Sourcing Agent – Many Tips for Successful China Sourcing

Sourcing agents in China can be a complex process for businesses looking for the best products and services at the best prices.
Finding the right source for your needs can be challenging with so many options and different quality levels.
Here are some tips for finding a sourcing agent in China to help you succeed.

Chapter #1 Sourcing In China Basic

China has risen to become the most critical industry in this world. This country has everything to look for—plastic stuff, metal items, and trendy products. For this reason, it’s not surprising why more and more businesses and start-ups choose China when sourcing their products. 
A key aspect of why businesses are sourcing products from China is to get high-quality products at the best deal. Obtaining high-quality products at lower prices improves the profit margin too. However, despite the costs and quality benefits, risks are still awaiting. 
If it’s your first time doing china sourcing, you must know the risk and how to minimize them. And the best approach is to get a china sourcing agent or a china sourcing company to guide you. This article will guide you on your sourcing China journey. 

What does sourcing from china mean?

Sourcing from China is a terrific method for online and offline retailers to locate appealing items for their customers. China can offer various products, more than low-cost items and knockoffs. Instead, Chinese factories are stepping up their game to provide high-quality products at a low price. 

What is a China Sourcing Agent?

A China sourcing agent is a person or company that offers services. They are in charge of sourcing China’s needs for your product, supplier, and shipping needs. China agents will also help you when sourcing products from China since they have the skills and experience. 

What is a China Sourcing Company?

A china sourcing company assists importers and other companies in sourcing products from China. They ensure that they give the best and china source products that meet their clients’ requirements. They can also provide lists of suppliers and factories best to work with.

What is the distinction between China Sourcing Agent and China Sourcing Company?

A China Sourcing Agent and a China Sourcing Company don’t differ much as both provide varieties of sourcing services. However, an agent can either be a firm or a single person who is an expert with sourcing processes. 

Why do you need to hire a sourcing agent in China?

When sourcing products from China, you will need an assistant with various tasks, such as looking for a supplier, product sourcing, negotiation, inspection, etc. With their help, your China sourcing process will be much easier and faster. 

Chapter #2 The Pros And Cons Of Working With A Sourcing China Agent and Company

Pros

Has vast link

Connections are super crucial to China sourcing agents. They focus on building links to China’s top suppliers and factories. As a result, when you work with them, rest assured that they will partner you with only the trusted and reliable supplier and factory. 

Select the best suppliers

As noted above, top china sourcing agents only partner with the best suppliers and factories. There are lots of fraudulent suppliers and factories in China. If you don’t know to identify which ones of them are legit and who are not, these scammers might lure you. 
It is where a china sourcing agent comes in handy since they can determine whether or not the supplier is legit, lowering the risks. They will also deliver you a list of suppliers who undergo investigations to ensure their validity. 

Get the best deals

Getting the best deals may appear easy, but in reality, it’s not. The best deals result from finding suitable suppliers, negotiating prices, shipping methods, raw materials, quality control, etc. You might face higher expenses if you don’t know how to use that leverage. 
On the contrary, if you work with the best sourcing agent in China, you can use their negotiation and master skills. They know how to reduce costs and will understand how to negotiate with the suppliers to give you the best deal possible. 

Provides samples from other vendors

China sourcing agents have worked with multiple suppliers and vendors, and they can offer you samples all at once. If you have e-commerce with various products, these services will allow you to source the best quality of products. 

Bridge the language barrier

A problem that you might face when sourcing China is the language barrier. Most suppliers and vendors in China don’t know how to speak and communicate with the English language. You can likely get wrong information, leading to miscommunication because of this language barrier. When you hire a china sourcing company or agent who is well-versed in English and Mandarin, you can prevent this situation. 

It saves you time and effort

One of the advantages of hiring a Sourcing Agent China is how they can save you time and effort. Since China sourcing is a long process, it takes time and works, from going through hundreds of suppliers, sending a quote, validating, checking, etc. However, when you partner with a trusted agent, they will do all the work and handle the responsibilities needed. 

Reduce your overall cost and risk

If you are doing china direct sourcing, you can ask the supplier and vendor to send you their certificates and licenses. However, if you’re not familiar with the proper checking or it’s your first time, the supplier will likely send you a fake one. To avoid this, you can hire the best sourcing agent in China that will verify and fact-check. 

A big help in negotiating

Some china sourcing agents and company provides negotiation services. They have the skills and experience in the Chinese market, so they know how to get the best deal while retaining high quality and value. These agents and companies also know how to communicate in English and Mandarin, so negotiation is easier. 

