China Sourcing Agents and Sourcing Companies Ultimate Guide

What is a Chinese Sourcing Agent?

A sourcing agent or company acts on the behalf of a buyer to procure and purchase the supplies for a business, such suppliers are typically out of a business’ reach because of their non-accessibility on the internet or other mediums, therefore, requiring a sourcing agent to be an intermediary between a business and a supplier.

It is important to note that sourcing agents, in addition to their procurement role, provide other services including optimal price search, quality control, and shipping to include a few.

What is a Sourcing Company?

A sourcing company is an amalgamation of expert sourcing agents operating as a single entity to provide the same services as a sourcing agent but more efficiently, at a higher scale, and can serve more buyers at the same time.

In addition, sourcing companies have better connections with suppliers in your country of choice i.e. Pakistan and China, therefore, more variety & choice of suppliers and usually provide more services to their customers in comparison to sourcing agents due to a larger team of experts e.g. brand labelling and photography etc.

Uniway Sourcing is a company made up of top experts offering a multitude of services from procurement to brand labeling to product photography.

What is the difference between a Sourcing company in China and a sourcing agent in China?

The primary difference between a sourcing company and an agent is that companies have a team of sourcing experts which may provide more services, deal with more customers, and have better links therefore may be more efficient in their provision of services.

In short, a sourcing company is much larger than a sourcing agent who is a single individual who mostly freelances on freelancing websites such as Fiverr or Upwork. Both work for different companies and they are sourcing products but with different services and scale.

Who are some of the best sourcing agents in China?

To make it easier we have compiled a table of active sourcing agents in China. Please note that most sourcing agents in China which are active online have only been around for a few years. This table is not a recommendation, please contact companies individually and see who you get along with. We would suggest working with sourcing agents/companies run by Western management.

Company	Information and Services	Locations
Uniway Sourcing	This is us, Of course. Western management, multi-national.	UK, China, HK and more
Guided Imports	Western management, door to door service	Singapore, China, Thailand
APM Sourcing	Can help to source from India and China	UK, India, China
Bling Sourcing	Focused on garments and fashion	China
Sourcing Allies	Western Management. Specializes in Metal fabrication, Die casting, Injection molding	USA, China, Sweden
China Importal	Not a traditional sourcing company, western management and a great way to get started when importing from Asia.	HK, China
Source Find Asia	They offer “packages” for sourcing products, Western management.	China
Intrepid Sourcing	Sourcing for garments, electronics, and plastics.	USA, China, Phillipines
Goodcan Trading	Focused on wholesale from Yiwu	China
Sourcing Bro	Focuses on E-commerce and dropshipping	China
Jing Sourcing	Great youtube channel, one of the more well know Chinese sourcing companies	China
Dragon Sourcing	Multi-national sourcing company	Worldwide
Imex Sourcing Services	British owned, very transparent when it comes to fees	Hk, China
Easy Imex	Focuses on product development	UK, China
Golden Shiny	Yiwu market agent, great youtube channel	China
ImportDojo	Focuses on end to end sourcing for building a brand	HK
Asiaction	Western management, focus on furniture	France, China
Leeline Sourcing	Standard China sourcing company	China
Supplyia	Standard Chinese sourcing agent	China
Baysource Global	Focus on consumer and industrial goods, western management.	USA, China
Linc Sourcing	Swedish sourcing company based in China focuses on sustainable sourcing. Outsource your procurement department.	China,Sweden, Spain, Uk, Italy
Chinapurchasingagent	Basic sourcing agent	China

What Kinds of Products Can a Sourcing Agent in CHina Help to Source?

All types of products/supplies that a business needs. Particularly, Uniway Sourcing helps with Softline products such as tops, swimwear, sportswear, leather garments, and other apparels/garments.

For example, Our company Uniway Sourcing helps to source consumer goods such as furniture, kitchenware, décor, Clothing and agricultural/food to name a few.

What kinds of services can you get from sourcing agents in China?

Sourcing agents and companies offer a plethora of services including procurement, price negotiations, shipment, and quality control.

Uniway Sourcing offers product development analysis, artwork analysis, supplier identification, quotations, supplier audits, sampling, production and follow-ups, shipment management, quality control & assurance, contract and price negotiations, payment management, brand labelling and product photography services. Contact us for further inquiries and services.

Is it better to use a sourcing company in China or a single sourcing agent?

The answer to this question depends on your objectives, number and type of products, the services require, and many other factors. Most of the sourcing companies claim they are solving communication problems when it comes to dealing with Chinese suppliers, however even these sourcing agents/companies can barely put a few sentences together in proper English.

If you are looking for different services, have a large and a varied product portfolio, and want an efficient sourcing process, you should use a sourcing company because it is supported by a large team of experts which can handle the burden of a large product portfolio, different requirements and offer a large amount of services.

