How to buy products from 1688 to Australia
Discover the main steps to source low MOQ products from 1688 to Australia successfully.
Key takeaways
- 1688.com has over 10 million suppliers and 1,700 product categories
- Australian businesses can find products at wholesale prices on 1688
- MOQ is low. Product pricing further decreases as you buy more units
- 1688 doesn’t support international payments, but buyers in Australia can pay 1688 suppliers through WorldFirst’s Cross-border Pay
Table of Contents
Steps to buy products from 1688 to Australia
1. Open the 1688 website
Go to the 1688 website and translate it into English. Most browsers, like Chrome and Firefox, offer direct translation. If your browser doesn’t provide the option to translate the website into English directly, you can also use a browser extension or add-on.
2. Register and verify your 1688 account
To register on 1688, you can visit the 1688.com website on PC or sign up through the Taobao mobile app. (Taobao is also a subsidiary of the Alibaba Group, so you can use the same credentials for both).
After signing up, agree to the terms, and confirm to activate your account.
It’s necessary to verify your account to make international payments. To verify, create a personal Alipay account and link it to your 1688 account.
WorldFirst’s Cross-border Pay (跨境宝) solution allows international buyers in Australia and select other countries to pay 1688 suppliers directly. The exchange rate offered by WorldFirst is more competitive than bank transfers, and there are minimal fees.
Here are the steps to set up WorldFirst’s Cross-border Pay (跨境宝) solution on your 1688 account
- Create a 1688 account
- Create an Alipay account
- Link your Alipay account to your 1688 account for verification
- Setup a WorldFirst account
- Authorise your 1688 account with WorldFirst
- Place an order on 1688 and make direct cross-border payments
Pay 1688 suppliers with WorldFirst
1- Create an account on WorldFirst
2- After signing up, go to your account dashboard → Payments → Cross-border Pay (跨境宝).
3- Click on ‘Activate’ to authorise cross-border payments.
4- Authorise your 1688 account by adding your 1688 ID.
5- Read and agree with the agreement shared on the page and click ‘Next.’
6- You will get a 6-digit verification on your mobile number to authenticate your account.
7- You have now successfully activated Cross-border Pay (跨境宝) and you can pay suppliers on 1688 through international bank accounts.
3. Search for products
Finding products on 1688 can be overwhelming due to its vast marketplace, spanning 50+ industries and 1700+ subcategories. To make the process easier and quicker, you can:
- Use Google Translate to change product names from English to Chinese and search them on the website.
- Try image search by uploading product images directly on 1688 and finding the exact products
4. Find a suitable supplier
With over 10 million suppliers* on the platform, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Even when the same suppliers offer the same products, there can be a lot of differences in product quality and pricing.
To find reliable suppliers on 1688, assess them based on the following factors:
- Years of operation
- Response rate
- Delivery time
- Trustworthiness
- Location
- Repurchase rate
- Minimum order quantity (MOQ).
Check out our in-depth 1688 guide to learn how to find the best products and reliable suppliers on the platform.
*Numbers provided by 1688.com
5. Communicate with the supplier
1688 allows buyers to directly communicate with suppliers through Aliwangwang (1688’s chat tool) or WeChat.
Most suppliers listed on 1688 have limited English proficiency. You should keep communication clear, professional, and concise. Inquire about return policies, delivery times, and inventory/manufacturing schedules before finalising the purchase.
Note: Alternatively, you can partner with a sourcing agent who can handle the entire product sourcing process and communicate with sellers on your behalf.
6. Place the order and make the payment
1688.com doesn’t support international payments. It accepts payments only from domestic bank accounts via WeChat, Alipay, and direct bank transfers.
Businesses based in Australia can use WorldFirst Cross-border Pay to make payments to 1688 suppliers securely and quickly.
To pay suppliers, select the WorldFirst’s Cross-border Pay (跨境宝) option on the checkout page. (Make sure you have already activated cross-border payments on your WorldFirst account.
After the payment, review the order summary once more to ensure accuracy and confirm the delivery timelines with the seller.
7. Find a shipping partner
1688 suppliers don’t support international shipping. Buyers must find the right shipping partner to deliver their products from China to Australia.
For cost-effective shipping, prioritise shipping partners close to your supplier’s location. The proximity reduces domestic shipping costs and accelerates delivery times.
You can also partner with freight forwarders to assist you with customs clearance and delivery, Freight forwarders can simplify international shipping by handling documentation, insurance, and customs processes. They can advise on the optimal shipping method for your cargo, ensuring smooth transit from factory to warehouse.
Note: If you want to order smaller units of products without the hassle of finding shipping agents or drop shipping partners, consider purchasing from AliExpress. The prices are generally higher than 1688, but the platform offers direct shipping and dropshipping options. Take a look at our 1688 vs AliExpress comparison guide
Streamline cross-border payments on 1688 with WorldFirst
Businesses in Australia can source a wide range of products from 1688 and make secure international payments to suppliers through WorldFirst. There are no limits to transaction amounts and you get access to competitive foreign exchange rates.
Pay your suppliers by linking your 1688 and World Account.
Disclaimer: The information contained is general only and largely our views. Before acting on the information you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy and it may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions, estimates, mentioned products/services and referenced material constitute the author’s own judgement as of the date of the briefing and are subject to change without notice. WorldFirst shall not be responsible for any losses or damages arising from your reliance of such information. Information on 1688 and its products/services are sourced from and can be found at 1688.com.
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