Apparel Sourcing Agent in China
HiSourcing is an apparel sourcing agent in China that takes clothing brands from fabric to freight. We find the right factory, develop your samples, manage production, inspect every order and ship it to you. Private label starts at 100 pieces per style, and we never add a service fee on top of your quote.
Get a Free Apparel Quote- Since 2017 · 8+ years sourcing in China
- 1,200+ clients in 50+ countries
- 50+ sourcing specialists
- Reply within 24 hours
One all-inclusive unit price, with standard quality inspections included. No commission is added on top.
Private label from 100 pieces per style. Smaller quantities can be consolidated with other buyers' orders.
Across Guangzhou, Humen, Zhejiang and the Keqiao fabric market.
What an Apparel Sourcing Agent Does for Your Clothing Brand
An apparel sourcing agent is your team on the ground in China. The agent matches your garments with factories that can make them, negotiates price and minimums, manages sampling and bulk production, inspects the goods, and arranges shipping. You deal with one partner instead of a long list of suppliers. That partner coordinates your apparel supply chain in China, from fabric sourcing to shipping.
HiSourcing is a full-service apparel sourcing company, and our clothing sourcing agents cover every stage:
- Ready-stock and private label. Stock garments from China's wholesale markets, finished with your own neck labels, hang tags and packaging.
- Custom production from your tech pack. OEM garment manufacturing from a tech pack or design sketch, including sampling and revisions.
- Fabric and trim sourcing. Fabrics, zippers, buttons, labels, hang tags and packaging materials, sourced to match your spec.
- Printing, embroidery and size grading. Artwork applied as specified, plus size charts and grading across your size range.
- Sampling. Samples in 7–10 days, with photos and video sent to you before anything ships.
- Garment quality control. Inline and final inspections, with a written report and photos.
- Consolidation and shipping. Different styles and suppliers combined into one shipment, with 30 days of free storage in our Yiwu warehouse.
- Product photos and FBA prep. White-background and lifestyle photos, FNSKU labeling and Amazon-ready packing.
New to working with an agent? Here is a fuller explanation of what a China sourcing agent does.
Clothing We Source — and Where: 200+ Apparel Factories in China's Garment Hubs
The right factory depends on the garment. A factory that makes great jersey T-shirts is rarely the best choice for tailored outerwear. That's why our garment sourcing agents work with more than 200 apparel factories, and we match each order to a manufacturing partner that already makes that product.
Clothing categories we source
- Category
- Tops
- What it includes
- T-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts, shirts and blouses, knitwear
- Category
- Activewear, workwear and outerwear
- What it includes
- Sportswear, yoga wear, swimwear, workwear and uniforms, jackets and coats
- Category
- Kids, intimates and accessories
- What it includes
- Kidswear, underwear and loungewear, socks, hats and scarves, bags
Where our apparel factories are
- Guangzhou. One of China's biggest clothing wholesale and fast-fashion bases, strong in women's wear and trend-led styles.
- Humen, Dongguan. A long-established garment town focused on women's wear.
- Zhejiang: Yiwu, Ningbo and Hangzhou. Yiwu for accessories such as hats, scarves and socks; Ningbo for knitwear and menswear; Hangzhou for women's wear.
- Keqiao fabric market, Shaoxing. One of the largest textile markets in the world, where we source fabrics and trims.
How we vet apparel factories
We only place orders with suppliers we have vetted and built a working relationship with. We assess each one on product quality, communication, production capacity and past performance, and factory audits are part of that process. If your brand requires social compliance audits, we can shortlist factories that have undergone amfori BSCI or Sedex SMETA audits. Many of these clothing manufacturers don't sell online, so you won't find them on the big B2B platforms.
How Our Apparel Sourcing Process Works, from Tech Pack to Delivery
One dedicated sourcing manager handles your project from the first quote to delivery. Here is what happens at each step.
| Step | You provide | We deliver | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Free consultation and quote | Photos, a sketch or tech pack, quantity per style, destination | Factory options and an all-inclusive quote | Within 2 working days |
| 2. Sampling | Fabric and size-chart approval | Samples, with photos and video. We can ship them to you, and you cover the express cost | 7–10 days |
| 3. Order confirmation | Sample approval and a 30% deposit | Order placed, with fabric, measurements, labels and packaging locked in | — |
| 4. Bulk production | — | Monitoring the garment production process, including an inline inspection when 20–50% of the order is made | 25–35 days |
| 5. Final inspection | Review the report, then pay the balance | AQL 2.5 inspection with a written photo report, and a 20% re-check when goods arrive at our Yiwu warehouse | Before shipping |
| 6. Consolidation and shipping | Choose sea, air, rail or express | Consolidated shipment, FBA prep or delivery to your warehouse, with 30 days of free storage | — |
Need a product developed from scratch? See our product customization service.
