Overview

Amazon merchants seeking to shrink product acquisition costs are increasingly turning to China’s domestic wholesale hub, 1688.com. The site links sellers straight to factories that price items at local‑market rates, often far below the figures seen on export‑focused platforms. Mastering 1688’s workflow can unlock sizable margin improvements for both private‑label and wholesale operators.

Key Points

• Local‑market pricing — Because 1688 lists goods at prices intended for Chinese consumers, a silicone phone case that sells for ¥12 (≈ $1.70) on the site may cost $2.50 or more on overseas marketplaces.
• Low minimum orders — Many factories accept orders as small as a single pallet or even a few dozen pieces, letting sellers trial new SKUs without tying up capital in large inventory.
• Built‑in translation tools — The platform’s automatic language switch and the availability of third‑party sourcing agents enable English‑speaking sellers to convey specifications, request samples, and negotiate terms without fluency in Mandarin.
• Multiple freight options — Sellers can pick air freight for rapid restocks, sea freight for bulk savings, or e‑packet services that combine low cost with door‑to‑door delivery for lightweight items.
• Payment safeguards — Services such as Alipay escrow hold funds until the buyer confirms receipt and quality, reducing exposure to fraud or sub‑standard shipments.
• Supplier verification — 1688 provides factory credentials, transaction histories, and buyer reviews, giving sellers a data‑driven way to assess reliability before committing.

How 1688.com Sourcing Works

1. Search and filter — Enter a product keyword (e.g., “silicone phone case”) into the search bar, then apply filters for minimum order quantity (MOQ), price range, and supplier location. Example: A seller targeting a test batch of 300 units sets the MOQ filter to ≤300, instantly surfacing factories willing to produce that volume.

2. Initiate contact and negotiate — Use the built‑in chat window or hire a local sourcing agent to message the chosen factory, request a quotation, and ask for a pre‑production sample. The seller messages a Shenzhen manufacturer, receives a quote of ¥9 per unit for a 200‑piece order, and negotiates a 5 % discount for a repeat purchase of 1,000 units.