Two of the UK's best-known China sourcing agents, compared honestly — from on-the-ground presence and service structure to Vietnam sourcing and who wins for UK SMEs.
Let me set the scene. You've decided to source products from China — maybe you're building a white label brand, launching on Amazon FBA, or importing for your own eCommerce store. You've done a bit of Googling, and two names keep appearing: Epic Sourcing and Avartek Sourcing. Both are UK-facing. Both claim to know China manufacturing inside out. So which one is right for your business?
I'll be straight with you — I'm TK Wang, Founder and Director of Epic Sourcing. So yes, I have a dog in this fight. But I've also spent years helping UK entrepreneurs choose the right sourcing partner (sometimes even when that partner isn't us), and I know a bad sourcing decision costs far more than just money. It costs time, stock, reputation, and sleep.
So let's do this properly. No spin. No flannel. Just the facts — and what they mean for your business. Welcome to possibly the most honest sourcing agency comparison on the internet.
Avartek Sourcing is a China-focused product sourcing company based in Bradford, West Yorkshire. They describe themselves as having over 15 years of industry experience, and their core services cover product sourcing, quality control, inspection, and brand development. They work with businesses from small startups to larger enterprises, primarily sourcing goods from Chinese manufacturers.
Their process follows the standard sourcing model: identify suppliers, request samples, negotiate pricing, conduct quality control checks, and coordinate shipment. They have a UK office handling client communication and supplier connections in China. Their Trustpilot reviews are positive, and they present as a credible operator in the UK sourcing space.
In short: Avartek are a legitimate agency doing solid work — particularly for buyers who need a reliable UK point of contact and have relatively straightforward China sourcing requirements.
Epic Sourcing (that's us) is a cross-border product sourcing agency serving UK entrepreneurs, eCommerce sellers, and brand owners. We've been doing this for over a decade across the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, with bilingual team members physically based in China and Vietnam — not just the UK. That distinction matters enormously when things get complicated on the factory floor, which they always do at some point.
Rather than a vague "we'll source your product" promise, we've built three distinct service packages — White Label, Private Label, and Secret Label — each designed for a different stage of brand development and level of customisation. We also cover both China AND Vietnam sourcing, which gives UK clients more flexibility as supply chain diversification becomes increasingly important.
We're also rather obsessed with education. Our Epic Guides and Sourcing 101 blog series aim to give UK entrepreneurs the knowledge to make smarter sourcing decisions — whether they work with us or not. (Though we'd obviously love it if they did.)
This is the biggest practical difference between the two agencies. Avartek operates with a UK-based team that maintains supplier relationships and networks in China. This model works for many buyers — especially for repeat orders with established suppliers where communication rhythms are already set.
Epic Sourcing has bilingual team members physically based in China and Vietnam. This means factory visits, in-person quality checks, real-time communication with manufacturers in Mandarin or Vietnamese, and the ability to move fast when something goes sideways in production. If you've ever tried to resolve a factory issue via email across twelve time zones, you'll know exactly why this matters.
Sourcing Hack #1: Always ask a potential sourcing agent: "Do you have team members actually based in China or Vietnam, or is your operation entirely UK-based?" An honest answer tells you a great deal about how they'll handle problems during production — and problems always happen eventually. Always.
Avartek offer product sourcing, quality control, inspection services, and brand development. These are practical, useful services. The structure appears to be proposal-based rather than built around defined packages with clear, pre-specified deliverables.
Epic Sourcing structures services into three clearly defined tiers. The White Label Package is designed for entrepreneurs who want to launch quickly with an existing product and their own branding applied. The Private Label Package involves customising products to your specifications — from materials to dimensions to packaging. And the Secret Label Package is for established brands who want to protect their supplier relationships entirely, with Epic acting as a confidential layer between them and the factory. Read our guide on white label vs private label if you're still deciding which model suits your business.
Sourcing Hack #2: Before engaging any sourcing agent, ask them to walk you through exactly what happens at each stage — from supplier identification to delivery at your UK warehouse. Vague answers about "managing the process" are a warning sign. Specificity signals genuine experience.
Avartek's focus appears to be primarily on China. That makes sense — China remains the world's dominant manufacturing hub for most product categories. But for UK importers in 2026, having Vietnam as a credible option is increasingly important. Whether it's avoiding certain tariff categories, accessing specialised manufacturing in textiles and furniture, or simply diversifying supply chain risk, Vietnam offers real advantages for the right products.
