Are you a start-up business looking to import only small quantities to begin with? Are you too small for most of the major China sourcing agents, you’ve found advertising on Google?
There is a ‘Dictionary’ of the best sourcing agent in China you can make inquiries from.
Kindly remember, each sourcing agent is good at different areas, you only need to pick out the ones that can provide good service for your products.
A New Definition of Sourcing Agent in China:
The traditional role of sourcing agents in China – simply finding products for customers – is undergoing a transformation.
What Does a China Sourcing Agent?
Today’s sourcing agents offer a wider range of services to meet the changing needs of businesses importing from China. This expanded role goes beyond mere product procurement to include a range of value-added services that streamline the import process and improve business results.
Traditional vs. Modern Sourcing Agent Services:
Traditionally, sourcing agents focused on simply finding products for clients.
However, their role has evolved to encompass a wider range of value-added services:
Product Sourcing: Finding reliable manufacturers for your desired products based on your specifications and budget.
Quality Control (QC): Conducting inspections at factories to ensure products meet international standards and your specific requirements.
Managing warehouse facilities for product storage,, packaging, and order fulfillment.
Logistics Management: Handling shipping arrangements, customs clearance, and ensuring timely delivery to your destination.
Compliance and Regulations: Keeping you informed of relevant import regulations and ensuring your products comply with international standards.
Project Management: Overseeing the entire import process, from sourcing to delivery.
How Much Does a Chinese Sourcing Agent Charge?
As there is no exact standard for how much for China sourcing agent fee, usually you will pay the sourcing commission rate between 5%-10% of the order cost.
However, the percentage will depend on the amount of the order and also the type of product.
Kindly note, as a compliant sourcing company, we know that if some companies maintain price transparency and the commission is lower than 3%, there is a lot of risk in the future handling of funds.
What Require from Sourcing Agent in China?
A good China sourcing agent may need you to provide a product specification sheet, which is a detailed, concise document that clearly describes all your product specifications.
Basic include:
Product name,
MOQ, target price
Description,
reference pictures or links
Your business plan
Your special requirements
Product Range of China Sourcing Agent can Source:
By the way, a China sourcing agent can only help source common products.
If you need to import industry products, most China sourcing agents cannot provide help. You have to find suppliers by yourself or travel to China to visit desirable suppliers. However, they can help you with order tracking, quality control, and other assistance after you find a supplier.
8 Types of China Sourcing Agents:
Some companies claim to help you find any product, how is this possible? Each company buys a different product line, so don’t limit yourself to working with just one company.
China sourcing agents come in various types, each catering to different aspects of the sourcing and procurement process.
Here are some common types of China sourcing agents:
These agents help you source a wide range of products from various suppliers in China. They can handle everything from finding suppliers to negotiating prices and managing quality control, like Yiwu market sourcing agent
Product-Specific Agents: Some agents specialize in specific product categories, such as food, toys, electronics, textiles, or machinery. They have expertise in their chosen field and can provide valuable insights and connections.
Quality control agents focus on ensuring that the products you source from China meet your quality standards. They perform inspections, factory audits, and quality control checks. like 1688 sourcing agent
Shipping and Logistics Agents: These agents assist with shipping, customs clearance, and logistics. They help you navigate the complexities of importing goods from China to your destination.
Trade Show Agents: If you plan to attend trade shows or exhibitions in China to find suppliers, trade show agents can help you with logistics, translation, and introductions to potential suppliers.
Manufacturing Sourcing Agents: For businesses looking to manufacture industrialization and a series of uncommon mechanical products custom products in China, manufacturing agents can help with factory selection, production oversight, and quality control.
Dropshipping Sourcing Agents: If you run a dropshipping business, dropshipping agents can help you find products, manage inventory, and handle order fulfillment.
Market Sourcing Agents: These agents specialize in sourcing products from local China markets, like Yiwu markets, Guangzhou Markets, Shenzhen Markets…
Engage in deeper conversations with company leaders, and you’ll gain a deeper understanding of each company’s philosophy.
