Frequently Asked Questions – 1688 Buying Agent
Find answers to common questions about buying from 1688.com, using a buying agent, shipping, pricing, and more. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, contact us anytime.
Basic Questions
How to buy from 1688.com as an international buyer?
To buy from 1688.com, international buyers need a buying agent because 1688 only accepts Chinese payment methods (Alipay) and ships within China. A reliable agent like Dawon1688 handles translation, payment, quality inspection, warehousing, and international shipping. The process is simple: 1) Find products on 1688.com, 2) Send product links to your agent, 3) The agent purchases and inspects the products, 4) Products are shipped to your country.
How much does a 1688 buying agent cost?
Dawon1688 charges transparent fees: 3-6% for payment solution, 0.5-1% for warehousing, 0.5-1% for quality inspection, and 0.5-1% for labeling. For orders under $10,000, the combined service rate is approximately 9%. Rates decrease for larger orders. There are no hidden fees — all charges are clearly listed before you commit.
Is 1688.com cheaper than Alibaba?
Yes, 1688.com is typically 30-50% cheaper than Alibaba.com. This is because 1688 is designed for domestic Chinese buyers with factory-direct pricing, while Alibaba targets international buyers with higher markup for English-speaking staff, international marketing, and trading company margins. Even after paying agent fees, buying from 1688 is still significantly cheaper than buying from Alibaba.
What is the difference between a 1688 agent and a trading company?
A 1688 buying agent charges a transparent service fee (3-9%) and you buy directly from factories at wholesale prices. You can see the actual product price and supplier information. A trading company buys products and resells them to you at a markup (15-30%), acting as an intermediary without revealing the original supplier. Agents offer more transparency and lower costs, while trading companies may offer convenience but at higher prices.
How long does shipping from 1688 take?
Shipping times vary by method: express delivery (DHL/FedEx) takes 7-12 days, air freight takes 8-15 days, rail freight takes 25-35 days to Europe, and sea freight takes 30-60 days. Dawon1688 consolidates multiple supplier orders and ships them together to reduce costs. The exact shipping time depends on your location and chosen shipping method.
Pricing & Payment
Can I use 1688 without speaking Chinese?
Yes, with a buying agent like Dawon1688, you don’t need to speak Chinese. We handle all communication with suppliers, translate product descriptions, and manage the entire purchasing process in English. You simply send us product links or descriptions, and we take care of the rest.
What payment methods does Dawon1688 accept?
Dawon1688 accepts bank transfers (T/T), PayPal, Wise, Western Union, and Alipay (for Chinese payments). International buyers can pay in USD, EUR, GBP and other major currencies. We convert funds to CNY at the real-time bank exchange rate to pay 1688 suppliers.
How do you inspect product quality?
Dawon1688 provides professional quality inspection services. Our team checks product appearance, functionality, packaging, and quantity before shipping. We send you photos and videos of the inspected products. If any issues are found, we work with the supplier to resolve them before shipping. Quality inspection fee is 0.5-1% of the order value.
Quality & Shipping
Can I consolidate multiple orders from different suppliers?
Yes, Dawon1688 offers free order consolidation. You can purchase products from multiple 1688 suppliers, and we will store them in our warehouse and combine them into one shipment. This significantly reduces shipping costs compared to shipping each order separately.
What if I receive defective products?
If you receive defective products, contact us immediately with photos. We will work with the supplier to arrange a replacement or refund. Our quality inspection process catches most issues before shipping, but if any defective products slip through, we take responsibility and help resolve the issue.
Do you provide custom packaging and labeling?
Yes, Dawon1688 offers custom packaging and private labeling services. We can add your brand logo, create custom packaging, apply barcodes, and prepare products for Amazon FBA. Labeling service costs 0.5-1% of the order value. Contact us for specific packaging requirements.
Can you help with product certification?
Yes, we provide certification assistance for CE, FCC, RoHS, and other compliance certifications. We work with certified testing laboratories in China to help your products meet international standards. This is especially important for electronics, toys, and medical products imported to the EU, USA, and other regulated markets.
Getting Started
Is it safe to buy from 1688.com?
1688.com is owned by Alibaba Group and is a legitimate B2B platform. However, as with any marketplace, product quality varies by supplier. Dawon1688 helps ensure safety by verifying suppliers, inspecting products before shipping, and providing secure payment handling. We only work with verified suppliers with good track records.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) on 1688?
MOQ on 1688 varies by product and supplier, but it is generally much lower than Alibaba. Many 1688 suppliers accept small orders, and some support dropshipping with no MOQ. Dawon1688 can help negotiate lower MOQs with suppliers and consolidate small orders from multiple suppliers.
How do I get started with Dawon1688?
Getting started is easy: 1) Browse 1688.com and find products you want to buy, 2) Send product links to frank@dawon1688.com or contact us via our website, 3) We provide a quote including product cost, agent fees, and shipping, 4) You confirm and pay, 5) We purchase, inspect, and ship your products. The entire process typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Still have questions? Contact Dawon1688 for a free consultation. Our team is ready to help you source products from China at factory prices.