1. What is drop shipping? How it works
Drop shipping is a selling method where you do not buy stock in advance, and order from the supplier only after a customer places an order. Because you need no stock, storage or upfront sourcing capital, you can reduce the risk of unsold inventory to almost zero.
All you do is "research and list products, and relay the order details". The troublesome parts — sourcing, inspection and shipping — are all left to the proxy.
2. The drop shipping flow [5 steps]
Decide your sales channel
Pick the platform you're good at — Mercari, Yahoo! Auctions, Amazon, BASE, Rakuten, Buyma, etc. allallbuy supports B2C shipping (direct to individuals), so it works on any channel.
Research products that sell
Look for trending products with little competition on the platform you list on. Use the "selling categories" below as a reference and judge the balance of demand and margin.
Find the product on Chinese EC
Search Taobao, 1688 or Tmall for a supplier of the same item. allallbuy will handle the purchasing just from a product URL.
Order once you get an order
When a customer orders, place the order with allallbuy. Local staff inspect the item to check for defective goods.
Ship directly to the customer
Delivered internationally to the customer's address by air, sea or international courier. Your address is not disclosed.
3. How much upfront cost? [Why the monthly fee is ¥0]
The worry with drop shipping is upfront cost. Because allallbuy has ¥0 monthly fee and no fixed cost, you can start with effectively zero.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | ¥0 | No fixed cost — use only when you need it |
| Service fee (purchasing fee) | Commission on the purchase amount | Varies with product complexity and quantity |
| International logistics | Settled at actual cost | Choose from air, sea or international courier |
| Inspection & packing | Included in the service | Pre-shipment check included |
Costs arise only when you actually buy products. Because you source only once you have real prospects, you can keep risk to a minimum.
4. What sells? Recommended categories
Here are representative categories that suit China imports and drop shipping. Always check size/weight (shipping cost) and that the item isn't regulated.
Apparel & general goods
T-shirts, socks, bags, etc. Light and cheap to ship — a drop-shipping staple.
Phone accessories
Cases, screen protectors, charging cables. Low unit price, high repeat demand.
Character goods
Plush toys, figures, keychains. Collector demand tends to push up unit price.
DIY & outdoor
Camping gear, tools, lights. Function-focused, and Chinese products are well regarded.
Baby & kids goods
Toys, baby clothes, storage. Replacement demand promises steady sales.
Lifestyle & storage goods
Storage boxes, kitchenware, pet supplies. Everyday items have constant demand.
5. Stock-based vs. drop shipping: pros & cons
| Comparison item | Drop shipping | Stock-based selling |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront capital | Minimal (effectively ¥0) | Requires sourcing capital |
| Risk of unsold stock | Almost zero | Risk of holding inventory |
| Lead time (to customer) | Somewhat longer (ships from overseas) | Same-day dispatch possible with domestic stock |
| Product lineup | Choose from China's vast assortment | Only what you bought |
| Margin | Low sourcing price → good margin | Stock cost is added on |
| Management effort | Inspection & shipping left to the proxy | Needs stock management, packing and shipping |
6. 3 points to avoid failure
Choose an agent with an inspection system
The most common overseas-shipping problem is "I received a defective item or wrong colour". Always confirm there's a system for local staff to inspect before dispatch. allallbuy includes pre-shipment inspection as a standard service.
Calculate margin including shipping
Even if the item is cheap, shipping can wipe out your profit. Always estimate the product weight and international shipping, and confirm you make a margin on "sourcing + shipping + commission" before you list.
Tell the truth about shipping days
Stating in advance that "ships from overseas, so it takes X–Y days" prevents rating problems. Honest disclosure builds repeat customers.
7. FAQ
8. Summary — start with a free consultation
Drop shipping is the ideal model for individuals and side businesses to start a China import business with zero upfront cost and zero stock risk. With allallbuy, no monthly fee and from a single item, we support everything in one stop from inspection to international shipping.
Related guides: How to Start China Import Proxy Buying (Complete Guide) ／ 1688 & Taobao Sourcing: Complete Step-by-Step Guide ／ China Import Shipping & Fees: How the Cost Structure Works
Why not start drop shipping today?
No monthly fee, from a single item. Start with a free consultation — we'll even suggest trending products.