Some companies focus on cheap goods, while others focus on services. It’s really hard to strike a balance between the two.
Approved 50 Best Sourcing Agent in China:
I have sorted out some legal Chinese sourcing agents, some of them are also called Chinese export agents, trade agents, Yiwu agent.,
The list of the best Chinese sourcing agents is as follows for reference:
*Please contact us if you are a professional China sourcing agent. I will add you to this form list.
Do You Need an Agent to Buy from China?
If you are new to importing from China and have many various products to import, you need a China sourcing agent to help you reach so many works like sourcing different suppliers, factory audit, cut-price, product inspection, and shipping, etc.
If you only have a few products, you can buy directly from the factory, no need to hire a China sourcing agent to increase your cost.
Whether you need an agent to import from China depends on your experience and specific needs.
Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
You Might Benefit from a China Sourcing Agent if:
• You’re new to importing: Agents can simplify the process by handling tasks like finding suppliers, negotiating prices, and managing logistics.
• Your products are complex: Agents with expertise in quality control and compliance can be helpful for complex products with specific requirements.
• You’re ordering a large SKU volume: Agents can help you secure better pricing and manage large shipments efficiently.
You Might be Able to Import without an Agent if:
• You’re an experienced importer: If you’re familiar with the process and have established relationships with suppliers, you may be able to handle things yourself.
• Your products are simple and have low value: For lower-risk products, the cost of an agent might not be justified.
How to Find a Sourcing Agent in China?
However, one must understand that the “best sourcing agent in China” is a very vague name for the profession, and almost anyone can “proclaim” himself the best sourcing agent in China.
I often describe Chinese sourcing agents as “90 percent are crooks or incompetent, and most are a combination of both.
But ten percent are worth more than their weight in gold.”
So how do you find a “value for money” sourcing agent?
Unfortunately, the best method I know of is word of mouth. I say “unfortunately” because that means you already need someone who knows enough about working with international manufacturing to be able to give you a good referral.
The good news in this regard is that good sourcing agents will not source products they are not familiar with.
So if we have a client who needs help sourcing an unusual product and we don’t know a sourcing experience associated with that product, we will go to a good sourcing agent we know and ask them for a recommendation.
So, when choosing this specialist, you need to make informed decisions. Otherwise, you may lose much more than the amount of his commission.
Here 7 steps to find sourcing agent in China. You can use this points to identify a suitable and reliable best sourcing agent in China:
1. Collect Potential China Sourcing Agents List
The first step in finding a sourcing agent in China is to compile a list of potential candidates. Then, through further communication, you can eliminate those candidates who are not very capable of providing services. Below some ways you can use to find the China sourcing agent:
Social Media
Referrals
Trade Fair
2. Ask them Professional Product Knowledge and Market Trends:
The import process from China can be completely different, depending on the product. Certain types of goods are very complex, like electronics and auto motives, and many other bulky goods.
It is essential to involve a sourcing agent with the necessary knowledge of the product because this can play a decisive role in whether the delivery turns out to be profitable or failed.
3. Have Good Communication Ability
The best sourcing agent in China must have a strong command of English in writing and language and should be able to communicate easily with you by phone and email.
Also, they must be highly efficient and quick to respond to emails or WeChat because of the time difference between China and other countries.
4. Have a Transparent and Legal Process
Finding a sourcing agent is easy. But to find a qualified best sourcing agent in China, you need an effective and competently implemented strategy.
A right purchasing agent acts transparently and methodically and puts customer requirements for the product and the availability of the necessary certificates in the first place, rather than established relationships with suppliers and the possibility of getting a kickback.
4.1 A professional China sourcing agent may include these details:
Professional payment methods: Offer various payment methods including PayPal, Alibaba trade assurance, T/T bank, Hong Kong bank…
Superior geographical location: Located in an active trading area: Yiwu, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou
Perfect quality control process: Warehouse staff conduct multi-party product quality control.
