Sourcing Agent vs Doing It Yourself: The Real Cost of Buying From China

How do the options compare?

How are sourcing agents paid?

• Percentage of order value, commonly around 5 to 10%.
• Fixed fee per project or per month.
• Hidden supplier commissions, where the agent is paid by the factory without telling you. This is the model to avoid, because the agent's incentive is no longer your price.

At Husbar the model is out in the open: you pay a service fee, and suppliers in our network pay us a commission on orders we bring them, which keeps your fee lower. The price we negotiate is always shared with you in writing.

When should you do it yourself?

• Simple stock products with no customisation.
• You have imported before and know the process.
• Small test orders where the risk is low.

The real cost is time

Founders often value their own time at zero, a version of what behavioural economists call mental accounting: the agent's fee feels like a real cost, while 60 hours of your evenings does not. Put a price on the hours you would spend sourcing and compare honestly.

How Husbar helps

China Line is a sourcing agent and a marketing agency in one contract, accountable from the factory to your first sales. With Husbar's China Line, we find and verify the supplier, negotiate price and terms on your behalf, arrange samples, inspection and shipping, then market the product in the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Pakistan. You own the brand; we do the heavy lifting. Browse the Suppliers Directory or tell us what you want made.

Frequently asked questions