China sourcing agent for UK businesses
A China sourcing agent finds and checks factories in China and manages the buying process for an importer. This service is for UK businesses buying manufactured goods from China. We find, audit and negotiate with factories, compare quotes on landed cost and work open book, with no factory commissions.
Part of our product sourcing service.
China sourcing agent or sourcing consultant: who the agent works for
A typical sourcing agent in China earns a commission on the order value, often paid by the factory. That creates a quiet incentive to favour higher prices or particular suppliers. A sourcing consultant works for the buyer, with no stake in which factory wins. For more on the market, see how China sourcing agents charge.
For UK businesses, the difference is greatest where the spend is large, repeated and critical to margin. It is the difference between buying a product once and building a reliable supply base in China.
Finding the right manufacturer in China
China remains the deepest manufacturing base for most product categories. The challenge is choosing well among thousands of Chinese suppliers and telling a real factory from a trading company. Caventis shortlists Chinese manufacturers on capability, export track record and audit results, not on marketplace listings. The guide to sourcing from China covers the detail.
Buying from China on total cost
A lower unit price from China only becomes a saving when it survives freight, duty, quality failures, lead times and the cash tied up in stock at sea. All of that is modelled before a Chinese supplier is recommended. A should-cost model sets the target price so negotiation starts from evidence.
Sourcing beyond China
This service covers China only. For Vietnam, India, Turkey and other markets, the product sourcing service compares countries and suppliers on landed cost.
How it works: from brief to goods landed in the UK
- Brief and specification. Product, volumes, quality standards, target landed cost.
- Long list and RFQ. Chinese manufacturers identified through networks and trade data, then a structured request for quote.
- Samples and audits. Sample assessment, factory audit in China and supplier due diligence.
- Negotiation and contract. Price, payment terms, Incoterms, quality agreement and tooling ownership.
- First production and shipment. Pre-shipment inspection, freight, UK customs and first delivery.
- Ongoing management. Supplier performance reviews and annual re-benchmarking.
For contract manufacturing, private label and ODM products the same process runs with extra focus on tooling and IP.
How China sourcing projects are run
- Factory vetting. Business licence and registered scope checked, the production address matched to the licence, and real factories separated from trading companies before any quote is taken seriously.
- Samples. Samples from each finalist tested against the specification, then a pre-production sample made from bulk materials and approved in writing as the quality reference.
- Inspections. A factory audit on the leading candidates, then inspection during production on new or complex products and a pre-shipment inspection by an independent partner before the balance payment is released.
- Shipping. The Incoterm fixed in the contract, sea, rail and air options compared, and the freight forwarder and customs entry lined up so goods clear into the UK without delay. Freight and inspections are delivered by independent providers the buyer appoints.
For an illustrative project showing the same steps, see the product sourcing example moving a product from China to Turkey.
Supplier audits, vetting and inspection in China
Every shortlisted Chinese supplier is vetted before a purchase order is placed: business licence, ownership, export history, quality systems and social compliance. On critical products, factory audits and pre-shipment inspection are arranged through in-country partners. See supplier audit and due diligence.
Landed cost from China: duty, freight and Incoterms
Incoterms are set, import duty is modelled on the UK Global Tariff[1], sea, rail and air freight are compared, and import VAT cash flow is included. Useful background: Incoterms explained, import duty from China to the UK and how to import from China to the UK.
Frequently asked questions
What does a China sourcing agent do for a UK business?
A China sourcing agent finds Chinese manufacturers that can make the product, checks they are genuine factories, runs the request for quote, arranges samples and audits, and supports negotiation through to the first shipment to the UK. Caventis does this as an independent adviser to the UK buyer, and the buyer approves every supplier before anything is signed.
Why use a UK based China sourcing agent rather than one based in China?
A UK based adviser contracts with the buyer under English law, works in UK hours and answers to the buyer rather than to the factory. Caventis takes no factory commissions, works open book and uses in-country audit partners for site visits in China, so the buyer keeps control of every supplier relationship.
How do I check a Chinese supplier is a real factory and not a trading company?
Check the business licence and its registered scope, compare the factory address with the licence, ask for video of the production lines and ask for export references. An on-site factory audit is the only way to be sure, and it also confirms capacity and whether work is sub-contracted to another site.
What does MOQ mean when buying from China?
MOQ stands for minimum order quantity: the smallest order a Chinese factory will accept. It is often negotiable, especially against a longer-term volume commitment, by sharing materials across products or by accepting a higher unit price on the first run.
How are goods from China checked before they ship to the UK?
A pre-shipment inspection is carried out at the factory once most of the order is packed, against the agreed specification and a sampling plan. Caventis arranges this through in-country partners on critical products, so faults are found before goods leave China and before the balance payment is released.
Should a UK importer rely on China alone?
If one Chinese factory supplies a critical product, adding a second qualified source reduces the risk from tariffs, disruption and lead time spikes. That does not mean leaving China. Where another country may be the better fit, the product sourcing service compares the options on landed cost.
Related procurement topics
Specialist areas that complement this work.
About Caventis
Caventis (Caventis Ltd, registered in England & Wales, company number 17158263) is a UK procurement, supply chain and cost reduction consultancy. It works with global businesses to identify and deliver savings across procurement, operations and back-office spend, with every engagement shaped around what the client wants to achieve and results verified against the P&L.
The firm was founded by Matt Buckley, who leads every engagement personally, drawing on 16 years of procurement, supply chain and cost transformation experience at bp and General Motors. Matt holds an Executive MBA, two PG Diplomas in Senior Leadership and Finance, a Bachelor of Business in Supply Chain Management and MCIPS. Caventis is headquartered in the United Kingdom and serves clients internationally.
Related guides
- Sourcing from China: a guide for UK businesses
Supplier vetting, quality control, landed cost and duties for UK businesses sourcing from China.
- How much do China sourcing agents charge? Fee models and hidden costs
Commission, factory-paid, fixed and hourly models, hidden costs and questions to ask an agent.
- Importing from China to the UK: a 7-step guide
EORI, Incoterms, freight forwarders, sea vs rail freight and customs clearance.
- Import duty from China to the UK: how it works
Commodity codes, customs value, duty rates, import VAT and trade remedies.
- China plus one strategy: diversifying without leaving China
How to add a second sourcing country for resilience without losing China's advantages.
Discuss sourcing from China
Share the product and volumes to receive a view on Chinese suppliers and a target landed cost.