A China fulfillment agent buys your products from the factory, keeps stock in China when needed, and packs and ships every order to your customers. A 3PL only stores and ships goods you have already bought, usually from a warehouse near your customers. If you source from China and sell worldwide, an agent covers both steps: Dropfit finds the factory, holds your stock in China when it speeds up delivery, and processes Shopify orders automatically.
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What does a China fulfillment agent do?
- Sources the product: finds the factory with the right quality and price.
- Manages production and logistics up to shipping.
- Holds stock in China when it makes delivery faster.
- Processes orders as they come in from your store, and adds tracking.
- Packs and ships each order to your customers worldwide, in your branded packaging if you want.
China fulfillment agent vs 3PL: what's the difference?
| China fulfillment agent | 3PL warehouse | |
|---|---|---|
| Finds the factory | Yes | No |
| Buys the goods for you | Yes | No: you send them goods you already bought |
| Where the stock is | In China, when needed | Near your customers |
| Order processing | Yes | Yes |
| Branded packaging | Prepared at the source | Depends on the 3PL |
| Best for | Testing products and selling in many countries | Fast local delivery of proven bestsellers |
Many stores combine the two: they test in dropshipping from China and move bestsellers closer to customers (see dropshipping vs holding inventory).
Do you need a company in China to use fulfillment there?
No. With an agent you don't need your own entity in China: the agent buys, stores and ships on your behalf, and you deal with a single partner in your language.
When should you use an agent, a 3PL, or both?
- An agent when you source from China, test many products, sell in several countries or want your brand on every parcel.
- A 3PL when a product sells steadily in one market and next-day delivery matters more than unit cost.
- Both when you have a few proven bestsellers and a long tail of products you are still testing.
How does Dropfit handle fulfillment?
- Our team in China finds the factory and manages production.
- If needed, we keep your stock in our warehouse in China to speed up shipping to your end customers.
- Orders are processed 24/7, weekends and holidays included.
- Shopify orders reach us automatically and tracking numbers go back to your store (how it works).
- We ship worldwide, remote locations included, with custom packaging and inserts if you want them.
Frequently asked questions
What is a China fulfillment agent?
A company in China that sources your products, keeps stock when needed, and packs and ships each order to your customers.
Do I need a Chinese company to use fulfillment in China?
No. The agent buys, stores and ships on your behalf, so you work with one partner and don't need a local entity.
Is a 3PL better than a China fulfillment agent?
They do different jobs. A 3PL stores and ships goods you have already bought, close to your customers; a China fulfillment agent also sources and buys the goods. Many stores use both.
Does Dropfit keep stock in China?
Yes, when needed: we keep your products in stock in our warehouse in China to speed up shipping to your end customers.
Sourcing and fulfillment in one place
- Factory sourcing with a quote within 24–48 hours.
- Stock in our warehouse in China when it speeds up delivery.
- Orders processed 24/7, automatic Shopify sync and tracking.
- Worldwide shipping with your branded packaging.
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