China sourcing agent · Melbourne
China sourcing agent for builders in Melbourne.
A managed sourcing partner based in Brisbane, working with Melbourne builders and developers. Direct from vetted factories, with our team on the ground in China.
- Shortlisted factories are vetted before you meet them
- Samples approved and goods inspected before they ship
- One team from factory floor to your site
Call +61 7 3392 1421 or 1300 168 869
20+ years
company-reported
1,000+ businesses
company-reported
30,000+ suppliers
company-reported
Is this for you? For builders and developers sourcing for projects. Not for dropshipping or resale.
Events
What is on
Upcoming
Melbourne Builders Summit
Thursday 12 November 2026
Malvern Town Hall, 1251 High St, Malvern VIC 3144
7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Lindy Chen is presenting: 20 minutes on sourcing direct from China. Run by Builder Elite, free to attend.
Upcoming
Booth Z20
Melbourne Builders Expo
25 and 26 November 2026
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne
Meet the team at Booth Z20 to talk sourcing, procurement and supply chain.
Upcoming
Melbourne project walkthrough
Friday 27 November 2026
Melbourne
- 10:00 AM: Warburton holiday-home (Airbnb) project
- 2:00 PM: Thomastown four-townhouse project
Walk two Melbourne projects built with products sourced direct from China, and ask the developer about sourcing, procurement and delivery.
Why this matters now
Three things that cost you margin
1
Local quotes leave no room
Material costs are up and margins are tight on every project.
2
One supplier can hold your programme
A single delay can stall a whole stage of the build.
3
Direct sourcing looks risky
Wrong factory, specification errors, quality surprises, freight and customs.
Construction sourcing is now a global price check. Your local suppliers know it. Material costs are up, margins are tight, and a single supplier can hold your programme. The answer is not the cheapest quote. It is a second, controlled supply line that runs alongside your local one, used selectively in the categories that move your margin.
What managed means
A managed second supply line
You do not import. We run the sourcing for you: shortlist and vet factories, translate and negotiate, approve samples, inspect before shipment, and coordinate freight and customs to your site. You keep control of every decision. We carry the detail.
Vetted factories
Shortlisted manufacturers, vetted before you meet them.
Negotiation and samples
We negotiate on your behalf and approve samples with you.
Inspection
Checks at the factory, during production and before shipment.
Delivery to site
Freight and customs coordinated to your project.
Our 8-step process
- 1Discovery and feasibility review
- 2Product list and sourcing strategy
- 3Supplier research and vetting
- 4Itinerary or remote sourcing plan
- 5Negotiation and order placement
- 6Production monitoring and QA
- 7Pre-shipment and logistics
- 8Delivery and long-term supply chain
Read next:How it worksCase studiesBuilding materials from China
Proof
From people who have done it
“My experience on the China Direct Sourcing China Buying Trip was fantastic. It was incredibly valuable to see firsthand what's available and to get a real feel for the opportunities in China. Charmaine did an excellent job guiding us.”
Your guide
Lindy Chen founded ChinaDirect Sourcing in 2005. She is Mandarin-speaking, on the ground in China and based in Brisbane, and she leads every buying trip and VIP tour herself.
Frethan: My Supply Chain is the platform behind the process. Orders, suppliers and documents in one place, so you can see where every order stands.
Questions
What people ask first
What does it cost to find out?
The first step is a conversation about your project. We tell you honestly whether direct sourcing makes sense for it, and where.
Can I not do it myself?
You can. Many builders who try it alone lose margin to the wrong supplier, specification errors, quality gaps and freight surprises. We take that detail off your desk.
Is it risky?
The risk is not China. The risk is doing it without a system. Shortlisted factories are vetted before you meet them, samples are approved before production, and goods are inspected before they ship.
How long does it take?
About 6 to 8 weeks from the end of the China trip to delivery on site: production 2 to 4 weeks, sea freight about 3 weeks, customs and delivery about 1 week. Production time depends on the product category.
Next step
Ready to test direct sourcing on a Melbourne project?
Start with a conversation about your project.
Two short steps. We use your answers to prepare for the call.
- 1. We review your details today.
- 2. Ann or Lindy's team replies within one business day.
- 3. Bring a bill of materials or your top three categories.
Sales line: +61 7 3392 1421
Ready when you are
The form is at the top of the page.
Figures marked company-reported are ChinaDirect Sourcing's own figures.
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