Alibaba Dropshipping Guide 2025: Setup, Tools & Updates

Want to start dropshipping with Alibaba in 2025?

This guide walks you through every step—from finding low-MOQ suppliers to integrating with Shopify or WooCommerce.

You’ll learn how to import products, automate fulfillment, and stay profitable despite rising tariffs and app changes.

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📌 Quick Takeaways from This Guide

🚀 How to Start Alibaba Dropshipping (2025)
1️⃣ Create free accounts on Alibaba + AutoDS
2️⃣ Connect your Shopify/WooCommerce store
3️⃣ Add Alibaba as a supplier inside AutoDS
4️⃣ Use product filters: 1-piece MOQ, Guaranteed Badge, Add to Cart
5️⃣ Import with AutoDS, edit title/price/images
6️⃣ Automate order fulfillment + tracking
7️⃣ Stay updated with U.S. tariff rules and supplier communication

🚨 Shopify App Removed
As of August 2024, Alibaba’s Shopify app was discontinued. You now must use the Alibaba Dropshipping Center to connect your store manually.

📦 Fast Global Shipping
Cainiao’s “Global 5-Day Delivery” now reaches 14+ countries via UPS, FedEx, and ePacket. Express delivery now takes just 5–10 days.

🧰 Advanced Filters in 2025
Use new filters to find suppliers with No MOQ, Private Label, Fast Delivery, and Local Warehouses.

💵 U.S. Tariff Alert
The U.S. de minimis tax exemption ended on May 2, 2025. All Alibaba shipments to the U.S. are now taxed—watch your profit margins!

📊 Alibaba vs AliExpress vs Temu
Alibaba offers better customization, wholesale pricing, and supplier certifications. It’s ideal for branded stores.

🛍️ Dropshipping Setup Simplified
You can now integrate Alibaba with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Ecwid using AutoDS or the Dropshipping Center web portal.

⚙️ AutoDS Integration
AutoDS automates everything—from importing Alibaba products to auto-order fulfillment and price/stock updates in real time.

📈 Winning Product Strategy
Use Google Trends + Minea to validate product demand before importing. Stick to 1-piece MOQ listings for true dropshipping flexibility.

📬 Better Buyer Protection
Trade Assurance now covers shipping delays and logistics issues, offering 30–60 day protection. Always prioritize “Verified Plus” suppliers.

📦 Payment & Communication
Best payment method for new sellers? PayPal for protection. Use Alibaba’s chat or WeChat to negotiate better deals.

💡 Pro Tip: Use the “Sample Order” button to test product quality before going live. It’s quick, low-risk, and builds trust with customers.

Alibaba Dropshipping NEWS [2025]

Alibaba Dropshipping: The Marketplace Explained

The Alibaba Group is a Chinese company that specializes in retail and e-commerce. The company was founded in 1999. And its main purpose was to connect Chinese manufacturers and suppliers with global wholesalers and retailers.

Today, it is actually one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. In fact, Alibaba Group owns several online marketplaces, including Alibaba.com, AliExpress, Tmall, and Taobao. 👇

In this article, I will give you a step-by-step guide about dropshipping on Alibaba.com. Also, I will refer to Alibaba.com as Alibaba. So, let’s dive in.

💡 Tip: Read about Is AliExpress Legit And Safe For Buying And Selling?

What Is Alibaba.com?

Alibaba.com is a leading online business-to-business (B2B) platform that connects buyers and sellers from around the world.

The platform offers a wide range of products and services, including electronics, clothing, auto parts, fitness products, and more. 

It also offers various tools and services to facilitate trade between buyers and sellers, such as secure payment options, logistics support, and dispute resolution services. Hence, it also has a large number of reputable and trustworthy merchants.

Plus, Alibaba offers Trade Assurance. This is a verification program that allows you to only work with verified, reputable suppliers.

It also offers various tools and services to facilitate trade between buyers and sellers, such as secure payment options, logistics support, and dispute resolution services. Hence, it also has a large number of reputable and trustworthy merchants.

