The Australian's Complete Guide to Sourcing from 1688.com — Buy Wholesale
Most Australians are paying 5 times more than they need to. I found a phone stand on AliExpress for $18. The exact same one on 1688? $2.40.
1688 is China’s wholesale marketplace. It’s where AliExpress sellers buy their stock. The problem? It’s entirely in Chinese. So almost no one in Australia knows it exists.
I spent weeks learning how to use it — registration, suppliers, shipping, customs. And I turned everything into a step-by-step guide. So you don’t have to.
Link in bio. First guide is live now. Follow for more China sourcing secrets.#1688 #chinasourcing #smallbussiness
As someone who frequently buys products online for my small business, discovering 1688.com was a real game-changer. Initially, I was intimidated because the site is entirely in Chinese, with no English support, and I worried about the complexities of registration, supplier communication, and shipping logistics. However, after dedicating time to learn the process, I realized how much money I was missing by shopping on platforms like AliExpress. One thing to keep in mind is that 1688.com operates mainly as a wholesale marketplace, so many suppliers require you to order in bulk (minimum order quantities vary by product). This means you can significantly lower your cost per item, but you need to be prepared for larger initial orders or find partners to split orders with. Navigating customs and import duties is another essential part of the process. I found that working with freight forwarders who specialize in shipping from China to Australia made things much smoother. They helped me understand documentation requirements and minimized delays. To communicate effectively with suppliers, I used simple Chinese key term cheat sheets and supplier message templates. This helped bridge the language gap and ensured I could negotiate prices and inquire about product details confidently. Finally, one of the best tips I learned is to compare identical products on AliExpress and 1688.com to understand the price gap better. For example, a phone stand that costs $18 on AliExpress was available for only $2.40 on 1688.com, showing how much you can save when you go direct to the source. If you're running a small business or just want to save money on quality products, investing time in learning how to source from 1688.com is absolutely worth it. It does require patience and a willingness to learn, but once you get familiar with the process, the savings and business advantages are substantial.
