CJ Dropshipping Review: How Does It Work? Pros & Cons, Comparison & Features
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Curious about CJ Dropshipping? This CJ Dropshipping Review will dive deep into what makes this platform a go-to for online entrepreneurs.
From seamless product sourcing to fast shipping and unique customization options, CJ Dropshipping offers tools that could streamline your business.
But is it really worth it? Find out how it stacks up against competitors, its pros and cons, and discover all the features that might make CJ Dropshipping the edge your store needs.
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What Is CJ Dropshipping?
CJ Dropshipping is an all-in-one dropshipping online platform that integrates with product sourcing, order production, and shipping fulfillment.
The platform offers a no-fee approach. This means, there are no minimum orders, monthly subscriptions, storage fees, or set-ups. Also, there are no costs for selling items.
The key is to start small with a minimum budget for your first dropshipping store and scale with your own e-commerce brand. CJ Dropshipping helps you enter the first phase with reliable shipping.
Furthermore, today, I am going to go through in-depth CJ Dropshipping reviews, how the platform works, its pros & cons, and what features it holds compared to other dropshipping platforms.
How does CJ Dropshipping work?
Just like every dropshipping platform, CJ Dropshipping does the shipping and sourcing for you.
CJ Dropshipping is a popular platform because it offers the following:
- More than 1 million orders are fulfilled each month.
- More than 300,000 registered users including Shopify merchants trust the platform.
- CjPacket, their own global logistics resource ships orders in only 1 to 2 weeks. That is at least a week faster than its competitors.
- Allows you to integrate CJ Dropshipping with Shopify, eBay, WooCommerce, etc.
- CJDropshipping has many warehouses located internationally.
- A dedicated support team provides quick and effective assistance to users, enhancing the overall user experience.
Learn more about how CJ Wholesale can help you succeed in the Dropshipping 2.0 era.
Additionally, this is how CJ Dropshipping works:
- Product sourcing for you – when dropshipping with CJ, you may post a product sourcing request, whereas you can later search for the right product from reliable suppliers on the platform. When you find the right product, you can post a request to have it added to your CJ product catalog.
- Stocking items for you – every single piece of merchandise you wish to sell is stored in CJ’s international warehouse. Each stock that is overseas may be purchased earlier by a dropshipper in order to reduce Cj Dropshipping shipping times.
- Quality checks – First, there is a quality check, and after that, the products are shipped.
- The shipping – CJ shipping will ship the order directly to your customer. Delivery times are fast and sometimes may be faster than four days!
Let’s not forget that everything on this platform is manageable through the mobile dropshipping app. You can import products without having to do it on a desktop or a laptop.
Let’s continue with the CJ Dropshipping Reviews!
Is CJ Dropshipping Legit and Reliable?
Let’s get straight to the point- YES, CJ Dropshipping is totally LEGIT.
Andy Chou (CEO) and his team founded this company in 2000. It was first renowned as a jewelry and commodity manufacturing company around the world. Later on, they decided to focus on dropshipping in 2015, and they changed its name to Yiwu Cu Jia Trade Co., Ltd.
Yiwu Cute Jewelry Co., Ltd.’s official dropshipping website is cjdropshipping.com, which is based in Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province, China.
Also, based on a large number of satisfied consumers, this platform is as legitimate as it gets. There is no way this is a scam!
Furthermore, they do not allow any random merchant to sell on the CJdropshipping website. Every seller must go through a review process if they want to sell on CJdropshipping.
Moreover, their reliability shows through their fast shipping and delivery at low prices, integrations with many eCommerce platforms like Shopify, and the many warehouses they have.
I will speak more about CJ dropshipping integrations below in this CJ Dropshipping Review. Take a look!
CJ Dropshipping Review: Features & Integrations
The platform has many different types of print-on-demand items, and customization options you can choose from.
Whereas right after you have selected and listed your products, you may create product bundles too! Additionally, here are some of the best features that CJDropshipping offers:
Free Application
As of 2020, Shopify included CjDropshipping in its app store. CJ Dropshipping Shopify is fully free and doesn’t require any technical knowledge to install and integrate.
With this CJ Dropshipping app, order tracking, control, placing orders, and product listings are all simplified to the maximum.