However, if you have a small product portfolio, do not require many services, and are happy to work with a single individual, you may use a single agent.

We at Uniway Sourcing cater to all types of customers happily and are a flexible company willing to help all types of customers with different requirements.

What are the usual China sourcing agent Fees?

Service fees depend on many factors and are on a case to case basis. Most sourcing agents in China charge 5-10% of the order value.

How much can you save by using a Chinese sourcing agent?

There is no exact amount that you save by using a sourcing agent or a sourcing company. But, according to our records and data, businesses save literally thousands and even more by using a sourcing agent or company because of the substantial savings business benefits from.

For example, a business saves the cost of flying over to China or Pakistan and hiring translators and also there is no need to set up an entire procurement department saving a lot of money as well.

How can a multi-national Chinese sourcing agent help you?

A multi-national sourcing company can help you with more efficient sourcing, provide better prices and product quality, manage shipping and payments on your behalf, connect you with less accessible suppliers, provide you with local expertise, and provide other additional services that can boost your overall business’ profitability.

How Long Does China sourcing take?

The entire sourcing process depends on numerous factors including the product required, styles & types of the products, quantity ordered, the price and quality required by you, and if you wish to attain other services among many other factors.

Therefore, there is no standardized time and is on a case by case basis. Contact us for further details.

Do China Sourcing Agents Check the Quality of the Products?

Yes, almost all sourcing agents provide quality assurance services unless stated otherwise. Some sourcing agents in China ask for an extra fee for quality inspections, which beats the purpose of working with them.

At Uniway Sourcing, we provide the best quality assurance to its customers and ensure that the products being delivered are of the right quality as required by the customer so that no customer remains unsatisfied. Customer satisfaction is the ultimate goal for us here at Uniway Sourcing.

How Long will it Take for the Products to Reach Me?

The shipping/lead time depends on various factors including the supplier, their proximity to a port, product, style & design, and quantity among other factors. Therefore, the time period is on a case by case basis and has no standardized shipping time.

However, Uniway Sourcing provides shipping management as well so that you receive your products on-time. Request a free quote and contact us for further details.

Can a China Sourcing Agent Sell my Design to a Competitor?

The simple answer is no. But it is always a good idea to draft up a non-disclosure agreement/contract between you and the sourcing company/agent.

Sourcing agents/companies deal with thousands of different product designs from customers from all around the world and very well equipped to keep your designs confidential and secure.

Uniway Sourcing will always keep not only your designs but your sensitive data confidential and secure and will never use your data without your prior permission.

How do I start working with a China Sourcing Agent or China sourcing company?

It is as easy as reaching out through the given means of communication on the sourcing agent/company’s websites to start working with them.

You may request a free quote from Uniway Sourcing, and if you are satisfied, we will be more than happy to kick-off a relationship with you and start working.

Which currency will the transaction be in?

Because we keep you—the customer—as the centre of our company, we transact in the most suitable currencies. These include Chinese Yuan (CNY), United States Dollars (USD), Hong Kong Dollars (HKD), and Great British Pound (GBP).

Once the Sourcing Agent in China finds a supplier, Can I visit the factory?

Sourcing agents/companies exist to abolish the need to visit and meet the supplier and make this process easier for the buyer. However, some buyers may wish to visit the factory to gauge and assess the production process, therefore, negotiations may take place and especially for larger value orders, visits may be allowed.

But—sourcing companies in the pursuit of upholding the integrity of their relationships with their suppliers—may not allow visits but may provide pictures and videos for your assurance. Thus, visiting the factory is dependent on the sourcing company/agent, many allow it and many don’t. Some sourcing agents won’t even tell you the name of the factory until you send a deposit.

How can I check if a China sourcing agent has given me a good price?

The internet is a vast place where you can find different price lists and receive quotes from other sourcing companies/agents. Using the available information, you may check and judge whether your sourcing company or agent has given you a good and a fair price.

Uniway Sourcing provides the best of prices to its customers and conducts in-depth research and analysis to accomplish this aim.

And for this exact reason, provides you with a free quote so that you don’t have to pay to just know the prices and are able to check with other sourcing agents/companies.

Can you work with multiple sourcing companies and agents in China?

Yes, you may, and you may not. In cases where you have entered into a contract and an agreement with a sourcing agent/company, it is unfair that you breach this contract and work with another sourcing company/agent for the same products.

However, where you want to source different products or have not entered into an agreement, you may work with multiple sourcing companies and agents. We recommend you to conduct good research and receive as many quotes as possible from different sourcing companies and agents so that you can work with the one that is most suitable to you so you do not have to breach an agreement and change your sourcing company/agent.

