France has about 700,000 Chinese (one of the largest Chinese communities in Europe), making it one of the countries with the most Chinese in Europe. France has one of the largest Chinese communities in Europe, and the Chinatown in Paris’s 13th arrondissement is the most famous Chinese聚居区 in Europe. Wenzhou and Qingtian immigrants form the main body of the French Chinese, with recent increases in immigrants from Northeast China and Fujian. Tang Frères and Paris Store are the largest Chinese supermarkets in Paris, but prices are 2-4 times higher than in China, and many popular domestic items are unavailable.
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 France? Complete process
Shopping from 1688/Alibaba and shipping to France 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 French customs clearance. Full logistics tracking ensures packages are safely delivered to France.
How long does it take to ship from 1688/Alibaba to France? Shipping routes and delivery times
There are multiple mature logistics routes from Shenzhen, China to France, allowing flexible choices 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 → Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport → Nationwide delivery in France | 10-15 working days | Urgent items, lightweight packages, daily shopping |
| 🚢 Sea Freight | Shenzhen Shekou Port → Le Havre/Marseille 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.
French customs clearance and tariff policy
To ship packages to France, it is necessary to understand local customs policies to plan your shopping budget wisely:
- Duty-Free Allowance: €150
- Duty rate: 0%-14% customs duty + 20% TVA
France implements the unified EU customs policy. All imported packages are subject to 20% TVA (French VAT), and items valued over €150 are also subject to additional customs duties. French customs are stricter on clothing and luggage items, especially regarding brand counterfeits. ImagineShip offers EU dual-clearance tax-included service, so you don’t have to worry about the complex French customs process.
For more duty information, please refer toCountry-specific Tariff Policiespage.
Most popular products shipped from 1688/Alibaba to France
According to ImagineShip user data, the most purchased product categories by French Chinese from 1688/Alibaba include:
- Chinese food and seasonings (luosifen, hot pot base, various sauces; expensive and limited variety in French Chinese supermarkets)
- Chinese cooking utensils (wok, steamer, rice cooker; 220V works in France, but requires a European standard plug)
- Clothing and shoes (although France has many fashion brands, everyday casual wear options are not as diverse as in China)
- Tea (Longjing, Tieguanyin, Pu’er and other famous Chinese teas; extremely expensive in French tea shops)
- Chinese books and children’s books (important materials for Chinese families to teach their children Chinese)
- Cosmetics and skincare (domestic beauty brands are gaining popularity overseas, with prices far lower than French brands)
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 France.
Delivery methods after the package arrives in France
Within France, last-mile delivery is handled by La Poste, Colissimo, or Chronopost. Delivery takes 1-2 days in Paris and the Île-de-France region, and usually 2-3 days in provincial cities. France also has Relay and Locker self-service pickup points, and you can choose to have packages delivered to nearby pickup points.
Practical tips for shipping from 1688/Alibaba to France
- France uses the European standard round two-pin plug (C/E type), compatible with German sockets
- There are Chinese courier pickup points in Paris's 13th arrondissement and Belleville for self-pickup
- French customs have zero tolerance for counterfeit brand goods; never send any counterfeit items
- August is a traditional holiday month in France; many logistics services slow down, so avoid this period
Why choose ImagineShip to send 1688/Alibaba packages to France?
- 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.
- France Special Line Logistics — Mature shipping routes from China to France with stable transit times
- Dual Clearance & Tax Included Service — Full handling of export customs declaration and French customs clearance, no extra effort needed
- 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 France
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days does it usually take to ship from 1688/Alibaba to France?
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 France?
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 France?
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 France at a lower cost, with consolidation to save on shipping.
What items from 1688/Alibaba cannot be shipped to France?
Internationally prohibited items such as flammable and explosive goods, knives and weapons, live animals and plants cannot be shipped. French 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 France!
