By icejie · 2026-09-20
Every sourcing agent wants you to believe their fee is "free" or "minimal." It's not. Here are the games they play — and how to spot them before they cost you your margin.
A 0% service fee means the markup moved into your unit price. You're still paying — you just can't see it. Legitimate agents charge a flat fee and show you the factory invoice. An honest China sourcing agent has nothing to hide.
Some agents mark up shipping 20–30% and call it "handling." Always ask for the freight forwarder's actual quote, not the agent's "best price."
"1,000 minimum" is often the agent's minimum, not the factory's. We've negotiated 200-unit orders from the same factories that quoted other buyers 1,000.
Sick of getting played? Get a quote with zero hidden fees.
About the author
icejie is the founder of YourSourcing, a China sourcing partner for small Amazon sellers and wholesalers — on the ground in China, with published fees and on-site inspection.