Example: how a private-label hoodie order runs
Here is how a typical order moves through those steps. Say you want two hoodie styles, 150 pieces each, with your own woven neck label, hang tag and polybag.
- Day 1. You send reference photos, your logo files and the quantities. Within 2 working days, you get one quote per style that already includes our margin and standard inspections.
- Days 3–12. We make samples with your labels attached and send photos and video. You check the fit against your size chart and ask for changes if you need any.
- Order. You approve the samples and pay the 30% deposit. The approved samples and size chart become the reference for every later check.
- Bulk, 25–35 days. When 20–50% of the hoodies are sewn, we check fabric, measurements, stitching and label placement, so any problem is fixed before the rest are made.
- Final check. We run an AQL 2.5 inspection and send you the report with photos. You pay the balance, and the goods move to our Yiwu warehouse, where we re-check 20% before packing.
- Shipping. The hoodies ship by sea or air, alone or alongside other products you bought in China.
From first message to ship-ready goods, an order like this usually takes about 6–8 weeks. The exact time depends on how quickly you approve samples and how many revisions you need.
Apparel Sourcing Agent Fees: No Service Fee, One All-Inclusive Quote
We don't charge a service fee or commission.
Our margin is built into the unit price we quote, and standard quality inspections are included in that price. The only costs billed separately are samples, shipping, and any extra inspection you request, such as piece-by-piece checks or a third-party inspector.
Here is how that compares with the fee models other sourcing agents commonly use:
| Fee model | How you pay | Industry-typical cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | A percentage of the order value (FOB) | 3–10%; often 8–15% on orders under $5,000 |
| Fixed project fee | A set fee per project | About $500–$1,500 for a single-style project |
| Monthly retainer | A fixed fee every month | About $500–$3,000 per month |
| HiSourcing | One all-inclusive unit price | No service fee; standard inspections included |
*Ranges published by sourcing agents and industry guides. Actual rates vary by agent and order size.
With one price per piece, you can compare our quote side by side with a factory quote or another agent's quote. No percentage gets added on top later.
For a deeper breakdown of every fee model, read our guide to sourcing agent fees.
Apparel MOQ, Sampling and Lead Times
Ready-stock garments start at one carton, private label at 100 pieces per style and custom production at 200 pieces per style, per color. Samples take 7–10 days, and bulk production takes 25–35 days after sample approval.
| Order type | Minimum order quantity (MOQ) |
|---|---|
| Ready-stock garments from wholesale markets | 1 carton |
| Private label (your labels, tags and packaging) | 100 pieces per style |
| Custom production (your design or tech pack) | 200 pieces per style, per color |
| Stage | Typical lead time |
|---|---|
| Sampling | 7–10 days |
| Bulk production | 25–35 days after sample approval |
Most clothing minimums come from fabric. Mills sell fabric by the roll, so a garment factory needs enough pieces in each color to use the fabric it buys. In other words, the factory's MOQ is the real limit, not ours. If your quantity falls short, we can consolidate your order with other buyers' orders to reach the factory minimum.
Want to understand how minimums work and how to negotiate them? Read our guide to MOQ. If you're comparing options for your own brand, see our overview of private label manufacturers.
Garment Quality Control: What We Check and When
A good sample doesn't guarantee good bulk production. Fabric can be swapped, measurements can drift, and labels can end up in the wrong place. That's why we run quality checks at three stages, checking fabric, workmanship and labels against your approved sample and measurements against your size chart.
| Checkpoint | What we check |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Composition, weight and color against the approved sample |
| Measurements | Key measurements against your size chart and tolerances |
| Workmanship | Stitching and seams, print and embroidery quality, loose threads |
| Labels and packing | Label content and placement, hang tags, folding, polybags and carton shipping marks |
When we check:
- Inline inspection when 20–50% of the order is produced, so problems get fixed before the rest is made.
- Final AQL 2.5 inspection before you pay the balance, with a written report and photos.
- A 20% re-check when the goods arrive at our Yiwu warehouse, before packing and shipping.
