In the cross-border procurement field, 1688, as a leading direct-source wholesale platform under Alibaba Group, has become the preferred channel for buyers from Hong Kong, Taiwan and overseas to source goods at low costs, thanks to its core advantages of factory-direct prices and full category coverage (including electronic digital products, fashion apparel, home daily necessities, industrial consumables, etc.). However, for non-Mainland China users, challenges such as "no support for overseas payment", "no direct shipping available" and "language communication barriers" often make purchasing on 1688 a daunting task.
This article provides a complete 1688 purchasing guide specially tailored for Hong Kong and Taiwan users. It covers everything from account registration, supplier screening and order communication, to exclusive consolidated shipping processes for Hong Kong/Taiwan, hassle-free purchasing agency tutorials, and a comprehensive breakdown of pitfalls to avoid. It helps you completely solve cross-border procurement problems, allowing you to easily navigate 1688 without a Mainland China bank card or address.
I. Preparations for 1688 Purchasing: Account Registration and Basic Settings
Compared with Mainland China users, Hong Kong and Taiwan users do not face additional barriers when registering a 1688 account. The key is to resolve "language adaptation" and "account authentication" issues to pave the way for subsequent orders.
1. Account Registration (Applicable to Both Hong Kong and Taiwan)
Open the 1688 official website/app, click "Free Registration" in the upper right corner, and select "Personal Registration" or "Enterprise Registration" (choose the former for individual buyers and the latter for merchants purchasing in bulk).
Registration Methods: Mobile phone number registration is supported (both Hong Kong and Taiwan mobile numbers are acceptable). Enter your mobile number, receive the verification code, and set a password to complete the basic registration. You can also log in via association with Alipay or Taobao accounts (you need to register a Mainland China Alipay/Taobao account in advance, or bind an Alipay account from Hong Kong or Taiwan).
Supplementary Information: After registration, enter "My 1688" to complete your personal/enterprise information. It is recommended to upload identity documents (Taiwan users upload Taiwan Compatriot Permit, Hong Kong users upload Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents) to complete real-name authentication, which can improve the credibility of your orders and reduce communication resistance with suppliers.
2. Language and Search Settings (Resolving Language Barriers)
1688 defaults to a Chinese interface, which is directly compatible for Hong Kong users. If Taiwan users need Traditional Chinese display, they can realize page conversion to Traditional Chinese through browser settings (e.g., Chrome browser: Settings - Advanced - Languages - Add Traditional Chinese and set it as default). Overseas users can enable the browser's automatic translation function (e.g., "Translate this page" on Chrome), which basically does not affect operation.
Search Tips: When entering keywords, you can use "Product Name + Specifications" to accurately match sources of goods. If you need to find factory-direct supplies, you can check the "Factory" label in the search box to filter out traders and reduce procurement costs.
II. Core Operations: 1688 Supplier Screening and Order Communication
1688 has a mixed bag of merchants, so choosing the right supplier is the key to successful procurement. At the same time, clarifying communication needs can avoid subsequent disputes. These two steps are particularly important for Hong Kong and Taiwan users.
Supplier Screening Tips to Avoid Pitfalls
Check Qualifications: Prioritize "TrustPass Members" (marked with the "TrustPass" logo on the page) with a TrustPass membership period of ≥ 3 years. Such merchants have been certified by the platform and have higher credibility. For enterprise merchants, you need to check the "Industrial and Commercial Registration Information" to confirm that the business scope matches the products.
Check Reviews: Focus on the ratings of "Logistics Speed", "Product Quality" and "Service Attitude" in the "Buyer Reviews". Avoid merchants with excessive negative reviews (especially those involving "counterfeit goods", "goods not matching the description" and "after-sales buck-passing"). You can also refer to the "Transaction Records" and select suppliers with high transaction amounts and high repurchase rates.
