At the moment of COVID-19, overseas buyers are unable to purchase directly from China toys markets. That can be daunting, especially for some toys import beginners. Since offline channels have been shut off, let’s switch over to online China B2B Websites. Obviously, the online wholesale websites are playing a prominent part in the international trade at this time.
There’s no doubt that the travel expenses to China and lots of time&energy spent are relatively high cost for some importers who are just starting their toys business. Although the long geographic distance between buyers and suppliers, the main value of China B2B websites is to provide a convenient, professional and safe channel for importers. So they are greatly helping buyers save costs, gain instant communication and easily conduct toys business. Following 5 websites are beloved by foreign traders.
5 China B2B Websites to Help Find Right Toys Suppliers
1. Alibaba.com
Alibaba.com was established in 1999 and currently has developed as a world largest B2B trade site. Without exaggeration, almost every merchant knows Alibaba. It serves as an professional intermediary between the suppliers and the buyers.
1) MOQ & Price
Normally, MOQ could be as low as one carton if the product is in stock. However, a large part of Alibaba products are not in storage and request high MOQ. You need to check with the seller and confirm the real goods status.
When entering into the product page, you probably first look at the unit price. I assume you will be happy if seeing the low price with low MOQ. But one thing I have to remind is that usually Alibaba unit price is not correct or accurate. In other words, the price can only be a reference. Therefore, don’t place any orders or make payment before communicating with the supplier. Negotiate toys prices and order quantity with the seller first.
2) Wholesale Supplier Type
2) Wholesale Supplier TypeNoticeably, Alibaba attaches much importance on showing the strength of suppliers. From the product page, you could easily learn all aspects of the seller, including company videos, pictures, production capacity and inspection reports, etc.
There are large base of manufacturers and trading companies in Alibaba.com. Nonetheless, keep in mind that it’s hard for you to distinguish the actual supplier type cause all that information is for reference only. For newcomers, I suggest you focus on product sourcing and vendor comparison instead of being stuck on supplier type.
3) Toys Categories & Product Page
Click the category “Toys & Hobbies”, you would find a very wide selection. Also you can directly search toy or supplier name with management certification, price range, product certification, etc filter conditions.
Mostly, Alibaba.com has extremely detailed product pages. Obviously, its purpose is to present full product&supplier information that buyers may need. For example, it contains details about product specification, pictures, company profile, packing&delivery, certificates, FAQ, etc. Additional features added in 2019, like buyer reviews and transactions history.
4) Trade Assurance
When it comes to payment, some beginners may worry about being scammed. In this case, Alibaba trade assurance would undoubtably be a great choice. If you don’t receive goods or there is a quality problem, you could get a refund through trade assurance. This kind of payment method, to a large extent, protect the commercial interests of buyers. One weak point of trade assurance should be its cumbersome process. But don’t worry because Alibaba also support other payment methods such as VISA, MasterCard, T/T, Online Bank Transfer, Pay Later, L/C, etc.
2. DHgate.com
DHgate.com, a leading worldwide online wholesale website, was founded in 2004. Through the help of this e-commerce platform, Chinese small to medium-sized enterprises successfully enter the global markets.
1) MOQ & Price
Generally, the goods on DHgate.com are in stock and can be bought even from one piece. Nowadays, it’s kind of like a retail platform but featured with tiered price structure. The more you buy, the prices would be cheaper. Thus DHgate is a fantastic option for business newbies.
2) Wholesale Supplier Type
In general, most DHgate suppliers are trading companies, some are even individual sellers. They buy goods from manufacturers and put into their warehouses as stock, or they sell directly from small factories. That’s why DHgate doesn’t show much information about suppliers. It’s not advisable to place orders on the platform if you want to buy bulk. Better way is to bargain with the seller first before making payment.
3) Toys Categories & Product Page
There is a variety of toys under the category “Toys & Gifts”. DHgate has higher level of categories segmentation and lays emphasis on product itself. As for the product details, the images are clear with showing different angles. Nevertheless, we cannot see any information about the supplier from the product page.
4) Toys Trends Analysis
Commonly, some newbies would get hung up on selecting what kinds of toys to buy. On DHgate.com, each product shows sales volume and customer reviews with nationality revealed. This could be taken as a basis of your the toys trends analysis, and thus to make wiser purchase decisions.