Cons

Has limited say over your bond with your supplier

When you hire a sourcing agent, you should expect that they will have more control over your supplier. Your agents will also control negotiations, prices, quality, lead times, etc. Suppose you have a problem with your supplier. You must contact the agent, who will rely on the supplier.

Relying too much on all the process

You can relax when hiring a china sourcing agent since they will handle everything. However, this can go wrong if they suddenly become unavailable, and you can contact them. The lack of communication with your agent can lead to difficult-to-resolve issues, and your business will suffer. 

The issue on issue of secret service fees

Finding the right sourcing agent in china can be twice as hard as finding suppliers. If you happen to find an unreliable and untrustworthy one, you might face the danger of a price increase. In some cases, agents will start at low prices, gradually increase their rate, and partner with a supplier for hidden fees. 

Chapter #3 Tips On How To Do A Succesful Sourcing China

Choose to do China direct sourcing

Most first-time importers always utilize the services of a China sourcing agent or China sourcing company when sourcing from China. It is because they didn’t know the China market and had no power to oversee first-hand the quality. 
Although this is the best option for many, we cannot deny that opting for a China direct sourcing has many benefits. One of these benefits is owning the best deals and not paying twice as much for the agent’s services. 

Use a China sourcing agent or China sourcing company

A China sourcing agent or China sourcing company is a big help in your sourcing China process. They can handle all the procedures for you, from obtaining quotes, working with the best suppliers, and even shipping your products. Although you can also be successful when you opt for China direct sourcing, you can take the leverage of their services. 

To ensure you avoid a fake agent or company, you can take note of the following points:

• Be aware of agents and company that has too-good-to-be-true offers
• Is continuously agreeing to numerous harsh conditions
• Demanding to send payment first

Check the licenses and background

Before working with a Sourcing Agent China, you must do research. You must double-check the agents’ credentials, skills, and track records. Choosing the proper agent is crucial when sourcing from China, so you must partner with a trusted one. To know if they are indeed among the top china sourcing agents, you can ask the following questions:

• What is the location of the china sourcing agent?
• How long has the china sourcing company office been open?
• What are the ways sourcing agents deal with quality issues?
• What are the services they offer?
•  Can these china sourcing agents present feedback, testimonials, and certifications?
• Is your agent fluent in English?

Use of a sourcing china strategy

A sourcing china strategy is the best way to the successful sourcing process. As per SupplyChainBrain, there are five steps you can take to find the “best Sourcing Agent in China” are the following:

• Analyze, gather data, and develop a strategy. 
• Choose the best-enforcing strategy.
• Review and select your source.
• Setup and monitoring of invoices.

Set a goal

To ensure successful sourcing from China, you must give your china sourcing agent and company precise product needs and expectations. So before you inquire, list your goals in the process and products. If possible, include drawings, the same materials, and samples. 

Build a strong tie

Building a solid tie with the supplier and factory in China is a significant advantage. This connection may not be as vital in other nations but is in the Chinese market. You can start with this strong link by hiring a sourcing agent in China. They will give you the lists of the best suppliers and guide you on how you can connect. 

Get sample orders

Sample orders are essential for wholesale products to meet your guidelines and expectations. You can have an opportunity to give feedback on the things that need improvement on the sample orders. 

Communication is key

Communication is vital to having a successful sourcing china journey. Most Chinese suppliers are unfamiliar with the English language; in the same way, you are unfamiliar with mandarin. If you are doing china direct sourcing, you must include quotes with simple and basic words. Or you can hire a China sourcing agent to do the translation and communicate on your behalf. 

Quality is a must

Quality is a must and should be your priority when looking for an agent, company, supplier, and factory. You need to take control of the quality during the creation process. If it’s your first time sourcing in China, you can visit the factory or their offices to inspect. However, the China sourcing agent and China sourcing company can do all the inspections if you can’t. 

Choose quality checks

Quality will be their number one priority if you work with a sourcing agent in China. However, it’s also beneficial if you the quality check process that your agents will make. The following are some of what you need to understand:

• Checking process
• Factory visits
• Quality certificates
• Certificate of authorization

Be realistic in your price

Prices are essential aspects to consider when sourcing from China. It’s not a new concept that China offers the lowest product prices you will have. However, it would benefit you if you kept in mind that you will get what you paid for.
Chinese suppliers and manufacturers can offer you low-cost products due to their low labor costs and advanced tools. However, avoiding “too low” offers and the cheapest items is best. Most of the time, it’s a scam, or you’ll receive poor-quality products. 

