How to find a supplier in China
Half of an importer's problems are solved not at customs and not in transit, but at the moment of choosing a seller. Here — where to look for products, how platforms differ from each other, how to tell a factory from a reseller, and what to check before the money is sent.
Where to look: five platforms and who they sell to
Platforms in China differ not in product range — it largely overlaps — but in who they sell to and at what price. The same product on the international storefront and on the domestic market differs in price by one and a half to two times, and the difference isn't in quality.
| Platform | Who they sell to | Price | When it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1688 | to a Chinese wholesaler within the country | the lowest available | main wholesale: sellers don't work directly with foreigners, an intermediary or purchasing service is needed |
| Alibaba | to a foreign importer | higher than 1688, the price includes export handling | a first shipment without an intermediary, English-language correspondence, built-in payment protection |
| Taobao | to a Chinese retail buyer | retail, but in small batches | samples and trial units before a wholesale order |
| Made-in-China, Global Sources | to importers, often directly from the factory | negotiable, based on volume | electronics, equipment, goods requiring certification |
| Trade shows (Canton Fair and industry events) | to a wholesale buyer in person | negotiable | a large shipment, when you need to see the production and the people |
Practical takeaway: it makes sense to search on 1688, and to communicate through someone who speaks Chinese. Finding an item on Alibaba and then the same factory on 1688 is routine work, and the price difference pays for the intermediary on the very first order.
Factory or middleman — and why it doesn't always matter
A seller on a platform comes in three types, and they all look the same on the product listing.
- Factory — manufactures it themselves. Lower price, higher minimum order quantity, narrow product range: one factory makes either bags or chargers, but not both.
- Trading company — buys from factories and resells. 5–15% more expensive, but consolidates different items into one order, replies to messages faster, and knows how to work with exports.
- Private reseller — the same product from a warehouse, without documents and without accountability. Cheapest of all until the first problem.
The common advice “only work with a factory” is inaccurate. If you have ten items from different categories, a factory simply won't be able to assemble your order: a trading company is often cheaper overall, because ten separate orders means ten minimum order quantities, ten warehouse deliveries, and ten negotiations.
A factory is needed where volume pricing, custom modifications, your own branding on the packaging, or manufacturer's documents for certification matter.
How to tell without visiting: in a manufacturer's business license, the business scope lists manufacturing (生产); for a trading company, it's trade (贸易). Indirect signs — a narrow product range, workshop photos with identical equipment in the background, willingness to show the production line on a video call.
Five checks before the first payment
The order is exactly this: each next check costs more than the previous one, and for most suppliers it's settled by the second one.
- Business license. Ask for a photo or scan (营业执照). It shows the registration number, registration date, registered capital, and business scope. A company registered three months ago isn't a red flag on its own, but it's a reason not to pay the full amount upfront.
- The name on the license matches the name on the payment details. This is the main check, and it's free. Money must go to the account of the company whose name is on the license and the invoice. Any mismatch is a stop signal.
- Check against the Chinese business registry. Company data is public and can be checked by license number. It shows years in operation, litigation history, changes of ownership, and “active” status.
- Sample. Costs money and two to three weeks, but replaces any promises. A sample lets you check not just the quality, but the seller too: how they respond, how they pack, whether they meet deadlines.
- Video call from the warehouse or workshop. Asking to walk through the production floor with a camera is normal practice in China. A refusal without explanation at this stage says more than any certificates on the listing.
When you shouldn't pay
Signs that mean you stop the deal regardless of how good it looks.
- They ask you to transfer to a personal card or through a money transfer service. The company accepts money into a company account. A personal card means that in case of a dispute, there's no one and nothing to hold accountable.
- The payment details changed at the last moment. Classic scheme: correspondence goes on for a month, then right before payment a letter arrives — “our bank has changed, pay here.” At that point, someone else is already reading the seller's mail. The rule is simple — a change of payment details is confirmed by voice or video, not by letter.
