Complete List: 50 Best Sourcing Agent in China

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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 ‘DIRECTORY’ of the best sourcing agent in China you can make inquiries from. 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.

 

 

What Does a Sourcing Agent 2.0 in China Mean?

It’s time to Sourcing Agent 2.0. Sourcing agents 2.0 are ideal for small, medium, and other E-commerce businesses like eBay, Shopify, and Amazon FBA Sellers.

 

What Is a China Sourcing Agent?

A sourcing agent is a company’s full-time specialist or freelancer who helps foreign people in business import goods from China and also can provide some extra service with small amounts,  like packaging, customization, ODM, OEM,  dropshipping, fast delivery.

 

What Does a Sourcing Agent Do?

Modern sourcing agent/company is not just about helping you find cheap products, but also helping you ensure the legality and stability of your supply chain.

Here’s what, the best sourcing agent in China can do for your business:

• Find new products and suppliers

• Audit existing suppliers

• Negotiate and draft contracts

• Guide you the market trends and designs

• Visit enterprises and conduct quality control

• Reduce the risk of importing goods from China

• Manage shipments and logistics process

• Extra customization services

 

Why Do You Need to Engage a Sourcing Agent 2.0 from China?

If you are an Amazon or online seller, you may look to import products from Alibaba, 1688, or anywhere else from China, and you can see thousands of wholesale supplier companies also on the internet.

But, deciding which supplier could provide top quality at the most reasonable price would be challenging because most factory manufactures do not speak English, and they can only market their goods to exporting firms or buying agents to foreign importers.

And also, some buyers need some extra service for e-commerce products sourcing. This is where a China sourcing agent 2.0 comes into play. 

 

 

How Much Do Sourcing Agents Charge in China?

As there is no exact standard for 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. If your order is bigger, You can negotiate with the sourcing agent about the sourcing fee.

 

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/Product Description/Reference Pictures/Link/Certifications (i.e. for EU/USA compliance)

 

Product Range of China Sourcing Agent

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.

 

 

 

When Do You Need a Sourcing Agent?

 

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.

 

5 Options for Sourcing Your Products from China

Let us further analyze which cooperation model is suitable for you when you find a way to source from China.

 

1. Buy from Factory Directly

That’s what 82% of importers are trying to do. They want to control the process and avoid paying commissions to any intermediary or sourcing agent.

This may be your best choice if you have sufficient organizational capacity to manage suppliers (see above), and you can meet the vendor’s minimum order quantity (MOQ).

 

2. Use a China Sourcing Agent

There are thousands of people in China trying to make a living by providing this service. If they come from the right industry, you can use their network and save a lot of time. They can also act as your Chinese representative。

But it should be noted that try not to cooperate with SoHo China sourcing agent. They can perform perfectly at the beginning with quick responses, detailed information, and price advantages, but once there is a problem with the product, they are unable to provide compensation, or even run away.

 

3. Buy from a Trading Company

This is a good choice buy from a trade company if you can’t meet the MOQ, perhaps as a start-up or an entrepreneur who has been an early target.

Sometimes trading companies place large orders from the factory and it’s even cheaper than you buy from the factory

But need to attention, trading companies can also place their products order in small workshops that accept small ones. 

 

4. Use the Service Company

Some Chinese purchasing agents (or Freelancers) provide sourcing services and charge one-time fees($200-$500).

Everything is transparent (supplier name, a process followed, etc.) for this service and it is an investment in your company before you start production. Such China agents used to be very rare, but I believe they will become more and more common in the future. 

 

5. Other Options

If you can afford to open a procurement office (usually costing $100,000 or more per year), this may be a good idea. You can hire some staff who know the industry and can help you find good suppliers.

You can also manage the supplier qualification process from your headquarters. Your staff (or yourself) can attend trade shows and/or browse online catalogs and then visit factories.

 

But whatever option you choose, don’t forget that finding the right suppliers/China sourcing agent takes time and effort and should be completed professionally. Without a good partner, the import business is worthless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 size of their company salesmen varies from a few to hundreds. You may need to spend a little time and effort to pick the right one for you, if you can visit China, a site visit is the best ways to start your business. The list of the best Chinese sourcing agents is as follows: 

 