Create a backup plan

A backup plan is a must when you’re sourcing in China. This plan will serve as your solution to unforeseen failures with your china sourcing process. Some of the areas you need to be prepared for are:

• Prices
• Product quality
• Production delays
• Change in Government Policies
• Contract changes

Deal with intellectual property

When sourcing from China, it’s vital that you protect intellectual property. They can arrange a solid IP contract with the support of a sourcing agent in china or a Chinese lawyer. They know what you need and must do, so your design will not get stolen and will solely be yours. 

Know your china source products

When sourcing products from China, it’s essential that you know what you need and want. It includes your product specification, requirements, and expectations. If you know what products you will source, sourcing in China would be easy for you. 

Build a concrete contract

Before ordering large orders, ensure that you and your agent draft a solid contract with your supplier. This contract should include the shipping terms, product specifications, and the penalty they would pay if they failed to provide their services. 

Chapter #4 Errors To Avoid When Sourcing From China

Not verifying the suppliers

Shady suppliers and vendors are present in China. You can find them on platforms like Alibaba, Made-in-China, and Global Sources. You can even end up meeting trading companies that have higher prices. In these cases, you should always verify their licenses, certifications, and types of businesses they fall into. 

Limited understanding of sourcing products from china

To do China direct sourcing effectively, you must know the products you are looking for. If not, you can communicate and give a detailed quotation. You will also find it tough to source suppliers to provide what you want. 

Choosing not to order product samples

Product samples are vital as they serve as your final product’s trial and error. These samples allow the supplier to ‘practice’ understanding what you want and give feedback on what needs to be improved and changed. 

Avoiding talking with your supplier

Communication is vital to the victory of your China sourcing. It will be difficult for you to build a relationship and get high-quality products from a supplier if you don’t convey what you want and your expectations. 

Not putting fair prices and MOQs

Chinese manufacturers have limited profit margins, so they are strict with their MOQs. Setting too low MOQs with low prices is almost impossible; if you do, the factory is not legit, or you’ll receive low-quality products. 

Chapter #5 Top China Sourcing Agents

JustChinait

JustChinait is among the top china sourcing agents you can partner with. They have been operating in this industry for more than 11 years now. Throughout those years, they have established their company and credibility. 
Many importers and corporations trusted JustChinait because of its successful track record. They have worked with hundreds and thousands of clients and have proven that they are transparent and reliable. You can check that they have over 900+ pleased customers. 
JustChinait is a leader in various sectors, such as:

• China Sourcing
• China Wholesale
• China Warehouse
• China Shipping
• Price Comparison
• Consolidated Shipping

They also have many services that you can choose from, such as:

• Sourcing Agent Guangzhou China
• Yiwu Sourcing Agent Services
• Foshan Sourcing Agent Services
• Shenzhen Sourcing Agent Services
• China Sourcing Services
• China Warehouse Services
• China Shipping Services

Supplyia Company

The Supplyia company is a “Sourcing Agent China” dependable and knows what they do. They have been in this sector for many years, so they can help find the best suppliers and factories. They are also a Sourcing Agent China dropshipping ideal for drop-shippers, start-ups, and small businesses. 
Supplyia has a good product sourcing and supply chain making everything efficient for you. They work as simple as possible, leading to low risk and cost-effective prices. 
|Below are some of the services they have:

• Sourcing products from China
• Import and export legal consultation
• Quality control
• Low-cost shipping cost
• Price negotiations
• Free warehouse storage

Imex Sourcing Services

One of the best Sourcing Agent Guangzhou China is Imex Sourcing Services. This firm is a subsidiary of IMEX Liaisons, part of Guangzhou China’s sourcing agent. The founder of Imex is Ash Monga, a sales agent who was still in the UK and later put up his company. 
Moreover, Imex Sourcing Services has a mission to deliver top china source products and superb customer service. They have quality services, such as fast shipping, inspection, and finding the best factory. They also have a potent portal that makes it easy for businesses to track and handle all their sourcing orders.        
Like any other sourcing agent in China, Imex has a broad range of services. Some of these services are:

• Logistics
• Quality checking that adheres to the industry rules
• A valid supplier background check
• Offer risk reduction
• Keeping up with the product grade

Fami Sourcing

Fami Sourcing is one of the firms part of the Sourcing Agent Guangzhou China. It is a top china sourcing agent that offers a wide range of services ideal for start-up firms. Some of their notable aspects are: getting products across all parts of the world and overseeing the creative process and shipping. 
Fami sourcing is the best one you can find as they are hands-on with their process management. They also have an established supply chain and have vast expertise from sourcing products to shipment.
They also help design and make private label products of any kind. For this reason, they can turn your ideas into a profitable business, and these ideas are ideal for importing and selling. They are also allowed to focus on marketing and sales. 

