Search for help buying from China and you’ll see five job titles that look interchangeable: sourcing agent, buying agent, procurement agent, import agent, trading company. Pick the wrong one and you pay twice for the same work — or worse, you hire someone who can’t actually do what you need.
Here’s a plain-language guide to the types of agents in China, what each actually does, and how to choose before you pay anything.
The 5 Types of “Agent in China” — Plain Definitions
| Type | Core job | Best for | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sourcing agent | Find & qualify factories for a product | Project-based buyers, Amazon sellers | 5-8% commission |
| Buying agent | Handle the full purchase: sourcing + ordering + follow-up | Importers who want hand-holding | 5-8% or flat fee |
| Procurement agent | Ongoing vendor management, repeat orders, renegotiation | Companies with recurring purchases | Retainer or 5-8% |
| Import agent | Logistics & customs focus: docs, freight, clearance | Buyers with suppliers already found | Per-shipment fee |
| Trading company | Buys from factories, resells to you at markup | Small orders, commodity products | Built into price |
The Overlap Problem
In reality, most good agents in China do 3-4 of these roles at once. A sourcing agent will also handle your QC and shipping. A procurement agent will also find new suppliers. That’s normal — the title matters less than what’s in the contract.
But two distinctions actually matter:
1. Commission-based vs. markup-based
- Agent (commission): you see the factory invoice, pay 5-8% on top. Transparent, but you must verify invoices.
- Trading company (markup): buys at factory price, sells to you higher. You never see the factory invoice — the margin is hidden.
If you want control and transparency, work with a commission-based agent. If you want simplicity (one price, no chasing), a trading company works — just know you’re paying a built-in margin.
2. Project vs. ongoing relationship
- Need help with one product order? A sourcing agent is enough.
- Placing recurring orders from the same factories? You need a procurement-style relationship — price renegotiation, quality trend tracking, backup suppliers. This is where long-term agents earn their keep.
How to Vet Any Agent in China (Before Paying)
No matter which type you’re considering, run this 5-point check:
- See the factory invoice — if they refuse to show it, the “5% commission” is hiding a markup
- On-the-ground presence — ask for their office address and a live video call from it. Remote “agents” are just middlemen
- A written contract — commission, QC standards (AQL levels), delivery responsibilities in writing
- Client references in your industry — talk to one, ask about quality issues and how they were handled
- Clear communication — response within 24h, honest about problems before they escalate
Red Flags That Apply to All Types
- Guarantees of “rock bottom prices” (usually means quality cuts later)
- Pressure to pay more than 30% deposit before production starts
- Vague QC (“we check quality”) with no AQL standard
- A “China agent” who has never been to the factory they recommend
Quick Decision Guide
| Your situation | Choose |
|---|---|
| New to China, one product, need end-to-end help | Sourcing agent (full service) |
| Found factories already, need QC + shipping | Sourcing agent (QC + logistics only) |
| Recurring orders, want price renegotiation yearly | Procurement agent |
| Very small order (< $1,000), want simplicity | Trading company (accept markup) |
| Supplier found, need customs/freight handled | Import agent / freight forwarder |
How Cantonmade Fits
Cantonmade has operated as a full-service sourcing and procurement partner in Guangzhou for over 12 years — serving importers across the US, Africa, Middle East and Asia. We work commission-based (5-8%) with every factory invoice visible, run AQL-standard inspections on every order, and assign one dedicated specialist per account so your supplier relationships stay consistent.
Not sure which type of China agent you need? Tell us about your situation — we’ll be straight about whether you need us at all, or just which services to use. Or read our 15-step process to see exactly how we work, and the FAQ for fee and MOQ answers.