Large Inventory
The reason many dropshippers like to work with CJDropshipping over AliExpress is because of the extensive inventory available.
The inventory management system is equally impressive. CJ Dropshipping stores your products in their international warehouses, which helps reduce shipping times and costs.
This is particularly beneficial for dropshippers targeting markets in the US, Europe, and Asia, as it ensures faster delivery and higher customer satisfaction.
Moreover, CJ Dropshipping’s inventory management tools allow you to keep track of stock levels, manage orders, and even forecast demand. This ensures that you never run out of stock and can meet customer demands efficiently.
There is a “trending products” section where dropshippers are taking advantage of dropshipping order fulfillment demands.
Product Catalog
CJ Dropshipping product catalog has nearly half a million items listed along with a supplier base that covers 25% of the global market!
CJ Dropshipping offers a comprehensive product sourcing and inventory management system, making it an ideal dropshipping supplier for online businesses.
With a vast network of suppliers and a wide range of products, CJ Dropshipping provides a one-stop solution for all your product sourcing needs.
One of the standout features of CJ Dropshipping is its ability to source products directly from manufacturers, ensuring competitive prices and high-quality items.
The platform allows you to post product sourcing requests, which are then handled by their experienced team. This means you can find unique products that aren’t readily available on other dropshipping platforms, giving you a competitive edge in the market.
Any product you may think of, CJDropshipping should have it. The platform possesses the following product categories:
- IT products
- Office products
- Phones & Accessories
- Sports & Fitness Products
- Automobiles & Auto Parts
- Electronics
- Designer Shoes
- Outdoor & Tactical Gear
- Clothing Line
- Home Decor
- Toys/kids products
- Health & Beauty products
BONUS: Here’s a free list of the top Beauty Suppliers worldwide.
Furthermore, CJDropshipping also offers customizable designs for print-on-demand products. Once you find out what you want to buy on the platform, customization options are also available.
Customization
CJ Dropshipping differs from the rest in customization. Many platforms you buy on won’t offer you customizable options.
Once you pay a small fee for the customizable options on the platform, there’s an agent who takes care of your store’s customization.
Furthermore, all you have to do is to provide them with the necessary SKU number, and after they’ll upload it to the design model. Let’s not forget that you may design your packaging and even put your own brand logo!
You will explore more about this down below in the dedicated CJ Dropshipping reviews.
Warehouse and Suppliers
CJDropshipping has warehouses worldwide that operate globally and distribute products worldwide. Here are their main ones:
- Germany – 1
- Indonesia – 1
- Thailand – 1
- United States – 2
- China – 3
Whereas, because it has many warehouses worldwide, CJDropshipping offers fast delivery in less than a week.
Quality Control
Quality is a priority at CJDropshipping.Without additional costs, all ordered items will be checked carefully in regard to quality before they are shipped out.
However, in case you opt to ship products from any of CJ’s suppliers, then quality checks will include a small fee.
Product Images & Videos
Many dropshippers face the challenge of not having access to the products they’re selling.
Although, CJDropshipping offers product photos and videos that help you create promotional ads, photos, and videos regarding the product. Videos and photo creations on the platform will require you to pay an extra fee.
So, you can request a product image or video for a product that is already on your store, a CJ product, or an individual new product.
Order Fulfillment & Order Management
Likewise, CJ dropshipping handles this process too! You don’t have to worry about shipping any orders.
Additionally, a tracking order is assigned to the customer so they know where their orders are.
Furthermore, CJ might also advise you to split or combine orders to reduce shipping costs. This may be good for you in the long run.
Let’s not forget about CJ’s shipping methods. CJPacket is much less expensive compared to ePacket which belongs to AliExpress and has much faster shipping times than AliExpress.
Otherwise, CJ Dropshipping has a Shipping calculator, which you may use to calculate the overall shipping costs based on product dimensions and weight. This way you can learn more about CJ shipping offers.
Integrations
CJDropshipping works best when integrated with the following online store platforms:
- Shopify
- WooCommerce
- eBay
- Shopee
- Lazada
- ShipStation
- AliExpress
- TikTok Sop
- Etsy
- ShopLazza, and many more.
