Dropshipping from China – Complete Guide

With the rise of online shopping, Temu and Shein have become top choices for budget-conscious shoppers. These two platforms attract a large number of consumers with their low prices, offering a wide range of products from fashion to electronics. However, while their price advantage is undeniable, Temu and Shein differ in their business models, product quality, logistics, and customer experience. As 2025 approaches, are you still unsure which platform to choose? In this article, we will deeply compare the key differences between these two platforms, helping you find the best shopping option, whether it’s product variety, pricing, or customer service. What is Shein? Shein was founded in 2011 by Xu Yangtian in China as SheInside, initially specializing in wedding dresses. In 2015, the company rebranded as Shein and moved its headquarters to Guangzhou in China, with a U.S. office. Since then, Shein has expanded to over 150 countries, employing nearly 10,000 people. The company’s success lies in its fast response and low-price strategy. Shein uses a made-to-order model, releasing only popular styles to avoid excess inventory. It also attracts customers with discounts and coupons, driving continuous sales growth. Shein’s key to reaching young, fashion-conscious audiences is influencer marketing. The brand works with both celebrities like Katy Perry and Rita Ora, and smaller influencers, using their reach to expand Shein’s appeal. Many influencers share unboxing videos on TikTok and YouTube, showcasing Shein’s affordable and trendy clothing. In short, Shein’s combination of low prices, quick production, and influencer collaborations has driven its rapid success in the global market. What is Temu? Temu launched on September , 2022, as Pinduoduo’s cross-border platform, aiming to offer unprecedented low prices through collective purchasing. Its name, […]

These past few years, whether you’re scrolling through TikTok, watching YouTube, or browsing Reddit, you can’t miss people talking about “Dropshipping”—stuff like “zero inventory startups,” “passive income,” or “hundreds of orders a day,” all hyped up to get your blood pumping. But here’s the real question: Is dropshipping a legit money-making opportunity or just a cash-grab harvesting newbie sellers? Don’t rush to decide. Today, we’re going to tear off the filter for a brutally honest analysis—whether this business is worth your time and if it actually has a future. What Is Dropshipping?  Dropshipping (i.e. zero-inventory e-commerce) simply means you open an online store, sell other people’s products, and pocket the difference. No need to stock inventory, no need to handle shipping yourself—just a computer and an account, and you’re ready to go. The process is actually super simple. First, you set up a shop on Shopify, Shopee, or TikTok Shop, and list products you’ve found on Alibaba, 1688, or AliExpress. When someone sees your ad or video and likes what they see, they place an order in your store. You then take that order, go back to your supplier to place the same order, and the supplier ships the product directly to your customer—without you ever touching the item. For example, a customer buys a pair of pants in your store for $39.99. You then order it from AliExpress at a cost of $15 plus $5 shipping, so you net $20 on that sale (of course, you still have to deduct your ad spend and other miscellaneous costs). Sounds pretty sweet, right? A lot of people get hooked on this model and think it’s the “ultimate light-startup”: no purchasing stock, […]

In the field of cross-border e-commerce, the Dropshipping model is highly favored by small and medium-sized sellers because of the advantages of “zero inventory” and low cost. However, the lifeblood of this model – international logistics and tariff policy – is in unprecedented turmoil due to frequent changes in the Trump administration. In February 2025, the US tariff policy on small parcels from China was “changed on a dime”, which not only exposed the vulnerability of the global supply chain, but also sounded an alarm for Dropshipping practitioners relying on direct mail! So, what should sellers do next to deal with such policy changes? Is there a way to avoid the risk? How to maintain competitiveness without being dragged down? This article will give you some advice. Policy “Rollercoaster”: From Tax Increases to a 72-Hour Pause   Core Changes in Tariff Policy February 1st: Trump signed an executive order to cancel the “minimum threshold” tariff exemption for Chinese packages under $800 in value and imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese goods. February 7th: Due to a customs system breakdown and domestic pressure, Trump urgently halted the new policy, announcing the restoration of tax-free treatment until the U.S. establishes a “sufficient tariff processing system.” Chain Reactions of Policy Impact Logistics Breakdown: Within just three days of the new policy, over 1 million packages were backlogged at New York’s Kennedy Airport, forcing customs to release detained goods. The U.S. Postal Service even temporarily suspended receiving packages from China and Hong Kong, only to retract the decision within 24 hours. Cost Surge: If the policy continues, the tariff cost per package may increase by 25%-30%, directly squeezing the profit margins of dropshipping sellers. How […]