China sourcing agent

It depends on how clear the specification is and how specialised the product is. A clear brief with quantities, specifications and a target price lets us shortlist suppliers quickly; custom or certified products take longer because verification and sampling take longer.

We give you an indicative timeline with the first shortlist and update it at every step.

Every project is assessed individually. Minimum order quantities are set by the factories, not by us, and they differ by product. Tell us the quantity you have in mind and we will tell you honestly whether it is workable and which suppliers can accept it.

In most cases yes. Sample availability and cost depend on the product and the factory; we arrange the samples, check them before dispatch and ship them to you.

Yes. We coordinate branding, packaging design files, artwork proofs and pre-production samples with the factory, and check the printed result at inspection.

A sourcing agent works for you and is paid by you; a trading company buys the goods itself and resells them to you at its own margin.

The practical difference is whose interest the price serves. An agent shows you the factory, the factory quotation and the comparison behind the recommendation. A trading company does not have to, because the supplier relationship is the asset it is selling.

Fees are usually structured in one of three ways: a percentage commission on the order value, a flat fee for a defined project, or a monthly retainer for buyers with continuous volume.

Which one is cheapest depends on how large and how frequent your orders are. We state the structure and what it covers in the quotation so you can compare us with another agent like for like. We publish no rate card, because an honest number depends on the work.