How to Pay 1688 Suppliers from the US, UK, or Australia (2025 Methods)
Payment is the #1 practical obstacle for international buyers who want to use 1688. The platform is built for Chinese buyers with Chinese bank accounts and Alipay. If you don’t have those, you hit a wall immediately.
This guide explains your real options — honestly, including the limitations of each.
Why 1688 Payment Is Complicated for International Buyers
1688.com is Alibaba’s domestic Chinese marketplace. It was built for Chinese buyers and uses:
- Alipay (支付宝) — China’s dominant payment platform, linked to Chinese bank accounts
- WeChat Pay (微信支付) — Similar to Alipay, also linked to Chinese banking
Both require a Chinese mainland bank account for full functionality. International Visa/Mastercard can be added to these apps with limited capability, but many 1688 transactions specifically require a verified Chinese bank account.
This is not a bug — it’s the system working as designed for its intended market.
Option 1: Use a 1688 Buying Agent (Most Practical for Beginners)
How it works: A buying agent has Chinese payment methods and purchases on 1688 on your behalf. You pay the agent via international wire transfer, PayPal, or other methods the agent accepts.
The process:
- Send your 1688 product links and quantities to the agent
- The agent quotes you total cost (product price + their fee + estimated shipping)
- You pay the agent
- Agent purchases the items on 1688
- Goods are shipped to the agent’s warehouse
- Agent ships to your address internationally
Agent fees: Typically 5–10% of the product order value
Best for: Most international buyers, especially beginners or those without Chinese payment setup
Recommended platforms:
- Supplyia — Transparent pricing, English interface
- Wegobuy / CSSBuy — Originally personal shopping services, used by business buyers
- Yoybuy — Another established service
For more detail, see our complete sourcing agent guide.
Option 2: Alipay International (Limited Direct Option)
In recent years, Alipay has expanded to allow international credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB) through its “Alipay+” or international wallet feature.
How it works:
- Download Alipay app
- Register with your international phone number
- Add your Visa/Mastercard
- Fund your Alipay balance
Limitations:
- Daily spending limits apply (typically $500–$1,000 equivalent)
- Some 1688 sellers require “verified” Chinese accounts and won’t accept international wallet payments
- The interface defaults to Chinese; requires navigation with translation tools
- Currency exchange rates may not be favorable
Best for: Small, occasional purchases where agent fees would proportionally be too high. Not ideal for regular large-volume sourcing.
Option 3: WeChat Pay International
Similar to Alipay, WeChat Pay has expanded international card support.
Current status (2025): WeChat Pay supports international Visa/Mastercard for payments in China, including some online platforms. Functionality specifically on 1688 varies by seller.
Process: Download WeChat, register with international number, add international card in WeChat Pay wallet.
Limitations: Similar to Alipay International — some sellers require full Chinese bank account verification.
Option 4: Open a Chinese Bank Account
For buyers doing significant, ongoing volume on 1688, opening a Chinese bank account is the most complete solution.
Banks that accept foreign passport holders:
- Bank of China (中国银行)
- ICBC (工商银行)
- China Construction Bank (建设银行)
Requirements typically include:
- Passport (original)
- Chinese phone number or existing Chinese contact
- Physical presence in China to open the account
This option is practical only if you visit China for sourcing trips and do enough volume to justify the administrative complexity.
Option 5: Have a Chinese Business Partner or Contact Handle It
If you have a Chinese business partner, employee, or trusted contact in China, they can purchase on 1688 on your behalf using their existing payment setup.
This is a common arrangement for businesses with Chinese connections. The trust requirement is high — you’re essentially giving someone purchasing authority on your behalf.
Comparing the Options
| Method | Setup Difficulty | Fees | Transaction Limits | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1688 Buying Agent | Easy | 5–10% | None practical | Most buyers |
| Alipay International | Medium | Exchange rate + small fees | $500–$1,000/day | Small purchases |
| WeChat Pay International | Medium | Exchange rate + small fees | Similar to Alipay | Small purchases |
| Chinese Bank Account | High (requires China visit) | Minimal | Essentially none | High-volume regular buyers |
| Chinese Contact | Depends on relationship | Negotiated | None | Buyers with China connections |
Realistic Recommendation for Most International Buyers
Start with a buying agent. The 5–10% fee is real money, but consider what it buys:
- Solves the payment problem completely
- Someone who speaks Chinese handles communication
- Goods can be inspected before international shipment
- No need to navigate Chinese banking systems
- The price you access on 1688 (30–50% cheaper than Alibaba) usually more than offsets the agent fee
Example math:
- Alibaba price: $8/unit
- 1688 price: $5/unit (typical 37% cheaper)
- Agent fee at 7%: $0.35/unit
- Net 1688 price with agent: $5.35/unit
- Saving vs. Alibaba: $2.65/unit (33% cheaper, even after agent fee)
For most product categories, buying through a 1688 agent is significantly cheaper than Alibaba even with the service fee included.
What About 1688 International?
Alibaba has made moves toward an “international 1688” offering, but as of 2025, the full domestic platform with its depth of suppliers and pricing remains primarily accessible through the methods above. This situation evolves — check for current developments, as Alibaba has commercial incentives to make 1688 more internationally accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just use PayPal to pay 1688 suppliers?
No. 1688 does not accept PayPal as a payment method. PayPal is used on Alibaba.com’s international platform (to some extent), but not on 1688.
Will using a buying agent for payment increase my risk?
The risk is the agent’s reliability, not the payment method itself. Use established agents with clear terms, reviews, and verifiable business operations. Start with a small test order before committing significant spend.
Are 1688 prices genuinely cheaper than Alibaba?
Generally yes, by 20–50% for comparable products. 1688 is the domestic wholesale market; Alibaba international adds a markup for foreign buyers. This is the main reason to navigate the payment complexity.
Is it legal to buy from 1688 as a foreign buyer?
Yes. There are no restrictions on foreigners purchasing goods from Chinese domestic markets. Import regulations apply when you bring the goods into your country — that’s your responsibility.