Buy from China with confidence.
Practical guides, product knowledge and free tools for buying from China.
Sourcing Guides
Step-by-step guides: buying on 1688, verifying suppliers, shipping, Incoterms and quality control.
How to Buy from 1688 as a Foreign Buyer: A Step-by-Step Guide1688.com is China's domestic wholesale marketplace with prices far below Alibaba. This step-by-step guide shows foreign buyers how to register, search, negotiate and pay safely.How to Verify a Chinese Supplier Before You PayDon't wire money to a stranger. Learn to check Chinese business licenses, run video factory tours, use inspection services, and spot the red flags of supplier scams.Incoterms Explained Simply: EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP and MoreEXW, FOB, CIF, DDP — what these trade terms actually mean, who pays for what, where risk transfers, and which term to choose for your first vs. scaled-up orders.Quality Control Basics for First-Time ImportersA practical introduction to QC for new importers: inspection types, AQL sampling explained with examples, what goes in a QC checklist, and what to do when goods fail.Shipping from China: Express, Air, Sea and Rail ExplainedCompare express couriers, air freight, sea freight (FCL vs LCL) and China-Europe rail. Volumetric weight explained with a worked example, plus realistic timelines and costs.
Product Spotlights
In-depth looks at Chinese products and markets — what to buy, what to ask, what to avoid.
Microfiber & Coral Fleece Towels from China: A Buyer's SpotlightA practical guide to sourcing microfiber and coral fleece towels from China: GSM explained, what to ask suppliers, typical MOQs and prices, and quality pitfalls to avoid.Stainless Steel Drinkware from China: What Buyers Should VerifyA buyer's guide to sourcing stainless steel tumblers and bottles from China: 304 vs 316 steel, vacuum insulation, supplier verification checks, MOQs, prices, and common pitfalls.Yiwu Market: A Small-Quantity Buyer's GuideA practical guide to buying from Yiwu International Trade Market in China: districts overview, why it suits small-quantity buyers, remote ordering methods, MOQs, and first-order tips.
Free Sourcing Tools
Estimate shipping, landed cost and currency conversions right in your browser.
CNY / USD / EUR Currency ConverterConvert between Chinese yuan, US dollars, and euros with editable reference rates — handy for reading supplier quotes and checking payment costs.Landed Cost CalculatorCalculate your true per-unit landed cost from China: goods, freight, duty, and fees — with a clear line-by-line breakdown for margin planning.Shipping Cost Estimator: China to the WorldEstimate shipping costs from China by weight, destination zone, and method — express courier, air freight, or sea freight — with a realistic low-high range.