1688.com in English: How to Search, Contact Suppliers and Send Inquiries

Short answer: 1688.com still has no full English version, but you can use it in English with your browser’s translate function. Register a buyer account, search in Chinese or by picture, then message suppliers through the chat (Wangwang) button on each listing, ideally in simple Chinese. Most suppliers only ship within China and expect Chinese payment methods, so overseas buyers usually order through a sourcing agent.

1688.com is Alibaba Group’s marketplace for the Chinese domestic market, and one of the most useful Sitios web chinos de venta al por mayor. Prices are often lower than on Alibaba.com, because many of the same factories sell here to Chinese resellers. This guide shows two ways to search and send inquiries on 1688 without speaking Chinese.

What to Know Before You Start

• Language: the site and almost all sellers work in Chinese. Browser translation is good enough to browse; for messages, short and simple Chinese works best.
• Account: overseas buyers register as individuals; company accounts are for Chinese businesses.
• Payment: sellers expect Alipay or a Chinese bank account. 1688 has a cross-border payment option with WorldFirst, but it is only open to companies in some countries and regions.
• Shipping: most sellers only deliver within China, so you need an address in China, usually your agent’s warehouse.
• Protection: there is no Trade Assurance for overseas buyers as on Alibaba.com, so check suppliers and goods carefully.

Caso 1, consulta directa en 1688.com

Step 1: Translate the Site

Open 1688.com in Chrome, right-click anywhere on the page and choose Translate to English (or your language). Machine translation is word by word and sometimes odd, especially for product titles; when something is unclear, paste it into Traductor de Google.

Step 2: Register a Buyer Account

Click 免费注册 (free registration) at the top of the page and sign up as an individual. Some overseas buyers can now register with a non-Chinese mobile number by changing the country code; if yours is not accepted, an agent can search and order for you. An existing Taobao account also works for logging in.

Step 3: Find Products and Suppliers

Search with Chinese keywords (translate your product name first), or use 1688 picture search to upload a photo and find identical items. Compare several suppliers: check how long the shop has been on 1688, its sales and repeat-buyer figures, and whether it is a factory (生产厂家) or a trader.

Step 4: Contact the Supplier and Send Your Inquiry

Click the chat button (旺旺 or 联系供应商) on the listing to message the seller in your browser. You can also use the desktop app, Ali Wangwang, but it is not required. Once a conversation starts, many suppliers will suggest moving to WeChat.

Keep messages short, one question per line. These phrases cover most first inquiries:

Ask in Chinese	Meaning
你好，这款产品最低起订量是多少？	Hello, what is the minimum order quantity for this product?
100件和500件的价格分别是多少？	What is the price for 100 and for 500 pieces?
有现货吗？如果需要生产，要几天？	Is it in stock? If it needs to be made, how many days?
可以定制Logo和包装吗？	Can you customise the logo and packaging?
一箱装多少件？外箱尺寸和重量是多少？	How many pieces per carton? What are the carton size and weight?
可以发到义乌吗？运费多少？	Can you ship to Yiwu? How much is the shipping?

For custom products, send photos and a short specification with sizes, materials and quantity. Reply times are usually fast during Chinese working hours.

Caso 2, consulta mediante la extensión Sup Chrome en 1688.com

Paso 1: Instalación de la extensión Sup Chrome

Por supuesto, tenemos que instalar la extensión en nuestro navegador Chrome. Aquí está el enlace: Extensión Sup . Verás esta página a continuación:

A continuación, haga clic en Agregar extensión, ¡Listo! (tenga en cuenta que debe utilizar el navegador Chrome).

Paso 2: Regístrese e inicie sesión

Después de la instalación, simplemente haga clic en el extensiones botón situado en la esquina superior derecha y haga clic en SUPDrpshipping. Le recomendamos que haga clic en el botón de prendedor para fijar SUP a tu barra de navegación.

Regístrese en SupDropshipping y luego inicie sesión.

Cuando haya iniciado sesión correctamente en su cuenta, podrá consultar el estado de la misma aquí.

Paso 3: Abastecimiento desde 1688 con la extensión SUP Chrome

Esta extensión es increíble, puedes buscar cualquier producto en Amazon, Dhgate, eBay, Aliexpress, Etsy, Taobao, Myshopify, etc. Solo tienes que elegir una imagen en esos sitios web y la extensión te mostrará todos los proveedores disponibles en 1688.com.

Por ejemplo, ve a Amazon y busca un producto. Haz clic en el Icono SUP en el lado derecho.

A continuación, elija la imagen del producto y haga clic en Encuentre un mejor precio.

A continuación, encontrarás todos los proveedores disponibles en 1688 y podrás visitar la página del producto en 1688. Además, puedes importar el producto a tu propia tienda y empezar a venderlo. 1688 Envío directo.

Paying and Shipping from 1688

This is where most overseas buyers get stuck. Sellers expect payment through Alipay linked to a Chinese bank account, and most only ship to addresses in China. A sourcing agent solves both: you pay the agent once by international transfer, the agent pays the sellers, receives the goods in China, checks them, combines orders from different sellers and ships them to you. See our shipping solutions, y how to choose a reliable sourcing agent.

FAQ

Can I order directly from 1688 as a foreigner?

Yes, if you can register, pay with Alipay and receive the goods at an address in China. If you cannot do all three, use an agent or buy on Alibaba.com instead.

How can I pay a 1688 supplier from a bank account outside China?

Most 1688 sellers cannot receive international bank transfers. Your options are Alipay, 1688’s cross-border payment with WorldFirst if your company is in an eligible country or region, or paying a sourcing agent who pays the sellers in China.

Does 1688 ship to my country?

A few sellers offer international shipping, but most deliver only within China. Goods are normally sent to an agent or forwarder in China and shipped abroad from there.

Do I need a separate Ali Wangwang account?

No. Log in to 1688 and click the chat button on any listing; your 1688 or Taobao account works for chatting.

Is 1688 cheaper than Alibaba.com?

Unit prices are often lower, but add domestic delivery, agent fees and international freight before you compare. For small one-off orders, buying on Alibaba.com can work out simpler.

Want us to source from 1688 for you? We search, contact suppliers, pay, inspect and ship. Contáctenos with the products you need.