Taobao, 1688, or AliExpress? Choosing the Right China Sourcing Platform for Dropshippers in 2025

If you're a dropshipper looking to source high-margin products from China, you've probably asked yourself this one big question:

"Should I use Taobao, 1688, or AliExpress?"

With so many Chinese e-commerce platforms out there—Taobao, 1688, Tmall, AliExpress, and even newer ones like Temu and Shein—figuring out the right place to source from can feel overwhelming.

But here's the truth:
Each platform serves a different purpose.
Understanding those differences can make or break your profitability as a dropshipper.

Quick Comparison: China's Top 4 Platforms

Which Platform Fits Your Dropshipping Stage?

1. Just Getting Started? → Taobao + AliExpress

Taobao is China's Amazon—but cheaper. You'll find millions of low-MOQ products, perfect for testing winning products.

AliExpress is also beginner-friendly, with global shipping and plug-and-play dropshipping features. However, the prices are generally higher than Taobao or 1688.

💡 Use a China-based fulfillment agent or warehouse to consolidate Taobao purchases and ship globally.

Pros:

• No inventory needed

• Easy product testing

• Fast go-to-market

Cons:

• Higher per-unit costs

• Lower profit margins

• Manual order processing unless automated via agent

2. Scaling Up? → 1688

Once you've validated products, it's time to buy in bulk—and 1688 is your best friend. It's the largest B2B platform in China, with factory-direct prices.

However, everything is in Chinese and only ships within China, so you'll need a solid logistics partner.

Pros:

• Wholesale pricing = higher margins

• Supplier negotiations possible

• Private labeling options

Cons:

• MOQ required

• Inventory risk

• You must handle shipping or work with agents

3. Building a Brand? → Tmall Global

Tmall is like the premium version of Taobao—brand-authorized stores only. If you're launching a white-label brand and want to expand into China, this is the way.

Pros:

• High customer trust

• Sell to China's booming middle class

• Long-term brand value

Cons:

• Requires brand registration

• High setup & marketing cost

• Not for beginners

Want to Boost Your Profit Margin?

Whether you're dropshipping from Taobao, Tmall, or AliExpress—Refundy helps you get money back after the purchase.

Here's how:

✅ Cashback: Get up to 10% back from your purchases
✅ Price Drop Refund: Claim the difference if the price drops after buying

Start Using Refundy and increase your net profit without changing your sourcing process.

Final Thoughts

If you're serious about dropshipping, choosing the right sourcing platform is key.

• Start with Taobao or AliExpress to test products

• Move to 1688 when you're ready to scale

• Consider Tmall Global if you're brand-building for the Chinese market

• Use Refundy to squeeze every last margin from your sourcing process