How to Buy from Alibaba: Your First Business Order
Plan your first Alibaba order with a worked quote comparison, sample checks, EXW/FCA/FOB/DDP terms, and clear payment and delivery milestones.
Read the guideA BUYER'S GUIDE TO CHINA
Source from China.
Start with clarity.
Start with Alibaba.com for international B2B sourcing. Learn to brief suppliers, compare quotes and plan your first order. Explore 1688 when you can arrange the China-side buying work.
Alibaba.com first Suppliers & samples 1688 as a further option
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BUILD YOUR SOURCING FOUNDATIONS
Start internationally. Explore further.
Begin with your first Alibaba.com order, then explore inquiries, supplier checks, minimum quantities and samples. Build your manufacturing and shipping knowledge before comparing 1688 as a further sourcing route.
Alibaba RFQ and Inquiry Template: Compare Supplier Quotes
Copy an Alibaba inquiry template, read a filled RFQ example and compare two supplier replies with missing packaging and shipping costs made clear.
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Alibaba Verified Supplier: How to Check Before Buying
Check an Alibaba supplier's identity, assessment report, factory scope and sample. Includes questions for company, document and payment mismatches.
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Alibaba MOQ: Minimum Order Quantity and How to Negotiate
Learn what MOQ means on Alibaba, check minimums per color and packaging, and compare 120-unit and 300-unit orders with negotiation examples.
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How to Order Alibaba Samples: Costs, Template and Review
Request Alibaba samples with a clear scope, understand an itemized sample bill and use a filled two-sample review sheet before approving production.
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OEM vs ODM: Differences, Examples and Buyer Responsibilities
Compare OEM and ODM using desk-lamp development briefs. Clarify design inputs, customization, sample revisions, tooling and production responsibilities.
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Net Weight vs Gross Weight: Formulas and Shipping Examples
Understand net wt, gross wt and chargeable weight with carton calculations and a filled packing-data request for your supplier or freight provider.
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1688 vs Alibaba: Prices, Suppliers and Overseas Buying
Compare 1688 and Alibaba.com with a 200-bag cost example, a break-even calculation, shipping terms and the buying tasks each route requires.
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1688 Suppliers: How to Find and Check a Manufacturer
Find 1688 supplier candidates, check company identities and compare factory or trading-company responsibilities before choosing a sample or order.
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1688 Prices: How to Compare Supplier Quotes and Total Costs
Read 1688 quantity tiers, match product specifications and compare supplier quotes with a worked CNY cost table and clear delivery boundaries.
Read the guideNOT SURE WHERE TO BEGIN?
Alibaba.com first.
1688 when you are ready.
For a first overseas business order, begin with Alibaba.com’s international buying workflow. Add 1688 candidates when you can handle or arrange the China-side steps. Compare supplier evidence and complete quotations on either route.
Compare Alibaba.com and 1688