When kiwi businesses look at importing from China or importing from Vietnam and realise that trying to source from Alibaba on their own is too much work and too risky, one of the first questions is:

“How much does a sourcing agent cost?”

The answer depends on who you deal with and what you need. While some sourcing agents are upfront and transparent, others conceal commissions and factory payments that can significantly increase your costs beyond what you expected.

This guide examines sourcing agent costs, compares international markets, and explains how Epic Sourcing New Zealand offers a transparent, value-driven alternative.

Why Sourcing Costs Matter for New Zealand SMEs

Margins are already tight for many small businesses. Between rising shipping costs, fluctuating exchange rates and compliance requirements, importers can’t afford hidden expenses.

Sourcing agents are supposed to make the process easier by finding suppliers, negotiating prices, handling quality checks and managing logistics. But if they bury hidden fees into your order, they can quickly become part of the problem.

The reality: many agents advertise a 5–10% commission, but undisclosed factory kickbacks can inflate this to 20–25%.

That difference can determine whether you launch profitably or struggle under inflated costs.

What Do Sourcing Agents Actually Do?

Before comparing fees, it helps to understand what a sourcing agent should provide. Services can include:

• Supplier identification and verification: finding factories that can reliably deliver
• Negotiation: securing fair terms, better pricing and workable payment schedules
• Quality control: overseeing samples, production runs and pre-shipment inspections
• Project coordination: keeping clear and helpful communication flowing between you and the factory
• Shipping and logistics support: managing documentation and freight forwarding
• Intellectual property protection: ensuring your designs and packaging remain secure
  
  

Some agents offer only introductions to suppliers and manufacturers. Others deliver complete end-to-end management and prefer to have ongoing relationships. You need to have an understanding of exactly what you need before you start comparing sourcing agent costs. 

Sourcing Agent Pricing Models Explained

Sourcing agents usually charge in one of three ways:

Commission Based Pricing

• Quoted: 5–10% of order value
• Reality: Often 20–25% when hidden kickbacks are included
• Pros: No upfront fees, scales with orders
• Cons: Hidden commissions, inflated costs, budget uncertainty
  
  

Flat Fee Structure

• Range: $500–$3,000 per project
• Pros: Predictable, transparent
• Cons: May be less flexible for very large or long-term projects
  
  

Hourly Rates

• Range: $50–$100 per hour
• Pros: Works for audits or one-off tasks
• Cons: Costs are unpredictable, hard to control
  
  

At Epic Sourcing, we find that flat fees are the most recommended because they are more predictable and you’re protected from hidden costs. 

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Sourcing Agent

These questions can save you from choosing the wrong sourcing agent and paying too much:

1. What exactly is included in your fee?
2. Where is your team based? Do they understand New Zealand business practices?
3. Do you provide quality control and factory visits?
4. How do you choose manufacturers?
5. Do you offer end-to-end coordination or only introductions?
6. Can I customise services instead of buying a complete package?
7. Will I retain ownership of the supplier relationships after completion?
8. Which other businesses have you worked with?
   
   

At Epic Sourcing, we answer these questions clearly and up front so you understand exactly what sourcing agent costs you’re paying for. 

Sourcing Agent ROI: The Bigger Picture

A good sourcing agent doesn’t just save you time. They deliver measurable returns.

Industry case studies show:

• Best case: 300–400% ROI 
• Base case: 150–250% ROI 
• Worst case: 50–100% ROI
  
  

Epic Sourcing’s partnership with Suna Pilates, a boutique wellness studio in Auckland, highlights how strategic sourcing can generate substantial savings even for small businesses. Facing high supplier costs and long, unpredictable lead times, Suna engaged Epic to find new manufacturers, manage sampling, and oversee production quality. Within months, Epic secured suppliers offering the same (or better) product quality at 40% lower prices, while implementing quality inspections and improved packaging. The collaboration not only reduced costs but also strengthened Suna’s supply chain reliability and positioned the brand for long-term scalability.

Why Epic Sourcing New Zealand Is Different

At Epic Sourcing New Zealand, we have built our pricing model based on transparent sourcing fees:

• Flat fee – with no hidden extras or factory kickbacks
• No minimum orders – supporting startups and established importers alike
• No ongoing commissions – you own the supplier relationships if you choose to move on
• Local and international support – You pay AUD pricing and access sourcing agents on the ground in New Zealand and overseas (China & Vietnam). 

We also provide quality control and factory visits to ensure your goods meet New Zealand standards.

Sourcing packages

We charge fees on a sliding scale, depending on whether you want to import some basic branded products, customise existing products or develop something completely from scratch. 

All packages include manufacturer prospecting and verification, custom sample creation, contract negotiation, quality control, shipping management, post-purchase management and a bilingual project coordinator. Ongoing order management fees may apply. 

View our sourcing agent cost packages. 

DIY vs Professional Sourcing

DIY sourcing may seem like the way to go, especially with online destinations like Alibaba giving you direct contact with manufacturers, but it often proves more costly in the long run.

DIY drawbacks:

• Higher supplier prices
• Risk of low-quality products
• Contracts that aren’t in your favour
• Time lost to communication difficulties, translating and problem-solving
• Complex shipping and compliance challenges
• Suppliers unexpectedly going out of business
  
  

Professional agent benefits:

• Better pricing through volume leverage
• Proactive quality checks
• Logistics and customs expertise
• Reduced risk of compliance failures

Want to know how professional sourcing works? Read more about our sourcing services.

Risks of Choosing the Wrong Sourcing Agent

Choosing an ineffective, inexperienced or unethical sourcing agent can cost you thousands. 

Risks include:

• Paying double in hidden commissions
• Being locked into ongoing fees for repeat orders
• Receiving poor-quality goods with no recourse
• Losing valuable time on rework and disputes

Unethical agents often receive a commission from the manufacturer, who then includes this commission in their costs, so what you believe is only a 5-10% commission is actually much higher.

Ready to import smarter? Contact us for a free consultation and discover how Epic Sourcing can save your business thousands while giving you confidence in every order.