How to write the first inquiry to an Alibaba supplier?
A specific, concise first inquiry gets fast comparable quotes. Name the exact product, quantity, specs, destination, and timeline. Includes ready-to-use basic and custom templates.
China Sourcing Insights for Global Buyers
Why do suppliers ignore my inquiries?
Suppliers triage buyers like sales leads. Vague requests, tiny quantities, unrealistic prices, impossible deadlines, and mass messages get you skipped. Learn what makes suppliers reply.
Factory vs trading company on Alibaba: how to tell the difference?
Telling a factory from a trading company is harder than it looks. Read the business license, address, product range, VAT invoice, and run a video call. Then pick the type that fits your business stage.
Are "Gold Suppliers" trustworthy?
A Gold Supplier label is not an order guarantee. Check current membership context, registration evidence and product capability before buying.
What does "Verified Supplier" mean?
Verified Supplier includes third-party assessment evidence. Learn what to check in its scope and why it cannot guarantee your specific order.
How to find a reliable supplier on Alibaba?
Reliable supplier selection is a funnel, not luck. Shortlist by history and location, ask identity questions, test with samples and trial orders, inspect before shipping, and match MOQ to reality.
What is the Alibaba buyer protection policy?
Alibaba's buyer protection policy is built on Trade Assurance. Learn what it protects, what it does not cover, how claims work, the dispute window, and the payment layers that strengthen it.
Are branded products on Alibaba authentic?
Almost never. Branded goods sell through official channels and authorized dealers, and nearly no Alibaba supplier qualifies. Learn the risks of seeded counterfeits, the licensed-goods exception, and safer alternatives.
Does it cost money to have an Alibaba buyer account?
Creating an Alibaba buyer account is completely free. Alibaba earns its revenue from suppliers, not buyers. Learn what is free, what you actually pay for, and the model behind it.
Can Amazon sellers buy from Alibaba?
Yes, Amazon sellers routinely source from Alibaba. Learn the workflow that protects your margin: compliance research, supplier vetting, IP protection, patent checks, pre-shipment inspection, and Amazon FBA labeling rules.