Epic Sourcing operates across both China and Vietnam with established supplier networks and on-the-ground presence in both countries. We can help UK clients make an informed decision about where to manufacture — not just route them to whichever location is most convenient for us. For an in-depth look at the distinction, see our guide on understanding the role of sourcing agents.
Sourcing Hack #3: If your product is in clothing, footwear, furniture, or soft goods, Vietnam is worth a serious look alongside China. Labour costs, production standards, and compliance positioning can make a real difference to your landed cost calculation. Don't let a China-only sourcing agent limit your options before you've even explored the alternatives.
Both agencies publish blog content and share sourcing knowledge publicly — which is a good sign in both cases. Sourcing agents who educate their clients build better long-term relationships than those who keep the process mysterious.
Epic Sourcing invests significantly in long-form educational content. The Complete Guide to Importing from China to the UK, for example, walks readers through every stage of the import process. We've also published detailed guides on importing from Alibaba, safety checks before your first Alibaba purchase, and the power of OEM manufacturing for small businesses.
Sourcing Hack #4: Judge a sourcing agent by the quality of the free information they share. If their blog is thorough, specific, and written by people who clearly know manufacturing at ground level — that transparency will carry into your client relationship too. Shallow content often signals a shallow operation.
Avartek has a solid Trustpilot profile and positive client testimonials. Customers mention reliable communication and consistent delivery — encouraging for any service business.
Epic Sourcing's social proof comes through detailed client success stories across our UK, Australian, and New Zealand operations, covering industries including gym equipment, fashion, homeware, electronics, and pet products. We've also helped many UK small businesses reduce costs by sourcing directly rather than through trading companies.
Here's my honest take — and remember, I'm biased, so factor that in accordingly.
If you're a small business in its early stages, sourcing a fairly standard product from China with modest customisation requirements, Avartek are a credible option. They're UK-based, have a solid reputation, and provide the core services most straightforward sourcing projects need.
If you're serious about building a brand, want Vietnam as an option alongside China, need a defined service structure with clear deliverables, or require a team that can physically be at your factory when production gets complicated — Epic Sourcing is the stronger fit.
If you're sourcing specialist products — including regulated categories like medical or aesthetic devices — the requirements are a whole different level of complexity. We've put together a detailed companion guide on importing medical and aesthetic devices to the UK that covers UKCA marking, MHRA registration, and duty implications.
The primary differences are geographic presence, service structure, and sourcing scope. Epic Sourcing has bilingual staff physically based in China and Vietnam and offers three defined packages (White Label, Private Label, Secret Label) covering both manufacturing bases. Avartek is a UK-based agency focused primarily on China sourcing, offering product sourcing, QC, and brand development services on a proposal basis.
Some do, some don't — and the difference matters enormously in practice. A UK-only operation relies on email and video communication with Chinese suppliers, which creates delays and limits real-time problem-solving. An agent with staff on the ground in China can visit factories, conduct in-person quality checks, and communicate in Mandarin without the lag of translation across time zones.
Costs vary depending on the agent, the product, and the scope of work. Most sourcing agents charge a service fee — either a flat project fee or a percentage of order value — with some also taking a margin on the product price itself. Epic Sourcing's packages have transparent, structured pricing. Contact us at epicsourcing.co.uk/contact or email hello@epicsourcing.co.uk to discuss your project.
For most first-time importers, yes — a good sourcing agent is worth the fee. They verify suppliers, manage sampling, conduct quality control, and flag issues before goods leave the factory. Going directly to Alibaba without support is possible, but the risks are significantly higher without an experienced agent in your corner.
Yes. Unlike many UK sourcing agents who focus exclusively on China, Epic Sourcing operates across both China and Vietnam with established supplier networks and on-the-ground team members in both countries. This is increasingly valuable for UK brands looking to diversify supply chains or access Vietnam's strengths in specific product categories.
These are Epic Sourcing's three service tiers, each designed for a different level of product customisation. White Label is for businesses wanting to brand an existing product quickly. Private Label involves customising a product to your own specifications. Secret Label is for established brands who need full confidentiality around their supplier relationships. See our full breakdown on the white label vs private label difference for more detail.
Whether you're sourcing your first product or scaling an existing line, having the right partner in your corner makes an enormous difference. We've helped hundreds of UK entrepreneurs navigate the complexity of China and Vietnam manufacturing — and we'd love to do the same for you.
Drop us a line at hello@epicsourcing.co.uk | 07551 136406, or book a free strategy call through our contact page.
Book a call with the Epic Sourcing UK team →
Written by TK Wang, Founder & Director @ Epic Sourcing
