News Ticker
Business in Guangzhou > Business Practice in China > Importing from China: Do You Really Need a China Buying Agent?

Importing from China: Do You Really Need a China Buying Agent?

28/03/2019 Sally Business Practice in China 103

Recently updated on November 15th, 2019 at 08:01 pm

With a local buying agent on your side seems to be much more helpful while importing from China, however, intermediaries are like a double-edged sword, before going into the deal weighing up the benefits can help you decide whether you need a China sourcing agent or not.

What’s China sourcing agent?

China sourcing agent is usually a third party service based in China that you can hire to source products, liaise with suppliers, perform quality inspection, arrange shipping and logistic, etc. on your behalf. There isn’t any standard what exactly a China sourcing agent should do.

Not everyone needs a buying agent in China, especially if you fit into these categories.

1.  With a very tight budget and saving costs is your first concern.

Most of the buying agents in China, be it Chinese buying agents or buying agents by foreigners in China, they tend to increase your price with service fee than dealing directly with manufacturers. However, things could work out much more smoothly if they stand on your side.

That being said, good China sourcing agents can help you filter the best supplier in the abyss of product search, carry out quality inspection, arrange shipping…saving you all the hassles across cultural boundaries.

China Buying Agent
China Buying Agent

2. Capable of handling all the trivial things on your own.

The abilities to handle everything without the help of sourcing agent is vital.

3. A profound knowledge of Chinese business practice and Chinese culture.

Business practice and culture in China is significantly different from the Western.  It’s important to understand the major differences underlying how people in the two cultures think as there’s great potential that they tend to misunderstand each other.

4. Working with reliable and honest suppliers.

Suppliers who will not cheat you on the quality of the goods, delivery time, etc. Some of the suppliers in China would usually say yes to everything before placing the order. After you pay then maybe they can’t do most of the things and they will ask you to choose other models or make other changes. Buying from China — What You Need to Know about Mr and Ms. Cha Bu Duo

5.  You don’t trust your buying agent.

China sourcing agent is a bridge between Chinese suppliers and clients. The first and foremost important is to find someone you feel reliable and comfortable to work with, or you’d better do it on your own. It’s just a matter of trial and error.

As a rule of thumb, competing based on low price is still the initiative for many businesses in China and it has lead to illicit competition. To be ahead in the rat race, some dodgy businesses launch products or services at exceptionally low prices. Those who are anxious to get things on the cheap would fall into the trap. Some China sourcing agents offer to source at commission as low as 1% with hidden costs. The average profit margin for retain business is about 80%, 20-30% for wholesale. How can a business survive making 1% of profit margin without clever maneuvering? Unless the clients are ordering truckloads. So use your common sense and don’t fall into the trap of low price.

The benefits of sourcing agents

  1. Sourcing new products and suppliers
  2. Audit suppliers
  3. Develop new samples
  4. Inspect quality
  5. Arrange shipping & logistics
  6. Manage Custom declaration & VAT

What to look for in a qualified China sourcing agent?

  • Product Expertise

Sourcing agents  with enriching experience and profound knowledge in the products you’re looking for can greatly speed up the sourcing process and saves time in quality inspection. For example, the sourcing of electronics requires more expertise , i.e., what kind of certificates are mandatory for EU, US markets, the materials of the electronics, what kind of manufacturing techniques are used, how to test the gadgets, etc. Another example is fabric, the sourcing agent should know the difference of fabric composition, cotton, polyester, rayon, linen, wool, etc. What kind of fabrics are better for making dresses, pants, jackets, swimsuits, sportswear, what kind of fabrics are for digital printing, screen printing, sublimation, etc.

  • Services

There’s no standard to the kinds of services a China sourcing agent offers. Some offer a one stop shop from the beginning to the finish of importing from China, while others only offer sourcing service, factory audit or quality inspection service.

  • Revenue Module

The revenue modules of sourcing agents vary depending on each other. Mostly commonly used revenue modules are as followed. 

1. Flat Fee

Some China sourcing agents charge a flat fee for the whole project or either a small part like sourcing products, quality inspection, etc. This is widely used in sourcing private label products especially private label clothes that require lots of customization.

2. Commission based

Some agents charge commissions based on your buying amount. The commission based revenue provides more incentives to sourcing agents to focus on large volume orders that require little time to develop.

