Global E-commerce Classroom

Ecommerce platforms Domestic sourcing

1688

B2B · Alibaba Group (China)

Profile verified Updated 2026-10-20

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1688

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
Official website

Platform descriptions come from companies' public statements and are for identification only, not a ranking.

Keep the four locations separate

Platform ownership

Alibaba Group (China)

Merchant location

China (mainly mainland Chinese suppliers)

Sourcing location

China

Consumer location

Buyers within China

Core features and operating model

Core features

Suppliers are grouped by category and industrial belt, with enquiry, tiered wholesale pricing, samples and drop-shipping options; check the platform for current services.

Operating model

The platform connects suppliers and buyers with storefront, transaction, marketing and fulfilment tools; it does not own most of the goods.

Revenue and responsibility

Revenue logic (conceptual)

A mix of membership, advertising, transaction and value-added services (conceptual; current fees are published by the platform).

Seller responsibilities

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.

Transacting parties

Supplier ↔ buyer.

Platform role

Information and transaction matching, marketing tools, trust and fulfilment services.

Supply relationship

Suppliers provide goods and the platform matches them; buyer and supplier transact directly.

Acquisition responsibility

Suppliers run their own stores and advertising; the platform provides traffic tools.

Fulfilment responsibility

Suppliers usually ship; some scenarios use platform logistics or drop-shipping services.

Related courses and terms

Related courses

Go back to the course to find related chapters and lessons.

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