Alibaba (阿里巴巴 1688) : China's factory-direct wholesale marketplace where small retailers source goods in bulk.

Alibaba Group's domestic wholesale business began in 1999, and its 1688 marketplace lets Chinese merchants buy stock straight from factories — the upstream source for many goods resold on Taobao.

Buyers can order raw materials, industrial parts, apparel and household goods in bulk, or search out a particular factory and compare quotes before committing.

More than a hundred million active buyers use the marketplace yearly for below-retail prices, while Alibaba.com handles overseas importers.

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.