In 2025, Trade Assurance was expanded to cover logistics disputes, giving dropshippers extra protection for late or undelivered items.

But is Alibaba dropshipping allowed? You will have to keep reading to find out.

💡 Tip: Check out Is Walmart Dropshipping Still Working? – My Guide, Tips & Tricks.

Does Alibaba Support The Dropshipping Business Model?

Yes, Alibaba does support the dropshipping business model. And, you can start Alibaba dropshipping and make money online through your dropshipping store. 

Hence, they have an Alibaba dropshipping center, which is specifically designed for dropshippers. So, you can connect your Shopify, or WooCommerce store with Alibaba, and start importing the desired products.

Also, as of 2025, the platform now supports BigCommerce and Ecwid integrations as well, making it more flexible than ever.

But it is actually a bit harder to find and work with dropshipping suppliers on Alibaba compared to dropshipping with AliExpress. But, with the right guide, you can do it with ease. 

That’s why, in this article, I will guide you through all the important steps for Alibaba Dropshipping.

👉 Read about Shein Dropshipping: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fashion E-commerce.

Key Features in the Alibaba Dropshipping Center (2025)

1. Finding Products Filters

Alibaba introduced several features that make it easier to dropship in 2025:

• Smart Recommendation Engine: Uses AI to recommend trending products based on seasonality, store category, and customer demand.
• Verified Plus Badge: Suppliers with excellent fulfillment and communication receive this badge—look for it while sourcing.
• Sample Order Button: Many product listings now include a one-click “Order Sample” button.
• Expanded Trade Assurance: Covers order fulfillment AND logistics delays for extra peace of mind.

You can also access advanced filters like:

• “No MOQ”
• “Private Label Available”
• “Fast Delivery to [country]”
• “Warehouse Location”

2. Shipping & Logistics

With the support of Cainiao’s global logistics, many

Alibaba sellers can now deliver products in 5–10 days using express couriers.

This dramatically improves over the traditional 15–30 day timeframes.

Alibaba still offers:

• UPS/FedEx air: 3–7 days
• Economy air: 10–14 days
• ePacket: 7–20 days
• Sea freight (bulk): 20–40 days

Tip: Use the Fast Delivery filter and look for “Premium Shipping Program” suppliers.

3. Platform Integration

The Dropshipping by Alibaba Official Shopify app was discontinued in August 2024.

Dropshippers must now use the Dropshipping Center web interface to connect stores.

So, Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Ecwid are supported.

However, products can be imported and edited, and order fulfillment is automated directly through the Center.

Third-party tools like Spocket, Syncee, Dropified, and AliDrop also support Alibaba sourcing by scraping listings.

4. Supplier Vetting & Communication

In 2025, Alibaba enhanced supplier transparency. You can now view:

• Fulfillment accuracy
• Average response times
• Top countries shipped to

Use these to gauge supplier reliability. So, look for Verified Plus badges. Direct contact via Alibaba chat, Live Chat, or WeChat is still possible.

You can also send mass Request for Quotation (RFQ) forms or ask for sample orders with one click.

5. Pricing, Profit Margins & Tariffs

Remember that Alibaba prices are negotiable, especially for bulk.

But note that since May 2025, U.S.-bound shipments are subject to import duties, even on low-cost goods.

This could add ~$5 per $50 order, depending on category.

Use pricing rules to protect your margins and calculate landed cost accurately.

6. Returns & Buyer Protections

Each platform handles returns differently:

• Alibaba: Trade Assurance covers quality and logistics (up to 60 days), Easy Return on select items
• AliExpress: 15-day dispute window with refund-only or full return options
• Temu: 90-day return window, first return free, credits for late delivery

Pros & Cons Of Alibaba Dropshipping

So, before I dive in, I will guide you through the benefits and drawbacks you will get from Alibaba.com.

