How to Buy from1688 and Ship to USA?
Table of Contents
Why US Importer Buy from 1688.com?
1688.com, part of the Alibaba Group, is China’s largest domestic B2B wholesale marketplace, connecting buyers directly to manufacturers and factories. It offers significantly lower prices (often 20-50% cheaper than Alibaba) and lower minimum order quantities (MOQs) compared to international platforms.
However, it’s designed for the Chinese market, so direct purchases from the USA are challenging due to language barriers, Chinese-only payments (Alipay/RMB), and domestic shipping only. Most suppliers won’t ship internationally, and the site lacks English support.
To overcome this, you’ll need a 1688 agent (also called a sourcing or purchasing agent). They act as your intermediary: providing a Chinese address, handling payments, inspecting goods, consolidating shipments, and forwarding to the USA. Agents charge a service fee (typically 5-10% of order value), but this often pays for itself through savings on product costs.
Step-by-Step Guide to Buying from 1688 and Shipping to the USA:
Here’s a complete process based on reliable sourcing practices:
1. Register on 1688.com (Optional but Recommended)
- Visit 1688.com and create a free account using your email or phone. No verification is needed for browsing.
- Use Google Translate (browser extension) or Baidu Translate for the Chinese interface. Search products using keywords (e.g., “手机壳” for phone cases) or image search.
- Filter suppliers by ratings (look for 4.5+ stars, “Gold Supplier” badges), transaction volume, and response rates. Check for “in-depth inspection” certification for verified factories.
- Note MOQs and tiered pricing—negotiate via chat for discounts (common on 1688).
2. Select and Shortlist Products/Suppliers
- Browse categories (49 total, from electronics to apparel). Compare prices, but remember quoted prices are domestic-only.
- Contact suppliers via the site’s chat (use translation tools) to ask about samples, customization, and bulk pricing. Request photos/videos if needed.
- Aim for suppliers with 500+ employees for scalability on larger orders. Avoid very low-rated or new sellers to minimize risks.
3. Choose a Reputable 1688 Agent
Agents handle everything from purchasing to USA delivery. Popular ones include:
| Agent | Key Features | Website |
|---|---|---|
| CNXtrans | Low fees, consolidation for multiple orders, worldwide shipping including DDP (duties paid). | cnxtrans.com |
| Tonlexing | PayPal/Wise supported, quality inspections, air/sea freight to USA. | tonlexing.com |
| Superbuy | User-friendly for small orders, Taobao/1688 combo, express shipping. | superbuy.com |
| Basenton | Full sourcing, negotiation, and bulk freight options. | basenton.com |
| Freightya | Affordable for USA/UK/Canada, handles customs. | freightya.com |
| Supplyia | Supplyia 1688 agent services including sourcing, payment in RMB via PayPal/credit card, quality control, consolidation, and international shipping; | supplyia.com |
Research via Reddit (r/ecommerce, r/small business) for reviews—users recommend starting with small test orders ($100-500). Avoid unverified agents to prevent scams.
- Sign up on the agent’s site, submit your 1688 product links/cart, and provide your USA shipping address. For big order, you can collect your order in a Excel file.
4. Place the Order and Pay
- The agent quotes total costs: product price + domestic shipping to their warehouse + service fee + international shipping + estimated duties/taxes.
- Pay via international methods like PayPal, Wise, or credit card (agents convert to RMB for 1688). Never pay suppliers directly.
- For samples: Order 1-5 units first to test quality (costs $20-100 including shipping).
5. Quality Check and Consolidation
- Goods ship to the agent’s China warehouse (1-7 days domestic).
- Agent inspects for defects, repackages (e.g., adds labels for Amazon FBA), and consolidates multiple items to reduce volumetric weight and shipping fees. This is free or low-cost with most agents.
6. Arrange International Shipping to the USA
Choose based on order size/speed:
| Method | Time to USA | Cost Estimate (per kg) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express (DHL/FedEx/UPS) | 3-7 days | $10-25 | Small/light orders (<10kg), urgent needs |
| Air Freight | 5-10 days | $5-15 | Medium orders (10-100kg), balanced speed/cost |
| Sea Freight (LCL/FCL) | 20-40 days | $0.50-3 | Large/bulk orders (>100kg), lowest cost |
- Agents handle tracking, insurance (recommended at 1-2% of value), and customs paperwork. For USA, expect 3-25% duties/taxes based on product (e.g., electronics ~2.5%, apparel ~16%). Use HS codes for accurate estimates.
- Total shipping: $50-200 for small parcels; scales down for bulk.
7. Receive and Track Your Shipment
- Track via the agent’s portal or carrier app. Delivery to your USA door (or Amazon warehouse).
- Inspect upon arrival—agents often offer dispute resolution if issues arise.
Success and Cost Savings for Shopping on 1688 from US Tips.
- Start Small: Test with low-MOQ items to build trust with suppliers/agents.
- Negotiate Everything: Agents can haggle 10-20% off 1688 prices.
- Hidden Costs: Factor in 10-20% for fees/duties. Use DDP shipping to avoid surprises.
- Risks to Avoid: Scams (fake agents), poor quality (always inspect), or high fees—compare 2-3 agents.
- Alternatives if 1688 Feels Complex: Use Alibaba for easier international setup, or agents for Taobao/Pinduoduo.
- Legal Note: Comply with USA import rules (e.g., FDA for food/cosmetics). For Amazon sellers, agents can label for FBA.
This method can yield 20-30% profit margins for resellers. If you’re new, budget $200-500 for your first order including all fees. For personalized help, contact an agent directly via their sites.
Unlike traditional wholesale purchasing in the USA, the product quality on 1688 varies widely, so you need to set up a firewall, typically by having someone in China handle quality inspections and then formally manage customs declaration and clearance for you. This is also the role of a Supplyia agent.
