For cross-border e-commerce sellers, one of the biggest challenges is how to source from China with limited funds. Many new sellers want to test the market quickly, but often face:
- Factories requiring a minimum order of 5,000–10,000 units;
- High mold fees or design charges for private label (OEM);
- Limited payment methods, often domestic bank transfer only — high risk.
In reality, there are thousands of small- and medium-sized Chinese factories willing to accept small MOQ orders (as low as 200–500 units).
The challenge? Most of them are not familiar with international trade and rarely work directly with overseas buyers.
👉 That’s where a sourcing agent adds value.
Common Small-Batch Production Options in China
1. Wholesale (Ready-to-Ship Stock)
- Factories already have inventory, you can buy directly;
- Very low MOQ (dozens to a few hundred pieces);
- Perfect for fast market testing;
- Limitation: limited styles and colors.
2. Private Label (OEM)
- Add your brand logo or custom packaging on existing products;
- Typical MOQ: 200–500 units;
- Cost-effective way to quickly build your own brand.
3. Small-Batch Customization (ODM)
- Modify existing factory designs or molds;
- Typical MOQ: 500–1000 units;
- Much cheaper than full original product development.
Why Work with Small & Medium Factories?
✅ Flexible: willing to take small orders, unlike big factories that reject them.
✅ Faster communication: fewer layers, quicker response.
✅ Reasonable prices: transparent factory-direct pricing, often cheaper than large factories.
⚠️ But risks exist:
- No PayPal/Stripe support;
- Unclear contract terms;
- Inconsistent product quality.
That’s why many sellers prefer to work with a trusted sourcing agent to make the process safer and more transparent.
How We Help Reduce Your Risks
- Find the right factory
We leverage local resources to evaluate production capacity, lead time, and reliability, then match you with the right partner. - Clear quotation comparison
Side-by-side comparison of price, MOQ, and lead time — without exposing factory details to prevent supplier bypassing. - Secure payment options
Pay through our company account (PayPal/Stripe supported). Funds are traceable and safer. - End-to-end follow-up
From sampling, production, quality inspection, to shipping documents, we monitor the process to ensure qualified products.
💡 Bonus: Our founder is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Tax Advisor (CTA) with 10+ years of cross-border finance experience — providing professional risk control and compliance throughout the sourcing process.
Who Benefits from Small-Batch Sourcing?
- New cross-border sellers: want to test the market without stock risks.
- Small brands: need private label but with limited budget.
- Wholesalers/distributors: flexible replenishment, lower inventory pressure.
Conclusion
Large factories serve big brands and have high entry barriers.
Small and medium factories are flexible, cost-friendly, and better for cross-border sellers and small brands.
With a reliable China sourcing agent, you can safely access factory-direct products with small MOQs and enter the market faster.
👉 Submit your sourcing request, and within 48 hours we’ll provide 2–3 reliable small-batch factory options — helping your cross-border business start with lower risk.