I hope that my pros-and-cons list will assist in your future decision-making process and help you make a sensible decision regarding Alibaba dropshipping.

✅ Pros

➡ Huge product selection

Alibaba offers customers a huge selection of products. On the marketplace, you can find products across many categories, including Apparel, Textiles and accessories, Bags, Shoes and accessories, Electronics, Gifts, Sports and toys, and more.

Moreover, the number of Alibaba items available for dropshipping is constantly growing.

➡ Wholesale Pricing & Low Supplier Rates

Because Alibaba is B2B, most suppliers offer pricing significantly lower than AliExpress or Temu. This allows for higher profit margins, especially when negotiating bulk rates.

The marketplace is an excellent place to buy products at wholesale prices and then resell them and make a good profit margin.

Simply put, Alibaba merchants who sell their products in large quantities often set very low prices for their products. As a result, retailers or those who buy these products can enjoy a good profit margin.

➡ Possibility to negotiate prices with suppliers

Unlike with AliExpress dropshipping, with Alibaba dropshipping, you can bargain the price of an item with the supplier.

To do so, you need to start the ordering process and move to the ‘Negotiate with Supplier’ section. In short, as a dropshipper sourcing from Alibaba, it is possible for you to negotiate a better price.

➡ Product customization options

Many products listed on the marketplace are customizable.

But what does this mean? This means that many Alibaba suppliers are willing to customize their products in a way that will please you and your customers. This is great if you are interested in private-label dropshipping.

Trade Assurance protection

Now with expanded logistics coverage, this protects against order issues, misdeliveries, and delays. You’re backed up for 30–60 days.

➡ Access to supplier certifications

You can view ISO, CE, or other industry certifications right on the supplier profile, ensuring compliance and quality.

➡ Integration with top eCommerce platforms

Alibaba supports Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Ecwid, and more.

❌ Cons

➡ There’s a MOQ

One of the most common challenges many dropshippers face when searching for products and suppliers on the marketplace is the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ). 

Many suppliers have minimum order quantities—sometimes 10, 50, or 100+ units.

However, some allow 1-piece orders, especially when using the Dropshipping Center filters.

➡ A bit challenging to find dropshipping suppliers and products

Again, it can be a bit challenging to find Alibaba suppliers/sellers that are willing to offer dropshipping services. Yeah, it is hard but not impossible. 

➡ Long shipping times and high shipping costs

Unless you choose express couriers, some shipments can take 15–30+ days to reach customers.

Shipping from China to, let’s say, Europe or the United States, may be pricey due to the distance.

Regarding shipping times, if an order is shipped by boat, your customer may wait for a couple of weeks to receive their order.

But if it is shipped via air, your customer will surely receive their order faster. Each supplier on Alibaba has their own shipping times and costs.

So, it would be wise to negotiate with a potential supplier to lower potential shipping times and costs.

👉 Check out the 11 Best China Dropshipping Suppliers [General & Niche Dropshippers].

➡ Language barriers

Communication with suppliers may require patience. Many use translation apps like Google Translate.

➡ Tariffs on U.S. shipments

As of May 2025, all China-to-U.S. dropshipments face tariffs—potentially reducing margins if not priced correctly.

How To Start Dropshipping With Alibaba In 2025?

For first-time dropshipping entrepreneurs, Alibaba dropshipping might seem a bit challenging.

In this simple guide, I will explain how to start dropshipping from China to the USA almost immediately. Let’s dive in!

1. Create An Account

To start dropshipping with Alibaba, you need to create an Alibaba account.

So, simply go to Alibaba.com. Then, in the right upper corner, you will see the login icon, so click on it. Next, click “Sign Up” to register a free account.

You will be asked to provide certain information, including your name, country, e-mail address, phone number, company name, trade role, etc. 👇

However, I advise you to select “Buyer” for the trade role because you are looking to source products from Alibaba and resell them through your own dropshipping store, right?

2. Find Your Dropshipping Products

Now, the next step is to choose your dropshipping niche and find your winning products. Thankfully, Alibaba has a huge product base. What’s more, it is all at affordable prices.

Hence, I will tell you what I do when choosing my Alibaba dropshipping products.

Call me old-fashioned, but I use Google Trends to check if this dropshipping niche has high interest. Thus, let’s say I want to dropship socks.

Here I can check interest in beauty products over time, over a region. Plus I can see which products customers mostly search for.

Next, once I make sure that this dropshipping niche is in high demand, I go to the Alibaba search bar, and type in ” soccer socks”.

After typing that keyword in the search bar and selecting “Products”, thousands of results will appear. But, what exactly to look for on a product page? Let’s see!

➡ The Product Page

So, once I enter the specific product page, I keep my attention on a few important things.

As you can see, the pricing you get mostly depends on the quantity you order. Hence, more quantity = lower pricing.

Use the search bar or image upload feature on Alibaba to look for your product. Once results appear:

• On the left-hand side, set the “Min Order” filter to “1” to find suppliers that allow you to buy one item at a time—perfect for dropshipping.
• Look for listings with “Alibaba Guaranteed” badges. These products tend to be reliable and include essential features like visible shipping prices and an “Add to Cart” button.
• Avoid listings that say “Request for Quotation”—they are not suitable for automated or one-off orders.

• ➡ Unit Price. One of the first and most important things you will definitely want to check before you start Alibaba dropshipping is the product price.

• ➡ Minimum order quantity (MOQ). Another key consideration here is the MOQ or the minimum order quantity. In the same example, you can see that the fewest number of units you need to purchase at one time is 1 piece.

However, one important thing I want to mention here is that oftentimes, the minimum order quantity of a product is visible front and center. But, sometimes, you must scan the page to find that information.

For instance, for this product page, I had to scroll over it to find this info, which btw it is valuable.

Also, I personally use product research tools to find my winning products. For instance, Minea is one of my top product research tools. 👇

It helps me find winning products over social media, and examine their performance, price, engagement, audience interest, etc. Plus, this way I can spy on competitors as well. Hence, I get insights into how they are selling those exact products.

👉 Check out my Minea Review: Find Winning Products & Spy On Ads For Free.

3. Find Dropshipping Suppliers

Next, finding vetted dropshipping suppliers is one of the most challenging things to do. But, on Alibaba, you got all the information on a plate.

So, here’s what I do. First, I navigate to the “Manufacturers” section on the Alibaba.com website.

Now, since I know that I will dropship beauty products, I will search for dropshipping beauty suppliers. So, I type in ” soccer socks” in the search bar.

Also, once I get my results I select “verified manufacturers” since I want to be sure that they are trustworthy.

Plus, you can use the left sidebar to find the right supplier for your product.

It would be wise to use the filters “Trade Assurance” and “Verified Supplier”. This way, you can find and work with inspected, verified, and reliable suppliers.

In addition, “Fast Dispatch” and “Ready to Ship” are also great options to check. Why? Because there is a greater likelihood that suppliers that meet these criteria offer dropshipping services.

🔸 Contact The Suppliers

When contacting a supplier, you need to ask them a few questions, such as:

• What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
• What is the cost per unit?
• How long will orders take to arrive in the US?
• What are your payment terms for new customers?
• What is the cost to order a sample?

So, to contact the suppliers Alibaba provides a messaging system that allows you to directly communicate with suppliers.

Thus, you can send inquiries, negotiate prices, and discuss product details through this platform.

Look for the “Contact Supplier” button on the supplier’s page to initiate communication.

Also, if you have specific product requirements or need quotes from multiple suppliers, you can use Alibaba’s “Request for Quotation” feature.

Fill out the necessary details, such as product specifications, quantity, and delivery terms, and submit your request. Suppliers who can meet your requirements will then contact you directly.

Also, some suppliers on Alibaba have a Live Chat feature enabled, allowing you to directly communicate with them in real-time. Look for the Live Chat icon on the supplier’s page and click on it to start a conversation.

However, most of the suppliers also use the app WeChat. So, you can consider downloading it.

But, remember that most of the suppliers have difficulties understanding the English language, and they use Google Translate to make a conversation.

4. Choose Your Payment Method

Alibaba dropshipping offers four payment methods. Hence, here I will list and explain the options you have. 👇

➡ Telegraphic Transfer or T/T Payments

When making payments to Chinese suppliers, it is common to use Telegraphic Transfer or T/T payments. This method requires the full payment to be made before production begins.

However, bank transfers can be slow and complicated, making them unsuitable for dropshipping.

➡ Alibaba Trade Assurance (ESCROW)

Escrow services act as intermediaries, holding the buyer’s money until the order is confirmed to be satisfactory. This method provides a secure way to transfer funds.

However, similar to bank transfers, it may not be the quickest option. Therefore, while it offers safety, it may not be the most ideal choice for dropshipping.

➡ Credit and Debit Card Payments

You can make payments on Alibaba using credit and debit cards from MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

However, keep in mind that there are transaction fees associated with this payment method.

➡ PayPal

PayPal is user-friendly for buyers and offers decent buyer protection. However, suppliers often avoid this method due to platform fees, and difficulties with withdrawing funds. Plus, there are often chargebacks by dishonest buyers.

In my opinion, PayPal might be the best choice for new dropshippers.

The Alibaba Dropshipping Center

The Alibaba Dropshipping Center is a free tool that can help you quickly search for dropshipping products with fast processing times, low shipping costs, and no MOQ on Alibaba.

If you want to start Alibaba dropshipping and find dropshipping suppliers and products on Alibaba in no time, using the Alibaba Dropshipping Center is a smart choice.

It has a few important features, including:

🔸 Search Products

Thanks to the “Search Products” feature of the Alibaba Dropshipping Center, you can find products without a minimum order quantity. Just select a category (consumer electronics, apparel, home & garden, etc.) and you will see many products under that category.

Take the category “Apparel”, for example. There are a variety of clothing items in this category, and all of them have fast processing times and no MOQ.

🔸 Import List

So, aside from allowing you to find great dropshipping products and suppliers, the Alibaba Dropshipping Center also lets you add your chosen products to your import list with one single click.

🔸 My Store

This is also one of the key features of the Alibaba Dropshipping Center. Here, you can connect your WooCommerce or Shopify store to Alibaba.

However, I have a little BONUS for you. 👐

Namely, the Alibaba Dropshipping Center has partnerships with a few companies.

Some of these companies are Modalyst, Spocket, Syncee, and Dropified.

👉 Read about Spocket Dropshipping: The Ultimate Guide to Dropshipping With Spocket in the EU & US.

This means that you can unlock some new features when using it.

Or more specifically, you will be able to use many other e-commerce platforms for your online store (not only Shopify or WooCommerce) and import dropshipping products to your online store within a few clicks. Plus, you can automate the order fulfillment process with Alibaba suppliers, and so on.

👉 Also, read about Shopify vs Squarespace For Dropshipping – Which is Better in 2025.

➡Hire a dropshipping agent

If you are not interested in doing your own search or using the Alibaba Dropshipping Center, then you may want to hire a dropshipping agent.

Well, many dropshipping agents do product sourcing and fulfillment from AliExpress. However, there are not too many agents out there who are willing to help you make the entire Alibaba dropshipping process easier.

💡 Here you can learn How To Find a Dropshipping Agent.

Now, let’s see how you can start Alibaba Dropshipping with Shopify, and use the features mentioned above. 👇

How To Start Alibaba Dropshipping With Shopify?

As you can see, the Alibaba Dropshipping Center along with its partnerships can help you start dropshipping with Shopify and source products from Alibaba.

When I decided to start dropshipping with Alibaba, I knew the biggest challenge wouldn’t be finding products—it would be streamlining the process.

