Hidden commissions and kickbacks can still be found in China sourcing, and many importers are unaware that they’re paying for them. In this episode, Adrian and Renaud unpack how these schemes work, how agents and trading companies quietly erode your margin, and what a more transparent, safer sourcing model looks like.

Episode Sections:* 00:00 – Intro & today’s topic: hidden commissions in China sourcing * 01:32 – Agents vs trading companies: who are you really buying from? * 03:01 – When a middleman does add value (and when they don’t) * 07:48 – Transparent trading companies acting as a factory’s sales office * 12:44 – Buyer-side agents, double commissions, and why it’s so tempting * 18:01 – How traders quietly erode your margin with small opaque factories * 21:48 – Short-term thinking, “circles” of trust, and why you’re outside of it * 24:44 – Red flags with agents: pricing control, commission structure, and resistance to change * 25:47 – Red flags with traders: factory visibility, visits, and compliance documents * 26:56 – Moving to a safer model: when you may need a completely new supply chain * 29:14 – Simple health-check: how well do you really know your supply chain? * 31:00 – Why a lack of visibility puts your IP and business at risk * 31:42 – Wrap-up, “health check your sourcing” call-to-action, and Sofeast support

Related content...* Agent vs. trader vs. importer: what differences? * Is My Supplier A Trading Company Pretending To Be A Manufacturer? * Do you need a sourcing agent to buy from China? * Chinese Suppliers: “Are you my factory?” * Hidden commissions between China factories and sourcing agents

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