Best Platforms for Sourcing CNC-Machined Parts from China

Most engineers and procurement teams eventually face the same challenge when sourcing CNC parts from China: too many suppliers, not enough visibility into which ones are actually reliable.

Open marketplaces have thousands of CNC machining listings, but sorting through them takes time. You have to vet each supplier individually, request samples, verify certifications, and hope the communication stays consistent once production starts. Some companies have dedicated sourcing teams that can manage this process. Most do not.

That gap has created demand for platforms that sit between raw supplier directories and fully managed manufacturing services. These platforms pre-vet suppliers, standardize the quoting process, and often provide account management to handle communication issues. The tradeoff is usually cost. Platform markups and managed service fees add overhead compared to sourcing directly from factories.

The right platform depends on your priorities. Some specialize in fast prototyping with instant quotes. Others focus on verified factory access with dedicated support. And open marketplaces still offer the most extensive selection at the lowest cost for teams that can manage supplier relationships themselves.

Below is a breakdown of the main platforms available for sourcing CNC-machined parts from China, along with the strengths and limitations of each.

1. Haizol

Haizol is an RFQ marketplace that connects international buyers with verified manufacturing suppliers in China. The platform launched in 2015 and has since grown to include over 700,000 listed factories, though the company focuses specifically on custom OEM parts rather than finished goods or consumer products.

The main differentiator is Haizol’s supplier verification process. Each factory profile includes business credentials, qualifications, and technical capabilities that the platform has pre-vetted. This removes much of the due diligence burden that typically falls on the buyer when sourcing from China.

Haizol also assigns a dedicated key account manager to each customer, which helps resolve communication issues and manage orders between parties. That hands-on support model is uncommon among sourcing platforms and shows up consistently in customer reviews as a key benefit.

The platform supports NDA and NNN agreements for intellectual property protection, which addresses one of the primary concerns companies have when working with Chinese manufacturers. Quote turnaround is typically within 24 hours, and buyers receive multiple quotes from different suppliers rather than a single price.

The main limitation is geographic scope. Haizol only connects buyers with Chinese suppliers, so companies that need manufacturing options in other regions will need to use additional platforms.

Highlights:

• Verified supplier profiles with pre-vetted credentials and capabilities
• Dedicated key account manager for each customer
• Multiple quotes within 24 hours
• NDA and NNN support for IP protection
• Focus on custom OEM parts rather than consumer goods

2. Xometry

Xometry operates as a manufacturing platform that routes orders to a network of vetted partners in the US, Europe, and Asia. The company has built its reputation on instant quoting and fast turnaround for prototypes and small-to-medium production runs.

The platform uses an AI-powered quoting engine that analyzes uploaded CAD files and returns pricing immediately. This speed makes Xometry popular with engineering teams that need quick iteration cycles during product development. The company also offers a managed service for China-based manufacturing, where a US-based team handles communication with the overseas facility and manages the order from quote to delivery.

Xometry’s quality assurance program includes inspection labs in Germany, the UK, Turkey, and China. Buyers can request inspection of final parts before shipment, which adds a layer of verification that most platforms do not offer.

The tradeoff is cost. Xometry applies a platform markup to all orders, and the instant-quote model means you receive a single price rather than competitive bids from multiple suppliers. For larger production runs or cost-sensitive projects, this pricing structure may not be the best fit. The platform also operates as an intermediary, so buyers do not communicate directly with the manufacturing partner.

Highlights:

• Instant online quotes with automated DFM feedback
• US-based team manages communication for China orders
• Quality inspection labs in multiple countries
• Strong fit for rapid prototyping and small batches
• ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, AS9100D certified network

3. Alibaba

Alibaba remains the largest B2B marketplace for sourcing from China, with over 200,000 suppliers offering CNC machining services. The platform’s RFQ feature allows buyers to submit requirements and receive quotes from multiple factories, often within six hours.

The main advantage is selection. Alibaba’s scale means you can find suppliers for virtually any material, tolerance, or volume requirement. The platform also offers Trade Assurance, which provides payment protection if suppliers fail to meet agreed specifications or delivery timelines.

The challenge is vetting. Alibaba is an open marketplace, which means suppliers range from highly capable factories with export experience to trading companies that outsource production to unknown workshops. The “Verified Supplier” badge indicates third-party auditing, but buyers still need to evaluate each supplier individually. This includes reviewing inspection reports, requesting samples, and conducting video calls or factory visits when possible.

