Whether you are a dropshipping beginner or an established entrepreneur, chances are you have thought about starting dropshipping from AliExpress to eBay.

Perhaps you are a dropshipping newbie and have no idea how dropshipping works. Or you are already running a dropshipping store and sourcing your products from AliExpress.

But now you want to expand your target audience and start dropshipping from AliExpress to eBay.

If this idea excites you, why wait around? You need to learn how to dropship from AliExpress to eBay. So, let’s get started.

What Is AliExpress?

AliExpress is like this huge online shop run by Alibaba where people from all over the place can buy and sell stuff. They’ve got tons of things at really good prices, which is why lots of folks love using it.

Seriously, AliExpress has pretty much everything you could think of – from gadgets and clothes to stuff for your home and accessories. It’s like a treasure trove of goodies, with millions of things up for grabs.

And get this – you’ll often find different sellers offering the same thing. That means you’ve got loads of options to check out and compare prices before you decide what to get.

Now, here’s the kicker: AliExpress is all about those sweet deals. Wondering how they manage to keep prices so low? Well, it’s because the sellers there can often get stuff cheaply, either by buying in bulk, going straight to the source, or cutting down on extra expenses.

How Does AliExpress Work?

So, let me break down how dropshipping with AliExpress works. It’s pretty straightforward, just like the regular dropshipping setup:

First off, you pick out the stuff you want to sell from AliExpress and add it to your online shop.

Then, you get to set the prices for those items, making sure to add a little extra for yourself, of course.

When someone buys something from your store, you go ahead and place the order with the supplier or seller on AliExpress.

After that, the supplier or seller ships the order straight to your customer.

Your customer pays the price you set, and you pay the supplier or seller their wholesale price. Whatever’s left over is your profit. Easy, right?

What Is eBay?

eBay was founded back in 1995, so it’s been around for quite some time now. It started off as a place where people could auction off items to the highest bidder, but over the years, it’s grown into much more than that.

Now, you can still bid on items in auctions, but there are also plenty of things you can just buy outright without having to wait for an auction to end.

One of the cool things about eBay is that it’s not just for buying new stuff. You can also find lots of used items, vintage treasures, and even rare or one-of-a-kind items that you might not be able to find anywhere else. It’s like a virtual treasure hunt!

Plus, eBay is a global marketplace, so you can buy things from sellers all over the world. This means you have access to a huge variety of items that you might not be able to find in your local stores.

Overall, eBay is a pretty handy place to shop if you’re looking for something specific or just want to browse around and see what catches your eye.

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How Does eBay Dropshipping Work?

eBay dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where a store doesn’t keep the products it sells in stock. Instead, when an eBay store sells a product, it purchases the item from a third party and has it shipped directly to the customer.

As a result, the seller never sees or handles the product directly.

Here’s a brief overview of how it works:

• Listing Products on eBay: You list products for sale on their eBay store, often after conducting research to identify popular or profitable items. These products are sourced from suppliers who are willing to dropship.
• Customer Places an Order: When a customer buys a product from the eBay store, you receive the order and payment at the price listed on their eBay store.
• Order is Forwarded to the Supplier: Next, you forward the customer’s order details to the dropshipping supplier, either manually or automatically, and pays the supplier’s asking price for the product. This price is lower than the selling price on eBay, allowing the seller to make a profit.
• Supplier Ships the Product: The dropshipping supplier packages and ships the product directly to the customer on behalf of the eBay seller.
• After-Sale Support: Lastly, you are responsible for customer service, including handling any questions, returns, or issues that arise after the sale.

Dropshipping From AliExpress to eBay: Key Features

🔸 Products

AliExpress Products

AliExpress is renowned for its extensive array of products, offering a wide range of items tailored to meet the diverse needs and preferences of buyers across the globe.

Whether you’re in the market for cutting-edge electronics, fashionable apparel, distinctive home decor, or specialized accessories, AliExpress has got you covered.

With a plethora of categories to choose from, spanning consumer electronics, fashion and accessories, beauty and health products, home and garden essentials, to sports and entertainment merchandise, you’ll find a vast selection to explore.

Take, for instance, the women’s clothing category – a simple click reveals an expansive fly-out menu showcasing numerous sub-categories.

This level of variety extends across every category on the platform, providing endless browsing possibilities.

