CHINA SOURCING
Buying From 1688 as a Foreign Company: Practical Guide
Learn how foreign companies can source from 1688 while managing supplier verification, Chinese payments, domestic delivery, QC, export documents and consolidation.
Understand what the listing represents
A 1688 store may be operated by a factory, trader or distributor. Sales volume, badges and attractive photos are useful signals, not proof of legal identity, production ownership or export experience. Verify the Chinese entity and ask who will issue the invoice, receive payment and make the goods.
Confirm the product in writing
Domestic listings may assume Chinese-market materials, packaging, voltage, labels or tolerances. Send a bilingual specification defining variant, material, dimensions, colour, logo, packaging, quantity and compliance requirements. Order and approve samples where practical.
Plan payment before ordering
Many suppliers expect domestic RMB payment and may not accept direct overseas remittance. If an agent or Chinese company pays on your behalf, document the exchange rate, fee, beneficiary, refund handling and reconciliation. Do not send money to an unexplained personal account simply because it is convenient.
Use a controlled China delivery point
1688 prices often cover only domestic delivery or exclude freight entirely. Send goods to a warehouse that records supplier, PO, carton count, marks and visible exceptions. If multiple suppliers are involved, standardise shipping marks before dispatch.
Separate receiving from quality control
A warehouse receipt confirms that cartons arrived; it does not prove product conformity. Choose an inspection scope based on risk and ensure the supplier agrees to correction or replacement rules before final payment.
Solve export responsibility
Some domestic sellers cannot or will not act as exporter. Confirm who will prepare commercial documents, coordinate declaration and supply product-specific records. The overseas buyer remains responsible for destination-country import requirements.
Calculate landed cost
Include domestic freight, payment and currency fees, agent fees, samples, QC, warehouse handling, repacking, export coordination, international freight, insurance, duty, tax and destination charges. A lower unit price can disappear after small-order logistics and rework.
Build control around the platform transaction
1688 can work well when the buying process adds supplier verification, documented specifications, controlled payment, inspection, warehouse records and export coordination. The platform listing is a sourcing lead; it is not a complete overseas purchasing system.
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