Sourcing Bro

Sourcing Bro is among the top china sourcing agents based in Shenzhen and founded by Zhou Chao. This firm focuses more on the center of global commerce and supplies bulk supplies to global consumers. Supposed you are sourcing products from China, this firm is best due to its experience and knowledge in various sectors. 
Here are some of the services Sourcing Bro offer are:

• China product sourcing
• Sourcing the best suppliers
• Warehousing
• Shipping
• Quality inspection and control

Meeno Group

A well-known China sourcing company in Yiwu, China, is Meeno Group. Meeno Group has been a trusted name in the sourcing industry for years because of its services and excellent teams. They have at least more than five years in the sourcing field and set various services, including:

•  Quality inspection
• sourcing products from china
• Warehouse storage
• Customs clearance
• Ship management

This company also offers a complete supply service that caters to domestic and overseas clients across the globe. They will give you a quote if you inquire from them within 48 hours. If sourcing products from china, this firm will best cater to your needs, saving you time and money. 

Baysource Global

Baysource Global is a China Sourcing Agent based in the United States in Tampa, Florida. This company will be best for you if you are sourcing outside of China or the US. They offer all their US clients some of the best and highest-quality facilities.
They have a wide range of services, from product creation to sourcing. They also provide product choices, production, and delivery. And more services, such as:

• Supply chain
• Logistic
• Custom
• Quality control
• Freight

Linc Sourcing

Linc Sourcing is among the top China sourcing agents based in Sweden. Because of their location, they are the best option if you are sourcing outside of China, mainly if you are from Europe. They have offices in China, so you have a problem dealing with them.
Link Sourcing is also the go-to China sourcing for all types of niches. They have over 100 suppliers and factory lists, so you have many options to choose from. They also provide various services, including the following:

• Sourcing and verifying suppliers
• Order processing
• Quality control
• Shipping
•  Product planning

FBA Sourcing China

FBA Sourcing China focuses more on being Sourcing Agent China for Amazon FBA. This agent has worked with hundreds and thousands of Amazon sellers from different locations in Asia, Europe, Hong Kong, and the US. They are experts because of their experience and how long they have been in this industry. 
This china sourcing company is a good asset as an Amazon seller, especially if you want to deal with the greatest china sourcing partner. They also offer a wide range of services, such as:

• FBA Sourcing
• FBA Marketing
• FBA Logistics
• Supplier searching
• Quality check
• Packaging
• Warehousing and storage

KeenSourcing China

KeenSourcing China is a major sourcing agent in China that aims to help Amazon sellers in sourcing products from China. They ensure that they provide the highest quality of items, comply with regulations, and have low prices. They also offer a broad range of services, such as:

• Quality control
• Inspection
• Sourcing for Amazon FBA Sellers
• List of the top suppliers and factories
• Negotiating
• Assisting with production

KeenSourcing China is also known for its ongoing duty to support overseas clients who are sourcing outside of China. They aim to improve what they offer to have exceptional service in terms of pricing and control. They also ensure that they follow all the proper laws of each country. 

LeelineSourcing company

LeelineSourcing is among the top china sourcing agents that started their operations in 2015. Their main office is on the Chinese mainland, but they still cater to overseas customers. Because of this, they have all-inclusive services, including everything you want to import, perhaps clothes if you are sourcing clothes from China. 
LeelineSourcing has various experts in all kinds of sectors and the market. They have hundreds of suppliers, so which ones are best for your firm. They also offer their clients the most real deals, quality items, and sources. 
Here are some of the services they have:

• China product sourcing
• Amazon FBA sourcing
• Quality check
• Factory audit
• Sourcing agent china dropshipping

EJET Sourcing

EJET Sourcing is another “Sourcing Agent Guangzhou China” because they have offices in Guangzhou but are based in Yiwu. Jason Cheng founded this company in 2007, which aims to give the best services to their customers sourcing from China. Some of these services are the following:

• Sourcing and guidance
• Quality check
• Factory audit
• Shipping
• Warehouse

EJET Sourcing is excellent in all its services, from sourcing to shipping. They ensure that what you order will arrive at your location safe and sound. They also aid clients in what they need, especially from Thailand, Bangladesh, Vietnam, or Asia. This firm should be your option if you are looking for among the top china sourcing agents.

