What 1688 is
1688.com is Alibaba's wholesale marketplace for the Chinese domestic market. Where Taobao connects shops to consumers, 1688 connects factories, wholesalers and trading companies to other businesses: online stores, market stalls and resellers buying stock. Many products that appear on Taobao at retail prices are available on 1688 from the source, at wholesale prices.
That is why 1688 rows appear in spreadsheets: the prices can be strikingly low. It is also why 1688 needs more care than Taobao or Weidian. The platform's pricing is designed for buying in quantity, and the cheapest number on a listing often isn't the price of one item.
Spreadsheet rows rarely mention these rules, because curators copy a link and a headline price. Treat any 1688 price in a sheet as a starting point and confirm it on the listing itself.
1688 is a wholesale platform first; its low prices come with wholesale rules.
MOQs and tiered prices
Two features of 1688 listings catch personal buyers out:
- Minimum order quantity (MOQ). Many listings require a minimum number of pieces per order, sometimes per colour or size. If the MOQ is ten, you can't buy one.
- Tiered pricing. Listings often show several prices, each for a quantity range. The lowest price applies only to the largest quantity.
| What the listing shows | What it means for one item |
|---|---|
| A single price, no MOQ | You can buy one at that price |
| Several prices by quantity | One item costs the highest tier price (if single pieces are allowed) |
| An MOQ above 1 | You must buy at least that many, or choose another listing |
| "Dropshipping" or single-piece option | Often a separate price for one-off orders |
Your agent's product page usually shows these tiers. If it isn't clear whether you can buy one piece, ask through the order note before paying.
Always check the MOQ and which price tier applies to the quantity you want.
Chinese terms worth knowing on 1688
Agents translate listings, but the original Chinese terms often show up in variant names, notes or screenshots. A handful cover most situations:
| Term | Meaning | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 起批 / 起订量 | Minimum order quantity | Tells you how many you must buy |
| 一件代发 | Single-piece dropshipping | Usually means one piece can be ordered |
| 现货 | In stock | Ships sooner than made-to-order |
| 定制 | Custom-made | Longer lead time, often larger MOQ, usually not returnable |
| 48小时发货 | Ships within 48 hours | A dispatch promise from the seller |
| 混批 | Mixed batch allowed | You can mix sizes or colours to meet the MOQ |
"一件代发" is the term to look for if you want a single piece.
Buying 1688 finds through an agent
- Open the 1688 link at your agent. Paste it into the search box, or use the link converter. Oopbuy publishes a 0% purchasing fee on 1688 orders.
- Check quantity and price tier. Make sure your quantity meets the MOQ and note the actual unit price.
- Read the details carefully. Listings are written for Chinese businesses; materials, sizes and what's included may be terse.
- Pay and wait for the warehouse. Domestic shipping from a factory can take a little longer than from a retail shop.
- Check QC photos before shipping; the QC guide explains what to look for.
For the full order process and costs, see how to order from Oopbuy.
Through an agent, 1688 works like Taobao, once you've checked quantity and price.
Where 1688 makes sense for personal buyers
- Basics and multi-packs: plain t-shirts, socks and accessories where buying several is normal.
- Items you'd buy in sets anyway, such as storage, packaging or small household goods.
- Listings that clearly allow single pieces at a price that still beats Taobao after domestic shipping.
It makes less sense for one-off fashion items where a Taobao or Weidian listing offers the same item without MOQ complications. Light, cheap multi-packs also work well for budget parcels; see the budget spreadsheet for the shipping maths.
1688 shines for basics and sets; for single fashion items, retail platforms are often simpler.
Common 1688 mistakes
- Reading the bulk price as the unit price. The eye-catching number is usually the largest tier.
- Missing a per-variant MOQ. Some sellers require the minimum per colour or size, not per order.
- Ordering custom items casually. Made-to-order goods take longer and are rarely returnable.
- Forgetting domestic shipping. On cheap items, the seller's shipping to the warehouse can be a large share of the cost.
Read tiers, MOQs and dispatch terms before paying, not after.
Quality and sizing on 1688
Factory and wholesale listings vary widely. Some sellers are the actual manufacturer; others are traders reselling the same stock. Photos are often generic. That makes QC especially important: compare your warehouse photos with the listing, check labels and measurements, and request a return within the agent's window if something is wrong. Sizes on 1688 follow Chinese sizing, which usually runs smaller than Western sizes, so use the size chart in centimetres.
Expect generic photos and Chinese sizing; your own QC photos decide.
Shipping and customs
Multi-packs and sets add weight quickly, so estimate shipping before ordering; the shipping calculator helps. Import VAT applies in the EU and UK, and in the EU a flat €3 duty per item has applied to parcels up to €150 since July 2026, which adds up on multi-packs. Buying many identical items can also look commercial to customs, which may ask questions. For timing by line, see Oopbuy shipping time.
Estimate weight before ordering multiples, and remember customs sees quantities.
FAQ
What is 1688?
1688.com is Alibaba's wholesale marketplace for the Chinese domestic market. Factories, wholesalers and trading companies sell there, mostly to other businesses.
Can I buy one item on 1688?
Sometimes. Many listings set a minimum order quantity (MOQ) of several pieces, while others allow single pieces at a higher price. Check the listing's price tiers before ordering.
Is 1688 cheaper than Taobao?
Often, because prices are wholesale. The headline price may only apply to large quantities, though, and you still pay domestic shipping, the agent's terms and international shipping.
How do I buy from 1688 abroad?
Through a shopping agent that supports 1688. Paste the 1688 link into the agent; it handles the purchase, inspection and international shipping.
Why are 1688 listings in Chinese only?
1688 is built for Chinese domestic buyers. Agents translate key details, but check sizes, materials and quantities carefully.