How to find a reliable Chinese sourcing agent
who need a sourcing agent
experienced business with a new project
One-time project: The sourcing agent can help you get comprehensive market information: suppliers, price, locations,
A large network of connections
More than their services, you pay a sourcing agent for their experience and a large network of connections. Since they have worked with multiple suppliers, they know exactly which one is right for you.
Time saver
With a reliable sourcing agent, you save a lot of time as you do not need to scour through pages of suppliers trying to find the right one. You also save a considerable amount of time that you would have otherwise spent on vetting the suppliers and undergoing long negotiations. Your sourcing agent will handle all of this to save you valuable time.
Fast feedback: The sourcing agent has a lot suppliers, big and small, which can support them well and are willing to make samples and/or supply samples at low cost in a short time. If you deal with them directly, they are not willing to support you, they would ask for expensive sample solutions.
A communication link between you and your supplier
When selecting a supplier, you will need to provide a briefing of the product that you need. Your sourcing agent can help you put down the exact details, taking into consideration there is a language barrier between you and the supplier.
Help with negotiations
When sourcing from China, the idea is to get a lower price than you normally would domestically. However, when the price is too low, the product quality may become questionable. This is where a good sourcing agent can strike a balance. They can get you a good deal, but not so low that it affects product quality.
Negotiations become easier when you have a sourcing agent since they speak the local language. They are aware of Chinese culture and customs. Hence, negotiations with sourcing agents are quicker and more efficient.
start-up business
The pain points of a start-up business are small quantity, so you can not bargain good price. If you buy from a sourcing agent, that place big orders with factories, it can give you a better price than factory-direct one.
The sourcing agents are used to international trading and time swift and they are willing to work overtime to support you.
why need a sourcing agent
old supplier
Project following-up:Chinese suppliers are very careful about what they share – they’re unlikely to inform you about production delays or ask questions if they aren’t sure about your product specifications. Sourcing agents can be helpful here as well, ensuring that the supplier is on the same page as you before production begins.
Checking orders in site: After you’ve greenlighted mass production, the agent will visit the factory again to inspect raw materials and even check the first few batches for quality.
New project: it is same as the start-up business or the one-time project.
new supplier
Verify credentials of your manufacturers
It is a good idea to check the credentials of your manufacturer before you start doing business with them. Be forewarned that when you ask for them, all of their credentials and licenses are bound to be in Mandarin. If you need to verify them, you will first need to pay a professional translator to translate these documents. That in itself would be quite expensive. There is also a risk that the manufacturer might just hand over a bunch of fake documents.
When you hire a sourcing agent, they know exactly how original certificates look. They are aware of the inspection bodies and the requirements that the manufacturer must meet. With a sourcing agent, you drastically reduce the chances of being duped by a supplier.
Verify that the supplier is professional at this product.
Follow-up and negotiation of the project
Payment
Many small factories do not have the import-export certificate, they can only export through the sourcing agents.
When you partner with an agent, you get comprehensive support throughout the sourcing process. If you want to get it right the first time and build along-term relationship with your supplier, engaging a sourcing agent is the right way to go.
how to find a reliable Chinese sourcing agent
Exhibition
International professional exhibitions
Chinese local exibitions
Canton Fair
B2B Platforms
Alibaba
made in China
Global sources
Google search
Professional markets
Yiwu Market
The Yiwu Market in Zhejiang is open all year round. It has 40,000 shops and should be on your radar ONLY IF you want to source bags, shoes, textiles, watches and accessories at low prices. This is because the marketplace is heavily tilted towards buyers in India, Africa and the Middle East, and therefore their products don’t reflect the regulations and safety standards in the EU or USA. If you want toys, cosmetics or medical devices, you should look elsewhere.
Disclaimer: Yiwu wholesalers are trading companies, not manufacturers.
Apparel: Guangzhou
Electric accessories: Shenzhen
how to vet a reliable Chinese sourcing agent
Look at the platform website or official website, the more you prove, the more powerful you are
（1）Look at the age
（2）Look at the number of channels
（3）see certificate
ask professional questions
Key solution: look at feedback speed and professionalism
See the contact's personal social media
Whether to focus on a certain industry
Do you change jobs often?
Whether the social media content is fancy or serious: fancy ones may be suitable for FMCG purchases and are more sensitive. Those who are more serious may be more rigorous in doing things
Location of the sourcing agent
Pearl River district: electronics, clothes, home appliance.molding，toys
Long River district: small accessories
North East district: machines, tires
what is a reliable Chinese sourcing agent
The simplest definition of a sourcing agent is a third-party that helps you find the right suppliers in a particular country. Generally, sourcing agents are familiar with the business practices and customs of that country and may also speak the local language.
The first is a one-man/woman show.
Strong Points:
it can be a more bespoke experience.
They may be specialists in one particular sector such as textiles and they can go deep into their network to help you if that’s what you are looking for.
Weak Points:
is that they may have limited bandwidth and resources, so they cannot take on many clients.
They may be more selective with their clients, and if you are not a great fit (e.g., you’re a newbie or wrong industry), they may not be able to help.
The second type is a sourcing company or trading company.
Strong Points:
having more people with different areas of expertise so they can help source products from more industries and from more areas across China.
they will have more staff to take on more clients, so they may be more willing to work with different types of sellers.
Weak Points:
you may receive less individual attention than if you were working with the owner directly.
the staff may communicate in English well but be less experienced in the actual sourcing side of the business。This means that they may be more of a go-between or basically an interpreter between you and the actual factory rather than someone that can draw upon their expertise to help guide you in your sourcing and product development.
