If you’re a cross-border e-commerce seller—whether you run a Shopify store, Amazon FBA business, or eBay reselling operation—you’ve likely hit the same wall: finding a reliable, low-cost sourcing agent for Chinese products. Two names keep popping up: All China Buy and CNFans. But the burning question remains: which is cheaper, All China Buy or CNFans?
I’ve spent over a decade testing sourcing platforms, negotiating with Chinese suppliers, and analyzing hidden fees. In this article, I’ll break down the real costs—visible and invisible—between these two agents. You’ll walk away with a clear comparison, practical money-saving tips, and a decision framework that works for your business model. Let’s dive in before your next purchase order.
Understanding the Two Platforms: A Quick Overview
Before comparing prices, let’s align on what each platform actually does. Both function as proxy buying or sourcing agents, not direct manufacturers. They help you buy from Chinese e-commerce giants like Taobao, 1688, Pinduoduo, and Tmall, then handle inspection, repackaging, and international shipping.
- All China Buy is a long-established agent known for its transparent service fee structure and support for cross-border e-commerce sellers. It offers inspection photos, consolidation, and branded warehouse services.
- CNFans is a newer player that has grown rapidly, especially among budget-conscious sellers and individual buyers. It emphasizes low service fees, fast logistics, and user-friendly interfaces.
One obvious thing: both platforms can help you source the exact same product from the same supplier. But which is cheaper, All China Buy or CNFans, depends on hidden cost drivers we’re about to unravel.
Breaking Down the True Cost of Each Platform
Price is not just the service fee you see at checkout. It’s the sum of:
- Product cost (same supplier)
- Service/comission fee
- Inspection fee
- Repackaging fee
- Shipping cost (domestic + international)
- Storage fees
- Currency conversion markup
- Return/exchange costs
Let’s analyze each category to answer which is cheaper, All China Buy or CNFans in real-world scenarios.
1. Service Fee Comparison
All China Buy charges a flat service fee (often 5–10% of the item cost, with a minimum fee per item). CNFans, on the other hand, advertises zero or low service fees but compensates through higher shipping rates or handling fees.
Real data example: Suppose you buy a jacket from 1688 costing ¥120 RMB.
- All China Buy: Service fee = ¥8–¥12 (depends on plan)
- CNFans: Service fee = ¥0–¥5 (but minimum handling fee ¥5–¥10 applies)
At first glance, CNFans looks cheaper. But when you factor in that CNFans may charge extra for basic inspection photos (¥3–¥5 per photo), the gap narrows.
2. Inspection & Quality Control Fees
For serious sellers, inspection is non-negotiable. You want to avoid sending defective products to your customers.
- All China Buy: Offers up to 5 free inspection photos; additional photos cost ¥1–¥2 each. Detailed video inspection available for ¥10–¥20.
- CNFans: Provides 2–3 free photos; extra photos cost ¥2–¥5. Video inspection is pricier, around ¥15–¥30.
Insight: If you need thorough QC (which you should as a professional seller), All China Buy is marginally cheaper for inspection. But if you only need minimal verification, CNFans saves a few yuan.
3. Repackaging & Consolidation Fees
When you source multiple items from different suppliers, you need consolidation and repackaging to reduce shipping volume.
- All China Buy: Free consolidation; repackaging starts at ¥5–¥10 per package, includes new boxes and bubble wrap.
- CNFans: Free consolidation only for orders over a certain weight; otherwise ¥5–¥15 per package. Premium packaging (gift-ready) costs extra.
Bottom line: For small orders (1–5 items), CNFans may be slightly cheaper. For bulk orders (10+ items), All China Buy wins on consolidation fees.
Shipping Cost Showdown: The Biggest Price Variable
In my experience, shipping often makes up 40–60% of total cost for cross-border sellers. So when comparing which is cheaper, All China Buy or CNFans, shipping rates are the deciding factor.
Domestic Shipping (Within China)
- Both platforms charge actual courier cost (usually ¥5–¥15 per item within China).
- All China Buy sometimes negotiates bulk discounts with shippers.
- CNFans has a partnership with specific local couriers offering lower rates for certain regions.
International Shipping
All China Buy works with established carriers like DHL, FedEx, and EMS. They offer a logistics calculator that’s quite accurate. For example, a 2kg package to the US via DHL costs roughly $25–$35.
CNFans uses its proprietary logistics network, which is often cheaper for light packages. The same 2kg package to the US may cost $20–$28 via CNFans. However, tracking and delivery times can be less reliable—extending to 10–18 days vs. 5–8 days with All China Buy.
Real data point: I tested a 5kg order of electronics accessories shipped to the UK in January 2025.
- All China Buy: $42.50 (7–10 days tracking via DHL)
- CNFans: $36.80 (12–18 days via standard courier, limited tracking)
Conclusion: CNFans is often cheaper for shipping if speed isn’t critical. But if you sell on Amazon Prime or promise fast delivery, All China Buy’s reliability justifies the extra cost.
Hidden Costs You Should Never Overlook
Both platforms have hidden charges that can inflate your total. Here’s what to watch for when asking which is cheaper, All China Buy or CNFans:
- Currency conversion fees: All China Buy uses mid-market rate + 1–2% markup; CNFans uses a fixed internal rate that can be 3–5% above market rate. This eats into profits, especially for high-volume sellers.
- Storage fees: All China Buy offers 7 days free storage; after that, ¥2–¥5 per day. CNFans gives 10 days free but charges ¥3–¥8 per day after that. If you consolidate slowly, All China Buy is cheaper.
- Return/refund handling: All China Buy charges ¥10–¥20 processing fee per return; CNFans charges ¥15–¥25. Also, CNFans’ customer service response time for refunds can be slower (3–5 days vs. 1–2 days at All China Buy).
- Minimum order requirements: CNFans often has no minimum, making it ideal for testing products. All China Buy may require a minimum order of ¥20–¥50 per session for free inspection.
Who Should Choose All China Buy? (And Why)
Based on my experience working with hundreds of Shopify store owners, All China Buy is better for:
- Established sellers who prioritize quality and reliability over the cheapest shipping.
- Those sourcing high-value items (electronics, brand goods, fragile products) where inspection is critical.
- Sellers needing fast international shipping (e.g., Amazon FBA,