How Much Do Sourcing Agents Charge?
By Hasan Olwan, in Yiwu since 2009 · Last updated: September 27, 2026
The short answer: most sourcing agents in China charge a commission of 3% to 10% of the order value, and some charge up to 15%. Small orders pay the higher rates, often with a minimum fee per order. Some agents charge a flat fee per project or a monthly retainer instead, and some charge “0%” and hide their fee inside the supplier’s price.
I’ve worked in international trade since 2007, and in Yiwu since 2009, so in this guide I’ll cover four things: the fee models you’ll see, what’s fair for your order size, the hidden costs, and the questions to ask before you sign.
1. The four ways sourcing agents charge
| Model | Typical range | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commission on order value | 3–10%, up to 15% | Most buyers | What the percentage is calculated on |
| Flat fee per project or product | about $150–500 per product, $300–2,000 per project | One-off product searches | Extra fees for follow-up and inspection |
| Monthly retainer | about $300–1,000 per month | Steady, high-volume buyers | Paying when you’re not ordering |
| “0% commission” with hidden markup | Unknown | Nobody | You never see the real supplier price |
Ranges from published industry guides (suppliers.ai, zignify.net), checked September 2026.
2. What's a fair commission for your order size?
In the market, the bigger the order, the lower the percentage. Small orders usually pay 8–10%, and large orders 3–5%, because the work of finding and managing a supplier doesn’t grow in a straight line with the order value.
We keep it simpler. Here’s what we charge at OLWAN Sourcing, published on our pricing page:
| Order value (goods only) | Our commission | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $50,000 | 4%, $150 minimum per order | $10,000 order → $400 |
| Over $50,000 | 3–4%, agreed with you | $80,000 order → $2,400–3,200 |
The rate applies to the whole order, and we calculate it on the value of the goods only, not on shipping or inspection.
For very small orders, a minimum fee changes the math. On a $2,000 order, our $150 minimum is 7.5%. That can still be worth it on a first order, when a bad supplier would cost you the full $2,000. But you should know the real percentage before you start, with any agent.
3. The hidden costs most people miss
Here’s the thing: the commission is rarely the whole cost. Ask about each of these:
- Hidden markup. A “0% commission” agent still gets paid, usually by adding to the supplier’s price or taking a kickback from the supplier. Ask to see the supplier’s original invoice.
- Commission base. Is the percentage calculated on the goods only, or on goods plus shipping and other costs? The same 5% costs more on a bigger base.
- Payment transfer fees. Many agents charge a percentage to pay suppliers for you. Ours is 2%.
- Inspection. Usually separate. Industry rates run from about $150 to $320 per man-day. Ours is $200.
- Samples. Usually charged at cost, plus express shipping.
- Warehousing and consolidation. Receiving, storing and repacking goods from several suppliers.
4. Five questions to ask before you hire an agent
- What exactly does your fee cover? Search, negotiation, follow-up, inspection?
- What is the percentage calculated on?
- Do you take any commission or rebate from suppliers? (Our answer: no.)
- Can I see the supplier’s original quote and invoice?
- What happens if the goods fail inspection?
To be completely transparent: a cheap agent can be the most expensive choice you make. One bad supplier on a $10,000 order costs more than any commission.
Summary
- Most sourcing agents charge 3–10% of the order value, and some charge up to 15%.
- Small orders pay more, usually through a minimum fee.
- Check the commission base, the hidden markup and the extra fees, not just the headline rate.
- Ask to see supplier invoices. An honest agent has nothing to hide.
Comparing your options? Read Sourcing Agent vs Alibaba vs Buying Direct, or send us your product and we’ll show you our exact fee before you commit.