1688 is Alibaba's wholesale marketplace, aimed at businesses buying in bulk. The same factories that supply Taobao and Weidian stores list here at lower prices, which is why savvy rep buyers shop 1688 directly.

Can I buy from 1688 if I live outside China?

Not directly. 1688 requires Chinese payment and ships domestically. International buyers order through a shopping agent that purchases the item, holds it in a warehouse, takes QC photos, and ships it internationally.

Do buying agents support 1688?

Yes. All major agents purchase from 1688: Sugargoo, ACBuy, Superbuy, CSSBuy, Hoobuy, CNFans, and more. Use a link converter to get a buy link for every supported agent from one paste.

How do I convert a 1688 link for an agent?

Paste the 1688 link (the detail.1688.com/offer/... URL or app share text) into a link converter. It extracts the offer ID and produces a ready-to-use buy link for every supported agent at once.

Guide - Updated October 2026

How to Buy From 1688

Q: Is 1688 cheaper than Taobao?

Often yes for the same item, because sellers list at wholesale prices. The tradeoffs: some listings have minimum order quantities, storefronts are less English-friendly, and there is less buyer protection than a Taobao store order.

1688 is where the same items as Taobao cost less: it is Alibaba's wholesale marketplace and the source for many rep finds. Buying through an agent works the same as Taobao, with a few wholesale-specific rules to know before you order.

Quick answer: 1688 is Alibaba's wholesale marketplace. Items are often cheaper than the same listing on Taobao, but watch for minimum order quantities and less buyer protection. Order through a buying agent: convert the link, order, check QC, ship.

What is 1688?

1688 (from the URL detail.1688.com) is Alibaba's B2B marketplace where factories and wholesalers sell in volume. Many Taobao and Weidian stores source their stock from here, which means you can often find the same item at a lower price by shopping 1688 directly. The tradeoffs: it is built for bulk buyers, not individual shoppers.

Why 1688 is cheaper (and its tradeoffs)

Wholesale pricing. Sellers list at factory prices, often 20% to 40% below the same item on Taobao.
Minimum order quantities. Some listings require buying 2, 5, or more units. Check the listing before converting a single unit.
Less buyer protection. 1688 is B2B: fewer consumer-friendly return policies than Taobao stores. QC photos matter more.
Less English-friendly. Storefronts and listings are Chinese-first. Your agent handles the communication.

How to find items on 1688

Search in Chinese. Use the item, batch, or model name; the app or site search in Chinese gives the best results.
Image search. If you have a product photo, 1688's image search can find the factory listing directly.
Check the seller. Look at years in business, transaction volume, and rating before ordering.
Check the MOQ. Confirm the minimum order quantity and per-unit price before you commit.

Convert the link for your agent

Copy the detail.1688.com/offer/... URL (or the app share text) and paste it into the converter. You get a buy link for every supported agent at once. Full detail in our 1688 link converter guide.

Order, QC, and ship

Order on your agent's site with the converted link, pay, and the seller ships to the warehouse. Review QC photos, bundle your items, and ship internationally. Because buyer protection is thinner on 1688, ask for extra QC photos if the item matters: seams, logos, measurements. Compare lines with the shipping calculator and know your customs costs before shipping.

Common questions

Can I buy from 1688 outside China?

Not directly. You need a shopping agent to pay and receive the item, then ship it to you.

Is 1688 cheaper than Taobao?

Often yes for the same item, with the tradeoffs of minimum quantities and thinner buyer protection.

Do agents support 1688?

Yes, all major agents. Convert the link and get a buy link for every supported agent.

Link converterConvert Taobao, Weidian, 1688, Tmall, and Xianyu links for every agent.Open 1688 link converterAll 1688 link formats and how to convert them.Open How to buy from TaobaoThe Taobao ordering walkthrough, step by step.Open Landed cost estimatorSee the full cost of a 1688 order before you commit.Open