Plan your order
Both can support sourcing from China. The better fit depends on your product, supplier, order size and ability to coordinate locally.
| Consideration | 1688 | Alibaba.com |
|---|---|---|
| Typical market focus | Chinese domestic wholesale buyers. | International trade enquiries and orders. |
| Communication | Chinese-language coordination is often needed. | International-buyer communication is more common. |
| Payment & receiving | Plan local payment and China receiving arrangements. | Confirm the supplier’s international payment and shipping terms. |
| Minimum quantities | Vary by supplier, product and variant. | Vary by supplier, product and customisation. |
| What to compare | Exact specifications, sample terms and delivered cost. | Exact specifications, sample terms and delivered cost. |
Compare the same materials, dimensions, variants, quantities and packaging. Ask each supplier about stock, sampling, lead time and the charges included in the offer. Similar-looking listings are not necessarily the same product.
Include domestic transport, agent charges where applicable, inspection, packing, international freight and the agreed import-cost treatment. Choose the route that fits your order and ability to coordinate it.
You have identified suitable domestic-market listings and need help coordinating Chinese-language requirements, supplier payment, receiving and onward shipment. Include the agent and warehouse work in the comparison.
Explore local purchasing coordinationYou want to discuss export-oriented order terms directly with a supplier. Confirm its actual capabilities, payment arrangements and shipping offer rather than assuming the platform guarantees every part of the transaction.
Send both suppliers the same product brief and quantity breakdown. Ask for sample terms, production or stock arrangements, packing dimensions and the delivery scope. Record the unanswered questions alongside each price. Compare the final offer only after the differences in specifications and included work are clear.
Compare the full cost componentsTell us what you want to source. Let’s map out the rest.
Prepare your sourcing request