Sourcing glossary
Trading company
Also known as: Trader, Sourcing company, 贸易公司
A company that buys products from factories and resells them to buyers, adding a margin and usually handling communication and export paperwork, without making the goods itself.
In China sourcing, a trading company sits between you and the factory. Its registered business scope usually covers sales, wholesale or trade rather than production. Many present themselves as manufacturers on B2B platforms, so checking the business license is the only reliable way to know.
Trading companies are useful for small, mixed orders, product testing and suppliers that don't sell abroad directly. The trade-off is a higher unit price and less visibility into who makes your goods. See factory vs trading company for how to tell them apart.
Related terms
Guides that use this term
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The twelve supplier scams importers meet in China, from the bank-account switch to the vanishing deposit, the check that exposes each, and what to do if you already paid.
Updated 2026-10-14 · 8 min read
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China Sourcing Agent: What They Do, What They Cost and When You Need One
What a China sourcing agent actually does, the four types you will meet, typical fees, when an agent beats buying direct, and a checklist to vet one before you pay.
Updated 2026-10-14 · 8 min read
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Which City in China Makes What: Product-by-Product Sourcing Index
An A-to-Z index of 60 product categories and the Chinese city or town that specialises in each, with links to the cluster page and wholesale market to start from.
Updated 2026-10-14 · 6 min read
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How to Source Women's Clothing from China: Markets, MOQ, Samples and Labels
Where women's clothing is made and sold in China, stock-pack vs made-to-order MOQs, how to sample and check quality, sizing, and the labels your market requires.
Updated 2026-10-10 · 8 min read
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