Jing Sourcing

Jing Sourcing is one of the top china sourcing agents based in Yiwu, China. The best sourcing firm caters to small businesses and excels in getting high-quality items and the lowest prices. They are also best in overseeing the whole item creation, quality control, and ensuring that the items will arrive at your site on time. 
The following are the services they offer:

• Free warehousing (1-2 months)
• Quality control
• Bargaining with suppliers on price
• Assist with low-cost shipping to your door
• Product samples

Asiaction sourcing agent

Asiaction is part of the Sourcing Agent Guangzhou China. They are located in the province of Guangdong in the southern part of China. Their location is the home of the top factories and suppliers in China. As well as the largest and biggest fair, the Cantor Fair gathers buyers in all parts of the country to source and build connections. 
When sourcing from China, Asiaction offers a warm welcome and top services, which is helpful for you. From sourcing to shipping, they will assist you and guide you. Here are more of their offers:

• Searching for the best suppliers
• Supplier verification
• Order preparation
• Shipping 
• Handle delivery

China2West

China2West is a sourcing agent in China with a single point of entry service. Their services focus more on layout, production, and shipping. More of what they offer are the following:

• Quality control
• Tooling
• Lab testing
• Factory Audit
• Item design
• Prototype 

China2West, since 2005, has been improving its website to cater to all its clients. They even have a database including all the information they need to grow their services. This firm also targets services to ensure they stand out in this industry. 

Chapter #6 How To Find The Best Sourcing Agent in China

You can choose from numerous options when looking for a sourcing agent in China. Here are the three methods that will help you, especially if you’re doing a China direct sourcing:

Searching the internet

The internet is the most flexible and versatile platform to give you the top china sourcing agents. For instance, you can search on google keywords like “China sourcing agent,” “china sourcing company,” or “China product sourcing agent,” then there would be a list of results that you can select. 
You can also use various China websites like Alibaba, Made in China, and Global Sources. These platforms have varieties of china sourcing available in multiple industries. You can also check freelancing platforms like Upwork, which has the best Sourcing Agent China. 

Going to trade fairs

Trade fairs are a must-go for you if you have spare time and want to meet the top china sourcing agents face-to-face. Most of the attendees in these trade fairs are large firms or a China sourcing agent group. You can build connections, speak with them face to face and receive the information you require.
The following are the best trade fairs you should look into when sourcing from China:

• Canton Fair
• Yiwu Trade Fair
• The Shanghai Import and Export Commodity Fai
• Beijing Auto Show
• The Bauma Fair

Use your present suppliers 

If you need more than one supplier for your business, a supplier or a trading firm will only give you a small number or a limited product range. However, you can reference your current suppliers to see the sourcing agent china they are working with. 

Chapter #7 FAQs When Sourcing Outside Of China

When sourcing in China, how much is the cost of hiring an agent and company?

There are no exact prices; however, you can inquire about sourcing agents and company rates. It will be between 5% and 10% of the order costs most of the time. 

What is the price of shipping samples from China through a sourcing agent?

The prices of shipping samples depend on many factors like the type of product, added details, and which factory it will come from. 

How do you find the “best Sourcing Agent China”?

Finding the best sourcing agent in China requires a lot of work and research, as any supplier and factory in the industry can declare themselves as one. For this reason, you need to make well-informed judgments using the following manners:

• Have an experience with the Chinese market and industry
• Have excellent communication skills
• Recognize and will meet your requirements 
• The supply chain is well-established
• Expertise in the importing and exporting process
• Have a lawful and transparent process
• Have offices in China

What would a china sourcing agent china buying agent need from you?

When you inquire about the services of sourcing agents in china, they will need these specifications to guide you properly:

Product Details

• Product Title
• SKU (Product Code or FNSKU, UPC)
• Product Information
• Component
• Images for Inspiration

Product Specifications

• Dimensions, weight, and sizes
• Colors
• Performance
• Measurement
• Testing 

Packaging and Labeling Needs

• Graphics
• Labels
• Colors
• Customization

Certification and Standards

• Certifications (for EU/US conformity)
• Other requirements

What does a sourcing agent in Guangzhou China do?

A Sourcing Agent in Guangzhou China can assist you by providing the following services:

• Product assembly in Guangzhou
• Warehouse/factory storage in Guangzhou
• Sourcing in Guangzhou
• Guangzhou’s local supply-chain services
• Translation services