3. Kickback

To win in the rat race, some doggy sourcing agents charge tiny commissions as low as 1% or free sourcing as you can see in some advertisements, while in the back they take black commissions from suppliers. Stay away from sourcing agents that charge as little as nothing or work for free, you don’t know what would be waiting ahead of you, maybe an increase of 20% kickback based on the original prices the suppliers give, or defective items.

Questions to ask a China sourcing agent

Here’re a few questions we suggest to ask a China sourcing agent before assessing whether they’re the right pick.

  1. Do you have experience with the product? How much do you know about the industry? How many years of experience?
  2. Do you offer a full service package? Can you help with sourcing supplier, prototyping, quality control, labeling and shipping?
  3. Do you source suppliers within your network or from open market places?
  4. What standards do you use to select and asses suppliers?
  5. How do you carry out quality inspection to avoid defective items?
  6. Do you charge from us fixed price or commission? Do you charge commissions from suppliers?

Related Articles

89 Comments on Importing from China: Do You Really Need a China Buying Agent?

  2. Dear freind

    i would like to visit guangzhou in the month of april 2018

    and my product is womens innerwear underwear.
    Is there any market in guangzhou for surplus stock excess stock cancel order stock in guangzhou and any market related to this type of stock then please reply me

    my mail id gujsil53@gmail.com you can send me wechat id on this mail id

    Reply

  4. hello, am looking for an honest agent who can be buying things in China and send them to Malawi… contact me

    Reply

  6. Hi, I’m Maytham Al-Saadi from iraq,
    I want to export leather from Iraq to China so I needed a reliable company to ship and unload as a customs and storage in the free zone in China

    Reply

    • Hi Maytham, thanks for contact. My colleague Kevin will be in touch with you by email. Best regards, Sally.

      Reply

  9. Hi,
    I am looking for an agent who can help me out in sourcing womens and mens footwear and bags from Guangzhou. Specifically looking for someone who can help me with the markets for the same.

    Thanks

    Reply

  10. Hi,
    This is Faiz Khan from India.
    We are Finished Leather Exporter since 15 years.
    Now we are planning to open a branch office in China.
    Any candidate who have sound knowledge of Finshed Leather working can contact me on my email ID: aceenter@hotmail.com

    Reply

  11. I need a facilitator in Guhangzho which can facilitate me regarding factory sourcing and wholesale market information and buying for garments and cloths items to supply goods to pakistan

    Reply

    • Hi Cathy, thanks for contact. My colleague Ariel will be in touch with you regarding ladies clothes. Thanks.

      Reply

    • Hello, do you mean phone cases? If you have plans visiting Guangzhou, you can buy directly from xidier electronic market. You can either source online or hire a buying agent in Guangzhou to source phone cases for you. Good luck.

      Reply

  16. Hi
    I’m searching for an agent who can help me to buy sports materials in china.For exemple: Adidas,Babola,Umbro,Nike,Reebok,Wilson,Asics and Head etc…
    Wish i get an answer soon form you.
    Best Regards
    Avesh
    Thanks

    Reply

  17. hi there

    im searching for a manufacturer that deals with womens wear, skirts specifically in Guangzhou china.

    Reply

    • Hi Omar, thank you for your message. My colleague Ariel will be in touch with you regarding ladies skirts supplier. Thanks.

      Reply

    • Hi dear, thank you for your message. My colleague Ariel will be in touch with you regarding OEM agent. Thanks.

      Reply

    • Hi Jennifer, thanks for your message. My colleague Ariel will be in touch with you regarding buying agent service. Thanks.

      Reply

  20. Hi, i need a sourcing agent for sourcing LED TVs to India. Can you support?. My what’s app number +91 9597977747

    Reply

    • Hi Anguraj, thanks for your message. My colleague Ariel will be following up the sourcing of LED TVs. Thanks.

      Reply

  22. Hi
    I am based in south Africa and very much interested in ladies hand bags. I have a very tight budget and not sure if you may help me. Please email me on tryme1709@gmail.com I would really appreciate all the help you may offer.

    Reply

    • Hello Delia, thanks for message and welcome to Guangzhou. My colleague Ariel will be in touch with you regarding buying agent service. Thanks.

      Reply

  25. Hi we are manufacturers – exporters all types of leathers goat skins / sheep skins / cow and buffalo is suitable for shoe upper / shoe lining / gloves / garments and hand bags.

