1688.com has become the number one platform Nigerians use to buy products at true China-domestic prices.

It is cheaper than Alibaba, has deeper product variety and connects buyers directly to factories, wholesalers and distributors inside China. But because 1688 is built entirely for the Chinese domestic market, navigating it without help is risky.

Everything is in Chinese, many suppliers don’t understand English, payments are accepted only in RMB, and most sellers do not ship outside China. For this reason, many Nigerians who attempt to use 1688 alone end up facing fake suppliers, wrong quality, wrong items, failed communication or losses.

This guide explains clearly how 1688 works, how Nigerians can buy safely, and how Sure Imports handles 1688 orders end-to-end. If you’re completely new to importing, you can read the full process in How To Import From China To Nigeria.

What Exactly Is 1688?

1688.com is a Chinese domestic wholesale marketplace owned by Alibaba Group, accessible at:

https://www.1688.com

Unlike Alibaba, which targets global buyers, 1688 targets only Chinese buyers. This is why prices are extremely low. Suppliers assume buyers:

• live in China

• speak Chinese

• understand Chinese business culture

• can pay in RMB

• can pick up goods locally

Because of this, it is not beginner-friendly for foreigners — especially Nigerians who cannot speak Mandarin or pay in RMB. That’s why using a procurement partner is almost always necessary.

Why 1688 Is Cheaper Than Alibaba

The biggest difference is the audience.

Alibaba = for foreigners

1688 = for China domestic buyers

Foreigners expect:

• English communication

• export-grade packaging

• international shipping

• stronger buyer protection

Chinese domestic buyers don’t require these extras, so suppliers offer lower pricing.

Many items listed on Alibaba for $5–$8 appear on 1688 for $1.20–$3.80.

This gap is the reason many Nigerian importers switch to 1688 once they understand how it works.

Before You Start: Watch This Helpful Video

Sure Imports already created a clear video tutorial explaining how buying on 1688 and other Chinese websites works. You can watch it here to get a visual sense of the process:

How To Use 1688 Properly as a Nigerian

1. Use Image Search Instead of English

Since 1688 does not understand English keywords, the best way to search is by uploading a product photo. On the 1688 search bar, click the camera icon and upload any picture. The platform will display similar or identical items instantly.

This works perfectly for:

• shoes, bags and clothing

• gadgets and accessories

• kitchen items

• fashion items

• industrial parts

Sure Imports assists clients with this step when needed.

2. Identify Supplier Type

1688 contains:

• Factories (工厂)

• Wholesalers (批发商)

• Trading companies

• Middlemen

Factories usually offer the best prices but often require larger MOQs.

Wholesalers are suitable for smaller quantities.

Trading companies sometimes inflate prices.

Sure Imports checks the supplier’s business license and status using the Chinese government registry:

https://www.gsxt.gov.cn

This is how we confirm whether the seller is a real manufacturer or an intermediary pretending to be one.

3. Verify Supplier Authenticity

Before money leaves Nigeria, you must check:

• business registration

• factory location

• company age

• product consistency

• customer reviews

• rating history

• certification (where required)

• communication style

Verification is the step most buyers skip, especially those who rely only on Google Translate. This is also the most common reason Nigerians lose money on 1688.

Sure Imports runs detailed digital checks and, when necessary, on-ground verification in China before placing any order.

4. Negotiate Price in Chinese

On 1688, the language of negotiation determines your price.

If you negotiate in English, suppliers assume you are a foreigner unfamiliar with China’s market, so prices increase. When negotiation happens in Mandarin, suppliers respond with:

• true factory pricing

• flexible MOQ

• lower packaging fees

• better branding deals

• faster production timelines

Sure Imports negotiates in Chinese to ensure clients get the lowest possible pricing.

5. Pay Safely (RMB Only)

1688 does NOT accept:

• Nigerian debit cards

• Nigerian bank transfers

• USD wire transfers

• PayPal

• CashApp

• Western Union

• MoneyGram

• Crypto wallets (in most cases)

1688 supports only:

• RMB

• Alipay

• Chinese domestic bank transfer

Sure Imports handles payments using verified RMB channels and provides official receipts.

This eliminates the risk of paying to fake or personal accounts.

How Sure Imports Handles 1688 Orders (End-to-End Process)

1. You send the product link or image

Simply follow the video I shared above.

2. We verify the supplier

We check business records, compare factory details, evaluate quality and confirm authenticity.

3. We negotiate pricing in Mandarin

This secures proper factory pricing, not inflated middleman prices. We could save you some money or discover that the product you had in mind is not what the supplier is actually selling.

4. We pay the supplier in RMB

Payments are made to verified corporate accounts only.

5. Goods arrive at the Sure Imports China warehouse

We verify quantity, packaging and overall quality.

6. We consolidate, repack and ship

Air freight (7 – 10 business days) for gadgets, accessories, light goods.

Sea freight (45 – 60 days) for machines, bulk or heavy items.

7. We clear and deliver in Nigeria

Delivery to Lagos is fastest, and we deliver to all states through trusted partners.

You simply wait for your goods to arrive — no stress.

How to Ship Goods Bought on 1688 to Nigeria

Air Freight (Fastest)

Best for:

• phones

• small electronics

• accessories

• clothing

• fashion items

Delivery: 7–12 business days

Sea Freight (Cheapest)

Best for:

• machines

• equipment

• large orders

• heavy items

• goods not urgent

Delivery: 45–60 days

A full shipping breakdown is explained in Cost of Shipping From China to Nigeria.

Common Mistakes Nigerians Make on 1688

1. Using Google Translate without understanding context

2. Paying suppliers directly without verification

3. Choosing the cheapest seller (cheap often means fake)

4. Ignoring packaging quality

5. Buying from trading companies thinking they are factories

6. Shipping incorrectly (air for heavy goods = loss)

Avoiding these mistakes is exactly why procurement support exists.

Why Sure Imports Is the Best Option for Nigerians Buying From 1688

Using Sure Imports gives you:

• verified suppliers

• correct product links

• negotiation in Mandarin

• safe RMB payments

• proper inspection

• consolidation in our China warehouse

• correct shipping method

• customs clearance

• final delivery to your address

It is the safest and most reliable way for Nigerians to access true 1688 factory pricing without navigating the complexity alone.

Conclusion

1688 is one of the best platforms for Nigerians looking to import at the lowest possible cost. But because the platform is built strictly for Chinese buyers, it is nearly impossible to use safely without knowledge of the language, payment system and supplier verification process.

Sure Imports bridges that entire gap.

From link sourcing to verification, negotiation, RMB payments, inspection, shipping and final delivery — everything is handled professionally.

This allows Nigerians to enjoy true factory pricing while avoiding losses, delays and mistakes.