👉 Check out my Shopee USA Review: Does Shopee Ship To USA? [101 Guide].
Moreover, it comes with an API. So, this means you may create custom integrations to connect with other Dropshipping and/or Shopify apps.
Is CJ Dropshipping Supplier Free?
So, here I pop up one of the most frequent CJ dropshipping questions: Is CJ Dropshipping free for real?
Well, CJ Dropshipping has many free features and offers but also charges for some of them.
CJ offers free dropshipping on their items. It provides a free product sourcing service with product prices that are often cheaper than those found on AliExpress and eBay.
There will be no processing cost if you buy straight from CJ. However, if you purchase things through other channels, you will just be charged a processing fee.
Furthermore, what makes CJ great is that it does not need you to pay a startup cost, monthly price, storage fee, the fee per item sold, or hidden charges.
Also, if the items exist or are obtained in a CJ warehouse, the warehouse storage is free.
You may also use their application for free and ask for product sourcing.
However, let’s find out how much can CJ Drop shipping costs you.
How Much Does a CJ Dropshipping Account Cost?
CJ doesn’t have any setup or monthly fees. Costs aren’t added later on when you buy the actual product, and product prices may even be lower than those of eBay or AliExpress.
Furthermore, you get 30 days of free storage in US and German warehouses, plus 90 days for warehouses in Indonesia, China, and Thailand when you sign up for the first time ever.
Before setting up an account, There are some costs you need to be aware of.
- Product Locations – CJ only charges product price and shipping costs if you are able to find the product at the specific warehouses requested. In case the items aren’t found in the storage facility, then shipping, warehouse, and processing fees will apply.
- Low turnover – Unless your turnover rate is over 50% or at least 100 orders a day, you may be charged $1.50 for a cubic meter per day. However, if you fulfill the requirements then you won’t be paying anything for storage.
- US Warehouses – Storage costs vary anywhere from $0.46 to $5 per item, depending on the weight of the product. Don’t also forget that the first month is free of charge!
Also, keep in mind that different CJ services inquire different fees structure:
Service | Warehouse | Cost Component | Fee Range |
---|---|---|---|
Dropshipping Service | CN/US Warehouse | Shipping Fee | $4.50 – $9.50/kg |
CN/US Warehouse | Stocking Fee | Free for 30 days, then $0.20 – $0.60/CBM/day | |
Dropshipping Service | European Warehouses | Shipping Fee | $4.00 – $13.00/kg |
European Warehouses | Inbound Fee | $0.13 – $0.94 | |
European Warehouses | Outbound Fee | $0.30 – $5.63 | |
European Warehouses | Stocking Fee | Free for 30 days, then $0.40 – $4.46/CBM/day | |
Fulfillment Service | CN/US Warehouse | Shipping Fee | $4.50 – $9.50/kg |
CN/US Warehouse | Inbound Fee | $0.13 – $1.98 | |
CN/US Warehouse | Outbound Fee | $0.30 – $4.44 | |
CN/US Warehouse | Stocking Fee | Free for 30 days, then $0.20 – $0.60/CBM/day | |
Shipping Fees Ranges | Air Shipping (CN to US/Europe) | $7.50 – $13.00/kg | |
Sea Shipping (CN to US/Europe) | $4.00 – $6.50/kg | ||
Additional Fees | Assembling Fee | $0.08 – $2.20 per set | |
Disposal Fee | $0.40 – $1.11/kg | ||
Packaging Fee | Free small packages; $1.20 – $5.00 per carton | ||
Stocking Fee (Over 30 Days) | $0.20 – $4.46/CBM/day |
1. Dropshipping Service
- CN/US Warehouse: For dropshipping directly from CJ’s China or US warehouses, costs include:
- Shipping Fee: Ranges from $4.50 to $9.50 per kg, depending on the shipping speed (air or sea).
- Stocking Fee: Free for the first 30 days. Afterward, fees range from $0.20 to $0.60 per cubic meter per day.
- European Warehouses: For dropshipping from European locations, costs include:
- Shipping Fee: Typically $4.00 to $13.00 per kg, depending on shipping speed and destination (air or sea).