3. AliExpress.com
AliExpress.com is called “International TAOBAO” by sellers and belongs to the same Chinese company as Alibaba’s. It’s a huge retail platform who is currently selling to over 220 countries and districts.
1) MOQ & Price
AliExpress.com has no MOQ requirement and usually sells from 1 piece. It is famous for its very cheap unit price and some even lower than wholesale prices of other platforms. Though people have to wait 10-30 days shipping to their home, it still quickly attracts large number overseas buyers and becomes a main dropshipping service provider.
2) Wholesale Supplier Type
Behind AliExpress, there are great number of individual sellers and trading companies. Imagine that one big trading company is operating 10+ stores at the same time. AliExpress sellers buy large quantity goods at a very reasonable price from big factories or manufacturers who normally don’t have time to ship one by one. As a matter of fact, the sellers only earn small profit through single one product but can gain much more when the sales increase.
Although most sellers are trading companies, we can also see the big price advantages based on its buying system. This is why I include AliExpress into the wholesale China B2B website list. Same as DHgate.com, if you want to buy more than 10pcs on Aliexpress.com, kindly negotiate with the suppliers for a better price before making payment.
3) Toys Categories & Product Page
Similar with DHgate.com, AliExpress.com has more detailed toys categories segmentation. Meanwhile, it assigns a priority to product displaying and few information about sellers on the product page.
4) Toys Trends Analysis
Compared to DHgate, with a wider group of customers from different countries, AliExpress can definitely serve as a better tool for newcomers to analyze the toys trends.
4. Made-In-China.com
Made-In-China.com, one of the most famous Chinese B2B websites, was created in 1998. It mainly serves as a wholesale e-commerce site for overseas importers, distributors and dealers.
1) MOQ & Price
The product minimum order quantity is decided by the toys value. Higher value, then lower MOQ. It’s a platform which is suitable for buyers who has great quantity demand cause most of its products are not in stock and offer customization service. Alike with Alibaba.com, the prices shown on product pages can only act as a reference. Contact the supplier for precise prices and MOQ.
2) Wholesale Supplier Type
Move your mouse onto the supplier name and you will see its business type. Click the option “Visit My Factory” to use 360°virtual tour to check their offices, workshops, etc. Same with Alibaba.com, there are tons of manufacturers and trading companies. Concentrate on the service and price comparison rather than getting hung up with the supplier type.
3) Toys Categories & Product Page
Comparatively, the toys categories of Made-In-China.com is simple. Here’s a sourcing request function which is similar to Alibaba’s RFQ. Apart from product description and pictures, you can also find comprehensive information about the supplier on the product page.
4) Customized Request
Made-In-China is a typical Chinese B2B website who provides OEM & ODM services. Big wholesale buyers often has great customization demand. It is easy to notice “Customized Request” button on the product page. After entering into the request page, you only need to fill out your requirements and then wait for the quotation of the suppliers.
Made-In-China Customized Request Form
5. GlobalSources.com
GobalSources.com was built in 1970 and has a 50-year trade history. Not only it’s an online Chinese B2B website, but also has its own trade show every year.
1) MOQ & Price
Likewise, the minimum order quantity is determined by goods value. MOQ would be lower while the value is high. Equally, the prices shown is for reference only. Communicate with the suppliers for details before placing orders.
2) Wholesale Supplier Type
To get the membership of GlobalSources.com, the suppliers need to pay a good sum of fees every year. So normally, small manufacturers and trading companies choose not to settle in. You could find lots of medium-to-large size enterprises on GlobalSources.com. Due to the high standard, this platform is not a favorable option for beginners.
3) Toys Categories & Product Page
On GlobalSources.com, “Toys” is a sub-category under the category “Gift & Premiums”, which is kind of abnormal. In comparison with other platforms, the toys classification here is, to some extent, in a mess. Moreover, GlobalSources.com has very succinct product pages, which only show text information without product pictures and company photos.
The End
Undoubtably, there are both pros and cons for above 5 China B2B Websites. Kindly use them according to your actual situation. I should say, in reality, few factories or manufacturers operate stores on these websites by themselves. They usually entrust trading companies, agents or individuals to help operate by means of commission system. Lean more about toys factories through this post, 10 Original Places For Toys Manufacturing In China.
Feel free to ask me if there is any question. Any inquires are welcomed. Kindly leave a comment and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Thanks very interesting blog!