Sourcing Agent Fee Calculator

A transparent sourcing agent in Guangzhou typically charges 5–8% of the order value as a commission. Anything dramatically lower often means the agent is hiding their margin inside the factory price instead of charging you openly.

A transparent commission (5–8%) is an explicit, itemised fee on top of the factory price. A hidden markup is added silently inside the unit price, so you never see how much extra you paid — often 10–25% or more, and you cannot audit it.

Depending on the order size and how the factory price is quoted, a transparent 5–8% commission versus a hidden markup is what you get back — how much depends entirely on what was hidden inside the unit price. The calculator below works it out from your own numbers.

If the commission looks too good to be true, the agent almost certainly earns their money through a markup inside the factory price, foreign-exchange spread, or other hidden charges. A transparent agent shows you the supplier invoice and charges a clear fee.

No — this tool compares the agent's commission against a hidden markup on product value only. Freight, inspection, and other services are quoted separately and openly by a transparent agent.

Ask for the factory's original quotation directly, or have a sourcing agent verify the factory price on your behalf. If the price you paid is materially higher than the verified factory price, the difference is a hidden markup.