1688 Payment Methods: How to Pay Suppliers from Overseas?

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Managing payments and ensuring the integrity of your order is a critical step when dealing with suppliers on 1688.com. Here’s a detailed guide:

1688 offers a range of payment options; however, these options are only accessible with an account. To create an account, you must possess a government-issued ID from one of the eligible Southeast Asian countries.

If you don’t have a 1688 account, you can still manage your transactions outside the platform. In this post, we will talk how to pay 1688 without Alipay.

 

 

What is 1688 Payment Method?

1688 primarily uses RMB-based payment methods designed for the Chinese domestic market, which can make payments more complex for international buyers.

 

The Main Payment Method on 1688 is:

Let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages of each of these methods.

 

1688 Cross-Border Payment Options Comparison:

 

Pay with Alipay Directly (trusted method)

Most transactions on 1688 are completed through Alipay, which usually requires:

• A Chinese bank account
• Real-name verification
• Payment in RMB

This is the standard method used by domestic buyers.

 

Can overseas buyers use Alipay for 1688?

 

Yes — but it’s not always straightforward.

What is possible

Overseas users can register an Alipay account using a foreign passport and phone number.

In some cases, you can:

• Verify your identity (real-name verification)
• Link certain international bank cards
• Use limited wallet functions

 

The main limitation

The bigger issue is funding the account in RMB.

For most 1688 transactions, you typically still need:

• A Chinese bank account, or
• A way to top up RMB balance

Without that, payments can be difficult or inconsistent.

 

In practice

Many overseas buyers find that:

• Alipay works better for small payments or personal use
• It is less reliable for regular B2B sourcing on 1688

 

You can technically use Alipay, but it’s not practical for regular 1688 sourcing.

 

 

Communicate with 1688 Suppliers for Offline Ordering

The first method allows you to directly contact suppliers on 1688 and make payments through bank transfers or similar methods, after which the supplier packages and ships the products to you.

This method requires the supplier to be proficient in English and capable of shipping from China to overseas destinations, as most 1688 suppliers are based in China. If you are new to dealing with suppliers, offline payments may involve some risks.

Wire Transfer:

• Initiate an international wire transfer to your supplier to cover the 30% payment. Keep in mind that this transfer usually incurs fees ranging from $30 to $40 through your banking service.
• While wire transfers can be intimidating because the funds are not retrievable, remember that you still have leverage, as you haven’t released the full payment.

 

Here are the steps on how to pay on 1688 using a wire transfer:

• Obtain the supplier’s bank account information. You can usually find this information on the supplier’s 1688 store page.
• Contact your bank and initiate a wire transfer to the supplier’s bank account.
• Be sure to include the supplier’s name and order number in the transfer memo.
• Once the wire transfer is complete, notify the supplier.

 

Paying 1688 suppliers directly can be risky because you lose platform protection and take on supplier, quality, and logistics risks yourself.

 

 

Hire Sourcing Agents to Place Orders on 1688

You can use a 1688 agent (like supplyia) to act as a middleman. You pay the agent via international methods (PayPal, Credit Card, Alibaba trade assurance), and they pay the 1688 supplier in RMB. 

Before place the order, you should calculate the total landed cost of products, service fees, and international shipping to determine if it is worthwhile.

 

Here are the steps on how to pay on 1688 using a buying agent:

 

• Find a reputable buying agent. There are many buying agents to choose from, so be sure to do your research and read reviews before selecting one.
• Contact the buying agent and provide them with a list of the items you want to purchase.
• The buying agent will provide you with a quote for their services, including the cost of the goods and their commission.
• Once you have agreed on the price, pay the buying agent using your preferred payment method.
• The buying agent will purchase the goods on your behalf and arrange for shipping.

 

Some 1688 sourcing agents, including Supplyia, can even support payments through Alibaba Trade Assurance. This allows buyers to benefit from added payment protection while still accessing the pricing and sourcing advantages of 1688.

 

 

 

 

 

Use Cross-Border Payment Tools

Some 1688 Cross-border payment tools can make 1688 payments possible for overseas buyers, but they are not universally supported, still require RMB funding, and involve more setup compared to typical international checkout systems.

Some international buyers use tools like

• WorldFirst
• Zyla
• 1688 Cross-border Pay(跨境宝/KJB)

to pay 1688 suppliers.

These tools are designed to solve one key problem:

👉 Pay suppliers in RMB without needing a Chinese bank account

 

They work by:

• Letting you deposit USD / EUR / GBP
• Converting it into offshore RMB (CNH)
• Paying suppliers directly through 1688 integration

In theory, this sounds like the perfect solution.

And in some cases, it works very well.

 

Why Not All Suppliers Support It

This is something many buyers only discover later.

Even though tools like World Pay are officially integrated with 1688, they don’t work for every order or supplier.

For example:

• Some suppliers only accept Alipay balance or domestic transfers
• Some listings do not support “secured transaction” checkout
• Some order types (custom orders, contracts) are not supported
• Some suppliers simply haven’t enabled cross-border payment options

👉 So even if you have WorldFirst or Zyla, you may still not be able to pay certain suppliers directly.

 

The Real Limitation: You Still Need RMB Balance

Another key point:

Even with these tools, you still typically need to fund RMB (CNH) first.

For example:

• You deposit USD
• Convert to CNH
• Then pay the supplier

 

Zyla explicitly requires offshore RMB balance before payment

Same with WorldFirst:

• You must fund your account
• Convert currency
• Then checkout via World Pay

Cross-border Pay(跨境宝/KJB) payment solution is applicable to users in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Virgin Island British only.

👉 So it’s not a simple “pay like Amazon” experience.

