Practical notes on buying from and selling into China — field-tested by the Guangzhou team that does the work. No theory, no recycled listicles.
Commission or flat fee? What a fair sourcing agent costs in 2026, what should be included, the kickback problem nobody talks about — and how to price-check your own agent.
PlatformsSame owner, two very different marketplaces: 1688 is where Chinese wholesalers buy, Alibaba is where the world shops. Which one fits your business — and how foreign buyers get access to 1688's real factory prices.
SourcingA remote-first checklist for verifying Chinese suppliers: business licence checks, live video factory tours, sample testing and third-party audits — what each step catches, what it costs, and when you really need boots on the ground.
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