§ 01 / 10
Yiwu Market
Yiwu is the world's largest wholesale market for small commodities. These guides explain how the market is organised, what each district sells, and how buyers actually place orders there.
- 01Yiwu Sourcing Agent Fees: How Agents Charge and What to CompareMost Yiwu buying agents charge a commission on the value of the goods; published rate cards reviewed in September 2026 mostly fall between 3% and 10%, with smaller orders at the high end. Some quote 1–2% plus separate container or handling fees, and others offer flat project fees. Fees vary widely, so compare what each quote includes and ask to see supplier receipts, since hidden supplier markups can cost more than the stated fee.5 min read
- 02How to Buy from the Yiwu Market Without VisitingYou can buy from the Yiwu market without traveling by combining three things: a way to find products (the operator's Chinagoods platform, supplier catalogs or live video tours of booths), someone on the ground (a buying agent or consolidation warehouse) to place orders, collect goods and check them, and a safe payment route with deposits tied to written orders. Remote buying works best for stock or lightly customized goods; complex custom products still need samples and inspection.6 min read
- 03Yiwu International Trade City: A Buyer's Guide to the DistrictsYiwu International Trade City is a wholesale market in Zhejiang with roughly 75,000–80,000 booths spread over Districts 1–5 and the Global Digital Trade Center, which opened in October 2025. Each district holds set product groups, from toys and jewelry to hardware, stationery, socks and imported goods. Booths trade daily except for a Chinese New Year closure of about two weeks; most buyers take the train from Shanghai or Hangzhou, order booth by booth, and use a consolidation warehouse to ship.6 min read
Key terms
- Consolidation
- Combining goods from several suppliers into one shipment, usually by collecting them at a single warehouse before loading one container or LCL consignment.
- Market procurement trade
- A Chinese export customs regime (supervision code 1039) for goods bought in approved wholesale market clusters such as Yiwu, with simplified declaration and a cap of USD 150,000 per declaration.
- Sourcing agent
- A person or company in China paid by the buyer to find suppliers, negotiate, place and follow up orders, check quality and arrange shipping on the buyer's behalf.
- Yiwu International Trade City
- The main wholesale market complex in Yiwu, Zhejiang, where tens of thousands of booths sell small commodities such as toys, jewellery, stationery, hardware and household goods.