5. Have Professional Import & Export Knowledge and Experience
Any best sourcing agent in China must have a good knowledge of the legality and paperwork related to import and export. This includes the import and export process, the requirements for certificates and documents, licenses, etc.
5.1 Questions Ask for a Sourcing Agent:
In addition to having a predefined procurement procedure, the best sourcing agent in China should be able to give a clear answer to the following questions:
Based on what factors do they classify the supplier as qualified/unskilled?
Is a purchasing agent expected to pay for the product or directly to the supplier?
What is his strategy to prevent and combat fraud? (e.g., payment fraud)
Will he control the procurement process entirely on his own or partially outsource it, and if so, in which part?
Is the agent ready to deal with potential disputes regarding the quality of the goods during production and upon completion?
How long has the agent been operating?
Does he plan to request a product from an “already verified” supplier or to look for new ones?
Does the agent have customer reviews from your country?
6. Have a Legally Registered Company
At a minimum, a qualified sourcing agent must be a registered company and have an office in at least one Chinese city, including Hong Kong. A more qualified buying agent is likely to have an office not only in China but also in your country.
Of course, this does not affect the success of your transaction, but this is undoubtedly an indicator of how strong the agent’s position is and confirms its reliability.
7. Physical Visit if Possible
Scheduling a physical visit to the sourcing agent’s office in China, when possible, offers valuable insights into their infrastructure, company culture, and fosters stronger relationships.
Alternatives to In-Person Visits:
Video Conference: If travel is not feasible, please schedule a video conference with the agent. Take a virtual tour of their offices and warehouses (if applicable) using screen sharing. This still gives a good overview of their operations.
The Risks of Working with China Sourcing Agent:
Be wary of Cooperating with SoHo Sourcing Agents in China.
I’m not saying that you can’t cooperate with the Soho China sourcing agent because they also have many advantages.
For example, they respond promptly, have an enthusiastic attitude, and help you deal with many other things. But you also have to know that they have a lot of potential risks,
They may change jobs or careers at any time. This is so common, we have answered countless calls saying that their sourcing agent in China is not doing this job anymore, and then they need to cooperate with us.
They do not have the funds to deal with unexpected situations such as lost goods or quality problems.
After winning your trust, they may collect the last sum of money from you and then disappear.
Common Problems with Using a Sourcing Agent?
Using a commission-only sourcing agent can become very expensive and risky for many purchasers.
Buyers usually end up paying a higher price – for example, does the buying agent want 10% commission on a $100,000 order or 10% commission on a $90,000 order?
Sourcing agents will only get paid when your order ships. However, they may often apply pressure to ship the goods out. This can result in low quality products.
The sourcing agent is not responsible for any problems that may arise.
Sourcing agents focus on generating sales to earn commissions, not on providing services to protect you and your company.
The Million Questions: Using a China Sourcing Agent is Worth it?
Whether to use a sourcing agent in China or figure it out for you is up to you. The main question you must ask yourself is whether you can afford to sacrifice your time for money.
Finding your own suppliers generally takes more time and effort that you could be spending on other parts of your business.
If you already have your own experience in managing labor-intensive tasks that carry certain risks, then do not hesitate – save money and do it yourself.
However, you should hire a China sourcing agent only after you made an attempt to find your own factories. Services like Alibaba and global sources have made it extremely easy to find reliable suppliers online.
If you have the means, attending trade shows like the canton fair or global sources are invaluable for meeting suppliers face to face.
Who is the Best Sourcing Agent in China?
The “best sourcing agent in China” is a very vague name for the profession, and almost anyone can “proclaim” himself the best sourcing agent in China.
I don’t think we can ever find a perfect best China sourcing agent, we just need to find a capable and trusted sourcing agent.
To me, the owners’ personal characters matter the most.