- Inbound Fee: Based on product weight, ranging from $0.13 to $0.94.
- Outbound Fee: Depending on weight and location, ranging from $0.30 to $5.63.
- Stocking Fee: Free for 30 days, then $0.40 to $4.46 per cubic meter per day depending on storage duration and location.
2. Fulfillment Service
For products stored at CJ’s CN/US warehouses and fulfilled by CJ:
- Shipping Fee: Ranges from $4.50 to $9.50 per kg, based on air or sea shipping options.
- Inbound Fee: Ranges from $0.13 to $1.98, depending on product weight and warehouse location.
- Outbound Fee: Charges range from $0.30 to $4.44, based on the package weight.
- Stocking Fee: Free for the first 30 days; afterward, fees range from $0.20 to $0.60 per cubic meter per day.
Here’s a breakdown of CJ Dropshipping Pricing and Fees:
Shipping Fees
Shipping costs for air and sea transportation between China and the US or Europe vary by speed:
- Air Shipping: $7.50 to $13.00 per kg, with delivery times between 10 to 20 days.
- Sea Shipping: $4.00 to $6.50 per kg, with delivery times between 25 to 65 days.
Additional Fees
CJ Dropshipping offers various additional services with associated costs:
- Assembling Fee: Between $0.08 and $2.20 per set, varying by warehouse.
- Disposal Fee: Ranges from $0.40 to $1.11 per kg, depending on warehouse.
- Packaging Fee: Small packages are free; cartons range from $1.20 to $5.00 per carton.
- Stocking Fee for Extended Storage: After 30 days, storage fees range from $0.20 to $4.46 per cubic meter per day, depending on warehouse location and duration.
How to Start Dropshipping with CJ Dropshipping in 2025? [ My Step-By-Step Guide]
Step 1: Set Up Your CJ Dropshipping Account
Next on my CJ Dropshipping Review, I will show you how I use this app.
To begin using CJ Dropshipping, start by creating your account on their platform. So, visit the CJ Dropshipping website, and click on Register in the top right corner.
Once you fill out the registration form, you’ll gain immediate access to your CJ Dropshipping dashboard, which will become the central hub for managing your dropshipping products.
Setting up your account is simple, and it’s here that you’ll experience the platform’s great support and stress-free setup, ideal for building a successful dropshipping business.
Step 2: Link Your Store to CJ Dropshipping
The next crucial step in this Cj Dropshipping Review is to learn how to link your store to CJ Dropshipping. From your dashboard, go to My CJ and navigate to Store Authorization.
Here, you’ll find multiple options, including the Shopify app store for direct integration. So, choose your platform—whether Shopify, WooCommerce, or Wix—and authorize CJ Dropshipping to connect with your store.
For instance, I use Shopify. So, what I will do is go to the Shopify App Store, find the CJ Dropshipping App, and click on “Install“
Linking your store enables seamless import of dropshipping products, especially if you’re targeting items like shoes and jewelry.
This step also provides access to personal agents and local warehouses that ensure a smooth, stress-free setup process.
Step 3: Browse and Select Products to Sell
With your store linked, it’s time to browse the dropshipping products on CJ.
Thus, you can go to the “Find Products” section, and use the search bar or categories to find products that suit your niche, from shoes and jewelry to electronics.
CJ offers quality control by working with verified suppliers, ensuring customer satisfaction. I recommend cross-checking prices with platforms like AliExpress to make sure CJ’s costs, including any warehouse fees, are competitive.
So, for best results, I use their filters and sort my search based on countries shipped from, supplier products, and verified inventories. If you want you can set a price range as well.
When I began, I quickly appreciated the variety and the US warehouse option, which offers faster shipping time for U.S.-based customers, further enhancing customer satisfaction.
Step 4: Add Products to Your Queue for Further Review
Now on my Cj Dropshipping Review, let’s discuss the process of adding products.
Instead of immediately listing products, I advise using CJ’s Add to Queue feature to save items for further review.
This allows you to organize multiple products and take time to decide which ones best fit your store.
Moreover, this feature is particularly helpful when you’re sourcing from private inventory or local US warehouses.
So, building a queue of products has allowed me to evaluate options carefully, ensuring the best items are chosen for my store without rushing.
