Everything you need to know about sourcing products from Chinese factories — from finding suppliers to receiving your shipment.
China manufactures approximately 28% of all global goods. For wholesale buyers, this means access to the world's largest selection of products at factory-direct prices — typically 30-70% below retail.
Whether you're a reseller on eBay, a Shopify store owner, or a small business looking for inventory, China sourcing offers:
Platforms like Alibaba (English) and 1688 (Chinese) connect you directly with factories. Good for large orders (100+ units), but challenging for beginners due to language barriers, payment risks, and no quality inspection.
A buying agent acts as your partner in China. They purchase from any platform (Taobao, 1688, Weidian), inspect quality, consolidate shipments, and handle international shipping. This is the best option for beginners and small orders.
Platforms like DHgate and AliExpress offer direct-to-consumer wholesale with built-in buyer protection. Prices are higher than factory direct, but the process is simpler.
| Method | Best For | Minimum Order | QC Inspection | Price Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct (Alibaba/1688) | Large orders, experienced buyers | Usually 50-100+ | None (DIY) | Lowest |
| Buying Agent | Beginners, small-medium orders | Often 1 piece | Included (free) | Low |
| Marketplace (DHgate) | Very small orders, testing | 1 piece | None | Medium |
Here's the typical process when using a buying agent:
Pro tip: Look for agents that offer free QC photos and free product sourcing. Some agents charge $0.30-0.50 per QC photo and $5-15 per sourcing request — these fees add up fast. ZenStreets / fishgoo offers both services for free.
There are several ways to find products to source:
The easiest way to start. Agents like ZenStreets maintain curated catalogs of popular wholesale products with prices already in USD. Browse our catalog of 1,900+ products →
For specific products, search directly on:
Copy the product link and send it to your agent — they'll handle the purchase.
Can't find what you need? Many agents offer free sourcing: send them a photo or description, and their team will find matching products from their factory network within 24-48 hours.
QC is the single most important step in buying from China. Without it, you're gambling with your money.
What good QC looks like:
Important: Always review QC photos carefully. Once you approve shipping, returns become much more expensive (international shipping costs). It's much cheaper to reject an item at the warehouse stage.
International shipping is usually the biggest cost after the product itself. Here's what to expect:
| Destination | Standard (7-18 days) | Express (3-5 days) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $7-9 / kg | $15-25 / kg |
| United Kingdom | $6-8 / kg | $12-20 / kg |
| Germany / EU | $7-10 / kg | $15-25 / kg |
| Canada | $7-9 / kg | $15-22 / kg |
| Australia | $6-9 / kg | $12-20 / kg |
Money-saving tips:
Check our detailed shipping rates and use the shipping calculator →
When your package arrives in your country, it may be subject to customs duties and taxes:
Tip: Most buying agents can declare a lower value on the customs form to reduce duties. However, this carries risk — if customs audits your package, you may face fines. Declare accurately for high-value orders.
Browse 1,900+ wholesale products at factory-direct prices. Free QC photos, free sourcing, no minimum order.
Start Browsing Products →It depends on the method. Direct factory orders typically require 50-100+ units. But buying agents like fishgoo have no minimum order — you can buy as little as 1 piece to test quality before scaling up.
Standard shipping takes 7-12 days to the US, 7-15 days to the UK, and 10-18 days to EU countries. Express options are available for 3-5 day delivery at a higher cost.
Use a reputable buying agent that offers free QC (quality control) photos before shipping. This lets you inspect every item before it leaves the warehouse. Never pay via Western Union or direct bank transfer to unknown sellers.
A buying agent acts as your intermediary in China — they purchase products from factories, inspect quality, and ship to you internationally. Recommended for beginners as they handle language barriers, payments, and logistics.
Most agents charge a service fee of 3-10% on top of the product price. Some agents like fishgoo include many services for free: QC photos, product sourcing, custom packaging, and consolidated shipping.
Yes — this is where QC photos are critical. If you reject an item during QC (before international shipping), the agent returns it to the seller at minimal cost. Once shipped internationally, returns are expensive and complicated.