How much does a China sourcing agent cost?
Most China sourcing agents charge a commission of roughly 5–10% of the order value, a flat fee per project, or a monthly retainer. Factory audits and inspections are usually priced per person-day on site. The total cost matters less than what is included and whether the agent is paid only by you.
By the Sino Vorex team · Updated
What a sourcing agent does for the fee
A sourcing agent works on your side in China. Depending on the agreement, that can include finding and comparing suppliers, negotiating in Chinese, collecting samples, checking factories, following production, inspecting goods and arranging freight. Agents differ far more in what they include than in the headline rate, so compare the scope first and the price second.
The four common pricing models
| Model | How it works | Typical range in the market | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commission on order value | A percentage of the product cost (usually the FOB value), covering sourcing and order management | Commonly advertised at about 5–10%; higher for small orders, lower for large repeat orders | Ongoing orders where the agent manages the whole process |
| Flat project fee | A fixed fee for a defined job, such as finding and shortlisting suppliers for one product | Varies widely with complexity | One-off sourcing, or buyers who place orders themselves |
| Per person-day | A day rate for on-site work: factory audits and quality inspections | Third-party inspection firms commonly advertise around US$200–350 per person-day, plus travel in some cases | Audits and inspections, with or without a sourcing agent |
| Monthly retainer | A fixed monthly fee for a set amount of work | Varies with workload | Buyers with many SKUs and frequent orders |
Many agents combine models: a commission for sourcing and follow-up, plus day rates for inspections. Ask for every fee in writing before work starts.
Worked example: a US$10,000 order
Suppose you order US$10,000 of goods (FOB value) with one pre-shipment inspection.
| Cost | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Agent commission at 5–10% | US$500 | US$1,000 |
| One pre-shipment inspection (1 person-day) | US$200 | US$350 |
| Total agent and inspection cost | US$700 | US$1,350 |
| As a share of the order value | 7% | 13.5% |
Freight, import duties, samples and bank charges come on top, whichever agent you use. On small orders, fixed costs such as an inspection day make up a larger share, which is why some agents set a minimum fee.
What to check is included
- Is the commission calculated on the product value only, or on product plus freight?
- Are factory audits and inspections included, or charged per day?
- Who pays for travel to the factory?
- Are samples, courier and sample-checking included?
- Is there a minimum fee per order?
- Does the agent handle freight, or only hand over to your forwarder?
Hidden costs and red flags
The biggest risk with an agent is not the fee you see, but income you do not see. Watch for:
- Very low or "free" sourcing. If you are not paying the agent, someone else is. Usually it is the factory, through a markup or kickback built into the unit price.
- The agent will not name the factory or let you see the supplier's business licence. You cannot verify who makes your goods.
- All payments go through the agent's account, with no invoice from the factory. This makes hidden markups easy.
- Inspections done by the same people who chose the factory, with no photos or defect counts. An inspection report should show evidence, not just "passed".
- No written agreement setting out the scope, the fee and who owns the supplier relationship.
Ask a prospective agent directly: how are you paid, by whom, and will you put that in writing?
Is an agent worth it?
An agent is usually worth it when you cannot visit China, when your order includes custom or quality-critical products, or when you need to manage several suppliers. It is less necessary for simple repeat orders from a supplier you already trust, where a pre-shipment inspection alone may be enough.
How Sino Vorex charges
We charge a commission on the order value. The rate depends on the product and order size and is confirmed in writing in your quote before any work starts, together with anything charged separately, such as on-site work or samples. Our shortlists name every supplier, so you can verify them yourself. Request a quote to get the exact figures for your product.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal sourcing agent commission?
Commissions of about 5–10% of the order value are commonly advertised. Small orders often carry a higher percentage or a minimum fee.
Is it cheaper to buy directly from Alibaba?
The unit price can be the same, but you take on the risk of supplier fraud, quality problems and miscommunication yourself. Many buyers start direct and add an inspection before paying the balance.
Should a sourcing agent tell me who the factory is?
Yes. Knowing the factory lets you check its registration and protects you if the relationship with the agent ends.