Larry Express DeliveryWhy use a China sourcing agent?
Buying directly from China without an intermediary exposes you to many risks: Alibaba scams, poor quality, language barriers, payment difficulties, and logistics problems. A local sourcing agent like LEXD eliminates these risks by managing every step from China.
- Avoid Alibaba scams and fake suppliers
- Get 20-40% cheaper prices through local negotiation
- Ensure quality with on-site inspection before shipping
- Simplify payment through our China office
- Consolidate multiple purchases into one economical shipment
Our complete sourcing services
LEXD offers a turnkey sourcing service from China. From supplier research to delivery at your African address, we handle everything for you.
- Supplier search: Alibaba, 1688, trade fairs, direct factories
- Price negotiation: Mandarin discussion for best rates
- Supplier verification: factory audit, license, history
- Quality inspection: product check before shipping with photos
- Secure payment: via our China office (Alipay, bank, WeChat)
- Consolidation: grouping multiple suppliers before shipping
- Shipping: air freight 14-21 days or sea freight 60-75 days to Africa
Alibaba vs 1688: which platform to choose?
Alibaba is the international English platform with higher prices. 1688 is the Chinese domestic market site with 30-50% lower prices but Chinese only. Our bilingual team buys on both platforms to find you the best opportunities.
- Alibaba: certified suppliers, Trade Assurance, international prices
- 1688: direct factory prices, Chinese domestic market, 30-50% cheaper
- We source on both platforms according to your needs and budget
- Systematic verification before any payment on 1688
Quick comparison
| Need | Without sourcing agent | With LEXD |
|---|---|---|
| Find a supplier | Hours of research, scam risk | Expert search + verification included |
| Negotiate prices | High export prices, language barrier | Mandarin negotiation, 20-40% savings |
| Pay in China | Impossible from Africa (Alipay, 1688) | Payment via our China office |
| Check quality | Surprise on receipt, no recourse | Photo inspection before shipping |
| Ship to Africa | Each supplier ships separately | Consolidation + economical group freight |
Our process
- Step 1
Send us your need (product, quantity, budget) on WhatsApp.
- Step 2
We research 3-5 qualified suppliers on Alibaba and/or 1688.
- Step 3
You choose the supplier, we negotiate prices and terms.
- Step 4
We verify the supplier, pay and follow production.
- Step 5
We inspect quality, consolidate and ship to your country.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a China sourcing agent cost?
Our sourcing fees start at $50 per order (search + negotiation). Quality inspection is $100. Supplier payment and consolidation have transparent rates based on amount and volume. Contact us on WhatsApp for a personalized quote.
Can you buy on 1688 for me?
Yes, this is one of our most requested services. 1688 offers 30-50% lower prices than Alibaba but is Chinese only. Our team buys for you, verifies quality, and manages shipping.
How to avoid scams on Alibaba?
We systematically verify every supplier: business license, history, customer reviews, factory visit when needed. We never pay an unverified supplier and use protection mechanisms when available.
What is the delivery timeline?
Supplier research takes 2-5 days. Production varies from 7 to 30 days depending on the product. Air freight adds 14-21 days, sea freight 60-75 days. We provide a precise timeline with your quote.
Do you deliver to all African countries?
Yes, we deliver to Cameroon, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin, Togo, Guinea, Cameroon, and DRC. Air freight usually arrives in Douala or Dakar with local transit.