Alibaba (阿里巴巴 1688) : Alibaba's B2B wholesale marketplace for factory-direct pricing.

Alibaba's B2B wholesale marketplace that serves as the supply-side backbone of China's manufacturing economy. Factories and wholesale distributors connect directly with retailers and small businesses, with prices significantly lower than retail platforms. In recent years, 1688 has gained mainstream consumer attention as individual shoppers discovered they could buy products at factory-direct prices - a phenomenon known as "1688 treasure hunting."

Can I use a US phone number to register on 1688?

International phone numbers including US numbers can be used for 1688 registration. However, purchasing may require Alipay verification with a Chinese bank account. Many US buyers use agents or proxy purchasing services to buy from 1688 and consolidate shipments.

How does 1688 compare to Alibaba.com?

1688 is for domestic China B2B trade with prices 30-50% lower than Alibaba.com. Minimum order quantities are smaller. However, 1688 sellers may not have export experience or English capability. Alibaba.com caters to international buyers with English interfaces and export-ready suppliers.

Can US businesses buy from 1688.com?

1688.com is accessible from the US and is China's largest B2B wholesale marketplace, similar to a domestic version of Alibaba.com. It offers factory-direct prices significantly lower than retail platforms. However, the site is Chinese-only, and sellers typically require domestic Chinese business licenses.