1688.com English Guide: What It Is, Official Site, How to Buy

1688 English Guide: What It Is, Official Site, How to Buy, Shipping, Reviews, Import Process & Tips (With Chilatshop Recommendation)

🌐 What Is 1688 English?

1688 English refers to the English-friendly version or navigation of 1688.com, a major China wholesale marketplace operated by Alibaba Group. While 1688.com itself is primarily in Chinese, many buyers access it with browser translation or through third-party tools, sometimes called “1688 English” for convenience.

In short:

1688 is a B2B platform connecting buyers with Chinese manufacturers and suppliers
It is especially popular for wholesale and bulk purchasing
Not primarily designed for consumers but for business buyers and importers

🔗 What Is the Official Website?

📍 Chinese version: https://www.1688.com
📍 English navigation (via browser translation):
There is no fully localized official English site, but you can access translated pages through modern browsers (Chrome/Edge) or use third-party tools.

🛒 How to Shop on 1688 (Step-by-Step)

1. Browse or Search Products

Use keywords in English or Chinese (better results in Chinese)
Filter by category, supplier type, minimum order quantity (MOQ), etc.

2. Explore Supplier Listings

Click products you like
Review pricing by quantity tiers
View product specifications, sizes, materials

3. Check Supplier Info

Supplier type (manufacturer vs trading company)
Years in business
Ratings or past transaction history

4. Ask for a Quote

Use the inquiry form to request:

Price for your desired quantity
Shipping options
Customization (logo, packaging)
Sample availability

5. Negotiate Terms

You can negotiate:

Price per unit
MOQ
Lead time
Payment terms
Packaging and branding

6. Place Order

After agreement:

Seller sends a formal invoice or order confirmation
Proceed to payment

💳 How to Pay

Because 1688 is China-centric, direct payment options vary:

Bank transfer to Chinese bank account
Alipay
Third-party payment services via agent
Escrow through sourcing agent (recommended)

💡 For international buyers, it’s much safer to pay via a trusted agent like Chilatshop, who:

Handles payments securely
Avoids upfront export payments to unknown sellers
Helps with currency conversion

🚢 Shipping & Delivery

1688 sellers typically sell within China. For international shipping, there are three main ways:

✈️ Air Freight

Fast, ideal for small/medium orders
Costs higher than sea

🚢 Sea Freight

Best for large orders
Lower cost but longer transit times

🚚 Express (DHL / FedEx / UPS)

Fastest but expensive
Good for small orders or samples

Most 1688 sellers do not handle international shipping, so buyers usually ship via:

Logistics partners
Agents (like Chilatshop)
Consolidation warehouses

Chilatshop can arrange:
✔ Sea, air, express shipping
✔ Customs clearance
✔ Delivery to your door

🔁 After-Sales Service

After-sales on 1688 depends on the supplier:

Typical Scenarios

Positive

Supplier responds to product defects within agreed warranty
Exchange or rework offered

Challenges

Language barrier (Chinese communication)
Return shipping cost may fall on buyer
Some suppliers have no formal return policy

💡 Working with an agent (e.g., Chilatshop) gives you:

Mediated communication
Pre-shipment quality inspection
Help with disputes

⭐ Real Buyer Feedback (Common Themes)

👍 What Buyers Like

Low product prices and tiered discounts
Wide variety of product categories
Direct factory pricing
Bulk availability and customization options

👎 What Buyers Often Complain About

Language and navigation challenges
Unclear or inconsistent product descriptions
Quality variance between factories
Difficulty arranging international shipping
Payment hurdles for foreigners

📌 Summary: 1688 is powerful but not newcomer-friendly without proper support.

📦 China Import Process (From 1688 or Any Chinese Supplier)

1. Identify Product & Supplier

Keyword search or category browse
Assess supplier credibility

2. Request Samples

Order samples to verify quality
Evaluate fit, material, specs

3. Confirm Order

Agree on unit price, MOQ, delivery time
Confirm details in writing

4. Arrange Payment

Secure method (preferably agent escrow)

5. Production & Inspection

Monitor production progress
Quality inspection before shipment

6. Shipment

Choose sea, air, express
Handle packing and export docs

7. Customs Clearance

Prepare commercial invoice and packing list
Pay duties/taxes at destination

8. Delivery

Final delivery to your warehouse or door

⚠️ Newcomer Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Shopping without sample verification
❌ Choosing suppliers based only on price
❌ Paying without secure escrow or agent
❌ Ignoring logistics and customs costs
❌ Skipping written agreements

🌟 Why Use Chilatshop (Recommended)

If you want to import from 1688 (or any Chinese marketplace) safely and smoothly, Chilatshop helps you with:

💡 Chilatshop Advantages

✔ Supplier verification & factory matching
✔ Price negotiation support
✔ Product sample coordination
✔ Pre- shipment quality control
✔ International shipping & customs clearance
✔ Secure payment handling
✔ Spanish-speaking support through the whole process

👉 Chilatshop removes language, payment, logistics, and risk barriers so you can import from China like a pro.