Send the same specification, quantity, packaging, destination, and Incoterm to every supplier.
B2B route comparison
Alibaba Alternatives for China Sourcing
Compare six supplier-discovery and order routes by audience, access, buyer fit, and the evidence that still needs to be verified.
A marketplace is a discovery and transaction route, not proof that every listed company is a factory or that every product complies with your market. Choose the route that exposes the evidence your order requires.
| Route | Audience and access | Use it when | Verify before payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alibaba.com | International B2B buyersDirect international account and supplier contact | You need broad supplier discovery, quotations, samples, customization, and a platform order process. | Supplier legal entity, badge scope, exact specification, Trade Assurance eligibility, inspection, and delivery terms. |
| Made-in-China.com | International B2B buyersDirect international account and supplier contact | You want another export-oriented supplier directory for comparing factories and quotations. | Audit scope and date, legal entity, production role, sample, certification evidence, payment, and freight. |
| Global Sources | International sourcing teamsOnline supplier directory and trade-show ecosystem | You are researching export suppliers, particularly for product categories represented in its directory and events. | Current supplier profile, event or audit claims, exact factory, specification, sample, contract, and inspection. |
| 1688.com | China-domestic wholesale buyersChinese-language domestic workflow; many overseas buyers use an agent | A domestic listing and China-side purchasing route justify the added translation, receiving, and export work. | Supplier identity, unit and variant, domestic freight, agent status and fees, warehouse evidence, export route, and landed cost. |
| DHgate | Smaller cross-border ordersInternational marketplace checkout where available | You want to test a smaller quantity before deciding whether factory sourcing is necessary. | Seller history, exact product, current checkout protection, brand risk, delivery estimate, tracking, and return path. |
| HKTDC Sourcing | Buyers researching Hong Kong and regional suppliersSupplier and product directory | You want another discovery channel before contacting and independently verifying a supplier. | Business identity, actual production site, product capability, quotation, samples, payment, and inspection. |
Use the same comparison method on every route
Separate marketplace identity checks from product tests, factory audits, and order-specific inspection.
Compare the legal contract party and payment beneficiary before sending a deposit.
Calculate landed cost rather than comparing only the unit price or minimum order quantity.
Use samples and a written defect standard before approving production.
Read the current platform protection rules and exclusions for the exact transaction.
Primary references
Use these sources for rules and definitions, then confirm the platform checkout, supplier quotation, carrier terms, and destination requirements for the specific order date.
China National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity SystemChinese business-registration records; the interface is primarily in Chinese.Alibaba Trade AssuranceAlibaba's current description of its own order-protection process and eligibility.ICC IncotermsOfficial overview of Incoterms rules used to allocate delivery costs and responsibilities.