How to choose a dropshipping agent in China
Six checks, the questions to ask every agent, and the red flags worth walking away from. The answers matter less than whether they are specific.
- Sample first
- Ask specific questions
- Watch for red flags
Six checks before you commit to an agent
Work through these in order. Most bad fits show up by the second or third.
- 01
Order a sample before anything else
Pay for one, hold the product and compare it with what you sell now. How an agent handles a simple sample shipment is a preview of how they will handle a problem order.
- 02
Ask what they check, specifically
A vague "we check everything" is a bad sign. A good agent names the failure points for your product category, such as stitching, clips, coatings, sizing and packaging.
- 03
Confirm there is a real warehouse and a real person
Ask who you will actually be talking to, on what channel, and where your stock physically sits. You want a named contact, not a rotating ticket queue.
- 04
Test their response time before you need it
Send a question and see how long a specific answer takes. Response speed during quoting is the best available predictor of response speed when a parcel goes missing.
- 05
Pay nothing monthly before you have orders
Be cautious of a subscription, account fee or minimum spend before a single order has shipped. Product cost plus shipping, quoted per product, is the transparent model.
- 06
Ask for a range, not a promise, on delivery
Anyone guaranteeing an exact delivery date on international shipping is either inexperienced or telling you what you want to hear. Realistic suppliers quote typical ranges.
The questions to ask every agent
Ask each agent the same questions and compare the answers side by side. Specific answers are a good sign; vague ones are the warning.
On pricing
- How exactly do you charge? You want product cost plus shipping quoted per product.
- Is there a subscription, account fee or minimum spend?
- Do you charge for storage, and is there a time limit?
- What does a sample cost?
On quality control
- What specifically do you check before packing?
- What happens when a unit fails inspection?
- Who pays when a faulty item reaches my customer?
On shipping
- Which carriers do you use, and how do you choose between them?
- What is the realistic delivery time to each of my markets, not the best case?
- How are duty and tax handled for my destination countries?
On the relationship
- Who will I actually be talking to, and on what channel?
- What are your working hours in my time zone?
- What happens when you close for Chinese New Year?
Red flags worth walking away from
Guaranteed delivery dates on international shipping
Nobody can honestly promise this.
Invented statistics
A big order count with nothing behind it tells you how they will describe your delivery times too.
No sample, or pressure to skip it
A supplier who does not want you holding the product before you commit is telling you something.
Vague answers on quality control
If they cannot name what they check on your product category, they are probably not checking much.
Pressure to move everything at once
A good agent would rather you test one product properly.
Quick answers on choosing an agent
How do I find a dropshipping agent in China?
Shortlist two or three agents, send each the same product list, and compare the quotes, how fast they reply and whether they flag any problems with your products. Then order a paid sample from the best one before moving any live orders.
What is the best dropshipping agent?
There is no single best one. The right agent depends on your products, your markets and your order volume. The best test is practical. A specific quote, a sample that matches what you sell, and clear answers about quality control and shipping.
What is a dropshipping sourcing agent?
A sourcing agent finds the factory that makes a product and negotiates on your behalf. Many dropshipping agents, including Axono Shipping, combine sourcing with inspection, branded packing and fulfillment, so one supplier handles everything from factory to customer.
Put us through the same checklist
Send us your products and ask us every question on this page. If the answers are not specific, do not work with us.