Alibaba, 1688, Made-in-China or a trade fair: where should I look first?
Start where you can understand the offer, verify the seller and complete a lawful, documented transaction. Use a platform or fair to find candidates; none of these channels, by itself, proves that a supplier can fulfil your order.
- Applies to
- Overseas small-business buyers planning a first or small commercial order from China.
Use each channel for a specific job
| Channel | A useful first action | What remains to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Alibaba.com | Search and send the same request for quotation to a shortlist | Seller identity, exact order terms and current protection eligibility |
| 1688 | Review its official cross-border entries and product offers | Your account, language, payment, export and shipping arrangements |
| Made-in-China.com | Read the available supplier audit report, not only the badge | Audit date, entity, site, scope and suitability for your specific product |
| A trade fair | Prepare product questions and compare actual samples | Who exhibited, who signs the order, production capability and later performance |
These are discovery routes, not endorsements or a ranking of supplier honesty.
What the official material establishes
Alibaba.com's buyer guide describes product search and quotation requests. Its general marketing description is not a substitute for the actual protection terms attached to your order.
Made-in-China.com's official Audited Supplier page describes site verification and online reports. A past site audit is different from inspection of your production batch or proof that a product meets your destination rules.
1688's official site is an entry point. We have not verified the current overseas account and payment conditions for your situation. Do not infer availability from an undated page or an app name.
For the Canton Fair, use the organiser's own website and buyer support to confirm the correct exhibition phase and access arrangements before paying for travel. This guide does not verify current fair dates or admission costs.
Choose a small first shortlist
Write the same product specification, destination and target order for every channel. Ask for the legal seller name, production location, sample plan, quote and payment recipient. Compare responses before buying a trip, membership or sourcing service.
If you need help, define the task and fee: translation, supplier search, site checks and inspection are different services. Ask about conflicts of interest and any supplier commission.
Risk signals
- A badge or exhibition booth is sold as a guarantee.
- Someone promises platform protection after off-platform payment.
- A "factory contact" will not name the contracting company.
- You are asked to copy another brand without authorisation.
Official sources
- Alibaba.com: how sourcing works.
- Made-in-China.com: Audited Suppliers.
- 1688 official cross-border entry: entry only; transaction conditions not verified here.
- Canton Fair organiser and official buyer contact.
Alibaba, Made-in-China and buyer-contact pages read 2026-10-26; 1688 conditions and the fair's current programme were not verified.
Still uncertain
Current buyer fees, protection exclusions, account eligibility, trade-fair dates and each supplier's capacity remain to be checked.
Next step
Create a shortlist, verify the legal seller and payee, and request a documented sample before committing to bulk stock.
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