Transparent India Sourcing Pricing: What You Actually Pay
TL;DR: Most India sourcing firms hide their fees behind 'request a quote' walls. We publish ours.
Below: exact commission rates, inspection fees, audit fees, and freight handling charges — with zero markup on third-party costs.
Get a sourcing quote
Tell us what you import. Our India team replies within one business day, in your time zone.
Sourcing Commission
Commission is billed only after you confirm a PO and is added on top of supplier FOB.
5%: orders > $100,000 FOB
7%: orders $25,000 – $100,000 FOB
10%: orders < $25,000 FOB
Negotiable retainer model for $1M+ annual spend
Zero fee for the initial 3-factory shortlist & quotes
Inspection & Audit (Pass-Through, No Markup)
Charged at our cost, billed separately so you see exactly what you're paying.
Factory audit (1 day): $250–$350
Initial production check (IPC): $300
Pre-shipment inspection (AQL 2.5): $350
Container loading supervision: $250
Lab testing (FDA/CPSC/Prop 65): at lab cost + $0
Freight & DDP (Pass-Through)
We do not mark up freight. You see carrier invoices.
FOB India port: included in supplier quote
Ocean freight: at carrier rate (we share quotes)
Air freight: at carrier rate
DDP to US/EU/UK door: customs + duty + last mile, no SWI margin
How We Compare
Answer: Direct comparison vs other India sourcing options.
Direct comparison vs other India sourcing options.
Sourcify: $299/mo SaaS + 5% — we charge no monthly fee
Dragon Sourcing: enterprise retainer only — we serve $5K orders too
Alibaba Trade Assurance: 5% to Alibaba, no inspection — we include AQL
Freelance agent: lower fee, no inspection team, no liability
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a sourcing agent in India cost?
Standard sourcing agent commission in India is 5–10% of FOB value, depending on order size. Inspection fees are typically $250–$350 per visit. Reputable agents like Small World India bill these as pass-through costs with no markup on freight.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. Our model is: 5–10% commission on FOB + actual inspection costs + actual freight. We do not mark up supplier prices, freight quotes, or lab fees.
Do you charge for the initial supplier shortlist?
No. We deliver a 3-factory shortlist with FOB quotes, MOQs, and lead times within 48 hours at no cost. Commission applies only when you confirm a PO.
How do I get started with Small World India?
Send us your product specs or reference images via the contact form. Within 48 hours we shortlist 3 vetted factories with FOB pricing, MOQ, and lead times — at no cost.
What is the typical MOQ for sourcing from India?
MOQs range from 100 units (jewelry, handicrafts) to 5,000+ units (textiles, packaging). We negotiate flexible MOQs for first orders and combine SKUs across factories when needed.
How does Small World India ensure product quality?
Every order includes factory audit, mid-production inspection, and pre-shipment AQL 2.5 inspection by our in-house QC team. You receive photos, videos, and a full inspection report before shipment leaves the port.
Which countries do you ship to?
We export to 50+ countries with primary buyer concentration in the USA, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, UAE, and Japan. We handle FOB, CIF, and DDP terms.
What are your fees?
Standard sourcing commission is 5–10% of FOB value, billed only after you confirm a PO. Inspections and freight are billed at cost with no markup.
Related Resources
Explore our guides and articles to help you source successfully from India.
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