Most China sourcing agents charge a commission of 5–10% of your order value. The problem is that many won’t tell you their rate until you’re already deep in conversation — and some hide their real margin inside the factory price itself. This page exists so you never have to guess with us: our complete fee schedule is published below, in full, before you spend a dollar.
Vonson Trade is a Toronto-based sourcing agent helping small businesses in the United States and Canada buy from China with factory-direct pricing and one transparent service fee. No ranges, no “contact us for pricing,” no surprises on the invoice.
The 3 ways sourcing agents charge
Before comparing agents, it helps to know the three pricing models you’ll run into — and the one practice that isn’t really a pricing model at all.
1. Commission on order value (most common)
The agent charges a percentage of the factory order, typically 5–10%. Rates usually slide down as order size goes up. This is the model we use, because it ties our pay to the size of the job and keeps our incentive simple: get you the best factory price, since our fee is calculated on top of it, never inside it.
2. Flat per-service fees
Some agents charge a fixed price per task — supplier search, factory audit, inspection, and so on. This can work well for a one-off, clearly defined task, but costs can stack up when a project needs several services in a row.
3. Monthly retainers
Businesses importing continuously sometimes pay an agent a monthly fee for ongoing sourcing and order management. Retainers can make sense at high, steady volume, but they are usually more than a small business needs for occasional orders.
Our fees — one transparent ladder
Here is our entire pricing. One line says it all: the bigger the order, the lower the rate — and there are no tiers to negotiate.
| Order value (factory price) | Our fee |
|---|---|
| Under $2,000 | $100 flat |
| $2,000 – $5,000 | 10% |
| $5,000 – $10,000 | 8% |
| $10,000 – $20,000 | 7% |
| $20,000 – $30,000 | 6% |
| Over $30,000 | 5% |
The fee is calculated on the factory order value. You pay the factory directly for your goods; we invoice our fee separately.
Boundary rule: each tier starts at its round number — $2,000 is charged at 10%, $5,000 at 8%, $10,000 at 7%, $20,000 at 6%, and $30,000 at 5%. Only orders strictly under $2,000 take the $100 flat fee.
What the fee covers
One fee covers the complete sourcing cycle:
- Tell us what you need. Send your specs, target price, quantity, and timeline. We reply within 1 business day.
- We find and verify suppliers. We identify factories that fit your product and check they can actually deliver it.
- Quotations and negotiation. You see the real factory quotes, and we negotiate on your behalf.
- Samples. We coordinate samples so you can confirm quality before committing to production.
- Quality inspection. Your goods are inspected so what ships matches what you approved.
- Production monitoring, freight, and delivery. We follow production through to shipping and delivery.
Worked examples
| Order value | Rate | Your fee |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | Flat fee | $100 |
| $3,000 | 10% | $300 |
| $8,000 | 8% | $640 |
| $15,000 | 7% | $1,050 |
| $25,000 | 6% | $1,500 |
| $50,000 | 5% | $2,500 |
On the $8,000 example, the $100 deposit (below) is credited against the $640 fee, leaving a balance of $540.
The $100 deposit
Starting a sourcing project takes real work — searching, verifying, and contacting factories. So every project begins with a $100 deposit, payable in USD or CAD through a secure Stripe link. Three things to know:
- It is credited in full. The $100 comes straight off your final fee. It is never an extra charge.
- It is refunded if we cannot find suppliers. If we cannot find at least 3 qualified suppliers for your product, we refund the deposit in full. That is our no-find-no-fee promise.
- It starts real work. Once it’s in, your sourcing project is underway.
No hidden markups — ever
You pay the factory directly for your goods. Vonson Trade invoices its fee separately. The real factory quote is always in front of you.
We take no hidden margin on factory prices and no kickbacks from suppliers. That matters more than it might sound: an agent paid secretly by the factory works for the factory. Our only income is the published fee above, paid by you — so the only side we are on is yours.
Our guarantees
- No-find-no-fee. If we cannot find at least 3 qualified suppliers, your $100 deposit is refunded in full.
- Defect protection. If goods arrive with verified defects, re-sourcing or re-inspection is free, and we coordinate rework or replacements with the factory on your behalf.
- Transparent pricing. The ladder on this page is the whole story — no tiers to negotiate and no charges appearing later.
Frequently asked questions
Is the $100 deposit refundable?
Yes — if we cannot find at least 3 qualified suppliers for your product. Otherwise, it is credited in full toward your fee, so it is never money lost.
Do you add any margin to the factory price?
No. You pay the factory directly at the real quoted price, and our fee is invoiced separately. We accept no supplier kickbacks.
Is there a minimum order size?
No. Orders under $2,000 simply carry the flat $100 fee instead of a percentage.
When do I pay the rest of the fee?
The $100 deposit starts the work. The remaining balance is invoiced separately from your factory payment — you always know exactly what the goods cost and what our service costs.
What if my goods arrive with defects?
Tell us, and we verify the defect. On verified defects, re-sourcing or re-inspection is free, and we coordinate rework or replacements with the factory for you.
Why not hire a cheaper freelancer on a marketplace?
Marketplaces can suit simple, one-off tasks. What they rarely offer is one accountable, North America-based partner across the full cycle — supplier verification, negotiation, samples, inspection, and delivery — with every fee published upfront. If your order matters, that accountability is what you are paying for.
Get a free quote
Tell us what you want to source — specs, target price, quantity, and timeline — and we’ll reply within one business day.
Get a Free Quote