Unlocking TikTok Shop Delivery Times: Every Seller and Shopper Needs to Know

You’ve probably heard the saying: “Price = Cost × 2.” Sounds nice, doesn’t it?But anyone who’s done dropshipping knows — if you really follow that, you’ll basically end up eating dirt. This article will walk you through, step by step: where your profits actually go, and how to calculate a realistic pricing strategy to avoid the nightmare of “the more you sell, the more you lose.” The Cost Components of Dropshipping  Don’t fool yourself into thinking the cost is just what you pay on 1688, AliExpress, or Temu. The real cost = product price + shipping + fees + marketing expenses + returns/customer service + taxes + your own salary/profit expectations. Let’s break it down: Cost Item Example Data (Selling One T-shirt) Product Cost ¥20 (AliExpress cost) International Shipping ¥15 (ePacket or Yanwen small package) Platform Fees ¥5 (e.g., PayPal + Shopify transaction fees) Marketing Cost ¥30 (Facebook ad spend) Returns/After-sales Allocation ¥3 (average 1 return per 10 orders) Other Expenses ¥2 (Shopify subscription, domain, customer service, etc.) Total Cost ¥75 Note: This doesn’t include your profit expectations yet. How to Calculate Your “Bottom-Line Price”   Many people set prices on a whim: “The product cost is ¥30, so I’ll sell it for ¥60. That should be enough to make a profit.” But in dropshipping, this kind of pricing is basically suicidal. Your costs are much more than just the product price — you have shipping, advertising, platform fees, after-sales costs, and more. If you don’t calculate these clearly, you might think you’re making money on a sale, but in reality, you’re losing. So let’s get clear on a crucial concept — the bottom-line price. What is the bottom-line price?The […]

Dropshipping has become popular in recent years. It has low entry barriers and does not require inventory. This makes it a great option for new sellers. However, expanding your business into international markets often brings complex tax policies that can be a headache. Without understanding these in advance, your profit margins may suffer, and you could even face compliance risks. Today, we will talk about tax issues for dropshipping sellers. We will focus on important markets like the U.S., EU, Australia, and Canada. United States: Sales Tax Varies by State   In the U.S., sales tax can be quite complicated since each state has its own regulations. In simple terms, if your dropshipping business creates an “economic nexus” in a state, you must collect sales tax. This happens when you meet a specific sales threshold in that state. Tax rates can be very different. For example, California has an average sales tax of 7.25%. In contrast, Oregon has no sales tax at all. It is important for dropshipping sellers to know where they have an economic nexus. They should also check the tax rates in those states. Sales tax rates in the U.S. can vary a lot. Some rates are close to 10%. However, some states do not collect sales tax at all. For dropshipping sellers, setting the right prices according to state tax rates is essential to ensure profitability. European Union: Uniform Rules for Value-Added Tax (VAT)     Compared to the U.S., the EU has a more unified tax policy. All sellers who sell goods within the EU must pay Value-Added Tax (VAT), regardless of their location. However, each country’s VAT rate varies, such as 19% in Germany […]

“People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” – Simon Sinek Ever wonder why certain brands stick with you, while others don’t? Let’s take Nike for example — it’s not just shoes when you hear that name, right? It’s about athletes testing their breaking point and overcoming hurdles. That’s brand storytelling— it’s the why behind Nike, not just the what. Then there’s Coca-Cola. Yes, they sell soda, but they are a story of joy, sharing and happiness. You’re not just purchasing a drink, you’re buying a dream. So, how can you establish that same connection with your customers? How can your brand stand out? That’s the power of brand storytelling. You’re not just selling products — you’re crafting a story that your customers want to be a part of. Let’s take a look at how it works and why it matters so much. What Is Brand Storytelling? Let’s break it down: brand storytelling is the process of creating emotional connections between your brand and your audience through a compelling narrative. It’s not just about product features—it’s about telling the story of your company’s history, mission, values, and purpose in a way that resonates with people. And here’s one big difference between content marketing and brand storytelling. Example: Content marketing, which where you create blog posts, videos, and social media content to educate, inform, or promote your products. Although content marketing can support the sharing of elements of your brand story, it’s inherently value- or sale-driven. On the other hand, brand storytelling focuses on creating a deeper, emotional connection with your audience. It’s about telling the story behind your brand—why it exists, what values it stands for, and […]