Vietnam Sourcing Agent Fees & Pricing

How much does a Vietnam sourcing agent cost?

BuyGoodsFromVietnam (Primo Sourcing) charges 5–8% of the FOB order value for full sourcing services. For quality control inspections only, the fee is $180–280 USD per inspector per day. We do not add markups to factory prices — you always see the manufacturer's actual quotation.

Our Pricing Model

We operate on a transparent agency fee model, not a markup model. This means:

You receive the actual factory quotation — we never inflate it
Our service fee is agreed separately and upfront before you commit
We do not receive commissions or kickbacks from Vietnamese factories
The fee percentage is based on order complexity, volume, and product category

Complete Fee Schedule

Service	Typical Fee	What's Included
Full Sourcing Service	5–8% of FOB value	Factory sourcing, verification, negotiation, sample management, production monitoring, QC inspections, logistics coordination
QC Inspection Only	$180–280 USD/day	On-site quality inspection, AQL sampling, defect classification, detailed report with photos
Factory Audit	From $300 USD	On-site factory visit, capability assessment, production capacity review, audit report with photos
Sample Management	Included in full sourcing	Sample coordination, review, revision management (buyer pays sample cost + shipping)
Container Loading Supervision	$180–250 USD	On-site supervision of container loading, quantity verification, loading photos, seal number confirmation
Production Monitoring	Included in full sourcing	Weekly production updates, progress photos, timeline tracking, issue escalation

What Determines the Fee Percentage?

Our sourcing fee (5–8% of FOB) varies based on:

Order Volume

Larger orders typically receive a lower percentage. Orders above $100,000 are usually at the lower end of our range.

Product Complexity

Simple products (e.g., raw materials) require less management than complex products (e.g., custom furniture with multiple components).

Number of Suppliers

Projects requiring coordination across multiple factories involve more work and may be at the higher end.

Ongoing vs One-time

Repeat clients with ongoing orders typically receive preferential rates.

What Is NOT Included in Our Fee

To be fully transparent, the following costs are paid separately by the buyer:

Product cost — The actual factory price (paid directly to manufacturer)
Sample costs — Sample production and shipping (typically $50–500 depending on product)
Freight charges — Ocean or air freight (we help negotiate competitive rates)
Import duties & taxes — Based on destination country tariff schedule
Certification fees — If third-party testing (SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas) is required

How Our Fee Compares

In the Vietnam sourcing industry, agent fees typically range from 3% to 15% depending on the service model:

Model	Typical Range	Notes
Commission-based agents	3–5%	May receive undisclosed factory commissions
Transparent agency fee (Primo)	5–8%	No factory markups, transparent pricing
Full-service sourcing companies	8–15%	Often include markup on factory price
Trading companies	15–30%	Markup on factory price, less transparency

When Do You Pay?

Initial consultation — Free, no commitment required
Sourcing fee agreement — We agree on the percentage before work begins
Factory sourcing phase — A portion of the fee may be due when we deliver the shortlist
Order placement — Remaining fee is typically invoiced alongside the first production payment

Exact payment timing is discussed and agreed during the initial consultation. We are flexible and work with buyers to find a comfortable arrangement.

Vietnam Sourcing Agent Fees — FAQ

Is the initial consultation free?

Yes. We provide a free initial consultation to understand your product requirements, target pricing, and timeline. There is no obligation to proceed after the consultation.

Do you add a markup on factory prices?

No. We operate on a transparent agency fee model. You receive the actual factory quotation, and our service fee (5–8% of FOB) is agreed separately. We do not receive commissions or kickbacks from manufacturers.

Can I negotiate the sourcing fee?

Yes, particularly for larger orders or ongoing sourcing relationships. Our fee is based on project complexity, volume, and frequency. We are transparent about our pricing and happy to discuss.

What if I only need quality inspection?

We offer QC-only services at $180–280 USD per inspector per day. This includes on-site inspection at the factory, AQL sampling, defect classification, and a detailed report with photos. No sourcing fee required.

Do I pay the factory directly?

For most projects, yes — you pay the factory directly for the product cost, and our sourcing fee is invoiced separately. This ensures full transparency on what you pay to the manufacturer versus our service charge.

Are there any hidden fees?

No. We provide a complete fee breakdown before you commit. The only variable costs are product-related expenses (samples, freight, duties) which are standard for any international sourcing project.

How does your pricing compare to other Vietnam sourcing agents?

Our 5–8% agency fee is competitive for the level of service provided — including factory sourcing, verification, QC, and logistics. Unlike some agents, we do not charge hidden markups on factory prices, so your total cost may be lower even if the percentage appears similar.

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