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Transparent Pricing · Since 1997

China Sourcing Agent Commission: How We Price Our Work

Every factory invoice. Every fee. Every time. You see what the supplier charged and exactly what we earned. That is the only way a commission model should work.

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Zero Hidden Markups
28+ Years in Yiwu
Real Factory Invoices

Commission Rates

How Much Does a China Sourcing Agent Cost?

Most China sourcing agents charge a commission between 3% and 10% of your order value. The number on its own means little. What matters is what happens behind it — whether the factory price is real, whether the extras are disclosed, and whether the agent's interests line up with yours.

We charge a transparent commission. You see every factory invoice. We do not mark up product costs. Our rate depends on your order size and complexity, and we tell you the exact percentage before you send your first product brief.

Order Value (USD) Commission Rate Best For
$5,000 – $20,000 8 – 10% Testing new products, small-batch sourcing, multiple SKUs
$20,000 – $100,000 5 – 8% Regular importers, medium-volume orders
$100,000+ 3 – 5% Volume buyers, long-term supply chains
For high-volume clients with repeat orders from the same factory, we offer refundable commission structures — because our goal is a supply chain that runs for years, not a one-time fee.

Pricing Models

Three Sourcing Agent Pricing Models — Pick the Right Fit

Every sourcing project is different. Choose the pricing model that fits your needs. We will recommend the right one if you are not sure.

Most Popular

Commission-Based

5 – 10% of order value

You pay a percentage only when an order is placed. This is the standard model for most clients — it aligns our earnings with your results. If the factory price drops through our negotiation, your total cost drops too.

Best for: First-time orders, ongoing supplier relationships, uncertain scope.

  • Unlimited supplier shortlisting
  • Factory audit and license verification
  • Mandarin price negotiation
  • Pre-shipment inspection (AQL 2.5)
  • Weekly production updates
  • Consolidation at our Yiwu warehouse (30 days free)
  • Customs documentation and shipping coordination

Project-Based

From $200 per service

You pay a set price for a defined scope — no percentage, no surprises. Good for one-off needs or when you already have a supplier and only need specific help.

Best for: Standalone audits, single inspections, logistics-only support.

Factory audit$300 – $800
Pre-shipment inspection$200 – $400
Supplier research only$500
Logistics coordinationFrom $200

Monthly Retainer

$1,500 – $3,000 / mo

For clients sourcing multiple products every month. You get a dedicated team, priority response, and a reduced commission rate on every order. Minimum 3 months.

Best for: High-volume importers, multi-product retailers, long-term supply chains.

  • Same business day response
  • 2 free inspections per month
  • Monthly factory performance reports
  • Dedicated production tracking
  • Reduced commission rate (4 – 5%)

Full Transparency

What the Commission Covers — and What It Does Not

Transparency means knowing exactly what you are paying for. No gray areas.

Covered by Your Commission

  • Unlimited supplier shortlisting and factory audits
  • Price negotiation in Mandarin with factory owners
  • Pre-shipment quality inspection to AQL 2.5 standard
  • Weekly production monitoring and progress reports
  • Goods consolidation at our Yiwu warehouse (first 30 days free)
  • Customs paperwork and shipping documentation
  • After-sales claims and supplier accountability

Not Covered (Passed Through at Cost)

  • Product samples — billed at factory cost, shipped with receipts
  • Freight and shipping — quoted separately by carrier
  • Import duties and taxes in your country
  • Third-party lab testing — invoiced at cost with lab reports
We do not mark up any pass-through cost. Every third-party invoice is shared with you.

Client Stories

What Clients Say About Our Pricing

“

We worked with two agents before Home Evolution. Both quoted lower rates. Both ended up costing us more — one through inflated shipping, the other through factory markups we caught later. With Home Evolution, the factory invoice matches what we pay. That transparency alone saved us $12,000 on our first three containers.

MT
Michael T.
Home Goods Importer, UK
“

I was paying 3% to another agent. Turns out they were adding 8% to the factory price. Home Evolution's 6% with full transparency cut my actual sourcing cost by nearly 5%. The rate is only one part of the equation.

SL
Sarah L.
Amazon FBA Seller, USA

FAQ

Sourcing Agent Commission: Your Questions Answered

Our commission is a percentage of the factory invoice value — the actual price the factory charges. Not a marked-up number. We quote your exact rate in writing before the engagement starts.
Yes. When the factory is already vetted and production is stable, our work is lighter. Repeat orders typically qualify for a reduced rate. We will discuss this when your reorder comes up.
Yes, and we disclose every one in advance. Common pass-through costs include sample shipping ($30 – $150 via DHL/FedEx), travel for remote factory audits, and third-party lab testing when required. All are invoiced at cost with receipts — no markup.
We re-source at no extra charge within the same commission engagement. If the first factory fails audit or cannot meet your specs, we find another one. Our fee stays the same.
On first orders, the rate is based on your order size and product complexity — not on negotiation. On ongoing relationships with consistent volume, we offer reduced rates and refundable structures. Talk to us about your long-term plans.
We send you the original factory invoice — in Chinese, on the supplier's letterhead, with their company stamp. You can verify it directly with the factory if you wish. We encourage it.

Send your query or request a callback

Join thousands of successful entrepreneurs and small businesses who trust Home Evolution for their China sourcing needs.

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Shadow Tong

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Whatapp

Email

sales1@homeevolution.cn

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