How to Buy on 1688 from Overseas in 2026

1688.com is China's largest B2B wholesale platform, owned by the Alibaba Group. Unlike AliExpress, it is restricted to the domestic Chinese market. Prices are therefore much more attractive (often 30% to 50% cheaper), making it a goldmine for international e-commerce sellers. But how can you buy from 1688 without speaking Chinese or having an Alipay account? Here is the complete guide.

1. The 1688 Problem for Foreign Buyers

If you try to order directly from 1688 outside of China, you will face several obstacles:

• Language Barrier: The website is entirely in Simplified Chinese.
• Payment: Only payments via Alipay or WeChat Pay in Chinese Yuan (CNY) are accepted. Foreign credit cards are rejected.
• Shipping Address: Sellers on 1688 only ship to mainland China. No direct international shipping is available.

2. SinoYak: Your Purchasing Agent for 1688

To bypass these blocks, the solution is to use a sourcing agent. SinoYak acts as your intermediary in China. Our platform allows you to pay in Euros or USD, and our team based in China buys the product for you, receives it in our warehouse in Guangzhou, and ships it to your country.

Advantages of SinoYak:

• 🔍 Link Search: Paste the 1688 product link, our AI translates the info instantly.
• 📦 Warehouse in China: We store your purchases so you can consolidate parcels and save on shipping.
• 📸 Quality Control: Before shipping, we take photos of the product to ensure it is not defective.
• ✈️ Fast Shipping: Choice between Yanwen/China Post (10-15 days) or DHL/UPS (express, under a week).