Alibaba is a supplier directory — here is how to use it without getting burned.
To source on Alibaba safely, filter for verified manufacturers (not just trading companies), send a precise RFQ to several, order samples, and pay through Trade Assurance to a company account — never a personal one. Alibaba is a directory of suppliers, so verification and inspection are still your job.
Alibaba is the world's largest B2B marketplace: a directory where Chinese suppliers list products and buyers contact them. It connects you to suppliers; it does not vet product quality for you. Treat every listing as a lead to verify, not a vetted vendor.
Use the filters to narrow the field: Verified Supplier (a third party has confirmed some company details), Trade Assurance (order protection is available), and supplier type. Read these as signals, not guarantees — "Gold Supplier" mainly means a paid membership, not a quality rating. Favour listings that look like real manufacturers of your product.
Shortlist a few suppliers, send the same clear RFQ, and compare. Before ordering, run standard verification, get a sample, and place any payment through Trade Assurance to a company account. A request to pay a personal account or move off-platform is a serious red flag.