Company Name	Services	Location
Supplyia	A transparent China sourcing agent/product sourcing agent	Yiwu, China & New York
LeelineSourcing	China sourcing agent company	Wuhan, China
Amanda	Yiwu local agent in Yiwu China	Yiwu, China
Ruizhi Sourcing	China sourcing agent factory audit/product engineering	Shenzhen China/ho chin minh Vietnam
Sourcing Nova	China sourcing agent	Shenzhen
Tonysourcing	wholesale toys China	Yiwu, China
Skylark	China sourcing agent	Yiwu, China
skab-beratung	Germany sourcing agent	Shenzhen, China
Nichedropshipping	Drop shipping sourcing agent	Hangzhou, China
China Purchasing Agent	Purchasing agent in China	Shenzhen, China
Huntersourcing	Buying Agent Service	Jiaxing, China
Jing Sourcing	Commodity sourcing agent	Yiwu, China.
Sourcing Bro	China Sourcing Agent Service Guangzhou	Shenzhen, China
B2c Sourcing	B2C China sourcing agent	Ningbo, China
Iris International	China sourcing agent and supply	Hong Kong, China
Foshan Sourcing	China sourcing agent help import Foshan	Foshan, China
Dragon Sourcing	Global sourcing company	Worldwide Offices
Imex Sourcing Services	Sourcing for the digital age	Guangzhou &HongKong China
Ejet	China export agent	Guangzhou & Hangzhou, China
Qaizen Group	Asia sourcing firm	Shanghai, China
Golden shiny	Yiwu sourcing agent	Yiwu, China
Source in China	China Product sourcing agent	Dongguan, China
Arcadia Sourcing	China manufacturing companies	Hong Kong, China
Global Trade Specialists	Helping buy direct from China	Colorado, Vienna, Austria, China
Giolong International	China sourcing-factory audits	Montreal, Canada & Shanghai
China Performance Group	Sourcing management company	New Jersey & Beijing, China
JS Sourcing	Towards safer sourcing in China	Shanghai, China
FBA China Sourcing	Amazon product sourcing agent	Hongkong, China & Europe
DTL Sourcing	A leading sourcing company	Hongkong, China
Maple Sourcing	Product sourcing, quality inspection	Shenzhen, China
MatchSourcing	Made fast, simple and safe	Fuzhou, China
China 2 West	Manufacturing in China	China & US, UK
Nicobar Group	Supply chain support	Shanghai, China
Fami Sourcing	China sourcing company for start-up	Guangzhou, China
BizShenzhen	Transparent China sourcing company	Shenzhen, China
Pinnacle Sourcing	Global sourcing company	India & Shanghai, China
Meeno Group	China product buying agent in Yiwu	Yiwu, China
Asiaction	Specialized in sourcing	Hongkong and Guangzhou
Baysource Global	Accelerate your product launch	US & Shanghai, China
Linc Sourcing	China sourcing agent	Europe & China
Easy Imex	Chinese import agent	UK & China
ImportDojo	Hongkong China sourcing agent	Hongkong, China
Riwick	Furniture China sourcing agent	Foshan, Guangdong, China
Dong Sourcing	Your sincere agent in China	Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
ANCO China	Global sourcing solutions for you	US & China
Casino Global Sourcing	Sourcing Services	Hongkong, China
Tanndy	Sourcing Agent Guangzhou china	Guangzhou, China
Chick Sourcing	Trusted sourcing agent	Shenzhen, China
Made In China Sourcing	China sourcing company	China, Australia, UK
China Division	Worldwide order fulfilment	Shenzhen, China
Sourcing Spectrum	Sourcing agency in China	China
Peng Light	The best Led sourcing agent	Shenzhen, China
China Direct Sourcing	Managed end-to-end import	Australia
China import agents	Agent in Delhi, Mumbai, India	India
e-heng	Import and export agency	Shanghai, China
Supplyia sourcing	The best sourcing agent in china/Product sourcing company	Yiwu, China

 

*Please contact us if you are a professional China sourcing agent. I will add you to this form list. 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits of Working with China Sourcing Agents

I can say that in reality, “something goes wrong,” for the production process is very often.

In such situations, there is nothing more important than the assistance of a strong, experienced, and reliable partner on the spot.

It is difficult, but if at all possible, ensure there is no kickback behind the selection of a specific supplier.

However, you can minimize your vulnerability to the associated risks. If you choose the supplier yourself and not the sourcing agent, the factor of a possible kickback is excluded.

Whether to attract the best sourcing agent in China or figure it out for you is 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.

But if you want to source from China by yourself, you should be cautious. I wrote in this post that sourcing companies can provide you with many benefits:

 

• Select the Best Supplier:

A good sourcing agent in China can help you find a better supplier through a more scientific approval process comprising of supplier pre-qualification, background checks, and factory audits.