- The price is noticeably below market. A 5–10% difference comes from volume and negotiation. A twofold difference means a different product, a different configuration, or no product at all.
- Refusal to show the license. This document isn't secret — everyone who operates above board shows it.
- Deadline pressure. “Price only today,” “last container left” — a tactic designed to make you skip the checks on this list.
What we do and what stays with you
This split is honest, because “we'll check everything” ends in a dispute about what exactly was meant.
| We do | We don't do |
|---|---|
| We find the item on 1688 using your Alibaba link or a photo | we don't choose the product for you and don't advise what to sell |
| We correspond with the seller in Chinese | we don't guarantee the seller will agree to your terms |
| We check the license and confirm the payment details match the recipient | we don't check the company's financial condition or solvency |
| We order and receive the sample at the warehouse, and photograph it | we don't assess quality against your expectations — you check shade, fabric, and stitching yourself from photos and the sample |
| We pay the supplier from a Chinese account and provide proof of payment | we're not responsible for goods you purchase directly without our involvement |
A detailed product check on receipt is possible and discussed separately: by agreement it can be free, and for a large product range it's charged by labor. More details — in the section on purchasing and consolidation.
Next: from a found supplier to cargo at the warehouse
Search is the first of four steps, and the other three are described separately. You can take them one at a time — just payment, just warehouse receiving, just shipping — or the whole chain at once.
- Payment. We pay from a Chinese account in yuan — this is cheaper and faster than a bank transfer from your country. How the fee is calculated and what amounts go through — payment to the supplier.
- Contract. Needed if you're importing officially: the bank, customs, and tax authorities all read it. What should be inside — contract with the supplier.
- Receiving at the warehouse. Recount, photos, damage notes, consolidating orders from different sellers into a single shipment — purchasing and consolidation.
- Shipping. The method and timeframe depend on the destination and cargo density — delivery times and cost calculation.
Frequently asked questions
Where to look for products in China: on 1688 or Alibaba?
It's more convenient to search on 1688 — it's China's domestic wholesale market, and prices there are lower than on Alibaba's international storefront, because the export price includes the cost of working with a foreign buyer.
The price of the lower cost is language and rules: 1688 sellers write in Chinese, accept payment only within China, and ship only to Chinese addresses. That's why working with 1688 goes through an intermediary with a Chinese account and warehouse, while Alibaba remains an option for a first independent shipment.
How to verify a Chinese supplier before paying?
At minimum — ask for the business license and check that the company name on it matches the payment recipient on the invoice. A mismatch here means that in case of a dispute, there's no one to hold accountable.
Next, in order of increasing cost: checking the company against the Chinese business registry (shows years in operation and litigation history), ordering a sample, a video call from the workshop or warehouse. We offer company and product verification as a separate service — it needs to be arranged before you pay the supplier, not after.
How to tell a factory from a middleman?
By the business license: a manufacturer's business scope lists manufacturing, a trading company's lists trade. Indirect signs — a narrow product range within one category and willingness to show the production line on a video call.
A middleman isn't always worse. If there are many items from different categories, a trading company often ends up cheaper: one factory will only assemble its own product line, while ten factories mean ten minimum order quantities and ten warehouse deliveries.
The supplier asks to pay to a personal card. Is that normal?
No. The company accepts money into a company account, and the name on the account matches the name on the business license and the invoice.
A separately dangerous case is when the payment details change right before payment: most often this means someone else is reading the seller's correspondence. New payment details are confirmed by voice or video call, not by letter.
Can you find a supplier for my product?
Yes, if there's something to start from: a link to a similar item, a photo of a sample, or a clear technical description. Using these, we find options on 1688, request prices and minimum order quantities, and show a comparison.
What we don't do — we don't choose what to sell for you, and we don't give demand forecasts. The decision about the product stays yours.
Send us a link to the product or a photo of a sample — we'll find the item on 1688, check the seller, and calculate the delivery cost to your city.