Uniway Sourcing does not restrict you from using other sourcing companies/agents as we understand our customer’s requirements but once we enter into an agreement with the customer, it is understood that you cannot change your sourcing company/agent without being liable for a penalty or other consequences as set forth by the agreement.

Do China Sourcing companies and agents provide Logistics?

Yes, sourcing companies and agents provide logistics and logistical support. Uniway Sourcing provides you with a complete shipping management solution so that your deliverables reach to you on-time and with a reasonable & efficient lead time.

Why are the benefits of working with a sourcing agent in China?

It is well known throughout the business world that China is one of the best, if not the best, countries to source supplies for your business. This is primarily because of the competitive prices and quality that Chinese manufacturers offer to their customers.  

In addition to these price and quality benefits, Chinese manufacturers also offer good customer service and have flexible manufacturing facilities that can cater to different needs of your business. These strong points in addition to other benefits make China a top country to source your suppliers and to import from.

However, it is also well known that not all Chinese manufacturers can communicate in English and that other communication gaps exist. Moreover, many exceptional Chinese manufacturers are not present online and therefore it becomes hard for a business to find a supplier that meets their needs and contacts them. These are just some of the issues that businesses face when working with Chinese manufacturers.

Sourcing agents work with suppliers on your behalf to obtain the required supplies, ensuring that your procurement and supply chain objectives are met. These agents play the imperative role of being a filter between your business and the suppliers.

Therefore, working with a sourcing agent when importing from China is sometimes a necessity, and without such sourcing agents, many businesses that import from China can simply no longer exist and operate as their supply chains would completely collapse.

Hence, in this article, we will cover why a business should work with a sourcing agent when importing from China. We will primarily highlight the benefits of working with a sourcing agent when importing from China.

To bridge communication gaps

The absence of effective communication between a supplier and a business can prove to be disastrous and this is a recognized fact in supply chain management. To illustrate this fact, let’s consider an example.

A business over voice communication channels orders a batch of supplies and wants them delivered next month; however, due to the suppliers’ poor English, he dispatches the supplies next week. You, yourself, can now connect the dots and anticipate how negatively this will impact the business’ performance.

Therefore, to bridge such communication gaps, sourcing agents become important intermediaries.

Not only do sourcing agents ensure that such detrimental incidents are avoided, because of their excellent communication skills, but they will also be able to negotiate lower prices for suppliers and thereby saving costs for businesses.

To reduce China sourcing related risk and bottlenecks

Importing from China can involve several types of risk. In addition to the communication and language barriers, compliance, and logistics risks also exist. Sometimes suppliers fail to comply with follow legal standards e.g. environmental and safety and thus this can harm a business’s reputation.

Sourcing agents, because of their extended network and contacts, can connect you with suppliers who do not expose you to such compliance risks.

In addition to that, there are many factors and aspects that can go wrong between the time when your order leaves the factory until it arrives at the stipulated address. For example, time-consuming cargo inspections and customs issues.

Sourcing agents will, upon your request, connect you with suppliers with security certifications so that sourcing efficiency is not lost due to customs or other logistical issues and risks. Therefore, meeting your deadlines and avoiding bottlenecks in the supply chain.

To negotiate on your behalf with Chinese Factories

In addition to bridging communication gaps, sourcing agents can negotiate on your behalf on different aspects. These aspects include price, terms, quality, quantity, and many other aspects. All of these aspects will have a positive impact on your business.

For instance, a sourcing agent can negotiate lower prices with the suppliers. This means that your cost of goods sold will reduce which will ultimately increase your business’ profit margins. Moreover, the agent can negotiate terms such as if the quality found is below par then the supplier will refund a certain amount and such.

As such, having a negotiator on your behalf will pay significant dividends in terms of improved business performance. Because the sourcing agents have local knowledge and advanced networks, they can negotiate and sometimes are also in a better position to do so, putting you and your business at an advantage.

To ensure the quality of your supplies

As implied above, sourcing agents within China have advanced local knowledge of all the suppliers that manufacture your business’ inputs. Because of their networks and local knowledge, the sourcing agents in China can connect you with suppliers that produce A-grade quality products.

As a result, not only will you save the time that would have wasted on searching for reliable and quality producers had you done it yourself, you will also have someone on your behalf inspecting the quality of the supplies and therefore the quality is assured. You will be able to save any embarrassments or dissatisfied customers; this will, surely, have a positive impact on your business’ performance.

A question might come to your mind: why should I not search on Google “best quality Chinese manufacturers” and make a deal with them? The reason is that not all best quality Chinese manufacturers have an online presence. Two, by making a deal with a manufacturer online, you have no way to assure or inspect the quality of your orders. And three, you are not sure whether you are getting the best prices and quality.

As such, sourcing agents will ensure that the quality of your orders is top-notch while meeting your sourcing efficiency and costing objectives. You may not be able to do this with your limited knowledge of the Chinese markets.

