dateModified: 2026-09-27
Коротка відповідь: China sourcing agents typically charge in one of three ways: a commission of 5–10% of product value (most common; Alicarrier charges 8% with a US$50 minimum per order), a flat per-order or monthly fee, or a hidden markup baked into the product price (the model to avoid). On a $2,000 order, a transparent 8% commission costs $160 — usually less than the markup a “free” agent quietly adds. The right question is never “what is the fee?” but “what is my total landed cost, and can I see every line?”
The Three Fee Models
| Модель | Як це працює | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | 5–10% of product value | Minimums; confirm it covers QC & consolidation |
| Flat fee | Fixed per order/SKU or monthly retainer | Economical only at high volumes; service scope varies |
| Hidden markup | “Free” or “1–2%” service; agent buys low, quotes you high | You never see the real factory price — the most expensive model of all |
Red flag test: if an agent will not show you the supplier’s actual price, you are paying a markup you cannot measure.
What a Fee Should Include
A fair commission is not just “placing the order.” At Alicarrier, the 8% (US$50 minimum per order) covers:
- Supplier search, verification, and negotiation (3–5 options per SKU)
- RMB payment processing
- Warehouse receiving with photo records
- Basic QC: count, exterior check, visible-defect screening
- 30 днів безкоштовного зберігання (then $0.50/kg/week days 31–60; $1.00/kg/week days 61–90)
- Consolidation, repacking, and reinforcement
- Export documentation and DDP customs handling
Optional extras stay optional: AQL deep inspection ($80/man-day), custom packaging, labeling.
The Math at Three Order Sizes
Commission model, 8% with $50 minimum:
| Product Value | 8% Fee | Fee You Pay | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | $40 | $50 (minimum) | 10.0% |
| $2,000 | $160 | $160 | 8.0% |
| $10,000 | $800 | $800 | 8.0% |
Compare with the hidden-markup alternative: a “1% agent” quoting you $2,300 for goods that factory-direct cost $2,000 just took $300 — nearly double our fee on the same order, invisibly.
The 50minimummeansverysmallorderscarryahighereffectiverate—forordersunder 50 minimum means very small orders carry a higher effective rate — for orders under ~700, ask yourself whether a direct Taobao purchase (still through our warehouse, still consolidated) fits better than a managed sourcing order. We will tell you honestly; it is usually the same team either way.
When Paying an Agent Is Worth It — and When It Is Not
Worth it: multi-supplier orders, bulk/wholesale, customization, anything needing QC, and any destination where customs complexity (US post-de-minimis, EU 2026 rules) makes mistakes expensive.
Maybe not: a single $40 personal purchase you could place through a simple parcel-forwarding flow — you will still want our warehouse address and consolidation, but the full sourcing service is built for bigger jobs.
Пропозиції щодо внутрішніх посилань:
- Link “8% service fee” → Article 1: Як працює Alicarrier
- Link “bulk/wholesale” → Article 11: Bulk Sourcing for Resellers
- Link “consolidation” → Article 5: Пояснення щодо консолідації посилок
- Link “EU 2026 rules” → Article 9 · Link “US post-de-minimis” → Article 4
- Link “Is 1688 Safe” → published article (trust & verification angle)
CTA: Want a transparent quote on your next order? [Register for free] and send your product list — you will see the factory price, our 8% fee, and shipping as separate lines. That is the whole point.