CJ’s account manager and personal agents provide great support throughout this process, making it stress-free and efficient.
Step 5: Customize Your Product Listings
Want to learn about customization on this Cj Dropshipping Review? Let’s start!
Customizing each product listing is essential for creating a unique brand experience. In your queue, select items to list and update the product title, description, and SEO tags.
Hence, I recommend editing these fields to align with your brand’s tone and attract customers more effectively.
So, once you click on the “List” button to list the product in your store, you can start the customization. Thus, you can add product titles, descriptions, product variants, images, videos, pricing, etc.
CJ’s quality control efforts mean that products are already verified for reliability, so all that’s left is for you to optimize the listings.
Thus, through CJ’s Shopify app store integration, you can easily publish products with all the necessary details, making your store look professional and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Step 6: Set Pricing and Choose Shipping Options
When setting pricing, calculate your profit margins based on CJ’s costs, including any warehouse fees if applicable.
So, choose from their shipping options, like the US warehouse for faster delivery to American customers.
So, you can set your price in the blank space of the table, and CJ dropshipping will give you an estimation of your profits. Also, you can choose the shipping warehouse, where you ship most products to, shipping method, etc.
CJ provides multiple shipping times based on warehouse location, helping you balance speed and cost to meet customer satisfaction.
One of my favorite features is selecting shipping through CJ’s Shopify app store, which makes it easy to adjust rates and monitor shipping times according to the customers’ locations.
Step 7: List Products on Your Store
Once your products are ready, hit List Now to publish them directly on your store. Make sure the product details, images, and descriptions align with your brand’s style.
Through CJ’s Shopify app store connection, this process is streamlined and straightforward. Hence, I already mentioned in my CJ Dropshipping Review about accessing the app.
The platform’s account manager and personal agents assist throughout the listing process, making it easy to offer dropshipping products with minimal hassle.
Checking each listing before publishing ensures customer satisfaction by providing clear, polished product presentations.
Step 8: Manage Orders and Fulfillment with Ease
After products are live, managing orders becomes a breeze with CJ Dropshipping’s stress-free fulfillment service.
CJ’s quality control ensures products are reliable and shipped promptly, meeting your brand’s standards. With support from personal agents and an account manager, you can keep track of every order, monitor shipping times, and offer customers a smooth, dependable experience.
Moreover, CJ’s great support and reliable local warehouses, like the US warehouse, ensure that your store remains competitive, delivering fast and reliable service that drives customer satisfaction.
Also, CJ Dropshipping’s tools and features make it easy to manage dropshipping products efficiently and maintain high standards for customer satisfaction. With this setup, you’re equipped to build a streamlined, stress-free dropshipping business.
What Products Can You Sell / Source From CJDropshipping?
CJ Dropshipping has over 400.000 products, within 13 product categories:
- Computer & Office
- Bags & Shoes
- Jewelry & Watches
- Health, Beauty & Hair
- Women’s Clothing
- Sports & Outdoors
- Home, Garden & Furniture
- Home Improvement
- Automobiles & Motorcycles
- Toys, Kids & Babies
- Men’s Clothing
- Consumer Electronics
- Phones & Accessories
Moreover, this platform offers a print-on-demand service.
👉 Read more about other print-on-demand services.
How To Find Winning Products On CJDropshipping?
There’s no magic trick to finding winning products on CJDropshipping. But, the platform by itself offers you several solutions.
They have sections like “Hot Selling Categories” and “Trending Products” where you can find the ones that are mostly sold in a certain period. This can be really helpful for you as a dropshipper.
Moreover, there are a lot of other sections that can help you out, like “New Products”, “Video Products”, “Super Deals”, and more.
However, a lot of other sources can help you out in your CJdropshipping product research. Thus, dropshipping platforms, like Dropshipping.com have various Blog articles about CJDropshipping reviews.
You can check out topics and find information about CJ Dropshipping winning products.
👉 Check out this article about CJ Dropshipping Jewelry products.
CJ Dropshipping Custom Packaging Options
Next on my Cj Dropshipping Review, I will talk about CJ dropshipping private label services.
