Overview

Alibaba .com functions as a worldwide B2B marketplace that links overseas retailers with Chinese factories and wholesale distributors. Since its 1999 launch, the site now lists millions of products across dozens of categories, making it a primary sourcing channel for Amazon sellers who need low‑cost production, dependable partners, and a way to navigate import requirements.

Key Points

• Massive Supplier Community — More than 150 million registered users, including upwards of 20 million vetted manufacturers, give sellers a deep pool of options and price tiers.
• Layered Supplier Badges — “Gold Supplier,” “Assessed Supplier,” and “Verified Supplier” icons signal on‑site audits, financial health, and eligibility for Trade Assurance, helping buyers gauge reliability.
• Escrow‑Based Trade Assurance — Payments are held in Alibaba’s escrow until the buyer confirms that the shipment matches the contract, dramatically lowering fraud risk.
• Flexible Minimum Order Quantities — While many factories list MOQs of 500–1,000 units, sellers can often negotiate batches as small as 10–20 pieces for sample runs.
• Built‑In Shipping Utilities — Integrated freight forwarder listings, customs paperwork services, and live freight quotes let sellers manage logistics without leaving the platform.

How Alibaba Works

1. Open a Buyer Profile — Register using a business email, fill out company details, and upload a government‑issued ID (e.g., a U.S. seller submits a passport scan). Completing verification unlocks full messaging and the ability to request Trade Assurance protection.
2. Search and Refine Listings — Enter product keywords, select relevant categories, and apply filters such as “Gold Supplier” or “MOQ ≤ 500.” For example, a seller hunting for bamboo kitchen utensils might tick the “Gold Supplier” box and set the MOQ filter to 300 to surface factories willing to produce small batches.
3. Contact Suppliers and Request Quotes — Use Alibaba’s internal chat to send an inquiry that details material specs, target price, desired quantity, and shipping terms. A typical message could ask a Shenzhen factory for a FOB price on 250 units of matte‑finish water bottles, with a 30‑day production window.