China has become one of the world's most important sources of products for American entrepreneurs. Whether you are selling on Amazon, Shopify, TikTok Shop, or Walmart Marketplace, finding reliable Chinese suppliers can have a major impact on your margins. For years, American sellers have relied on Alibaba. But another platform is attracting increasing attention: 1688.com.
1688 is Alibaba Group's domestic Chinese wholesale marketplace. For American entrepreneurs, this creates access to a much larger selection of Chinese suppliers. But there is one major problem: 1688 was not designed for American buyers. This is where China sourcing agents and specialized platforms such as SinoYak become useful. If you are ready to start, check out our guide on buying from 1688 in the USA.
The US e-commerce market is extremely competitive. Amazon sellers, Shopify entrepreneurs, and TikTok Shop sellers are constantly looking for better supplier prices, private-label opportunities, lower manufacturing costs, and better profit margins. 1688 gives buyers access to China's domestic wholesale ecosystem, offering significantly lower prices than international marketplaces.
Alibaba.com is designed for international buyers. It offers English listings, international payment options, and export-oriented suppliers. 1688.com is designed for the Chinese domestic market, with RMB pricing and domestic suppliers. To understand which platform to choose, read our detailed comparison of 1688 vs Alibaba.
Amazon FBA is one of the best use cases for 1688. An American entrepreneur can find a product opportunity, search for it on 1688, compare suppliers, order samples, and ship inventory to the US. The key is finding the right combination of product, supplier, quality, and landed cost. Learn more in our complete 1688 Amazon FBA guide.
TikTok has also completely changed product discovery. A product can go viral within days. The new sourcing model is: TikTok trend → product discovery → 1688 research → supplier → inventory → TikTok Shop.
This is the most important lesson for new importers. A product might cost $3.00 on 1688, but your final cost is not $3.00. You must calculate your Landed Cost, which includes:
1688 is a domestic Chinese marketplace. American buyers face obstacles like language barriers, RMB pricing, payment limitations, and domestic shipping. SinoYak is designed to simplify this process:
Find it on 1688. Check it. Source it. Ship it to the USA.
🚀 Import a Product to the USA