In Germany, there are about 210,000 Chinese and about 40,000 Chinese students. Although Germany does not have traditional "Chinatowns," there are active Chinese communities in cities like Düsseldorf, Berlin, and Frankfurt. German Asian supermarkets (e.g., Go Asia, Vinh-Loi) carry some Chinese products, but the selection is limited and prices are much higher than in China. Germany's tuition-free policy attracts many Chinese students, who have a strong demand forTaobao consolidationis particularly high.
1688 is Alibaba's wholesale sourcing platform, directly connecting Chinese factories and primary wholesalers, with prices typically 30%-70% of Taobao retail prices. Suitable for bulk buyers or those seeking the lowest prices. 1688's biggest advantage is factory-direct pricing, ideal for dropshippers, small businesses, and bulk procurement. Many Taobao sellers source from 1688. Supports custom production and OEM, with minimum order quantities usually ranging from a few to dozens of items. But note that it does not have the same return and exchange guarantees as Taobao.
Platform Features and Notes for 1688 Forwarding
What is 1688? Which Forwarding Users Is It Suitable For?
1688 (Alibaba Chinese site) is China's largest wholesale procurement platform, where many Taobao and Tmall merchants source their goods. For forwarding users, the core value of 1688 isFactory-Direct Prices—for the same product, 1688's price is usually 50%-70% of Taobao's.
User Types Suitable for 1688 Forwarding:
- Users who need to buy multiple identical items in bulk (e.g., stationery, storage, household items)
- Users who are not brand-sensitive and seek value for money
- Overseas small sellers restocking inventory
- International students and new immigrants who need a large number of daily necessities when moving
Special Notes for Shopping on 1688
1688 is designed for wholesalers, and there are several key differences from the Taobao shopping experience:
- Minimum Order Quantity:Many products have minimum purchase quantities (e.g., "2 pieces minimum order"), so check before ordering.
- Sample orders:Some sellers support "drop shipping" or sample purchases, allowing you to buy a small quantity to test quality first.
- Higher communication costs:1688 sellers mainly serve domestic wholesalers, so customer service responses may not be as timely as Taobao.
- Difficult returns and exchanges:The return policy on wholesale platforms is not as comprehensive as on retail platforms. It is recommended to inspect and take photos after the goods arrive at the warehouse.
- Invoices and documentation:1688 merchants can usually provide invoices, which helps with customs declaration.
1688 vs Taobao: How to choose?
Simple rule: buy single items on Taobao; for 3 or more of the same product, consider 1688. For example: buy 1 phone case on Taobao, buy 10 phone cases (for friends/family) on 1688, and the price may be more than half cheaper.
How to ship from 1688/Alibaba to Germany? Complete process
Shopping from 1688/Alibaba and shipping to Germany only requires the following 4 steps:
- After registeringImagineShipGet Warehouse Address — Register for free, you will get a dedicated warehouse address in Shenzhen (with your unique code) to use as the shipping address when ordering on 1688/Alibaba.
- Place orders on 1688/Alibaba — Normally, select products on 1688/Alibaba and fill in the ImagineShip warehouse address as the shipping address. Supports Alipay Enterprise and personal Alipay. For large purchases, it is recommended to use Trade Assurance to protect your funds.
- Warehouse Consolidation & Submit for Shipping — You will be notified automatically when packages arrive at the warehouse. Multiple packages can be consolidated to save shipping costs. Choose a shipping method (air/sea) and pay the shipping fee online.
- Full Tracking & Wait for Delivery — ImagineShip handles professional packaging, export customs declaration, and German customs clearance. Full logistics tracking ensures your package arrives safely in Germany.
How long does it take to ship from 1688/Alibaba to Germany? Shipping routes and delivery times
There are multiple mature logistics routes from Shenzhen, China to Germany. Choose flexibly based on your needs for transit time and price:
| Shipping method | Shipping Route | Estimated Delivery Time | Suitable scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Air Freight | Shenzhen → Hong Kong/Guangzhou Airport → Frankfurt Airport → Nationwide delivery in Germany | 10-15 working days | Urgent items, lightweight packages, daily shopping |
| 🚢 Sea Freight | Shenzhen Shekou Port → Hamburg Port (Europe's third-largest port) | 30-45 Days | Large furniture, bulk items, non-urgent goods |
ImagineShip automatically recommends the optimal shipping plan based on package weight and volume. Consolidating multiple items can typically save 20%-40% on shipping costs. For detailed shipping rates, please checkShipping Rate Inquirypage.
