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China sourcing agent
A China sourcing agent who works for you, not the factory.
We buy from Chinese factories every day and know the factory side. We find real suppliers, order samples, follow your order and arrange inspection. You pay the factory directly, and our fee is written down before you start.
Who it is for.
- You sell online or in shops and want to buy from the factory, not through layers of resellers.
- You have collected marketplace quotes and cannot tell which come from factories and which from trading companies.
- A good sample once turned into a poor batch, and you want someone checking before the goods ship.
- You import into the US, UK or EU and want to know which compliance rules to check.
What you get.
Supplier search report
Three or more vetted suppliers, each with the factory's own quote, minimum order, lead time and our notes on risk. €149 (≈ $170), credited against your first order. Refunded if fewer than three qualify.
Sample coordination
We order, receive and check samples with photos and video, then ship them to you in one parcel. €49 per supplier, plus samples and shipping at cost.
Order management
Negotiation, the purchase order, production follow-up and shipping coordination. 6% of the order with a €150 minimum, and 4% on the part above €30,000.
Quality inspection
A third-party inspector at the price they charge us plus €25, or our own video inspection for €90.
Compliance check
€59 for a checklist of the CE, REACH and GPSR flags that apply to your product and who to ask for each. We flag, we do not certify.
Freight at cost
We pass on the forwarder's invoice as it is. Anything we charge for coordination shows on its own line.
What the work looks like.
Most people start with the supplier search report. You tell us what the product is, how many you want and the landed price you need to hit. We search, check each candidate's registered business details, and ask the ones that pass for quotes. What comes back is a written report: three or more suppliers, each with the factory's quote, its minimum order, its lead time and our notes on what could go wrong.
Samples come next: we order them, check them against your spec with photos and video, and forward them together. You then order from the factory and pay it directly, usually 30% at order and 70% before shipping. We follow production, arrange the inspection and coordinate freight.
An agent is not right for everyone. If you plan a container a week, a full-time buyer in China may cost less. If your first order is small, our €150 minimum makes the effective rate higher than 6%. We would rather tell you that before you pay.
No factory commission.
The most repeated complaint about sourcing agents is the one who charges you a fee and takes a second payment from the factory. Reported cases include agents who inflated the factory price by 10% to 15% without telling the buyer. We avoid it with simple rules:
- No factory pays us anything. It is written into the contract.
- You see the factory's original quote, on its letterhead, with contact details.
- You can talk to the factory whenever you like. There is no secret supplier.
- You pay the factory directly. We never hold the money for your goods.
- Freight is the forwarder's invoice, with no markup.
- If a forwarder gives us a rebate or discount, we pass it to you.
Prices.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Supplier search report | €149 (≈ $170)3 or more vetted suppliers with real quotes. Credited against the first order. Refunded if fewer than 3 qualify. |
| Samples | €49 (≈ $55) per supplierPlus samples and shipping, at cost. Up to 5 suppliers per batch. |
| Order management | 6% (min. €150 (≈ $170))4% on the part of the order above €30,000. |
| Inspection | cost + €25 (≈ $30), or €90 (≈ $105) by videoA third-party inspection is billed at cost, with the receipt shown. An inspector day usually costs $200 to $350. |
| Compliance check | €59 (≈ $70)CE, REACH and GPSR flags for your product. Not a certification. |
| Freight | At costThe forwarder's invoice, with no markup. |
An example with a €5,000 order.
Report: €149. Order management: 6% of €5,000 is €300, less the €149 credit from the report, so you pay €151 more. Video inspection: €90. Our fees come to €390, which is 7.8% of the order, with freight on top at cost. In dollars that is roughly $450 on a $5,750 order. This is an example. We work out your case before you commit.
Prices are in euros and exclude VAT where it applies. Dollar figures are rounded. Quotes are open for anything not on the list. See the full price list.
How it works.
Tell us about the product
What it is, how many, your target price and your market.
Get the supplier report
In writing, with each factory's original quote.
Order samples, then the goods
You choose, order from the factory and pay it directly.
Production, inspection, shipping
We follow the build, inspect before it leaves and coordinate freight.
What we won't promise.
- Factory prices, quality or lead times. We measure and negotiate them, but they are the factory's.
- Legal advice or customs clearance. We tell you what to check and who to ask.
- Certification. We refer you to labs and responsible-person services.
- Paying the factory for you, or holding your money.
- Liability beyond the fees you have paid.
How we work.
- Everything stays in your name: domain, accounts and data.
- Projects: 50% deposit, 50% on delivery. Monthly plans are billed in advance.
- Two rounds of changes included.
- Prices exclude VAT where it applies, and there is no small print.
Questions.
How much does a China sourcing agent charge?
Across the market, agents typically charge 3% to 10% of the order, most often 5% to 10%, and some use flat fees of several hundred dollars. We charge €149 for the report, 6% for order management (minimum €150), and inspection and freight at cost. The fees guide explains the models in full.
How do I know you take no commission from the factory?
It is written in the contract, you see the factory's original quote with its contact details, and we work for a fee. If a factory paid us, we would be breaking the contract.
Who do I pay, you or the factory?
The factory, directly. We hold no money for your goods and never take title to them. Typical terms are 30% at order and 70% before shipping, or 30/40/30 with the inspection in between.
What if the batch arrives with defects?
The defect thresholds and the remedy (re-inspection, a discount or rejection) are written into the purchase order with the factory. Our liability is limited to the fees you have paid, and we are not responsible for the factory's defects.
Keep reading.
Start with a €149 supplier report.
It is credited against your first order, and refunded if we cannot find three suppliers that qualify.