Everything you need to know before you work with a China sourcing agent. Real answers, no sales talk.
Payment & Pricing
How much does a sourcing agent cost? 5-10% of order value for orders above $10,000. Flat fee or higher percentage for smaller orders. A good agent pays for themselves — problems caught in China cost nothing to fix. Problems caught at your warehouse cost everything.
Do I pay the factory directly? Yes. With a transparent agent, you pay the factory directly. The agent’s fee is a separate line item. If the agent insists on handling all the money, walk away.
What payment terms are standard? 30% deposit to start production. 70% balance before shipment — after inspection. Never pay 100% upfront to a supplier you haven’t verified.
Finding & Verifying Suppliers
How do I know a supplier is real? Ask for their business license (营业执照). Cross-check it on China’s National Enterprise Credit Information system. Check the registered address on Google Maps. A factory in an industrial zone with loading docks is real. A factory in a residential building isn’t.
How to read a business license →
Is Alibaba safe? Alibaba is safe if you verify. About 70% of “manufacturers” on Alibaba are actually trading companies. Use Alibaba to build a shortlist. Then verify each supplier independently.
Best ways to find a supplier →
Quality Control
Can you inspect goods before I pay? Yes. I’m on the factory floor. I check incoming materials, monitor mid-production quality, and do a final inspection before you pay the balance. AQL 2.5 standard.
What if the sample was perfect but the production isn’t? This happens all the time. The sample is made by the best technician on the best machine. The production run is made by the night shift on deadline. You need someone checking during production, not after.
Orders & MOQ
What’s the minimum order quantity? Most factories set MOQ at 500-1,000 units. But it’s negotiable. A good agent can often get it down to 100-300 for a first order by paying a slightly higher unit price.
How long does everything take? Production: 2-6 weeks depending on product. Sea freight: 15-35 days. Air freight: 3-7 days. Express: 3-5 days. Add 1-2 weeks for customs clearance.
About Me
What industries do you specialize in? Farm machinery, textiles, bearings, hygiene products, power equipment, and used industrial equipment. Shandong province has 18 manufacturing clusters.
Where are you based? Shandong, China. I’m on the factory floor — not behind a screen.
Still have questions? Get in touch →