1688.com is one of the largest online platforms for wholesale trade in China. It was launched in 1999 by Alibaba Group and is primarily targeted at the domestic market. Key features include a wide range of products, wholesale prices, the ability to directly contact suppliers, and multiple payment methods.

How to Register on 1688 from Russia

A common question arises: how to register on 1688 from Russia? Due to its focus on the domestic Chinese market, the process is more complicated compared to its main competitor, Alibaba.com. Users often face a wide range of issues—from undelivered SMS messages to phone numbers being blocked in the system for unknown reasons. Tip: These difficulties can be avoided by using a virtual number. This allows you to receive an SMS with a confirmation code via the internet. You can purchase a number for registration on 1688 through the SMSBOWER service. This is cost-effective due to low prices and a simple purchasing process that takes just a few clicks.

How to Register on 1688 Independently in Russia

Let’s start by examining the process of creating an account on this platform. The first challenge is interacting with the website. Since it is designed for the domestic market, the only available language is Chinese.

Using 1688.com in Russia becomes easier if you access it through a translator. The best tools for this are provided by Google and Yandex.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Let’s break down the process of registering on 1688.com from Russia into several steps:

1. Navigate to the Registration Page
   On the homepage, look for the top menu bar. Here, select "Free Registration" (免费注册). Click on it.
2. Fill Out the Required Information
   You will need to provide a significant amount of additional information. All fields are mandatory, so keep this in mind.
3. Addressing SMS Issues
   The main challenge when registering on 1688 for users in Russia is receiving the SMS code. Messages often fail to arrive. If you attempt to resend the code multiple times, your phone may be blocked for 24 hours. This is where the SMSBOWER service can help. If you cannot use your own phone, we will explain how to use a virtual number below.
4. Company Information
   After phone verification, you will be redirected to a page requesting company details. These do not necessarily need to be real if you simply want to place an order on 1688 from Russia.
5. Email Verification
   During registration, you will provide an email address. A link to confirm your profile will be sent to this email.

   Once confirmed, you will have an account and can access the platform’s e-commerce features.

Using a Virtual Number for 1688

In this case, the SMS code can be received online. Registering on 1688 via phone from Russia involves the following steps:

1. Create an Account on SMSBOWER
   This process is completely anonymous.
2. Top Up Your Balance
   Add funds using any of the available methods. Options include bank cards (including Russian ones), cryptocurrency, and electronic payment systems.
3. Purchase a Virtual Number
   First, specify the service (1688), then select the country. Click the triangle to see pricing options.
4. Complete the Purchase
   Click the "+" button to buy the number.

   You will be redirected to the "Activation History" section. This is where you can retrieve the code from 1688.

   

   If the code does not arrive, simply click "Cancel." The funds will be returned to your account, and you can purchase a new number in just a few clicks to repeat the process.

How to Order Products from 1688 to Russia

The next step in interacting with the site is searching for the desired products. The platform allows you to select color, size, batch volume, and other details. This eliminates the need to negotiate specifics with the seller.

If necessary, you can discuss branding and other details via private messages.

Challenges of Independent Ordering

If you want to order from 1688 to Russia independently, you will face several challenges. Unlike its main competitor, Alibaba, this platform does not work with customers from other countries. This means that delivery is only available to warehouses within China.

For this reason, independent ordering is not popular and is typically practiced only by large companies with a presence in China. It is more cost-effective to work with an intermediary. We will discuss the specifics of working with intermediaries in the next section.

Delivery from 1688 to Russia via an Intermediary

The main task is to find a suitable company. In general, intermediaries offer standard services, but the details are crucial (minimum order volume, cooperation with specific warehouses, etc.). Below are general recommendations for choosing an intermediary for 1688 to Russia from China:

1. Reputation and Reviews
   Research the company on various platforms, such as Google Maps, Yandex, and specialized forums.
2. Services and Fees
   Carefully review the services offered by the intermediary, such as quality checks, cargo consolidation, warehousing, and insurance.
3. Customer Support
   Contact the potential intermediary with questions about their services. Evaluate their responses, response time, and overall service quality.
4. Security
   Ensure that the chosen 1688 intermediary to Russia provides guarantees for safety and customer protection.

It is important for the intermediary to ensure transparency at all stages of the process, from placing the order to delivering the goods to a warehouse in Russia. The latter point should be discussed separately. A common practice is to transfer goods to domestic delivery services, such as CDEK. This reduces the final cost of services and offers other advantages.

Recommended Intermediaries

The best companies to place an order from 1688 to Russia include:

• SilkWayChina
• ChinaToday
• China Towns
• Translogistics
• Guangzhou Cargo

These 1688 intermediaries not only provide affordable delivery to Russia but have also been operating in the market for years, possess their own offices in China, and have high ratings on specialized platforms.