In essence, AliExpress serves as a comprehensive one-stop shop, eliminating the need to hop between multiple websites or physical stores.

eBay Products

Bay offers a broader mix of new, used, and collectible items from both professional sellers and individuals.  It offers a vast array of products in categories such as:

• Electronics and technology
• Fashion and accessories
• Home and Garden
• Collectibles and art
• Sports equipment and memorabilia
• Toys and hobbies
• Vehicles and parts

What’s more, eBay is known for its auction-style listings alongside ‘Buy It Now’ options, allowing users to either bid on items or purchase them immediately at a set price.

It has a significant market for rare, collectible, and second-hand items, making it a popular platform for collectors and those looking for unique or hard-to-find items.

🔸 Shipping Times

AliExpress Shipping Times

When it comes to shipping from AliExpress, it’s good to know the usual timeframe. Generally, standard packages take anywhere from 15 to 30 days to arrive, although sometimes it can stretch to b

Now, the delivery time can vary based on a few things, like how the suppliers ship items, which countries are involved, and other factors.

But, if you’re in a hurry to get your hands on your purchase, there’s the Premium Shipping option. With this, you’re looking at a much quicker turnaround, usually within 7 to 15 working days. It’s perfect for those who need their items sooner rather than later.

💡 Tip: Learn about AliExpress Premium Shipping: The Key to Get Your Orders on Time.

eBay Shipping Times

eBay shipping times can vary widely depending on several factors, including the location of the seller, the location of the buyer, the shipping method chosen, and the efficiency of the shipping service used. Here’s a general overview of what you might expect in terms of shipping times on eBay:

1. Domestic Shipping: For shipments within the same country, shipping times can range from 1-7 days on average, depending on the shipping service used (e.g., standard, economy, expedited, or same-day delivery options).
2. International Shipping: For international shipments, the delivery time can be significantly longer, typically ranging from 7-30 days. The exact time depends on factors such as the distance between countries, customs processing times, and the international shipping service chosen.
3. Handling Time: Sellers on eBay specify their handling time, which is the time they need to prepare and dispatch the item after receiving payment. This can range from same-day to several days and will add to the overall delivery time.
4. eBay Global Shipping Program (GSP): For international orders through eBay’s Global Shipping Program, where the seller sends the item to eBay’s shipping center, and eBay handles international shipping, delivery times can vary. eBay provides an estimate at the time of purchase, which typically includes the time it takes to reach the shipping center plus the time needed for international shipping.

🔸 Pricing

AliExpress Pricing Sturcture

AliExpress dropshipping won’t cost you a dime, which makes it an excellent choice if you’re looking to start without much cash on hand. In other words, the platform has no subscription fees or dropshipping program fees.

Now, keep in mind that prices for products on AliExpress can vary depending on the supplier. Also, the shipping costs are the one to consider as well.

But don’t worry, there are plenty of suppliers offering really affordable options.

As for setting your prices for dropshipping, well, that’s entirely up to you and how you want to structure your business.

eBay Pricing Structure

Having ventured into dropshipping on eBay myself, I’ve learned there are a few expenses to keep in mind before diving in.

Firstly, let’s talk about eBay seller fees, shipping costs, sourcing fees, and marketing expenses.

• eBay seller fees typically range from 10% to 13% of the total sale, including shipping costs. Some items might incur additional fees, especially high-end fashion products.
• Shipping costs vary based on factors like item size, weight, and destination. Generally, expect around $2-$5 for standard shipping on items weighing less than 1 lb, while heavier items could cost $7-$10 or more.
• Sourcing fees can fluctuate due to supplier type and product demand. Typically, they range from 5%-15% of the retail price per item sourced.

Additionally, there are upfront costs to consider, such as purchasing a domain name, website hosting, and dropshipping software.

• Domain name prices vary based on the extension and registrar, usually ranging from $10 to $50 per year.
• Website hosting costs can differ depending on the provider and plan, ranging from $5 to $50 monthly for shared hosting and up to $500 monthly for dedicated hosting.
• Dropshipping software expenses vary based on features and provider, typically falling between $30 to $300 per month.

Lastly, it’s crucial to research and compare pricing plans among different suppliers to ensure you’re getting the best deal on products

How To Start Dropshipping From AliExpress To eBay?

Step 1 – Create an eBay Seller Account

To dropship on eBay, you’ve gotta have a seller account. Making one is easy peasy: just head to the registration page and provide some basic info about your online biz.