CJ Dropshipping provides customized packing. You must develop a brand if you want to differentiate yourself from your competitors in the dropshipping business. Using “blank items” and branding your package is a low-cost, risk-free option.
👉 Learn about Best practices for dropshipping product packaging.
CJ Dropshipping provides custom packages and items to help you grow your dropshipping business by including your logo and brand colors on the packaging.
CJ Dropshipping custom packaging allows you to create your own package. You may include a photo and text. Then you can save the design, and store it on your “My Custom Packaging” page.
What’s more, CJ will not display this on the platform because you own the design and have rights to it.
Moreover, they provide personalized packages such as jewelry boxes, express bags, shoe boxes, and so on. They also make personalized items such as metal jewelry, velcro, and more.
Furthermore, Cj Dropshipping has laser engraving equipment and color printers for your bespoke logos and packaging your bespoke logos packaging, have laser engraving equipment and color printers.
They have several alternatives, but simply placing your brand on a box may significantly impact significant impact on the perceived worth of your goods.
Review on CJ Dropshipping Shipping Times
CJ Dropshipping shipping times on several shipment options are possibly their most significant advantage. Major worldwide postal services such as DHL, USPS, ePacket, PostNL, and others are included.
They also have their own unique delivery method, CJPacket, which is quick. Cj Dropshipping shipping times, like with most dropshipping platforms, are determined by the warehouse location, the target country, and the delivery type.
CJ Dropshipping shipping times are reduced by having 8 available warehouses: 3 in China, 2 in the United States, 1 in Thailand, 1 in Indonesia, and 1 in Germany.
When it comes to shipping from China to the US, CJDropshipping offers various shipping options. Thus, here I will list a few most popular:
Shipping Options | Shipping Times |
DHL Official | 3-7 Days |
CJPacket Fast Ordinary | 4-9 days |
CJPacket Fast Line | 6-10 days |
CJPacket Fast US | 6-10 days |
CJPacket Ordinary | 8-12 days |
CJPacket Sensitive | 10-15 Days |
USPS | 10-20 Days |
CJPacket Pure Electricity | 13-18 Days |
CJPacket Air Ordinary | 9-22 Days |
How To Connect CJDropshipping To Shopify?
The CJ Dropshipping software is integrated with Shopify. This CJ dropshipping app has also been listed in the Shopify App Store since January 2020.
This adds a significant amount of trust because the app and its functionality are now regulated by Shopify.
So, how you can connect your CJ Dropshipping with Shopify?
First, if you are going to do this through the CJ Dropshipping dashboard, it goes this way:
- To begin, log in to your CJ account and select “My CJ”.
- Click the “Authorization” button.
- Select “Shopify” and then click “Add Store”.
- Fill up your Shopify address.
- Log in to your Shopify account and follow the instructions to download the CJ Dropshipping App.
- When the installation is complete, you will see a pop-up window indicating Authorization Success.
However, if you are going to use Shopify, you may perform the following:
- Log in to your Shopify admin account.
- The CJ Dropshipping app can be found on the Shopify App Store.
- Add the program and install it.
- It will automatically establish a CJ Account after installation.
- The message “Authorization Successful” will appear.
💡 Tip: Learn about some of the Best Shopify Alternatives.
And, there you go, you are all set and ready to dropship!
CJ Dropshipping Review: CJ Dropshipping vs AliExpress
Comparison Aspect | CJ Dropshipping | AliExpress |
---|---|---|
Ease of Use | More complex, integrates with Oberlo and other platforms, saves time with advanced features. | Simpler to start, similar to eBay or Amazon for easy account setup and purchases. |
Product Listings | Approx. 400,000 products with high-quality control managed by CJ team. | Over 2.5 billion products, managed by individual vendors with varied quality. |
Shipping Time and Costs | 6-15 days on average, faster and generally more affordable than AliExpress for quick shipping. | 15-30 days on average; free shipping often included but longer delivery times. |
Payment Methods | Offers 8 payment options, including COD for authorized clients. | Varies by seller; PayPal may not be accepted by some vendors. |
Warehousing | 8 international warehouses, enabling faster delivery times. | Most vendors store their own inventory, leading to limited warehouse options. |
I know that AliExpress is a well-known app that can be great for beginners, but this doesn’t mean that is perfect.