Alibaba works best for companies that have internal procurement resources to manage supplier relationships. If you can invest the time to properly vet suppliers upfront, the platform offers competitive pricing and direct factory access. If you need a more managed experience, other platforms may be a better fit.

Highlights:

• Largest supplier pool with over 200,000 CNC machining listings
• Trade Assurance for payment protection
• Competitive pricing through direct factory access
• Requires buyer-side due diligence to vet suppliers
• Best fit for companies with internal procurement resources

4. Made-in-China

Made-in-China is another large B2B marketplace focused exclusively on Chinese suppliers. The platform hosts over two million export-focused vendors, though the CNC machining segment is smaller than Alibaba’s. Many suppliers on Made-in-China have established export infrastructure and experience working with international buyers.

The platform offers downloadable audit reports for suppliers that have undergone third-party verification. These reports provide transparency into factory size, equipment, certifications, and production capacity. Like Alibaba, Made-in-China supports direct communication between buyers and suppliers, which allows for price negotiation and customization discussions.

Made-in-China handles a high volume of small consumer goods orders, so buyers searching for CNC machining services will need to filter carefully. The platform does not offer built-in NDA or NNN support, so companies with IP concerns should establish those agreements separately.

Highlights:

• Large network of export-focused Chinese suppliers
• Downloadable third-party audit reports for verified suppliers
• Direct communication with factories
• Lower platform overhead compared to managed services
• No built-in IP protection; agreements must be established separately

5. RapidDirect

RapidDirect is a Shenzhen-based manufacturing company that operates its own factories rather than routing orders to external partners. The company launched an online platform in 2019 that includes instant quoting, automated DFM analysis, and order tracking.

The in-house model gives RapidDirect more control over quality and production timelines compared to platforms that rely on distributed supplier networks. Lead times for standard CNC parts are typically three to five business days, and the company supports prototyping through medium-volume production.

RapidDirect serves industries including aerospace, automotive, electronics, and medical devices. The company offers a range of secondary services including anodizing, powder coating, and assembly. Pricing tends to be lower than US or European platforms due to China-based labor and overhead costs.

The limitation is that RapidDirect operates primarily as a single supplier rather than a marketplace. Buyers receive quotes from RapidDirect’s facilities rather than competitive bids from multiple factories.

Highlights:

• In-house manufacturing facilities in Shenzhen
• Instant online quoting with DFM feedback
• Fast lead times for CNC parts (3-5 business days)
• Competitive pricing compared to US/EU platforms
• Single supplier model rather than a marketplace

6. Fictiv

Fictiv is a US-headquartered manufacturing platform with partner facilities in the US, China, India, and Mexico. The company positions itself as a digital manufacturing ecosystem that simplifies ordering for engineering and procurement teams.

The platform emphasizes quality documentation, providing detailed inspection reports, first-article inspection data, and material certifications with each order. This transparency appeals to companies in regulated industries that need full traceability for their parts.

Fictiv’s distributed network allows buyers to choose manufacturing geography based on cost, lead time, or quality requirements. The China option provides lower pricing, while US facilities offer faster delivery for domestic customers.

Like Xometry, Fictiv operates as an intermediary that manages supplier relationships on behalf of buyers. The platform handles communication, quality control, and logistics, which reduces the sourcing burden but also means buyers have less direct contact with manufacturing partners.

Highlights:

• Global manufacturing network across US, China, India, and Mexico
• Detailed quality documentation and inspection reports
• Geographic flexibility based on project requirements
• Platform-managed supplier relationships
• Strong fit for regulated industries requiring traceability

Choosing the Right Platform for CNC-Machined Parts

The best platform depends on your team’s capacity and project requirements.

If you need verified Chinese suppliers with dedicated support and IP protection, Haizol offers a managed experience specifically designed for that use case. If speed and convenience are your top priorities, Xometry and Fictiv offer instant quoting and handle supplier management on your behalf.

And if you have procurement resources to manage supplier relationships directly, Alibaba and Made-in-China offer the broadest selection at the most competitive prices.

Many companies use multiple platforms depending on the project. Prototypes and rush orders might go through Xometry for speed, while production runs route through Haizol or direct factory relationships for cost efficiency.

The key is to match the platform’s strengths to your specific sourcing needs, rather than forcing all projects through a single channel.