Once you’re in, you’ll hit the eBay Dashboard. Pick the eBay store type that suits you best and hook up your checking account to get paid.

Step 2 – Create An AliExpress Account

To start, you have to sign up. When you go to the AliExpress site, you’ll see a button called “Account” in the top right corner. Click on that, then select “Register.”

If you want to speed things up, they let you create an account using your social media accounts.

Step 3 – Find Products You Want To Dropship On AliExpress

So, you can explore their wide range of products by browsing through different categories. If you have something specific in mind, just type in a keyword, and the platform will show you relevant items. It’s a good idea to start with a general category that matches your store’s focus.

For example, if you’re in the fitness niche, you can search for “fitness” or browse through the “sports & entertainment” category.

Once you’re in a category, you can sort products based on things like best reviews or popularity to find high-quality or popular items.

It’s also helpful to use tools like Google Trends or social media platforms to spot trending fitness products.

 For instance, if you’re curious about the demand for “resistance bands,” you can simply check Google Trends for insights.

Additionally, use AliExpress’ search function to see how many other sellers offer the product. If there are lots of sellers, you can expect stiff competition.

And remember, always check product reviews and ratings on AliExpress before making a decision.

Higher ratings usually mean better quality, and the reviews often include helpful photos and comments from customers.

Step 3 – Connect Your eBay Store To AutoDS

Once you log in to your AutoDS account, click on the “Add Store” button on the AutoDS sidebar menu.

Next, click on “Add your first eBay store”, choose your location, and click “Finish”.

Furthermore, you’ll need to log in to your eBay account. So, enter the needed information, and log in.

Afterward, AutoDS will need to grant application access to connect your store, so click on “Accept” Now, you are ready to go.

Step  4- Import Products From AliExpress To eBay

And, here comes the real work when it comes to dropshipping from AliExpress to eBay.

While you can manually handle your dropshipping business by copying and pasting product details into the eBay dashboard, you might struggle to keep up as your business grows.

That’s why it’s a good idea to use dropshipping automation tools to add products to your store.

Let me walk you through how I do it with the AutoDS automation tool. AutoDS offers dropshipping-friendly ways to import products:

• One-click Importer
• Single Product Uploader
• Multiple Product IDs/URLs
• Bulk Importer

Let’s focus on the Single Product Uploader, which is a simple and convenient way to add one product at a time. This uploader allows you to quickly import a single item in just a few seconds.

Here’s how it works:

Go to the AliExpress product page of the item you want to add to your eBay store. Copy the product URL or ID.

Navigate to the AutoDS platform and click on ‘Add Products’ in the left sidebar. Choose the ‘Single Product’ option and paste the product URL/ID.

Click the ‘Edit Now (Quick)’ button. Thus, within moments, the system will start transferring the product from AliExpress to the AutoDS platform.

Once the transfer is complete, the product will appear in the ‘Drafts’ section of AutoDS.

In the drafts section, you can optimize various aspects of the product, such as titles, categories, pricing, automation settings, item specifications, and images.

Since many suppliers on AliExpress don’t provide clear and organized product titles or descriptions, it’s important to adjust these details accordingly.

For example, you can use ChatGPT to help generate professional and optimized texts for your products. Thus, just provide a prompt and you will have your info in a second. Let’s try it out!

After optimizing the product details, click the ‘Save’ button to update the information. When the product is ready to be imported to your eBay dropshipping store, click the ‘Import’ button.

The item will then move from the drafts section to the ‘Products’ page, indicating that it’s now available in your eBay online shop.

Step 5 – Promote Your eBay Dropshipping Business

eBay offers various promotional tools like promoted listings, which can increase the visibility of your products.

 These tools require an investment, but they can significantly boost your store’s exposure to potential buyers.

So, here’s what you get:

• eBay Promoted Listings Standard
• Optimize traffic with sales events
• Gain more customers with volume discounts
• Create coupons to attract a larger audience

• eBay Promoted Listings Advanced 
• Sales Events
• Volume Discounts 

However, you can also use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest to showcase your products.

So, create engaging content that highlights the benefits and features of your items, and use targeted hashtags to reach a wider audience. Also, social media ads can also be a powerful tool to target specific demographics.

Step 6 – Fulfill Orders On eBay

Using a dropshipping tool such as AutoDS helps us simplify the entire order fulfillment process.

