How much does a CNC machining sourcing agent charge in China?

I charge a transparent commission of 5–10% on the factory invoice value. There are no hidden markups added to your unit price, no retainer for standard projects, and you see the factory quotation before I add my fee.

Which CNC processes and materials can you source?

3-axis, 4-axis and 5-axis milling, CNC turning, Swiss-type turning, EDM, wire cutting and surface finishing. Metals include 6061 and 7075 aluminium, 303 and 316L stainless, brass, titanium and tool steels. Engineering plastics include POM, PEEK and PTFE.

How long does a first-article sample take from a Shenzhen CNC factory?

Once a drawing is final and a factory is selected, typical first-article lead time is 5 to 10 working days for machined parts, plus 2 to 4 days for international courier. I review the sample and send HD video plus a dimensional report before approving mass production.

Do you sign an NDA before handling my drawings?

Yes. I sign a mutual NDA before receiving any CAD file, drawing or bill of materials. Suppliers working on your project sign a separate NDA, and your drawings are never shared with a factory that is not assigned to your part.

Can you inspect parts to AQL standard before shipment?

Yes. I perform pre-shipment inspection to ISO 2859-1 (AQL), typically General Inspection Level II with AQL 1.0 for major defects. I supply a written report with measurements, photos and HD video of the packing process.

Do you only work with buyers outside China?

Yes. I work exclusively with overseas buyers — machine shops, robotics companies, product startups and OEMs sourcing precision metal components from China. I do not take on domestic Chinese purchasing work.

Shenzhen · Precision components

Your technical sourcing partner for CNC machined parts in China.

Stop losing weeks to slow replies, unclear drawings and quality surprises. I help overseas buyers find the right factory in Shenzhen, get your specs understood exactly, and inspect the parts before they ship.

You deal with one person who answers, not a ticket queue. Every drawing I quote is one I have read myself.

Request a free quote — 24h reply See how it works

CNC turning tool cutting a threaded bore in an aluminium component, close-up

NDA available on request

Alibaba Trade Assurance

AQL inspection standard

Transparent pricing

Services

Why work with a specialised agent instead of a trading company?

A trading company earns from the price gap between factory and buyer. I earn a fixed commission you can see. That is the whole business model.

Supplier vetting

I shortlist and screen at least three qualified factories that actually match your process, material and tolerance — not just whoever ranks first on Alibaba. You get their real factory profile, machine list and past similar jobs.

Technical translation

I read your drawing, not just your email. GD&T callouts, surface finish, material temper and heat treatment are reviewed before a quote is accepted, so the factory quotes the part you actually need.

Quality control

HD video inspection at first article and pre-shipment, with a written report covering dimensions, finish, packaging and quantities. You see the defects before they cross the ocean, not after.

Logistics coordination

I work with your forwarder or introduce a vetted one, check the commercial invoice and HS codes, and confirm the goods leave with the right documents. No surprises at customs.

Process

How it works

Three steps, no retainers, no long contracts.

Send your RFQ

Share the drawing or STEP file, material, quantity and target price. I reply within one business day with the questions a good factory would ask — before they become a quality problem.

Get a transparent quote

I collect competing quotations from shortlisted factories and show you the factory price side by side. My fee is stated openly at 5–10% of the factory invoice.

Inspect & ship

First-article approval, mass production follow-up, AQL pre-shipment inspection, then freight coordination. You get the report and video before the container moves.

Client feedback

What buyers say

“We had a tolerance problem on a batch of aluminium housings that our previous agent never caught. Qin reviewed the drawing before the order and flagged it. We avoided a full rework.”

— J. D., Purchasing Manager at a US robotics company (name withheld under NDA)

Sourcing agent checking a technical drawing and calculator draft on a desk

About

Why trust me?

I am not a trading company with a sales team. I am one person on the ground in Shenzhen, and my whole value is that I understand both the engineering and the language.

I work with a small number of buyers at a time, which is why I can personally review your drawing instead of forwarding it to a junior account manager. When something goes wrong on the factory floor — and sometimes it does — you are talking to the person who can walk over and look at the part.

No hidden markups. No commission inside the unit price. You see the factory quotation and you see my fee.

FAQ

Common questions

How much does a sourcing agent charge?

A transparent commission of 5–10% on the factory invoice value. No retainer on standard projects, and no markup added to the unit price.

Can you work with my existing supplier?

Yes. Many clients already have a factory but need independent inspection or spec clarification. I can act as a local quality partner rather than replacing your supplier.

What is the minimum order value?

There is no fixed minimum, but the economics work best above roughly USD 3,000 per order. For smaller first orders I charge a flat sourcing fee instead.

How do you handle my intellectual property?

A mutual NDA is signed before any drawing or CAD file changes hands. Files are shared only with the factory assigned to your part, and never with other buyers.

Technical guides

Reference material for buyers

Written for purchasing and engineering teams evaluating China sourcing. No sales pitch, just the checks and standards that matter.

Get started

Get your free quote today

Send your drawing or product details. I reply within one business day.