Clarify Key Information: Before placing an order, you must contact the merchant through 1688 "WangWang" or "Online Customer Service"
III. Hong Kong/Taiwan Consolidated Shipping Tutorial: Self-Purchase and Forwarding, Flexible and Cost-Saving (Recommended)
The consolidated shipping mode is suitable for Hong Kong and Taiwan users who are familiar with online shopping operations and want to independently control the procurement process. The core logic is: 1688 merchants ship goods to Mainland China consolidated warehouse → Consolidated warehouse merges packages → Cross-border transportation to Hong Kong/Taiwan → Door-to-door delivery, with transparent processes and controllable costs.
Hong Kong Consolidation Shipping Process (Suitable for Mainland → Hong Kong/Global Delivery)
The first step
Download/Register and log in to the Taojiyun HK APP
Click to register now. > >Register
Step Two
Get the exclusive delivery address for the Chinese mainland
Copy the address into the address bar of the shopping APP
Step Three
Wait for the goods to arrive at the consolidation warehouse
Select the packages that need consolidated shipping and apply for consolidated shipping
Step Four
If the corresponding package is not seen, it is in ; Not warehoused; In the
Packages can also be added manually
Step Five
Pay the consolidated shipping freight
View logistics information
Step 6
Waiting for the goods to be delivered to your door
Taiwan Consolidation Shipping Process (Suitable for Mainland → Taiwan/Global Delivery)
Step 1
Open the APP of the product you want to buy
Step 2
1.Download, register/login to TaoJiYun TW app
For iPhone users: Open【Click to redirect to APP Store download】and search for TaoJiYun Taiwan Version APP
For Android users:【Click here to redirect for download】to download TaoJiYun Taiwan Version APP
2.Click【Register/Login】
Obtain exclusive mainland address
Step 3
Copy the address to the address bar of the shopping APP
Wait for the goods to arrive at the consolidated shipping warehouse, check and apply for consolidated shipping
Step 4
Fill in Taiwan receiving address
Pay shipping fee
Wait for home delivery
Step 5
Wait for the goods to be delivered to your door
Money-Saving Tips for Consolidated Shipping
Merge Packages: When purchasing multiple items from different 1688 merchants, wait for all packages to arrive at the consolidated warehouse before merging and shipping them together to avoid incurring multiple first-weight shipping fees for separate deliveries.
Compress Volume: When purchasing light and bulky items such as bedding, down jackets and plush toys, ask the consolidated warehouse to help compress the volume (or use a vacuum bag to extract air in advance by yourself) to reduce dimensional weight charging (consolidated shipping fees are calculated either by actual weight or dimensional weight, whichever is higher).
Choose the Right Channel: For Taiwan users, select sea shipping for large non-urgent items (shipping fees are 30%-50% cheaper than air shipping), and air shipping for urgent items. Hong Kong users can choose the nearest warehouse according to their address to shorten the domestic transportation time.
Avoid Peak Periods: Logistics congestion often occurs around holidays (such as Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and Double 11). It is recommended to place orders 1-2 weeks in advance to avoid delivery delays. You can also avoid the "warehouse explosion period" of consolidated shipping platforms (such as the end of the month and the end of the year).
IV. Taiwan Purchasing Agency Tutorial: Full Custody, Worry-Free and Effortless
The purchasing agency mode is suitable for Taiwan users who are new to online shopping, find the operation troublesome, or purchase in small quantities and do not want to communicate with merchants/consolidation warehouses by themselves. The core logic is: entrust the purchasing agent to complete the entire process of "1688 product selection - order placement and payment - consolidated shipping and customs clearance - door-to-door delivery", and you only need to provide your procurement requirements.
Taiwan Purchasing Agency Process
Step 1
Open the APP/live broadcast room of the product you want to buy
Step 2
1.Download, register/login to TaoJiYun TW app
For iPhone users: Open【Click to redirect to APP Store download】and search for TaoJiYun Taiwan Version APP
For Android users:【Click here to redirect for download】to download TaoJiYun Taiwan Version APP
Step 3
ClickRegister/Log inGet an exclusive address for the Chinese mainland
Click on the purchasing agency Mall on the homepage
If you need a manual purchasing agent → 【Click to jump to the tutorial】
Step 4
S Enter the purchasing agent page and input the name of the product you need to buy
Click on the shopping cart, select the items you need to purchase, and apply for settlement
Step 5
For choosing a consolidated shipping channel, you can consult our customer service.