    I want leather selling agents in China / Hong kong who can sell our leathers on commission basis

    Reply

    • Dear Rachel,

      Thanks for your message, we are the sourcing and shipping agent in Guangzhou China with providing one-stop logistic services, i am sending you the details now, kindly check your email box.

      Best Regards
      Ariel

      Reply

  28. Dear
    We need buying agent in guangzhou
    Please contact us
    Reply by email & please inform Whatsapp number also
    Best regards
    Bharat

    Reply

    • Dear Bharat, thanks for contacting us. My colleague Ariel will contact you regarding buying agent service. Thanks.

      Reply

  29. we are in importer from Australia and will be coming to china this month for canton fair and looking for agent to move a business forward as we a variety importer of Hot trending items.

    Will be doing few factory visit and need someone with good English.

    will be in china from 21st april 2017

    Reply

    • Hi Stephen, thank you for contacting us and welcome to China. My colleague Ariel will be contacting you regarding sourcing agent service.Thanks.

      Reply

  30. hello i am coming to ur city 25 march for ten days want to buy
    label weaving machines
    sticker making machines

    Reply

    • Hi Mohammed, thanks for your messages. We’re happy to assist you with purchasing men’s wallets. My colleague will be in touch with you. Thanks.

      Reply

    • Hi Joan, thank you for your message and welcome to Guangzhou. My colleague Ariel will be in touch with you. Cheers.

      Reply

  33. I am looking for good suupliers in guangzhou who deals in ladies and kids clothings and can help me provide goods in both retail and wholesale basis.Do whatsapp on 8169142465 or send a mail on deepakamazo@gmail.com

    Reply

  34. hello iam looking for agent to assist with buying handbags in gu hang gang guangzhou and help to collect and pay for all goods at a small warehouse to be collected by my shipping company 4 days mabye 5 please give your rates thanks billy mooker
    billy.mooker@yahoo.co.uk

    Reply

  35. I’m coming to Guangzhou in February and I need a agent for translation and transportation please contact me!

    Reply

  36. I am looking service agent who can arrange to pickup from different menufacturs and send to usa.
    Note: Few weeks ago we visited guangzhou and order some items.

    Reply

    • Dear Govind,

      Thanks a lot for contacting us. We’re very happy to help you collect all the goods, inspect quality if it’s necessary…and arrange shipping to USA.

      Reply

  37. I need a buying agent but I would like to first meet up in Guangzhou before doing deals. Please email your details thanks.

    Reply

  40. Hi there,

    I just want to inquiry about wedding boxes, how much it will cost. I need a massive amount of boxes in different variety. I need similar boxes as shown in the link below.

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25-50-100-Luxury-Wedding-Favour-Favor-Sweet-Cake-Gift-Candy-Boxes-Table-Deco-/192006484632?var=&hash=item2cb47a7298:m:m2mbmVsjA1-EcyGogQxJ4xg

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wedding-Party-Favour-Boxes-Candy-Sweet-Boxes-Gift-Favor-MANY-COLOURS-DESIGNS-/361471834999?var=&hash=item5429667b77:m:mMjwBmGjMxS44ephLzL4INQ

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-100pcs-Wedding-Favour-Favor-Sweet-Cake-Gift-Candy-Boxes-Bags-Anniversary-Party-/381305010558?var=&hash=item58c78cb97e:m:mjM2UFvnVK6Nk2v8xk5Cq0A

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-20-50PCS-Cute-Bee-Candy-Sweet-Gift-Boxes-With-Ribbon-Party-Wedding-Favor-Box-/282065725463?var=&hash=item41ac6d6817:m:mAGdbQ1S57QZlBTScBjCdWw

    Thanks

    Regards: Yousuf Moorad

    Reply

  41. We need a contact in Ghanghzou to buy some items for us.
    Can you help us?
    Waitiing for your contact,
    Regards,
    Cecile

    Reply

      • Hi,I am Ivan from Serbia.I will come for few days in Guangzhou to see some factory for kiddy rides.
        And I need agent to help me to by product.

        Reply

        • Dear Mr.Ivan

          We are the buying agent in Guangzhou and have purchased the kiddy rides before from a factory here, please check your email box.

          Best Regards
          Ariel

          Reply

          • Hello,

            I am from the Philippines currently looking for a sourcing agent for constructions materials.

          • Hi Aljon, thanks for your message. My colleague Ariel will be in touch with you regarding buying agent service. Thanks.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


Copyright © 2024 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes