Dropshipping vs Print on Demand – Complete Guide for 2025

The increasing internal competition and the sharp decline in seller traffic have led many to seek new growth opportunities and channels. Recently, the American e-commerce platform Chewy announced that it is opening its doors to Chinese sellers, offering three cooperation models for sellers to choose from: Dropship, Procurement , and Import. Among these, the Dropship model is similar to Temu’s semi-managed model, where sellers are required to maintain inventory in the U.S., while Chewy sets the prices and handles logistics, with sellers only needing to supply the goods. Over the course of its development, the cross-border e-commerce industry has given rise to a variety of outbound models: from the initial policy regulation model, to later fully-managed platforms, independent sites/DTC, industrial cluster collaborations, and even comprehensive ecological outbound expansion. The approaches have become increasingly diverse as the market environment evolves. In response to the various outbound models prevalent in today’s cross-border e-commerce industry, we will compare and analyze the different models. Platform E-commerce Models For the majority of sellers, especially newcomers and beginners in the cross-border e-commerce industry, relying on third-party platforms such as Amazon, Temu, AliExpress, Shopee, and others is a common approach. These platforms provide essential traffic and infrastructure support. Let’s take Amazon and Temu as examples: Amazon Platform Model  To enhance the trustworthiness and visibility of your products, you can apply for A+ Content certification or establish a dedicated Brand Store. These features allow you to present your brand more professionally, potentially increasing conversion rates. However, these services are not free; you need to invest in them. Additionally, Amazon charges a referral fee, typically ranging from 6% to 15% of the product’s selling price, depending on the category. […]

In domestic business, we’re used to communicating via WeChat — sending messages, making voice calls, or even solving problems with a screenshot or voice message anytime and anywhere. It’s convenient and efficient. Financial reconciliations might be stored in a folder somewhere, and contracts are often exchanged in PDFs or through “oral confirmation.” This way of doing business works well in familiar circles and local markets because it’s fast and flexible. But once you step into the world of cross-border e-commerce, especially after registering a company in the U.S., many things are no longer just a matter of “habits,” but of standards, systems, and compliance. You’ll be dealing with English emails, overseas banks, Stripe settlements, correspondence from U.S. state governments, and those dreaded IRS tax forms. Tax issues, especially tax compliance, will become crucial to whether you can operate long-term, make continuous profits, and receive payments legally. Why is Tax Compliance So Important? If you’ve just registered a company in the U.S., you might be most concerned about quickly getting your products listed, running ads, and receiving payments. As for “tax filing,” you may have temporarily put it aside, thinking, “I’ll deal with it once I start making money.” But sorry, this isn’t something that only shows up after you make money — it actually starts the moment you register your company. The U.S. tax system is notoriously complex. It’s not just about federal taxes — states, and even some cities, can impose their own taxes, and they’ll come after you individually. What’s even more “terrifying” is that the U.S. tax authorities are known worldwide for being meticulous. The IRS is like an insomniac “data machine” that, once you register your […]

Hey there! It is 2025, and let’s be frank—global trading is handing us a few surprise trade at-bats. Tariff changes are shaking things up in the world of dropshipping and if you’re a part of the scene, you have likely felt the heat. Biden’s tariff policies are in the news again, creating headaches for anyone who uses global supply chains. Sounds daunting, right? But don’t worry—where there’s a challenge, there’s always an opportunity to adapt and thrive. This guide breaks down what these tariff shifts mean for your dropshipping business. And to help you get ahead of the competition, we’ll share some ridiculously-useful tips. Let’s dive in! Understanding Dropshipping in 2025 Well, let’s get into the magic of dropshipping. It’s among the simplest ways to begin an online business without the hassles of handling inventory or leasing warehouse space. Here’s the deal: You sell physical products on your eCommerce store — whether that’s dope gadgets, stylish fashion, or handy home goods. Customers order, you tell your supplier to ship the product directly. No stock to worry about, no packing boxes at midnight, no upfront investment in a mountain of inventory. You’re effectively just a middleman liasing between customers and suppliers, and you get to profit keep the profit margin. Source：Oberlo Why It’s a Dream Setup For some good reasons, dropshipping is a hit. It’s low-cost because you don’t have to buy inventory in advance, you just buy what’s already sold. It’s low-risk because there’s no worry about unsold products accumulating, or going out of style. And it’s super flexible, allowing you to operate your business wherever you are with an internet connection. But it’s the one business that really makes […]