InterBridgeTRANS & TRADEBlog
Practical articles, sourcing guidance, and China market insights for importers and operators.
1688 checkout is built around Alipay and Chinese bank accounts, so buyers abroad usually need another route. Here are the three common options, what each one means for your protection, and how to time deposits and balances.
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Yes, 1688 is a real wholesale marketplace run by Alibaba Group, but sellers differ a lot. This guide explains what 1688 badges and sales numbers show, how to check the Chinese company behind a store, and how to tell a factory from a trader.
1688.com and Alibaba.com both belong to Alibaba Group, but they serve different buyers. Alibaba.com is built for international trade; 1688 is China's domestic wholesale market. Here is how sellers, prices, payment, delivery and buyer protection differ, and when each one makes sense.
Many sourcing agents charge a percentage of the order value, but the base and the scope vary. Here is how agent fees work, which costs sit outside them, and how to check the supplier's quote against what you pay.