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.
Supplier Vetting Checklist: Evidence, Samples and Decisions
Check supplier identity, capability and product evidence with an actionable checklist, a packaging mismatch example and a review log you can copy.
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How to Find a Manufacturer for Your Product
Find manufacturers by process and product requirements, assess technical replies and choose a production route using a worked tooling break-even example.
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How to Choose a Sourcing Agent: Services, Fees and Scope
Compare sourcing agents by deliverables, complete fees, supplier relationships and handover records, with a worked US$480 versus US$510 proposal comparison.
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Product Sourcing: A Practical Guide to Your First Order
Choose a product sourcing route, compare a real trial quantity, evaluate suppliers and plan samples, approvals and delivery with a worked budget example.
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Shipping Marks: Carton and Pallet Examples for Buyers
Create clear carton and pallet shipping marks, reconcile them with a packing list, and catch wrong-variant labels with a worked 200-unit shipment example.
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Alibaba Shipping Costs: Compare Quotes and Reduce Costs
Compare Alibaba shipping methods and itemized costs. See why a $240 freight quote becomes $380, how volumetric weight works, and what to ask a forwarder.
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Alibaba RFQ and Inquiry Template: Compare Supplier Quotes
Copy an Alibaba inquiry template, contact suppliers with a clear brief, and compare RFQ replies using a worked example of missing packaging costs.
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Alibaba Verified Supplier: How to Check Before Buying
Use a supplier evaluation checklist to review Alibaba Verified Supplier reports, company identity, factory scope and product evidence before buying.
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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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Alibaba Samples: How to Order, Compare Costs and Approve
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