No matter you’re a small business owner looking for one-time product source, or an established brand need a long-term supply chain management, if you’re planning to purchase from overseas, especially the main markets like China, Vietnam, or India, then a trusted, qualified source agent is recommended.

A sourcing agent is a third-party professional or entity that acts on your behalf to find, vet, and manage suppliers.

They bridge the gap between your business and manufacturers by overcoming language barriers, cultural differences, and logistical complexities. 

Core Responsibilities

Sourcing agents provide a range of end-to-end services to streamline the procurement process: 

• Supplier Identification: Scouring local markets to find manufacturers that meet your specific product needs.
• Negotiation: Leveraging local market knowledge to secure better pricing, lower Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs), and favorable payment terms.
• Quality Control (QC): Conducting factory audits and product inspections (pre-shipment or during production) to ensure goods meet your standards.
• Logistics & Documentation: Coordinating shipping, packaging, and handling customs documentation to ensure smooth cross-border delivery.
• Product Development: Assisting with prototyping, sampling, and engineering to turn a design into a production-ready item. 

Common Pricing Models

As of 2025, sourcing agents typically charge through the following methods:

• Commission-Based: The most common model, different commission level on the order value / annual purchasing.
• Flat Fee: A fixed amount charged for specific tasks, such as for a supplier search or for a factory audit.

• Hourly/Fixed Salary: Often used for individual freelancers hired through platforms. 

Types of Sourcing Partners

1. Individual Agents: Often work as freelancers from home; they are flexible and cost-effective but may have limited resources or networks.
2. Sourcing Agencies: Small to medium companies with a dedicated team of agents specializing in different industries.
3. Sourcing & Logistics Companies: Large organizations provide comprehensive supply chain management, including warehousing and full-scale quality assurance.

Mankare Sourcing, as a small size of sourcing company, reputation is from the professional technical sourcing and rich experience which saved from cooperating with many EU&US customers from various/cross board industries, and the flexible operation, supercharging your procurement, making your purchasing in China as simple and even more satisfactory than locally.

If you have any questions on your purchasing from China, please don’t hesitate to contact Dan Li from Mankare Sourcing.

📩：dan.li@mankaresourcing.com

📞/WhatsApp：86-159-2136-5479