What’s the pros and cons of working directly with factories in China vs. using a sourcing/import agent in the U.S.?
Dealing with factories may seem to give you the lowest prices but that’s not always true if you are not dealing with the right one, or, not handling the process properly as things can go wrong and cost you extra $$. If you have very simple items and can easily identify the process, plus you are interested in learning all the nuts and bolts about importing, it is worth considering going direct. Otherwise, you could always do the sourcing yourself from China manufacturers and outsource the importing part from an import management company. If your product involves multiple components or is a new invention/design, you can also consider working with a sourcing company in the U.S. who can help you find reliable manufactures in China and doing the importing for you later on.