Alibaba Group (China)
First visit
Reading language
You can read the course in one language and ask for explanations in another. We never guess your language from your name, religion, nationality or location.
Overview
Alibaba's domestic B2B wholesale platform, launched in 1999.
- Business type
- Domestic sourcing
- Operating model
- B2B
- Platform ownership
- Alibaba Group (China)
- Served audience
- Wholesale buyers, e-commerce sellers, shop owners and corporate buyers in China.
- Main markets
- China.
- Website
- https://www.1688.com
- Updated
- 2026-10-20
Platform descriptions come from companies' public statements and are for identification only, not a ranking.
Keep the four locations separate
China (mainly mainland Chinese suppliers)
China
Buyers within China
Core features and operating model
Suppliers are grouped by category and industrial belt, with enquiry, tiered wholesale pricing, samples and drop-shipping options; check the platform for current services.
The platform connects suppliers and buyers with storefront, transaction, marketing and fulfilment tools; it does not own most of the goods.
Revenue and responsibility
A mix of membership, advertising, transaction and value-added services (conceptual; current fees are published by the platform).
Maintain qualifications and listings, keep stock and prices accurate, ship as agreed and handle after-sales and compliance.
Transaction roles
Start with the transacting parties, whether the platform owns goods, and who handles acquisition and fulfilment.
Supplier ↔ buyer.
Information and transaction matching, marketing tools, trust and fulfilment services.
Suppliers provide goods and the platform matches them; buyer and supplier transact directly.
Suppliers run their own stores and advertising; the platform provides traffic tools.
Suppliers usually ship; some scenarios use platform logistics or drop-shipping services.
Related courses and terms
Policies and fees
Platform policies, fees, site availability and market coverage change; the page avoids permanent claims and users should check the latest official notice.
Sources and update time
阿里1688首页 · Chinese original source
阿里巴巴 · SRC-081