 

• Develop of New Products:

You will spend a lot of time developing samples, communicating, and solving problems, and these things will make you feel frustrated. The China agent obviously does these things very well and is more efficient.

 

• Perfect Product Specification System:

Most buyers always expect the factory to provide you with more professional services. Unfortunately, many factories do not have professional personnel to handle these. Therefore, a good sourcing agent in China can help you follow the details

 

• Do Quality Control:

Of course, good sourcing agents in China also pay attention to quality details. They know better how to check the quality, and they also know how to communicate with the factory when the goods have quality problems. This will save you a lot of time.

 

• Reduce Payment Risks:

A good sourcing agent in China always pays attention to his reputation, so you can get better protection when dealing with them.

 

• Get Out of Trouble Fast:

When there are problems with your product after-sale, just think about it, how can you quickly solve these problems by email? If you have a sourcing agent in China, he can stand on your side to protect your interests.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

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.

At the same time, you should not be attracted to their rhetoric and low-price tactics from the start. Ethical compliance and the ability to pay for some damages are qualities of a good agent. It is not difficult to find some China sourcing agents, usually you can find in these places:

• Google
• Social Media
• Referrals
• Trade Fair

 

2. Know 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.

Ask the sourcing agent to provide feedback from his industry customers and case studies. Of course, it is much more challenging to find the best sourcing agent with professional experience in niche products.

Still, nevertheless, you can ask for feedback from customers from related industries to understand whether this agent has sufficient qualifications or not.

 

 

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.

 

3.1 Understand Your Needs Quickly:

It is also essential that the purchasing agent be quick to understand the precise requirements of his customers. They can communicate with the supplier on behalf of the user based on product ideas.

If your sourcing agent is unable to understand your real needs very clearly, it will take longer to change the product back. The best sourcing agent makes sure to carry out quality checks and tests for customers.

 

 

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 The Standard China Sourcing Agent Work Process:

• Approval of specifications and certificate requirements

• Supplier search

• Initial price request, order samples, and selection of qualified suppliers

• Price negotiations

• Audit of qualified suppliers

• Final supplier selection

• Conclusion of a sales contract

• Product manufacturing and quality control

• Arrange shipping

 

 

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? 

• Willing to sign NNN Agreement?

 

 

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.

Chinese suppliers are usually concentrated in industrial clusters on the coast. The territorial proximity of your agent to a specific industrial group, of course, can be beneficial in case something goes wrong during the production process. In addition, this will reduce the cost of transportation.

 

 

7. Do Supply Chain Management without Any Kickbacks

Imagine this situation:

Which agent would you prefer to work with?

• selecting a supplier who can manufacture the product for you under your requirements,
• or selecting a supplier who is ready to pay him a more significant kickback?

 

Unless you are seeking bankruptcy, I would advise you to choose the first one.

Many China sourcing companies resist rebates in order to preserve their reputation, but their underlying procurement employees are “quietly” doing it.

This requires constant audits by the company to prevent this from happening

 

The Ugly Truth Behind China Sourcing Agent: Kickbacks!

China sourcing agents often commit kickbacks from suppliers. Kickback is the fee offered by the supplier to the sourcing agent, as an incentive to choose this supplier. While around the world, this phenomenon is simply called “corruption.”

In China, it is everyday practice. Kickbacks, or bribes, can undermine your deal for four main reasons:

• The supplier, of course, compensates its costs for the kickback by increasing the price of the goods, i.e., ultimately, you pay.
• The sourcing agent is likely to choose the supplier who offers the most considerable kickback and not the supplier who can ensure compliance with your (and regulatory) quality requirements.
• The Sourcing agent is likely to take the side of the supplier in the event of a dispute. Such China sourcing agents value their relationship with the supplier more than with the client.
• You will be ignored, and you will find yourself in very cramped circumstances if something goes wrong at the production stage.

 

 

 

 

 

How to Avoid China Sourcing Agent Scam?

1. 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,

1. 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.
2. They do not have the funds to deal with unexpected situations such as lost goods or quality problems. 
3. After winning your trust, they may collect the last sum of money from you and then disappear.

 

2. Be Wary of Agree to Many Harsh Conditions at The Beginning.

Let me tell a recent story about us:

An American seller wants to cooperate with us with an annual purchase volume of about 2 million US dollars. Of course, it makes us very happy. We also approve that the potential of such buyers in the later period is excellent.

But when the buyer proposes to reduce our sourcing commission ratio and add a lot of extra work. We resolutely refused. Why? Because we found that the profits he brought were not enough to cover our costs. And we started new negotiations with them.