CJ Dropshipping is a great competitor of AliExpress. Therefore, there are several distinctions between CJDropshipping vs. AliExpress. However, these distinctions are primarily the consequence of fundamental variances between the two platforms.
So, let’s compare these two platforms in my CJ Dropshipping Review, in terms of items, services, shipping, and so on.
Ease of use
It is easier to start on AliExpress. Aliexpress’s system is fairly simple, as it is merely a platform for users to search and purchase items. It’s similar to creating an account and purchasing items on eBay or Amazon.
On the other hand, the CJ Dropshipping platform is far more complex, it integrates the functionalities of Aliexpress and Oberlo and goes significantly beyond what they can. You may save time and energy once you’ve put the features you need in place.
Product listings
AliExpress has around 2.5 billion product listings, but CJ Dropshipping has only approximately 400,000, which is considerably behind Aliexpress.
However, CJ Dropshipping has a large selection of different product niches to pick from, as well as lower pricing.
Furthermore, all items on AliExpress are listed and maintained by the vendors (8.7 in 2019). In comparison, the items on CJ Dropshipping are all posted by the CJ team, which ensures higher quality.
Moreover, they have limited personnel, they must choose popular goods to post and source products based on user demands.
Shipping time and costs
The shipping prices displayed on AliExpress are frequently substantially lower than those shown on CJ Dropshipping, and some even offer free delivery.
The reason for free delivery is that the shipping cost is included in the product price, which is another reason why Aliexpress always charges more than CJ Dropshipping.
When you look at the expected shipping time on AliExpress, you will notice that it might be more than a month, but the CJ Dropshipping package takes from 6 to 15 days.
When it comes to quicker delivery, the expenses are substantially higher on AliExpress than on CJ Dropshipping. In fact, AliExpress shipping times are on average 15-30 days. However, sometimes it can even take up to 45-60.
Of course, the platform offers Premium Shipping, and you can get your order for 7-15 days but is much pricier.
Payment methods
CJ Dropshipping allows 8 different payment options and even offers COD (Cash On Delivery) for authorized clients.
AliExpress, on the other hand, does not have a clear list of payment services that are supported because they change based on different sellers. Unfortunately, some vendors do not even take PayPal, which is one of the most popular payment options among buyers in Western nations.
Warehousing
AliExpress does not require its own warehouses for product storage. Because most vendors stock their own merchandise, AliExpress’ inventory is typically fairly restricted.
CJ Dropshipping has the advantage here since it has 8 international warehouses.
CJ Dropshipping Pros and Cons
Here’s a quick list of the pros and cons of CJDropshipping:
Pros
1) CJPacket
Compared to the other platforms, CJ drop shipping definitely offers faster shipping. CJ Shipping methods include major global services like DHL, ePacket, PostNL, USPS, etc.
CjPacket is the platform’s own original shipping option. Of course, all shipping times vary on where the warehouse is located.
The US is considered the country with the largest dropshipping market, so it is always a great idea to have a warehouse there, and guess what? CJ drop shipping has 3 of them in the US!
2) Product sourcing request
Once you search through the platform, you may be fooled into thinking that the items you are searching for are limited.
CJ has a sourcing feature that allows you to find the best supplier and then upload your product with a request.
Furthermore, after a day or 2, you will see the product appear on the CJ Dropshipping market. Although, let’s not forget that the number of sourcing requests is limited to 5 per day until you start selling more on the platform.
3) Excellent customer service
If there were only one positive thing to say about CJ, it is that they are super helpful and responsive. Just after you sign up, the platform provides you access to online support and a personal dropshipping agent that will firmly assist you with sales.
4) Free app
CJ easily integrates with other dropshipping/e-commerce platforms.
As mentioned above, it integrates best with Shopify, WooCommerce, Lazada, Shopee, API, & Shipstation.
It is free to download on the Shopify App Store and scores a near-perfect 5-star rating!
Cons
1) App might become buggy
You should be aware that sometimes the app may become buggy. Common bugs on the app may be longer loading times, the app closing on its own, etc.
