Buying from 1688 is one of the cheapest ways Nigerian importers source products from China. However, it also confuses many people because the platform is fully in Chinese and not designed for international buyers.
This guide explains how Nigerians buy from 1688 and ship successfully to Nigeria, step by step.
What Is 1688?
1688 is a Chinese wholesale marketplace owned by Alibaba.
It is mainly for local Chinese buyers, which is why prices are cheaper than on Alibaba.
Most suppliers on 1688:
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Do not speak English
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Do not ship internationally
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Expect payments in RMB
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Recently, payment can be done with an international Master/Visa card that is billable in USD.
Step 1: Finding the Right Product on 1688
You can search for products by:
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Using Google Translate keywords
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Copying product names from Alibaba into 1688
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Using image search
Always check:
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Supplier rating
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Number of completed transactions
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Product reviews with photos
Avoid listings with:
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No reviews
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Unclear product images
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Prices that look too good to be true
Step 2: Communicating with Suppliers
Since most suppliers speak Chinese:
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Communication is usually done via agents
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Or translated messages
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Or directly in English or your local language since the platform offers language translation.
Confirm these before buying:
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Product specifications
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Minimum order quantity
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Packaging details
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Delivery time to warehouse
Making Payment (RMB)
1688 now accepts Nigerian cards that can be billed in USD.
Payment is usually done via:
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RMB payment services, Alipay
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Agents
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Virtual USD cards, Naira Debit Master/Visa cards (Velve does not work)
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Trusted payment platforms
Never send money directly to a random supplier outside the 1688 platform without confirmation. (There is no buyer protection outside 1688.)
Step 4: Shipping to a Chinese Warehouse
After payment:
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The supplier sends goods to a China warehouse
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The warehouse receives and inspects items
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Items are consolidated if needed
This step helps:
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Reduce shipping costs.
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Prevent wrong items from shipping
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Catch defects early, mostly through repacking, removing of cartons, or inspection.
Step 5: Shipping from China to Nigeria
From the warehouse, goods are shipped by:
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Air shipping (faster, higher cost)
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Sea shipping (slower, cheaper)
Customs clearance is handled before final delivery.
Common Mistakes Nigerians Make on 1688
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Buying without checking supplier credibility
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Paying without confirmation
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Ignoring product dimensions and weight
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Focusing more on how cheap a product is.
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Not calculating landed cost
Final Advice
1688 is powerful, but it is not beginner-friendly. The partial language translations on some product pages are helpful to some extent.
Always ask questions, verify suppliers, and understand costs before buying.
When done properly, 1688 can significantly increase profit margins.