Alibaba wasn’t built with direct dropshipping in mind the way platforms like AliExpress are. So I needed a tool that could help me.

Here I will provide you with a step-by-step guide for dropshipping from Alibaba to Shopify. Let’s see!

Step 1 – Create Your Alibaba and AutoDS Accounts

Go to Alibaba.com and create a free account with your email.

Head over to AutoDS and sign up.

You can start for just $1 (30-day trial).

Step 2 – Connect Your Shopify Store to AutoDS

Inside AutoDS, click “Add Store”.Next, choose Shopify, then click Continue.

Log into your Shopify store and install the AutoDS app.

Once installed, you’ll be redirected back to AutoDS.

Step 3 – Add Alibaba as a Supplier in AutoDS

Go to Settings → Supplier Settings in AutoDS.

Click “Add Supplier”, then scroll and select Alibaba.

Enable:

• Stock Monitoring
• Price Monitoring
• Automatic Orders
• Fulfilled by AutoDS

Under Order Settings, check the box to override the customer’s phone number if you want to use your own for tracking updates.

Step 4 – Find Dropshipping Products on Alibaba

Search for your product on Alibaba or upload an image.

On the left, set “Min. Order” to 1 to filter for single-item sellers.

Look for:

• “Alibaba Guaranteed” label
• A working “Add to Cart” button
• Visible shipping cost
• Selectable variants (color, size)

If it says “Request for Quotation,” skip that listing—it’s not suitable for dropshipping.

Step 5 – Import Products Using AutoDS

Copy the Alibaba product URL.

In AutoDS, go to Add Products → Single Product, paste the URL, and click Edit.

You can also use the AI editor to:

• Customize your title and description
• Assign a collection and tags
• Choose a shipping method
• Enable Auto Order, Stock, and Price monitoring

Moreover, you can edit variants individually or use bulk editing to set a uniform price.

Select which images to use in your Shopify store.

Clean up item specifications by removing unnecessary fields like “Place of Origin.”

Once ready, click “Save & Import.”

If you need to change the product title, images, or description later, do it only inside AutoDS, not Shopify.

Changes sync automatically.

However, on the AliBaba dropshipping center you have the ability to modify the name, product description, add tag, collection name, pricing, and images prior to importing products into the store.

So, if you want to do that, just click on the “edit” icon next to the product you chose.

Step 6 – Fulfill Orders Automatically

When an order comes in:

1. Go to the Orders tab in AutoDS.
2. Make sure you’ve:
   • Topped up your AutoDS balance (e.g. $50+)
   • Purchased Auto Order credits (1 per order)
3. AutoDS will:
   • Place the order on Alibaba
   • Sync tracking info with Shopify
   • Email your customer automatically
   • Update the status from Ordered → Shipped → Delivered

Step 7 – Check Your Products On Shopify

Once you edit your dropshipping product, you can see that the product is actually added to your Shopify store. So, go to your Shopify admin > Products, and there you can find the product.

Next, you can start dropshipping Alibaba products and fulfilling orders.

Competitive Comparison: Alibaba vs AliExpress vs Temu (2025)

Alibaba Dropshipping FAQ

Final Thoughts

 Do you agree with me that Alibaba is not only suitable for wholesalers and retailers, but for dropshippers as well? Are you ready to become an Alibaba dropshipping store owner?

Alibaba dropshipping offers a wide range of products to choose from and provides a convenient and efficient way for dropshippers to start and scale their e-commerce businesses.

Plus, running through this step-by-step guide we were able to see that thanks to Alibaba dropshipping center, you can connect your Shopify store with Alibaba and start dropshipping with ease.

And with all the 2025 updates—from faster logistics to new integrations, improved buyer protection, and powerful product tools—it’s a great time to take advantage of Alibaba’s growing ecosystem.

Do not waste your time, and go after that! Just remember that this role asks for focus, hard work, and, of course, resilience.