Select the payment method and complete the order
Step 6
TaoJiYun Shipping
The goods are consolidated and packed, the parcels are reinforced, and they are weighed and dispatched
TIPS: After shipment, you can check in ; Taojiyun APP” -“ My - [My Orders] Check the logistics information
Step 7
Waiting for the delivery
View the logistics trajectory and keep track of the package delivery progress on the package list page
TIPS：
During the process of international parcel delivery, there is a certain probability of unexpected situations occurring, such as delays, confiscation, taxation, damage, loss, etc. Taojiyun cannot control or avoid the service quality and unexpected situations that may occur with third-party logistics providers and customs of various countries.
However, in line with the service philosophy of putting users first, Taojiyun will inform and remind you in advance based on the conditions of each route and country, and do its best to assist you in case of any problems.
Step 8
Confirm receipt of goods
After receiving the package, at Taojiyun APP” -“ My Check and confirm the signed package in the Completed section
In case of any problems, you can submit an after-sales application on the corresponding package form or contact Taojiyun Taiwan &rarr. 【Human online customer service】
V. Ultimate Pitfall-Avoidance Guide for 1688 Cross-Border Procurement
Reject "Three No-Products": Avoid products without "product detail pages" or "qualification certificates" (such as 3C certification, quality inspection reports), especially categories that require compliance certification such as electronic digital products, food and cosmetics, to prevent confiscation during customs clearance.
Beware of "Low-Price Counterfeits": If the price of a product is much lower than the market average (e.g., a genuine mobile phone costs 1000 yuan, but the merchant sells it for 300 yuan), it is most likely a counterfeit. Do not place the order. For the first cooperation, it is recommended to place a small trial order and confirm the quality before purchasing in bulk.
Clarify After-Sales Policies: Before placing an order, you must ask the merchant about the "return and exchange policy" (e.g., whether returns and exchanges are supported for quality problems, who bears the shipping fee, and the return and exchange period) to avoid being unable to handle after-sales issues after receiving defective goods. Prioritize merchants that support "1688 Secure Purchase" as the platform will provide after-sales protection.
Comply with Customs Clearance Regulations: Do not purchase prohibited items (such as flammable and explosive items, infringing products, controlled knives, etc.). Truthfully declare product information (name, quantity, value) during consolidated shipping/purchasing agency to avoid package detention or fines by customs due to "false declaration".
Conclusion
For Hong Kong and Taiwan users, the core difficulty of purchasing on 1688 is not "being unable to buy", but "how to place orders smoothly and transport goods safely".
Choosing "self-purchase with consolidated shipping" allows for higher flexibility and lower costs, while choosing "full custody by purchasing agent" is worry-free and effortless. Both methods can solve payment and logistics problems through formal channels.
By following the process guide in this article, properly screening suppliers in advance, clarifying communication needs, and selecting reliable consolidated shipping/purchasing agents, you can easily avoid various pitfalls in cross-border procurement and fully enjoy the cost-effective advantages of factory-direct supplies on 1688.
Whether you are an individual purchasing small commodities, a merchant purchasing in bulk, or for hobby collection or enterprise procurement, you can find satisfactory sources of goods on 1688.
If you encounter specific problems during the procurement process (such as selecting a consolidated shipping channel or recommending a purchasing agent), you can consult the online customer service of the consolidated shipping/purchasing agency platform at any time, or obtain official support from the 1688 "Cross-Border Service Center".
Contact TaoJiYun
Hong Kong Special Line + Mainland-to-Taiwan Purchasing Services: Get Mainland goods delivered directly to Hong Kong and Taiwan! For further inquiries, contact TaoJiYun:
TaoJiYun - Hong Kong Special Line Contact:
WeChat: TaoJiYun Xiao Lin 13049844111
WhatsApp: 54271072
TaoJiYun - Taiwan Special Line Contact:
WeChat: TaoJiYun Taiwan Consolidation Shipping 18814360092
Line：@269trfre
Email：vip@taojiyun.com
