What a China sourcing agent should help you decide
A useful sourcing agent does more than send a list of product links. The first job is to turn your idea into a supplier-ready brief, find relevant candidates, ask the same questions consistently and show where the answers differ.
Shawe Sourcing is designed for startups, Amazon and Shopify sellers, independent retailers and first-time importers that want a manageable research step before committing to inventory.
What is included in our first sourcing round
- Brief clarification. We identify missing specifications that could make quotations difficult to compare.
- Supplier discovery. We search Chinese sourcing platforms and public company information for relevant factories and trading companies.
- Mandarin RFQ outreach. Where included, suppliers receive consistent questions about price tiers, MOQ, samples, lead time, customization and packaging.
- English comparison. Answers are organized so you can see differences, missing information and sensible next questions.
- Preliminary risk notes. We flag visible inconsistencies or gaps that deserve additional verification.
Why small buyers often need a different approach
Large importers can commission audits, legal reviews, laboratory testing and on-site quality teams from the beginning. Small buyers usually need to learn whether the product and supplier landscape are workable before spending that amount of money.
That is why our introductory packages separate research from later verification. You can begin with a shortlist and only add samples, inspections, testing or audits when the opportunity justifies them.
Supplier research is not a supplier guarantee
Preliminary screening is based on public information and direct communication. It does not replace a factory audit, credit report, certification verification, product test, pre-shipment inspection or legal review. Supplier claims and quotations should be reconfirmed before payment and production.
Questions to ask before paying a supplier
- Is the quotation based on the exact material, size, packaging and quantity you requested?
- Does the supplier understand the requirements of your destination market?
- What is included in the sample cost and production lead time?
- Who owns tooling, artwork and custom packaging files?
- What inspection or testing will happen before the final balance is paid?
- Are the payment beneficiary and contracting company consistent with the supplier you researched?
Start with a small, visible decision
The goal of the first round is not to pretend every risk has disappeared. It is to reduce the number of unknowns, compare suppliers using the same questions and decide whether a sample or deeper verification is worth the next investment.