To reduce your overall procurement expenses

Because sourcing agents not only handle sourcing supplies for you but also arrange shipping, quality, and provide many other procurement-related services, you are essentially outsourcing your business’ procurement and supply chain department to sourcing agents.

As a result, you will not have to hire employees or have a separate department for this function. Therefore, you will save on many costs such as salaries and HR & recruitment of the employees.

Not only this, but you also will not have to set up or purchase expensive sophisticated order tracking systems or communications with the suppliers which will save a lot of capital expenditure.

The instances where you save costs when using a sourcing agent listed above are limited. There are many more ways in which you will have cost savings when using a sourcing agent. As such, you will be able to reduce your overall procurement expenses and earn higher profit margins which is an attractive prospect for any business owner

To avoid dishonest schemes of Chinese manufacturers

If you have very little experience in handling and communicating with Chinese manufacturers, there is a good probability that you will be ripped off.

What we mean by this is that you will not get the best prices, quality, and/or be fraudulently bounded by legal contracts.

For instance, because you do not have experience and knowledge about China, you might make a deal with a supplier with very high prices and low quality.

Because these manufacturers know you have no experience through your way of dealing, they can devour you as predators. You may also be trapped in legally binding contracts which stipulate that you must work with them for extended periods.

Please note that not all manufacturers are like that but there are some bad apples. Therefore, the risk is too high to be handling the manufacturers without experience.

In such cases, sourcing agents with their excellent communication skills and local knowledge, can guide you and connect you with suppliers that meet your needs and are the most suitable for you. Hence, helping you avoid any dishonest schemes by manufacturers.

To tap into an excellent database of the Chinese sourcing agent’s suppliers (multiple products)

If your business offers multiple products of different categories, finding reliable suppliers for EACH product is truly a painstaking task.

You must ensure that suppliers offer good prices, quality, and deliver on time and not all businesses will have the resources that can be allocated to this process. This is especially the case for smaller businesses that offer multiple products in their portfolio.

As such, businesses that have multiple product offerings can work with sourcing agents who have access to extensive lists and databases of top suppliers for your specific product and connect you with them so that you do not have to dedicate so many resources for this task.

To illustrate this, let’s consider a fictitious business. This business offers 10 products; as such, when procuring the supplies, the business must contact at least 10 suppliers for each product to achieve the best prices, quality, and find suppliers that meet their needs the best.

This means that this business must now contact 100+ suppliers for their 10 products. Imagine the headache and the resources required for this colossal task, this is even exaggerated by the fact that many manufacturers have poor communication skills or are not even present online.

So, the example above illustrates why a business offering multiple products should work with a sourcing agent when importing with China. One, to save time and resources. Two, to save costs in doing so. Three, to be connected with the best of best. And four, to focus on other business operations and functions. Consolidate all of these and you have an operational and profitable business

To connect with suppliers of specialized products

Connected to the last point, businesses that deal with specialized products that cater to the demands of a small niche market will find it extremely difficult to find Chinese suppliers that can meet their needs. This is because many Chinese manufacturers are not available online or do not attend exhibitions.

Consequently, such businesses must rely upon and work with sourcing agents when importing supplies for their specialized products who can connect such businesses to suitable suppliers because of their advanced database.

Otherwise, you will not be able to find the suppliers you need and even if you do there will not be a large variety which means you may have to choose the suppliers that do not provide the best prices or quality. This illustrates the need to work with a sourcing agent when importing from China.

To attain additional services of China sourcing agents

Sourcing agents from China not only provide the basic sourcing services but also other additional services which many businesses need.

These can be customization of your products, customization of your packaging and labels i.e. branding, and photography of your products for your online stores. These services in addition to sourcing form a complete package and hence become a one-stop solution for your supplies.

Otherwise, you must approach different businesses for each of these services which will end up costing less if you also consider the time wasted.

This is a very important benefit for all types of businesses and even large businesses need such sourcing agents or companies. To focus on other core areas of business, many large, medium, and small enterprises attain these additional services provided by the sourcing agents.

This is another prime reason why you should work with a sourcing agent when importing from China as you will have a one-stop solution or package for all your procurement needs. You will save time, money, and other resources.

Conclusion

Sourcing agents play an extremely pivotal role in the world of supply chain management. Not only do small businesses work with sourcing agents but large businesses when importing from China.

The benefits are endless and some of them include better communications with suppliers, lower risk and bottlenecks, better negotiation, better prices and quality, lower procurement expenses, and protection against falling into scams/frauds.

Therefore, sourcing agents are very helpful when importing from China and we recommend that you work with a sourcing agent. Please note that these are our opinions BUT are fact-based opinions and involve research and analysis.

As such, the answer to the question of why work with a sourcing agent from China is simple: to make your life easier and to achieve better business performance.

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