Otherwise, if we compare the app’s performance to other platforms, it is quite lower or more mediocre, especially in loading times.
2) Lack of uniqueness
If you’re someone who is looking to sell a highly demanded product that most won’t find out about, then CJ isn’t the right platform for you.
The CJ team is able to see your profits and can put you at risk of revealing your products quickly. Additionally, this isn’t a huge risk but in comparison to other platforms, they can reveal your product faster.
3) User-interface
A huge issue associated with CJ Dropshipping is its cluttered interface. Plenty of the auto-translated content isn’t written in proper English and can make it challenging to understand from time to time.
4) Isn’t the cheapest alternative
CJDropshipping has comparable prices to AliExpress. It really isn’t the cheapest alternative available.
Sometimes, you may need to rely too much on bulk shipments or even hire a private agent to get the best shipping costs.
CJ Dropshipping Reviews – What Do Dropshippers Say?
After conducting a thorough review of CJ Dropshipping, I found that user experiences are generally positive, particularly when it comes to the platform’s support team and personalized assistance.
Scoring a near-perfect 5-star rating on the Shopify app store, and on Trustpilot with 4.9/5 feedback from more than 11 K users. Here is a photo of some positive reviews regarding the app on the Shopify app store.
Also, many users praise CJ’s responsive and knowledgeable personal agents, who quickly handle questions and guide users through issues, which sets it apart from other dropshipping platforms.
The platform also offers the convenience of US warehouse options, which helps reduce shipping time for U.S.-based orders, providing a competitive edge in delivering products more quickly.
On the other hand, I always pay attention to negative reviews. So, what customers mostly complain about is a lack of some product variants and issues with not delivering the goods. However, that’s really rare.
Thus, despite these positives, several users reported frustrations. Common complaints include inconsistent stock levels, where items marked as available are often found to be out of stock after orders are placed.
This inconsistency has led to delays, causing significant issues for users who rely on CJ’s inventory to meet customer demand.
Another challenge lies with shipping times, which, although advertised as prompt, sometimes exceed expectations, leaving customers waiting longer than anticipated.
Some users also pointed out higher-than-expected shipping costs and occasional hidden charges, such as warehouse fees, which can make CJ Dropshipping less competitive for those on tight margins.
Comparatively, the platform overall is good. I can agree that no platform is perfect. However, the near 5-star rating from thousands of users shows everything!
How about Reddit?
Also, based on Reddit groups, many Redditors mention that CJ Dropshipping can deliver on shipping times, especially from their US warehouse.
Plus, their ability to source and bulk-order items is helpful when scaling a store. However, several users express dissatisfaction with CJ’s customer service, often describing it as unreliable or difficult to work with.
Additionally, they claim that inventory consistency is a recurring issue, with products occasionally listed as available but actually out of stock, leading to delays.
Top CJ Dropshipping Alternatives
AutoDS
AutoDS is more than just a dropshipping supplier – it serves as a cloud-based platform to track supplier orders, manage communications, and handle cancellations and returns for your dropshipping stores.
The platform features a default template for quick responses and a dashboard to monitor your performance.
AutoDS Inventory Management efficiently handles all your products, allowing you to import from platforms like Shopify, AliExpress, and Amazon.
With an extensive supplier base, AutoDS simplifies and secures sourcing, offering a choice from over 500 million trending products.
AutoDS suppliers provide global shipping from various locations, ensuring worldwide delivery for faster shipping times and improved product quality.
The inventory management system in AutoDS allows customization of columns, including price, profit, variations, item/source ID, units sold, days without sale, views, and tags.
Pricing for AutoDS varies depending on the platform, ranging from $9.90 to $119 per month. There are also specific pricing tiers tailored to your needs, and you can request a quote for more precise pricing information.
Overall CJ Dropshipping Review
CJ Dropshipping is a very well-built platform and is strongly helpful when starting out with it.
You have personal agents and video guides/tutorials assigned to you for free! You can contact these agents anytime and even watch the videos at any time.
What the platform has that most don’t is the “all-in-one” dropshipping resource. More than 300,000 users are taking advantage of all their trusted features.
Above all, the platform is international, which gives a huge edge in shipping times and many advantages over dropshipping on AliExpress.