 

I am not saying that rejection is good. Instead, when you are negotiating with them, you can discover their logic of thinking.

Smart people always like to do business with smart people because they understand each other’s values. Therefore, those China sourcing agents who straightly argue with you and explain to you patiently are doing things following logic and standards.

 

3. Video Communication with the Development Manager in the Early Stage.

All of our customers with an annual purchase volume of about one million US dollars will have many video chats about both parties’ future development plans in the early stage so that both parties have a general understanding.

When you communicate with your sourcing agent in China, you can also discover their expression and thinking skills. These are necessary for future business development.

When you are looking for a sourcing agent in China, the agent is also judging whether you are a good customer who will make them willing to serve.

 

 

 

Examples for Hiring China Sourcing Company:

Good China agent example, As Brad Pritts:

We have achieved overall (but not 100%) good results using sourcing companies with Chinese employees. As suggested, the local presence of the sourcing company could provide a more continuous follow-up, and I think there is a deeper connection to the factory.

I also want China sourcing agent to earn commissions, and that’s what good sourcing companies do. I hope they bring awareness and comfort to Western business practices.

Good companies also provide technical supervision. As the saying goes, “You can eliminate the middleman, but you can’t eliminate his function”.

While recognizing that a sourcing company is a different business, for the most part, we treat people in a sourcing company as if they were the sales department of a factory; we respect their relationship and keep prices private discussions, but all other issues are Fair game discussion with the factory.

 

Negative China sourcing agent example, Michelle：

Hi, I am from China and worked in both trading company and factory(trading) before, the service quality between the trading company is really different, a lot of trading companies are pretending to be a factory and have little control over the factory (quality) unless you are a big buyer.

I am now working for a brand in the U.S., I never thought how incompetent a lot of trading companies are(mostly in sec-level cities): not professional, avoiding direct problems from a customer, and especially for the small trading company is not able to take full responsibility on the quality problem because of little money they have.

And the pure factory (for my industry) requires big volume quantity, it is very hard for small/independent brands to enter.

Friendly reminder:
1. Don’t place an order before the prototype, if you have problems in the prototype the chances are the quality will be bad in bulk.
2. Alibaba lists are misleading a lot of time, companies are posting fake pictures and videos

 

 

 

 

 

China Sourcing Agent Conclusion: 

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. 

 

My thought: 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. At last, if you are looking for a China sourcing agent, just submit this form and we will reply in 24 hours.

 

 

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China Sourcing Agent FAQ

What is the purpose of sourcing agents in China?

A sourcing agent in China is a person or company who will control and take care of China’s whole sourcing process for you as a company. From searching for the product at the right suppliers until the contractual part in China.

What does a sourcing agent do?

A China sourcing agent helps the company source products and supplies at low prices to save money on production. China sourcing agents may represent a single employer or could run a business that serves several companies. In a word, a China sourcing agent helps you build your own supply chain. 

How much do sourcing agents make?

The most common forms of compensation a China sourcing agent will receive are the Flat rate commission: This rate is usually advertised and ranges between 5% – 10% of the factory price. They charge this fee when paying the supplier and add it to their clients’ invoices. You can negotiate with the agent for the commission if you have a big order. 

What are sourcing companies?

A China sourcing agent or a sourcing agent helps a company find products and supplies at a low cost or a certain quality or attribute. Some may represent a few select factories or serve multiple companies. The most important thing a sourcing agent can help you with is making your supply chain stable.

What is the sourcing process?

The China sourcing process includes every activity identifying and assessing potential suppliers and selecting and engaging with an appropriate supplier who offers the best value. 

How much does it cost to ship samples from China using a sourcing agent?

The actual shipping fee may be calculated based on the weight and volume of your goods, and it is also related to the transportation method you choose. The sooner you want to receive it, you can choose FedEx, DHL… China sourcing agents usually add a little fee to it, after all, they also spend time and manpower to help you deal with matters.  You can consult for specific prices.

How to Get the Best Sourcing Agent in China?

What does a sourcing agent in China do?

A sourcing agent in China will cooperate with your company to search, identity, negotiate and handle suppliers in China. They can also support market research, quality control, pre-shipment assessment, custom clearance, and business growth.

What does a sourcing agent Guangdong China?

In Guangdong, a Sourcing agent helps you import from China and provides these services: Products assembling in Guangzhou, Warehouse/factory storage in Guangdong, sourcing in Guangdong and Guangdong local supply-chain services, and translation services.