Whether you look for a China sourcing agent or do it yourself, it’s up to you. If you already have your own experience in managing labor-intensive tasks that carry certain risks, then do not hesitate – save money and do it yourself.
What you don’t want is a sourcing agent who writes things down on envelopes and constantly misses the mark. Global sourcing is not easy. There are many moving parts and the unexpected is the only thing you can expect.
Years of experience and the right systems in place can effectively represent your interest in suppliers. If they spend more time trying to flatter or please you than talking about the project management process, then they don’t have the capabilities you need.
At last, if you are looking for a China sourcing agent, just submit a form and we will reply in 24 hours, and Supplyia was there to help us every step of the way.
Are you looking for a reputable sourcing firm in China? We’ve compiled a list of some of the best sourcing firms in China, including those in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Yiwu, and other places.
Each firm profile includes information about the company’s product expertise, services, and office location, among other things.
Source: MatchSourcing
Location: Guangzhou, China
Industry: Sourcing
MatchSourcing, situated in Guangzhou, China, is the best China sourcing agent that you can and is noted for its comprehensive services and high durability of products.
They have convenient access to public transportation. They specialize in sourcing and exporting a wide range of products from the Chinese market. You don’t even have to travel to China to find dependable goods.
Because MatchSourcing is confident in its capacity to deliver, they accept responsibility for the success of your material procurement. From your first free consultation to the supply of your products and beyond, MatchSourcing is there to ensure optimal efficiency, cost savings, and profitability.
Overview of the services offered:
Source: Imex Sourcing
Year Established: 2014
Location: Hong-Kong, China
Industry: Sourcing
Imex is the appropriate choice if you’re searching for a sourcing company that can handle everything from source research to shipping, product development to logistics. The organization provides end-to-end sourcing, inspections, and quality services, reducing your workload.
Imex Sourcing’s founder and CEO, Ash Monga, worked as an e-commerce vendor in the United Kingdom before going to China and founding his own company. Imex Sourcing is one of the few sourcing agents in China that gives its clients exposure to a customizable website where they can check the status of their sourcing requests, making it easy to control the process.
Overview of the services offered:
Source: Asiaction Sourcing
Year Established: 2004
Location: Guangzhou, China
Industry: Sourcing
Asiaction is conveniently located in Guangdong, in the south of China, which is known as the “Factory Capital of the World” because of its long manufacturing history and large number of enterprises.
Asiaction Sourcing is a China sourcing agent that is owned by a French company. Originally focusing on the design and furniture industry, Asiaction sourcing now provides a broad range of product design and product sourcing across a variety of industries.
Asiaction specializes in creating its own items, some of which have been scooped up by Amazon Select. As a result, Asiaction Sourcing’s staff offers a unique insight into the market, from production to final consumer.
Overview of the services offered:
Source: Jing Sourcing
Year Established: 2015
Location: Yiwu, China
Industry: Sourcing
For new buyers, sourcing and importing from China can be a difficult process full of unknowns. Jingsourcing is dedicated to assisting those importers, particularly those who run e-commerce businesses. Most sourcing agencies in China are made up of teams of less than ten employees that cater to larger conventional dealers, but they cater to small and medium-sized firms.
Jing sourcing organization is situated in Yiwu, Zhejiang, China’s largest hub for wholesale products, and is named after its outstanding founder, Zhu Jing. It has a large online presence and provides a free product sourcing service to small businesses.
All they need is the description of the goods, and they’ll respond with price quotes from numerous suppliers in their database. Jing Sourcing also provides cost-effective product sampling, order follow-up, and product sourcing services, ensuring that you’re covered from beginning to end.
Overview of the services offered:
Source: Guided Imports
Year Established: 2008
Location: China
Industry: Sourcing
Guided Imports is a China sourcing services company that helps importers with sourcing, quality control, delivery, and other logistics. They provide more customized solutions and packaging modification options, as well as more logistic solutions for smaller-scale shipments. To preserve professionalism, they also impose higher criteria for personnel recruitment and training.
