epic sourcing

Building Materials Sourcing Agent NZ | China & Vietnam

Source building materials from vetted China & Vietnam factories with a Kiwi-owned agent. NZ standards, flat fee (no commission), on-ground QC. Book a free call.

A photo of the Epic Sourcing team members
about

We specialise in helping innovative Kiwi businesses navigate the journey of sourcing high-quality products and materials. We are here to support you at every stage of your sourcing process. Whether you are importing or manufacturing, our expertise and local personnel in China and Vietnam make sourcing simple.

10k
Products Sourced
25%
Average Savings Per Order
200+
Happy Clients
Building Materials

Building materials sourcing, sorted — from the factory floor to your site. Epic Sourcing is a New Zealand-owned sourcing agent that helps Kiwi builders, developers, merchants and homeowners import construction and fit-out materials from vetted factories in China and Vietnam. You get NZ-standards compliance, on-the-ground quality control, and one flat project rate — no commission, and no markup on your product price. You own your supply chain.

Who we help

New to importing? If you're building or renovating and have never sourced from overseas, we handle the parts that keep you up at night — checking suppliers are legitimate, making sure materials meet the NZ Building Code, and getting everything to site in one shipment.

Already importing and want a team on the ground? We have a building-materials specialist in Auckland and one in our Southern China office. We meet you in Foshan and Guangzhou, run the factory visits, negotiate, inspect, consolidate your container, and ship it to New Zealand.

What sets building-material sourcing apart?

Importing building products isn't just about cost — it's about compliance, consistency and capability. Whether you're sourcing structural steel or interior finishes, your supply chain needs to deliver quality that meets New Zealand standards, on time and on budget. We work with Kiwi construction businesses, developers and product merchants to source from China and Vietnam with confidence. Learn how our manufacturer prospecting service shortlists the right factories for each category.

Considerations for construction-grade sourcing

1. Standards & compliance

Products used in NZ builds must meet Building Code requirements. That can mean BRANZ or equivalent test reports, WaterMark/WELS for plumbing and tapware, RCM marking for electrical, and the relevant AS/NZS standards. Always request technical data sheets and third-party test reports — we build these checks into supplier vetting.

2. Material durability

Environmental exposure and wear-and-tear matter. You need verified performance specs for key products like insulation, roofing and joinery.

3. Customisation & fit-out readiness

Many suppliers support customisation — dimensions, finishes and branding — which streamlines installation and reduces on-site modifications.

4. Resilience through supplier diversification

Combining Chinese and Vietnamese supplier networks gives you flexibility across price, lead times and backup options if markets shift.

Categories we source

  • Cabinetry & joinery (including timber doors)
  • Tiles & stone — wall, floor, benchtops and splashbacks
  • Bathroomware & tapware
  • Electrical & lighting
  • Door & window hardware
  • Flooring — timber, engineered and tile
  • Steel, glass & balustrade
  • Aluminium & exterior systems

Why builders choose Epic

  • Flat project rate, not a percentage of your order — browse our pricing.
  • No commission or rebates from factories — our advice stays independent and in your interest.
  • Mandarin and Vietnamese speaking team bridging the gap with suppliers.
  • On-the-ground specialists in Auckland and Southern China for guided factory tours.

On-the-ground quality assurance

We work directly with manufacturers verified by our sourcing teams. Services include:

  • Factory audits and production capability reviews
  • Sample procurement and inspection
  • Ongoing quality control during production
  • Pre-shipment inspections, container consolidation and logistics coordination
"Like a secret you don't want to share. Epic has made importing too easy. Simple billing packages, qualified staff to make the complications disappear."
— Tom Law

Common challenges and how to avoid them

Varying standards

Product specs that work overseas might not meet NZ code. We review specifications and align product choices with regulatory requirements.

Unvetted suppliers

Cutting corners on due diligence can cost you. We vet every supplier and facilitate visits or audits as needed.

Miscommunication

Timezones, language and email chains lead to costly errors. Our bilingual teams keep projects moving.

Logistics bottlenecks

Heavy materials need specific freight planning. We manage customs, containerisation and delivery timeframes.

success story

Deal Mart

We partnered with Deal Mart to streamline their sourcing and scale their operations. From verifying garden shed factories in China to managing end-to-end QC and logistics, Epic Sourcing provided the flexible sourcing support this growing Kiwi retailer needed.

Get in touch

Let’s Make It Epic

We're here to make sourcing simple – and a whole lot less stressful.

Thank you for getting in touch with us.
You’ve just taken the first step towards a successful sourcing journey.

Our team will review your submission and get back to you shortly.

In the meantime, feel free to explore some of our client stories and see how we’ve helped businesses bring their products to market.
We look forward to learning more about your project.
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Book in a Video Meeting with Us
Choose a time that works for you and connect with one of our sourcing specialists via video call. No pressure, no obligation - just a friendly chat to explore how we can help.
Chat with Us
Speak to our friendly team via email.
kiaora@epicsourcing.co.nz
Call Us
Call our team Mon-Fri from 9am to 5pm.
0800 883 742
Visit Us
Meet us in person (booking required).
1 Drake Street, CBD, Auckland 1010
FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions to help you get the information you need.

Do imported building materials need to meet NZ standards?

Yes. Products used in NZ builds typically need to meet the Building Code and relevant AS/NZS standards. Plumbing and tapware need WaterMark/WELS, electrical needs RCM marking, and many products need BRANZ or equivalent test reports. We build these requirements into supplier vetting so you have visibility before you commit.

How do you charge — do you take commission?

A flat project rate. There's no markup on your product price and no percentage of your order. We never take commissions or rebates from factories, so our recommendations stay independent — and you own your supply chain.

Can you meet us in China and run the factory visits?

Yes. We provide in-person guided sourcing support in Foshan and the wider Guangzhou area — meeting you on the ground, translating, negotiating and visiting factories with you.

Can you handle quality control and shipping back to NZ?

Yes — pre-shipment inspection, consolidating multiple products into one container, and full freight and customs clearance to New Zealand.

Still have questions?

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Feel free to get in touch!

industries

More Industries

Looking to source something different? From sustainable packaging to electronics, baby clothing to automotive parts — we work across a wide range of industries.