in 2025: More Convenient for International Buyers
By 2025, 1688 has made several improvements for international accessibility:
- A more complete English interface
- Built-in translation features in the mobile app
- Seamless integration with third-party logistics and global freight forwarders
- Supplier verification badges to help identify reliable factories
Even without speaking Chinese or being in China, buyers can now source from 1688 more easily and sell globally.
Who Should Use 1688 + Purchasing Agent?
1688 + purchasing agent is especially suitable for businesses seeking low-cost sourcing, small-batch testing, multi-SKU expansion, high profit margins, and a flexible supply chain.
Ideal users include:
- Small sellers and startups: Alibaba often requires high MOQs, while 1688 offers very low MOQs—sometimes just 1–2 units—allowing easy product testing across multiple categories. A store can be launched with as little as $100–$200.
- Small business owners: Low-cost inventory replenishment.
- Dropshippers: Finding niche or differentiated products.
- Amazon FBA sellers: Reduce sourcing costs and increase profit margins.
- Custom product manufacturers: Need OEM/ODM services.
Although 1688 does not directly support international dropshipping, third-party agents, domestic warehouses, and branding services make the full sourcing workflow possible.
Important Considerations When Using 1688
- Language and communication: Use the English interface, translation tools, or rely on a sourcing agent.
- Export qualifications: Check whether suppliers have export licenses and prioritize verified factories.
- Limited platform protection: Payments, inspections, and quality control require careful handling; third-party QC services may help.
- Quality variance: Product quality varies significantly—early due diligence is essential.
Conclusion
1688 + a purchasing agent is a highly cost-effective sourcing model for international buyers.
It allows businesses to:
- Source high-quality Chinese products at low cost
- Manage SKUs flexibly
- Customize products with ease
- Overcome language, logistics, and export challenges
All while unlocking substantial profit potential and enabling global sales.