Standard inspections are included in your unit price. Piece-by-piece inspection or a third-party inspector is available as a separately quoted extra.
If we find a problem, we tell you right away with photos, video and a clear description. Then we work with the factory on rework, replacement, compensation or a discount, and adjust the timeline so your shipment stays on track.
Learn more about our quality control in China. If your size chart comes from a Chinese supplier, our Asian size to US size chart helps you check it.
Why Work with an Apparel Sourcing Agency — and How to Choose One
You can source clothing from China in three ways: go to a factory directly, buy through a trading company, or work with an apparel sourcing agency. Here is how they compare on the work you'd otherwise do yourself.
| Factory direct | Trading company | HiSourcing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finding and vetting factories | You do it | Done for you; the company buys from factories and resells to you | Done for you, across 200+ apparel factories |
| Sampling and production follow-up | You do it | Varies by company | One dedicated sourcing manager |
| Quality inspection | You arrange it | Varies by company | Inline, AQL 2.5 final and warehouse re-check, included |
| Small orders | The factory's MOQ applies | Varies by company | From 100 pcs per style, with consolidation |
| Best for | Brands with sourcing staff in China | Buyers who prefer to buy finished goods from one seller | Brands that want one partner from fabric to freight |
For a closer look at the difference, read sourcing agent vs trading company.
How to choose an apparel sourcing agent: 6 checks
-
Apparel experience.
Ask which garments the agent has produced, and in which garment hubs.
Our answer: four clothing categories, with 200+ apparel factories across four hubs.
-
Factories you can verify.
Ask how factories are vetted. You can also look up a Chinese company's registration on China's National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System.
Our answer: vetted suppliers only, with factory audits before production.
-
Transparent fees, in writing.
Ask exactly how the agent gets paid and what is billed separately.
Our answer: no service fee, one all-inclusive unit price, and extras listed up front.
-
Sampling and production control.
Ask what becomes the reference for bulk production.
Our answer: your approved sample and size chart, with samples in 7–10 days.
-
Small orders and private label.
Ask for the MOQ per style and per color.
Our answer: 100 pieces per style for private label, and 200 pieces per style per color for custom production.
-
Inspection reports.
Ask to see a sample inspection report.
Our answer: AQL 2.5 inspections with a written photo report.
Who we're right for: fashion brands, e-commerce sellers, retailers and wholesalers who want private label or custom production at low minimums, with one team managing everything from fabric to freight.
More tips: how to find a sourcing agent in China.
Apparel Sourcing Agent FAQ
Can you produce clothing from a tech pack or just a photo?
Yes. We can work from a full tech pack, a design sketch or reference photos. We turn your input into samples first. Once you approve a sample, it becomes the reference for bulk production.
What is your minimum order for private label clothing?
Private label starts at 100 pieces per style. Ready-stock garments start at one carton, and custom production starts at 200 pieces per style, per color. If your quantity is below a factory's minimum, we can consolidate your order with other buyers' orders.
How long do samples take, and do you charge for them?
Samples usually take 7–10 days. Sampling fees depend on the garment, and we always quote them before we start. We send photos and video of every sample. If you want the physical sample, we ship it to you, and you cover the express cost.
Can I add my own labels, hang tags and packaging?
Yes. Private label is one of our core apparel services. We can add your neck labels, hang tags, polybags and branded packaging, and we check label placement during inspection.
How do you make sure bulk production matches the approved sample?
We inspect at three points. There is an inline check when 20–50% of the order is made, then a final AQL 2.5 inspection with a photo report, then a 20% re-check at our Yiwu warehouse. Every check uses your approved sample and size chart as the reference.
Can you combine clothing with other products in one shipment?
Yes. Apparel is one part of our wider product sourcing service, so we can buy your other products as well. We consolidate goods from different suppliers in our Yiwu warehouse, with 30 days of free storage. Then we ship everything together by sea, air, rail or express.
Do you work with startups and small clothing brands?
Yes. Low minimums and order consolidation make it practical to launch a first collection or test a new style before scaling up.
How fast will you reply, and how soon can I get a quote?
We reply within 24 hours. Once we have your details, a full quote usually takes 2 working days.
Send us your design, tech pack or reference photos, along with quantities and your destination country. A sourcing specialist will reply within 24 hours.
Contact Our Apparel TeamRelated resources: Sourcing agent fees · MOQ guide · Quality control in China · Asian size to US size chart · How to find a sourcing agent in China