German Customs Clearance and Tariff Policy
Packages sent to Germany need to understand local customs policies to plan shopping budgets wisely:
- Duty-Free Allowance: €150
- Duty rate: 0%-14% duty + 19% VAT (EU uniform)
As an EU member state, Germany implements the EU's unified customs policy. Since 2021, the €22 VAT exemption has been abolished, and all imported goods are subject to 19% VAT (Mehrwertsteuer). Goods valued over €150 are also subject to additional customs duties. ImagineShip offers EU dual-clearance tax-included service to handle complex EU customs procedures for you.
For more duty information, please refer toCountry-specific Tariff Policiespage.
Most popular products shipped from 1688/Alibaba to Germany
According to ImagineShip user data, the most purchased product categories by German Chinese from 1688/Alibaba include:
- Chinese snacks and seasonings (Sichuan pepper, bean paste, Lao Gan Ma; limited variety in German Asian supermarkets)
- Chinese kitchen appliances (220V appliances work in Germany, but need a German standard round two-pin plug)
- Chinese books and stationery (essential for students' study and daily life)
- Clothing and shoes (German local brands are practical but lack fashion options)
- Tea and health products (Germans also love tea, but Chinese tea is extremely expensive in Germany)
- Phone cases and digital accessories (domestic accessories cost only 1/10 of German prices)
The most suitable categories for forwarding on 1688/Alibaba include: clothing wholesale, digital accessories, home goods, office supplies, packaging materials, and custom products. Through ImagineShip'sconsolidation services, these items can all be safely shipped to Germany.
Delivery Methods After Package Arrives in Germany
Germany has a well-developed domestic logistics network, with last-mile delivery by DHL, DPD, or Hermes. Nationwide delivery typically takes 1-2 days. DHL has the highest coverage in Germany and also operates many Packstations (self-service parcel lockers), which are very convenient for students to set up self-pickup.
Practical tips for shipping from 1688/Alibaba to Germany
- Germany uses the European standard round two-pin plug (C/F type), requiring a plug adapter
- DHL Packstation self-service parcel lockers are available nationwide; you can set them as your delivery address after registration
- German customs inspections are strict; it is recommended to declare packages truthfully. Under-declaration, if caught, will result in fines
- October's Oktoberfest and December's Christmas are peak seasons for packages; plan ahead
Why choose ImagineShip to send 1688/Alibaba packages to Germany?
- Professional 1688/Alibaba Package Forwarding Experience — Familiar with 1688/Alibaba platform rules and shipping processes, handling all types of packages with ease
- Self-operated Warehouse in Shenzhen — Free receiving and storage for 30 days, free inspection and photo-taking to confirm product condition.
- Germany Dedicated Logistics — Mature China-to-Germany shipping routes with stable transit times
- Dual Clearance & Tax Included Service — Full handling of export customs declaration and German customs clearance, no extra worries
- Full Chinese customer support throughout the process — Communicate anytime via WeChat or online chat, no language barriers
- End-to-end logistics tracking — Real-time tracking of your package from warehouse entry to delivery in Germany
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days does it usually take to ship from 1688/Alibaba to Germany?
Air freight typically takes 10-15 working days, while sea freight takes 30-45 days. Specific transit times are affected by season, holidays, and local customs clearance speed. ImagineShip provides full logistics updates so you can track your package anytime.
What is the shipping cost from 1688/Alibaba to Germany?
Shipping fees are calculated based on actual weight or volumetric weight (whichever is greater), and vary by shipping method and weight range. Consolidating multiple packages can typically save 20%–40% on shipping costs. For specific fees, please use ImagineShip'sshipping calculatorto check.
Can I ship items purchased on 1688/Alibaba directly to Germany?
Some 1688/Alibaba products support international direct shipping, but the cost is higher and the product range is limited. Using ImagineShip's forwarding service, almost all 1688/Alibaba products can be shipped to Germany at a lower cost, with consolidation to save on shipping.
What items from 1688/Alibaba cannot be shipped to Germany?
Internationally prohibited items such as flammable and explosive goods, knives and weapons, live animals and plants cannot be shipped. German customs have additional restrictions on specific items (e.g., food, medicine, batteries). It is recommended to checkProhibited Items Listfor details.
Ready to get started?Register for ImagineShip now, start your shopping journey from 1688/Alibaba to Germany!
