How to Order from 1688 to the Philippines
1688 is where Chinese wholesalers sell to other Chinese businesses. Prices are often 30–50% below Alibaba for the same goods — here's how Filipino importers actually buy from it.
The catch: 1688 is built for domestic buyers. It's Chinese-language, wants Chinese payment methods, and ships domestically only. Here's how to work around all three.
Do you need a forwarder for 1688?
For almost every Filipino buyer, yes. A 1688 forwarder does three jobs the platform will not do for you:
- Gives you a delivery address in China. 1688 sellers quote and ship to Chinese addresses. The forwarder's warehouse is that address.
- Consolidates and ships internationally. Orders from several suppliers are combined into one shipment and sent by sea or air.
- Clears Philippine customs. With an all-in rate, duties, taxes and port fees are already inside the price, so there is no surprise bill on arrival.
When you compare 1688 forwarders, ask each one the same three questions: the per-CBM rate for your commodity, the weight allowance per CBM, and exactly what "all-in" includes. Ours are published on the rates page. Our legit-check guide covers how to verify any forwarder before you send them money.
Why 1688 is cheaper than Alibaba
Alibaba sellers price for export — English support, international payment handling, export documentation. 1688 sellers assume a Chinese buyer paying in RMB with domestic delivery. You're buying at the price Chinese resellers pay.
Step 1 — Get past the language barrier
Use Chrome with automatic translation, or the 1688 app with translation enabled. Search in Chinese for far better results — paste your product into a translator first. Searching “手机壳” returns vastly more than “phone case.”
Step 2 — Vet the supplier
Look for years active, transaction volume, repeat-buyer rate, and real product photos rather than stock images. Ask for a video of the actual item — suppliers on 1688 are used to this and usually respond.
Step 3 — You need an address in China
This is the core problem: 1688 sellers ship domestically only.
The solution is a China warehouse address from your forwarder. With Angkat you get:
- A warehouse address in Yiwu, Shishi, or Guangzhou to give your supplier
- A client code that ties every box to your account
Your supplier ships domestically (cheap and fast, often 2–4 days), and your goods land at our warehouse ready for consolidation.
Every box must carry your client code — format AKPH-ABC for sea freight. Our warehouse cannot accept unlabelled packages.
Step 4 — Paying in RMB
1688 sellers want RMB, and most won't accept foreign cards. Options: a payment agent, or Angkat's RMB payment service — you send PHP, we remit RMB directly to your supplier's account within 1–3 banking days, based on that day's rate with no added fees.
Step 5 — Consolidate and ship
Multiple suppliers, one shipment. Everything arrives at our China warehouse under your code, we consolidate it, and it ships as one LCL consignment — 15–25 days warehouse to warehouse, or 5–7 days by air.
One caution: consolidating raises the value of a single consignment, which interacts with the ₱10,000 de minimis rule. Read the customs guide below before consolidating a large batch.
How much does shipping from 1688 cost?
| Commodity (sea, per CBM, all-in) | Up to 5 CBM | 20+ CBM |
|---|---|---|
| Household, apparel, daily goods | ₱9,250 | ₱8,500 |
| Appliances, furniture, toys | ₱10,000 | ₱9,000 |
| Electronics, machines, batteries | ₱11,000 | ₱10,000 |
Each CBM carries a 500 kg weight allowance; denser shipments are billed on weight instead. Air freight starts at ₱490/kg for ordinary items (1 kg minimum), which makes it the right choice for samples. The full matrix, including the middle tiers, is on the rates page, and the shipping cost guide shows how to work out your CBM.
Common 1688 mistakes
- Not ordering a sample. Photos lie; ship one unit by air before committing.
- Missing the MOQ. Many listings have minimum order quantities — check before negotiating.
- Assuming the listed price is final. Bulk discounts are normal; ask.
- Forgetting the client code. The most common reason goods sit unmatched at a warehouse.
Related reading
- Philippine import duties and the ₱10,000 rule
- How to pay Chinese suppliers in RMB
- Ordering from Taobao to the Philippines
- Paano mag-import galing China (Taglish guide)
- How to legit-check a freight forwarder (Reddit, Facebook, DTI)
- How to order from Alibaba to the Philippines
- Fake Alibaba suppliers: the red flags that give them away
- 1688 vs Taobao vs Alibaba — which platform?
Ready to order from 1688?
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