“Agent or alone?” is not ideology. It is capacity, risk and import frequency. Many firms in Serbia start alone, stall on QC or papers, then look for a partner. Better to decide on purpose at the start.
What “alone” means
You (or your buyer) run:
- RFQ and negotiation,
- contract and payment,
- QC (remote or travel),
- freight booking,
- broker communication.
It makes sense when you have time, experience, English or Chinese support and a repeating simple SKU.
What a good sourcing agent / team does
- Shortlist and factory check,
- negotiation with local norms,
- sample management,
- QC / audit,
- pressure on papers (invoice, CO),
- optional: consolidation and handoff to freight.
Not “a person with WeChat who takes 5% and disappears”. Ask for a measurable scope. Models: Supplier selection, Sourcing execution.
When alone usually wins
- You already have a checked supplier 2+ years.
- One SKU, stable BOM.
- An internal person who actually runs China (not “on the side”).
- You can visit once a year.
- Volume is small. An agent fee would eat margin.
When an agent usually wins
- First serious import.
- Several factories / categories.
- Custom tool or mould and strict QC.
- You have no capacity for night communication.
- You need consolidation and FTA papers on time.
Papillon’s fee is a separate line, not hidden in the goods price. QC on jobs above 2,000 USD is standard before loading. Sea about 35–52 days. Sample 2–5 weeks. Shortlist 1–3 weeks.
Do not hire an inbox. Hire a visit, a sample approval and a QC report with photos. Compare office versus ground: desk broker or team on the ground.
Guide: Sourcing guide. Contact with SKU, quantity and whether a plant visit is in scope.
Next step
Send the request: category, quantity, and date. You get a reply within 24 hours, with an outline of the total cost to destination where we can price it.
