What Are the China Sourcing Agent Fees? What’s your commission?
Thinking of importing from China but unsure about the sourcing agent fees?
You’re not alone. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a growing business looking to reduce supply chain risks, one of the most common questions we get at SourcingXpro is:
“How much does a China sourcing agent charge?”
The short answer: Most China sourcing agents charge a 5%–10% commission based on your order value.
But that’s not the whole story. There are actually three different pricing models, each suited for different types of importers.
In this article, we’ll walk you through:
- The 3 most common sourcing agent fee structures
- Pros and cons of each pricing model
- Which model we recommend (and why)
- Real insights from our 10+ years of sourcing experience in China
TL;DR: China Sourcing Agent Fees Summary
| Fee Structure | Best For | Typical Range | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Rates | Small tasks, freelancers | $10–$50/hr | Flexible, fast | Unpredictable, time tracking |
| Flat Project Fee | One-time projects, prototypes | $100–$1000 | Clear upfront cost | Risk of overpaying or scams |
| Commission-Based | Most buyers, long-term sourcing | 5%–10% | Scalable, performance-based | Requires some sourcing knowledge |
1. Hourly Rates – For Short-Term and Small Tasks
This is common on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, where freelancers offer sourcing services by the hour.
When it works best:
- Quick sample search, since upwork they are part time job not one firm company, so they can not work for you 100%, they also have others customer to service.
- Small quantity product sourcing, you can use them to find some small project and let them to send you the supplier contact info.
- One-time supplier verification
Pros: Full protected and easy to get the task done.
- No long-term commitment
- Pay-as-you-go flexibility
- Ideal for small budgets
Cons:
- Difficult to track hours honestly
- Cost may spiral without clear scope
- Not suitable for large or complex orders. Since the payment risk can be one problem, also they usually don’t have their own warehouse and team.
Can not use Alibaba trade assurance order, since their service fee you can pay on upwork, while you can not tranfer the order amount on upwork, why? Since the platform charge 10% handing fee, you have to pay them offline, this will be have some risk. If you just want them to find the supplier, and you arrange the payment, they will be okay.
2. Flat Project Fee – Clear Pricing but Tricky to Benchmark
Some agents prefer to charge a fixed rate per project, e.g., $300 to help you find 3 suppliers, inspect a sample, and manage shipping.
Best suited for:
- Prototype or new product development
- Buyers who prefer clear budgeting
Pros:
- Transparent, no surprises
- Easy to compare across agents
Cons:
- Overpaying is common if the task is simple
- Poor service if pricing is too low
- Hard to benchmark effort behind cost,
Pro Tip: Always clarify what’s included before paying a flat fee.
✅3. Commission-Based Fees – The Most Common and Scalable Model
This is the standard pricing model used by over 80% of professional sourcing agents in China, including us at SourcingXpro.
You are only charged a percentage of your total order value—typically between 5%–10%, depending on:
- Order amount over 1000USD
- Product complexity
- Ongoing cooperation, need to handle buying, inspection, and shipping and free warehousing.
Why we recommend this model:
- Only pay when results are delivered
- Incentive aligned with quality & cost-saving
- Transparent and easy to understand
Pros:
- Cost-effective for both small and large orders
- Pay as you go, no upfront risk
- Works well with repeat and long-term buyers
Cons:
- You should have a rough idea of your product cost
- More suitable if you have specific product needs
4. With this 5-10% commission, what does the service include?
Negotiation with the supplier: To help you get a better price, we will help you source on Alibaba, 1688, Pinduoduo, and the local market. Like Shenzhen Huaqiangbei, Guangzhou Zhongda Fabric, and Yiwu market. We will cross-compare to make sure you find the best price with the direct manufacturer, not the middleman or retailer.
Free warehouse: We will offer 6-month warehousing, so don’t worry about it. For our existing and repeat customers, we offer a free warehouse with no time limit.
Free inspection: We will help you verify the basic function and quantity to ensure all products meet high-quality standards.
Free consolidation: We will help you consolidate different suppliers into one carton or container. If you buy with your own supplier and already pay it, and still want us consolidation service. we also have that service. Please check the clink to know more.
Arrange shipment: we can help you to ship by sea, FCL, LCL, by air, by express, or even by Dropshipping ecommerce shipping channels like YunExpress, 4PX, Yanwen. Add your shipping market, check the final quantity and canton. Send you the tracking code or Bill of Loading so you can easily track.
Prepare the documents: We will send you the documents for customs clearance. Packing list, Commercial invoice, Country of origin. From F, From F.
5. Our Advice from 10 Years of Sourcing Experience
At SourcingXpro, we’ve worked with over 1,000+ global importers—from Amazon sellers to retail brands—and here’s what we’ve learned:
Commission-based sourcing is the most buyer-friendly option for growing businesses.
You pay based on results, and you get access to a full-service team—including sourcing, supplier negotiation, quality control, sample collection, and international shipping.
We typically charge 5%–8% commission depending on the volume and sourcing complexity. For repeat clients or high-volume orders, we offer custom rates.
6. How to Stay Safe When Hiring a Sourcing Agent
- Use secure payment methods (e.g., Alibaba Trade Assurance, Paypal, 20-30% desposit first and then 70% balance)
- Sign a clear sourcing agreement, sale contract with company stamp.
- Verify the agent’s business license and track record
- Ask for real project examples or success stories
✅ Real Talk: We’ve helped many clients recover from bad sourcing experiences—overpaid flat fees, lost samples, or ghosted agents. That’s why transparency and accountability are at the heart of our service.
Conclusion: What’s the Best Sourcing Fee Model for You?
Ask yourself:
- Order under $500? Try hourly or flat rate
- Building a product line? Go with commission
- Importing regularly? Commission-based = best ROI
Ready to Work with a Trusted China Sourcing Agent?
We’re SourcingXpro – 10 years of experience, 50+ team members, and a proven sourcing system.
Whether you’re sourcing from 1688, Alibaba, or a trade fair, we’ll help you manage the whole supply chain from product to doorstep.
Get a free quote today and see how we compare to your current supplier.
