Why should you purchase goods from 1688 and import them to Italy?

Why should you purchase goods from 1688 and import them to Italy? When a business or online seller wants to import goods from China to Italy, Alibaba or AliExpress usually come to mind first. However, many more experienced buyers prefer another option: sourcing from Italy in 1688 for better prices and greater access to local suppliers. 1688 is one of the most powerful wholesale procurement platforms in China, especially suitable for finding factory, workshop-type suppliers or suppliers with more competitive prices than platforms facing the international market. IMPORTANT NOTE: This guide is for reference only and is not a substitute for legal, customs clearance or tax advice. Before confirming an international order, it is recommended that you verify the true cost, supplier conditions, logistics arrangements, and import requirements. What is 1688 and why many importers use it 1688 is a B2B platform for the Chinese local market. Unlike other more international websites, many of the suppliers here mainly serve local Chinese buyers, distributors and cooperative factories. Because of this, if you want to increase profit margins through Chinese imports, find new products, or negotiate cooperation directly with Chinese factories, purchasing on 1688 will be very attractive. In practice, many purchasing agents and sourcing consultants will use 1688 because it can help them: Compare more suppliers See quotes that are closer to factory prices Find some products and factory resources that may not be seen on Alibaba Advantages of sourcing from Italy in 1688 1. The price of importing from China is lower One of the biggest advantages of 1688 is the price. Many items are cheaper than Alibaba or AliExpress because this platform mainly serves the Chinese domestic market. If you’re doing Amazon, independent e-commerce, or local distribution, this price difference can help you increase your profit margins. 2. More types of Chinese suppliers 1688 brings together a large number of products covering multiple categories, such as: Household products Clothing fashion Packaging materials Accessories Hardware tools Fitness products Electronic products Seasonal products This makes it easier for you to: Compare different factories Test market segments Find better cooperation conditions without constantly switching platforms. 3. More direct contact with manufacturers. In many cases, 1688 can help you identify real suppliers more clearly and view corporate information, product catalogs and business activity. This is especially helpful if you want to: Customize products Private label Long-term repeat purchases. What to Check Before Importing from China on 1688 Although the advantages are clear, 1688 is not always easy to operate for international buyers. If you lack experience, you may encounter many problems when purchasing on your own. Before placing an order, check at least the following points: Minimum order quantity Actual production lead time Packaging quality Exchange or return policy Supplier experience Whether quality inspection is possible Whether the product is suitable for the Italian market The total cost after adding international shipping A cheap price does not necessarily mean a good buy. In international purchasing, the true cost often comes after you factor in: The product itself Quality control Shipping costs Exception handling Delivery and time costs Common mistakes when purchasing from Italy in 1688 Many guides often don’t go into depth enough. In actual operation, the following are some of the most common “pitfalls” that people step into when importing Chinese goods from 1688: 1. Suppliers are willing to take orders, but do not understand the export requirements. Some suppliers do well in domestic sales in China. But it was not ready to serve international customers. This may affect: Labeling requirements Packaging specifications Documentation Delivery time 2. Return policy is not as simple as it seems In domestic purchases in China, some returns are possible. But in cross-border transactions, returns often become: High cost Long cycle or even not feasible at all 3. The pictures look the same, but the physical details are different This situation is particularly common in the following categories: Textiles Accessories Packaging products Low-priced goods Therefore, it is still very critical to do inspection or get samples first. 4. Goods are delayed during consolidation or pre-transportation. Not all delays occur at customs. Sometimes problems occur in earlier stages, such as: Unqualified packaging Suppliers are too slow Coordination is not in place Abnormalities in the container warehouse 5. The seller responds quickly in the early stage, but the follow-up is unstable. Many times, the initial communication seems to be smooth. But once it enters the following stages, the response speed may drop significantly: Production changes Replenishment communication After-sales or complaint handling Therefore, experienced buyers will not choose suppliers based on price alone. They will also focus on: Stability Communication skills Actual performance capabilities Long-term consistency How to start purchasing in 1688 and import to Italy 1. Search for products by category You can browse 1688’s main product categories to find opportunities suitable for wholesale purchasing. 2. Use the category menu for more precise filtering. Through category navigation, you can find market segments and subcategories more easily, especially when you have not locked in a specific supplier. 3. Check the supplier information. Before purchasing, try to verify the following: Company information Industry experience Business response situation Contact channels 4. Make a small test order first. Do not directly increase the quantity on the first order. It is recommended to pass a small order test first to verify: Product quality Packaging condition Delivery time Supplier stability 5. If you are not familiar with the process, use professional support If you do not speak Chinese, or do not have local execution capabilities in China, a purchasing agent can help you handle: Product selection and finding suppliers Negotiation Payment Inspection Shipping arrangements Under what circumstances is it appropriate to use 1688 Purchasing Agent If this is your first time doing this process, working with a purchasing agent can help you avoid many mistakes. An agent can usually assist you with: Finding reliable Chinese suppliers Negotiating purchasing terms Verifying product details Inspecting samples Paying local Chinese suppliers Consolidating goods Coordinating shipments to Italy For many international buyers, an agent not only saves time, but more importantly reduces operational risks. Want to purchase from 1688 but don’t want to be stumped by language, payment and logistics? If you want to source from Italy in 1688 but don’t know how to verify suppliers, process payments, or arrange international logistics, we can help. Rakumart can provide the following support: sourcing procurement support inspection services supplier payment international logistics coordination to help you import from China safer and smoother. 👉 Apply for 1688 Procurement Assistance 👉 Apply for supplier or product review 👉 Inquire about shipping and consolidation options Conclusion If you want to get better prices, more supplier choices, and more direct access to Chinese manufacturers, sourcing from Italy at 1688 will be a strategy well worth considering. However, importing from China using 1688 requires greater process controls than sourcing on simpler international platforms. If you don’t carefully vet your suppliers, quality, return terms, and logistics arrangements, the initial cost savings will be lost. It will most likely be paid back at a higher cost later. If you want to take advantage of the advantages of 1688 importing, but don’t want to bear all the risks alone, seeking professional support can often make a decisive difference. Date: 2026.9.15