 

Setup and Requirements (Why Some Buyers Find It Hard)

Compared to Alibaba, there are more steps:

• Register and verify a business account (often required)
• Link your 1688 account
• Complete identity verification
• Fund and convert currency
• Ensure the supplier supports the payment method

 

Some platforms also have:

• Minimum order thresholds (e.g. around RMB 1,000 in some cases)
• Transaction fees (around ~0.8% + FX)

👉 This is why people say the barrier is not zero.

 

Practical Reality (What Buyers End Up Doing)

Because of these limitations:

• Not all suppliers accept it
• Setup takes time
• Payment flow is still more complex

 

👉 Many buyers still end up:

• Using a sourcing agent
• Or using these tools only for certain suppliers

 

 

 

Typical 1688 Order Payment and Inspection Process

A typical 1688 order follows a structured process: confirm pricing, pay a deposit, inspect before final payment, then complete the balance and arrange shipping.

 

 

 

1. Request a Proforma Invoice

Start by confirming the total order cost and request a proforma invoice (P.I.) from your supplier or sourcing agent.

This document outlines:

• Product details
• Quantity
• Pricing
• Payment terms

It serves as your initial agreement before payment.

2. Use the 30/70 Payment Structure

A common payment arrangement is:

• 30% deposit upfront
• 70% balance after production

This helps reduce risk while allowing the supplier to begin production.

 

3. Conduct Product Inspection Before Final Payment

Once production is complete, arrange a third-party inspection.

During inspection:

• Check product quality against your specifications
• Test key features and functions
• Verify packaging and quantities

Inspection reports usually include detailed photos and videos.

Typical cost: $200–$500, which is small compared to the risk of defective goods.

 

4. Negotiate Fixes if Needed

If issues are found:

• Ask the supplier to fix or remake products
• Maintain a firm but professional approach

At this stage, you still hold leverage since 70% of the payment has not been made yet.

 

5. Request a Commercial Invoice

Before making the final payment, request a commercial invoice.

This document is important for:

• Customs clearance
• Accounting and tax records
• Platform verification (e.g., Amazon)

It is more detailed and official than the proforma invoice.

 

6. Make Final Payment and Arrange Shipping

After confirming inspection results:

• Pay the remaining 70%
• Confirm shipment details
• Request tracking information from your supplier or freight forwarder

 

 

 

What happens after you pay on 1688?

Unlike Alibaba.com, most 1688 suppliers do not ship directly overseas.

Instead, the typical process looks like:

Supplier → China warehouse → processing → international shipping → you

 

 

 

Common ways to receive your goods

1. Ship to your freight forwarder

You provide a China warehouse address (your freight forwarder):

• Supplier ships goods domestically
• The warehouse receives and stores them
• Your forwarder arranges international shipping

This is the most common setup if you already have your own consoidation logistics partner.

 

2. Use a sourcing agent

If you work with a sourcing agent like Supplyia, the process becomes much simpler:

• Suppliers ship goods to the agent’s warehouse
• The agent handles:
  • Receiving
  • Quality inspection
  • Order consolidation
  • Repacking
  • International shipping

This is especially useful for multi-SKU or multi-supplier sourcing.

 

3. Direct international shipping (less common)

Some 1688 suppliers may offer direct shipping via couriers like DHL or FedEx.

However:

• Not all suppliers support this
• Costs are usually higher
• Export handling may be less reliable

 

1688 International Shipping: How to Use Overseas Shipping on 1688?

 

 

1688 Payment Conclusion:

In practice, 1688 payments are rarely direct for overseas buyers — most rely on agents, offline arrangements, or cross-border tools to complete transactions.

With a sourcing partner like Supplyia, buyers can simplify payments, manage multiple suppliers, and consolidate orders more efficiently. For your payment security, we can arrange payment through Alibaba Trade Assurance.

 

 

 

 

1688 Payment FAQs

Can foreigners pay on 1688?

Yes, but it’s not very straightforward. Most payment methods on 1688 are designed for domestic users in China, so overseas buyers often use sourcing agents, offline payments, or cross-border payment tools to complete transactions.

What payment methods does 1688 accept?

1688 mainly accepts domestic payment methods such as Alipay and Chinese bank transfers. Some suppliers may support cards or cross-border payment options, but this depends on the supplier and is not always available.

Do I need Alipay to buy from 1688?

Alipay is the main payment method on 1688, but it’s not required. If you don’t have Alipay, you can still pay through bank transfer, sourcing agents, or other third-party solutions.

Can I use PayPal on 1688?

No, 1688 does not support PayPal directly. In some cases, suppliers may accept PayPal outside the platform, but this is not common and may involve higher risk.

Is it safe to pay 1688 suppliers directly?

It can be risky, especially when paying outside the platform. There is usually no payment protection, so issues like quality problems or disputes can be harder to resolve.

What is the safest way to pay on 1688?

Using a sourcing agent or a structured payment method is generally safer. This adds an extra layer of control, including supplier verification and product inspection. Some agents can also support payments through Alibaba Trade Assurance.

Why can’t I pay 1688 suppliers directly?

1688 is a domestic Chinese platform, and many suppliers only accept local payment methods like Alipay or bank transfer. International payment options are limited and not standardized.

Can I use Alibaba Trade Assurance for 1688 orders?

Not directly on 1688. However, some sourcing agents(like supplyia) can help arrange payments through Alibaba Trade Assurance, which adds a level of payment protection.

How do I convert USD to RMB for 1688 payments?

You can convert USD to RMB through cross-border payment platforms, bank transfers, or by working with a sourcing agent. These methods usually involve exchange fees and setup requirements.