They offer a client-specific approach that incorporates services like cost estimation, quality control monitoring, CSR audits, and door-to-door deliveries. They also assist in the area of product compliance. They can, for example, assist you in determining the labeling requirements in a certain nation.
Overview of the services offered:
Source: Bay Source Global
Location: Shanghai, China
Industry: Sourcing
Unlike other Chinese corporations, Baysource Global is headquartered in the United States, with its headquarters in Tampa, Florida. It provides a wide range of services, primarily to small and medium-sized enterprises in the United States, ranging from contract manufacturing to sourcing. The company operates as a China sourcing agent for importers and buyers situated in the United States.
Baysource is well known for manufacturing outsourcing, but its facilities can also be used for product sourcing. If you’re a small company or an engineering firm wanting to outsource manufacturing, this is a viable choice for you.
Overview of the services offered:
Source: Source One
Year Established: 1991
Location: Guangdong, China
Industry: Sourcing
SourceOne boasts over 30 years of manufacturing and sourcing experience in Asia. The company’s headquarters are in Hong Kong, but it also has offices in the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Thailand, and India.
All of their clients share Source One’s dedication to lowering costs, improving product quality and procedures, and providing a unique competitive solution that has allowed them to expand their businesses for the past thirty years.
These Chinese sourcing agents publish reports, flowcharts, and audit samples on its website to assist importers in understanding the process. They offer reports on product cost savings, internal audits, and project planning flowcharts.
Overview of the services offered:
Source: Dragon Sourcing
Year Established: 2004
Location: Shanghai, China
Industry: Sourcing
Dragon Sourcing is a China sourcing company and is one of the most well-known sourcing firms on our list, with operations in France, the US, the UK, Turkey, Brazil, Austria, and many other companies. Through their broad network of suppliers, they can give you low-cost country sourcing due to their global footprint.
The company began in Shanghai in 2004, but within a decade, it had expanded throughout Asia. Importers in Europe, Australia, and North America may now obtain cheaper goods from China with no extra effort thanks to Dragon Sourcing. Dragon Sourcing is also a well-known and respected sourcing firm that has received great comments from internet customers.
Dragon Sourcing is your go-to partner for purchasing competitively from emerging economies for export, purchasing for local operations, or gaining global procurement intelligence to make smarter decisions. With a small number of companies, they hope to build long-term relationships based on trust, openness, and commercial integrity.
Overview of the services offered:
Source: China Sourcelink
Location: Shenzhen, China
Industry: Sourcing and Manufacturing
China Sourcelink is a corporation located in the United States and China that provides worldwide supply chain solutions. They can assist you in managing your new and existing product supply chain. They assist with warehouse and order fulfillment in addition to supplier sourcing, RFQ, and manufacturing.
They also produce LED lighting, photovoltaic systems, construction materials, textiles, and basic packaging as a contract manufacturer. From material sourcing to transporting goods, they may assist with ODM or OEM products.
Overview of the services offered:
Source: Keen Sourcing
Location: Shanghai, China
Industry: Sourcing
Keen Sourcing is a sourcing agency established in China that works with small businesses and Amazon vendors. Product sourcing, pricing negotiation, supplier validation, factory audit, and other services are available in this company.
Product Sourcing Service and Quality Control Service are the two primary categories of services offered by Keen Sourcing. The product sourcing service focuses on delivering a complete solution, from supplier sourcing to shipment management, while the second service focuses solely on manufacturing quality control.
Overview of the services offered:
Most sourcing firms are capable of much more than simply sourcing things. You can reach out to any one of the above-mentioned sourcing firms according to your sourcing requirements.
But, the best and the top in our list is MatchSourcing, due to their impeccable services. So, feel free to contact MatchSouring for any of your queries and import goods from China easily.