What Is 1688, and Why It’s Worth Using
1688.com is Alibaba Group’s domestic Chinese B2B wholesale marketplace. It’s oriented toward Chinese businesses and consumers, so everything is in Chinese (product listings, supplier pages, checkout, etc.). Chinaimportal.com+1
Key advantages
- Lower prices: Because 1688 primarily serves the domestic Chinese market, many suppliers offer significantly lower pricing than what you might see on Alibaba.com. WorldFirst JP+1
- Access to factory-level suppliers: You often deal with manufacturers or very close to them, reducing markup. WorldFirst JP+1
- Huge variety & product depth: You’ll find niche SKUs, variations, local suppliers that are less visible internationally. WorldFirst JP+1
- Lower MOQs possible: Some suppliers will accept smaller orders or test quantities (but this depends heavily on the product and the supplier). WorldFirst JP+2Minden Intl+2
But 1688 also poses challenges, especially for overseas buyers. That’s where an agent like CNshopper comes in.
Why Use an Agent Like CNshopper?
When sourcing from 1688 outside China, there are several major friction points:
- Language barrier (everything is in Chinese)
- Payment — suppliers expect payments in RMB via Alipay, Chinese bank account transfers, or other local methods
- Shipping — most suppliers don’t ship internationally or handle customs
- Supplier selection / trust / quality control
- Consolidation & logistics (if ordering from multiple suppliers)
CNshopper (and similar “buying agent / proxy service” platforms) act as your intermediary to overcome these barriers. Their services typically include:
- Accepting your product links or requests (1688, Taobao, etc.) and purchasing on your behalf using a Chinese account. cnshopper.com+1
- Translating product details, negotiating or clarifying specs with suppliers
- Handling payment (you pay CNshopper in USD or your currency; they convert and pay in RMB)
- Managing inbound Chinese domestic logistics, consolidating multiple orders, and then forwarding them to your destination country
- Quality inspections, photo reports, repackaging, and customs declarations
CNshopper even mentions that their “All-in-One 1688, Weidian, and Taobao Agents” service is built for global users so that you don’t need a Chinese address. cnshopper.com+1
So effectively, CNshopper allows you to use 1688’s low prices and supplier variety without wrestling with all the Chinese-language, payment, and logistics headaches.
Step-by-Step: How to Source via 1688 Through CNshopper (for U.S. Buyers)
Here’s how you can practically do it:
| Step | Action | Tips & Pitfalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Product research | Browse 1688.com or your niche sources, find products you like | Use Chrome’s translation, or use the CNshopper platform search if they mirror 1688’s products |
| 2. Get the product link & details | Copy the full product URL(s) and note specs (size, colors, variant codes) | More detail is better — include SKU, dimensions, color codes |
| 3. Submit a “buy request” or “agent order” via CNshopper | On CNshopper, paste product link, fill in variant details, quantities | CNshopper’s “help center” describes this workflow. cnshopper.com+1 |
| 4. Quotation & negotiation | CNshopper communicates with the supplier to confirm stock, price, lead time, additional fees | Make sure you clarify: packaging, labeling, extra domestic shipping, sample options |
| 5. Payment to CNshopper | You pay CNshopper in your currency (USD) + service fees, and they complete payments in RMB to suppliers | Ensure CNshopper’s fee structure is transparent before you commit |
| 6. Domestic China logistics & consolidation | Once goods reach CNshopper’s local warehouse or accumulation point, they consolidate multiple supplier orders | This reduces your international shipping cost and simplifies customs |
| 7. Inspect & pack | CNshopper may offer inspection, photography, repackaging services | Use these for high-risk or critical SKUs |
| 8. Choose international shipping method | Options: sea freight (cheaper, slower), air freight, express couriers (DHL/UPS) | Weigh speed vs cost; also verify customs, duties, import compliance in U.S. |
| 9. Customs clearance & delivery | CNshopper or your forwarder handles export paperwork; once arrived in U.S., your customs broker or freight forwarder handles import | Ensure HS codes, customs value, tariff classification are correct to avoid surprises |
| 10. Receive goods & reconcile | Compare what arrives vs original spec, flag issues, communicate with supplier or CNshopper | Always photograph discrepancies, keep documentation for claims |
Key Tips & Best Practices
- Order samples first — don’t commit large volume until quality is verified.
- Break large orders into batches or multiple suppliers to reduce risk.
- Understand your total landed cost — the unit price is only one part; add domestic Chinese logistics, consolidation, international freight, customs, duties, import compliance.
- Use reliable agents — check reviews, ask for previous customer references.
- Communicate clearly in writing — use translated spec sheets, diagrams, tolerances.
- Check supplier credentials — business license, factory photos, export license, on-time delivery track record.
- Negotiate terms — for example, partial payments (e.g. 30% deposit, 70% before shipment), penalty clauses for defects.
- Use buyer protection / escrow when possible — though 1688’s native platform may not offer strong protection for international orders.
- Understand U.S. import rules & tariffs — some categories (electronics, batteries, textiles) have stricter regulations or higher duty rates.
- Allow buffer time — delays are common in manufacturing, shipping, inspections.
Challenges & What to Watch Out For
- Some 1688 suppliers are domestic-only and do not export or hold export licenses. That means they rely on third-party export agents. Chinaimportal.com+1
- Price differences can be misleading: sometimes overseas buyers are quoted higher than local Chinese buyers, even for the same product, due to perception of “foreign markup.” Chinaimportal.com
- Suppliers may misrepresent quality, colors, specs — hence inspection & sample orders are vital.
- Hidden costs in packaging, domestic handling, remote area surcharges.
- Customs delays, import compliance issues in U.S.
- Communication lags (time zone, Chinese working hours)
Example Use Case Walkthrough (Hypothetical)
Let’s say you want to import a silicone phone stand (small, light, easy to ship).
- You browse 1688.com, find one supplier with good photos, 3 color variants.
- Copy the product link and variant details, paste into CNshopper “buy request.”
- CNshopper contacts supplier, confirms stock, prices, sample fee, domestic shipping to their consolidation warehouse.
- They send you a quotation: product cost + domestic shipping + agent fee. You accept.
- You pay in USD to CNshopper.
- Supplier ships to CNshopper’s warehouse inside China.
- CNshopper inspects and consolidates this with other purchases from other suppliers.
- You choose express courier (e.g. DHL) — goods shipped to U.S.
- Upon arrival, your broker clears customs, and goods are delivered to your address.
- You verify quality; any defects are claimed back (through CNshopper or directly).
Because the product is small and lightweight, the additional cost of shipping & handling may be small relative to cost savings from sourcing on 1688.
Final Thoughts
Using 1688 via CNshopper gives you a powerful sourcing edge: lower costs, direct access to manufacturers, more SKUs, and flexibility. The tradeoff is more process management, but that tradeoff is what agent services are there to reduce.
If you decide to go this route, I’d recommend:
- Start small (test orders)
- Use a trusted agent (CNshopper or other) with clear fees
- Insist on inspection and quality checks
- Track your landed costs tightly
- Be conservative in lead times and buffer margins