With automatic order processing and tracking updates, you can save time, minimize mistakes, and make sure that customer orders are dealt with quickly.

How To Choose Trustworthy AliExpress Suppliers?

Have you stumbled upon a fantastic product at an unbelievably low price? What’s your next move?

You might think it’s clicking “Buy Now,” but hold on! Instead of questioning if AliExpress is trustworthy, it’s better to verify the legitimacy of the seller.

👉 Discover the 20+ AliExpress Best Sellers For Dropshipping In 2024

Thus, this might be one of the most important things to consider when dropshipping from AliExpress to eBay.

First things first, click on the seller’s name. This action will take you to their store. Take a moment to click on “Feedback.”

Here, you can examine the seller’s reputation, including comments and ratings from other customers.

When it comes to assessing a seller’s reliability, feedback and reviews are invaluable. If a seller has a history of deceiving buyers, you’re likely to uncover evidence of their misconduct in the feedback section.

Therefore, be vigilant for any mentions of undelivered items or poor-quality goods. These warning signs should prompt you to proceed with caution and reconsider your interaction with the seller.

Additionally, watch out for stores with generic names like “shop8894527478” that have been created within the last six months. These impersonal and recently established stores may pose a higher risk of fraudulent activity.

By recognizing these red flags, you can shield yourself from potential scams and make more informed choices while using AliExpress.

Furthermore, AliExpress offers a free extension called UpAssistant for evaluating sellers. Consider giving it a try.

Thus, this tool provides a more accurate and comprehensive rating that you can rely on when making purchasing decisions.

💡Tip: Check out the Top 11 Dropshipping AliExpress Chrome Extensions.

So, by using such tools, you can ensure that the supplier is indeed trustworthy on AliExpress.

eBay Dropshipping Success Stories

Jen Thomas, Owner, Smudgy Monkey Gifts & Accessories

Jen Thomas, the owner of Smudgy Monkey Gifts & Accessories, embarked on her entrepreneurial journey a decade ago when her husband faced a layoff.

Determined to bridge the financial gap, Jen turned to eBay as a platform to sell various items while her husband sought new employment opportunities.

Fortune smiled upon Jen as she stumbled upon a niche product that was trending at the time. With dedication and perseverance, her eBay venture experienced steady growth year after year.

However, Jen’s aspirations extended beyond eBay; she envisioned establishing her own ecommerce store. While she continues to leverage eBay as a sales channel through her online store, her ultimate goal is to transition eBay buyers into loyal customers of Smudgy Monkey.

For Jen, the key to success has been emphasizing exceptional customer service and value. Moreover, building credibility through eBay sales has played a pivotal role in nurturing customer relationships that transcend the eBay platform.

Nick Borrelli, Ecommerce Marketing Director, Nu Wave Marine

Nick Borrelli’s journey to success took an unexpected turn following a motorcycle accident that led to his dismissal from his job.

Forced to return to his father’s small marine mechanic shop, Nick found himself amidst piles of spare parts, which sparked an idea.

Drawing on his entrepreneurial spirit, Nick began selling these spare parts on eBay, despite lacking prior experience in ecommerce or boating.

 To his surprise, his venture flourished, prompting him to expand his eBay listings to include new products, effectively transforming his endeavor into a full-time operation.

Recognizing the potential for greater profitability, Nick made the strategic decision to transition away from eBay and establish a dedicated online presence.

With the help of BigCommerce, Nick built a website, delved into SEO and PPC strategies, and successfully carved out a niche in the competitive marine industry.

While eBay continues to drive sales for Nu Wave Marine, Nick’s focus remains on maximizing profits and establishing a strong brand identity through his independent ecommerce platform.

Pros & Cons Of Dropshipping From AliExpress To eBay

PROS

✅ Diverse Range of Products at Your Fingertips

 Embrace the opportunity to offer your customers an extensive variety of items. It’s like having the world’s largest inventory without needing a warehouse.

✅ Reach Customers Globally

The world is your marketplace. With global shipping capabilities, you can send products to customers in far-flung corners of the globe.

✅Seamless Start-up Experience

AliExpress is tailor-made for dropshippers, which means you can kickstart your business with minimal fuss and financial outlay.

✅ Begin With Bare Minimum Investment

The beauty of this model is its low entry barrier. You don’t need deep pockets to get your venture off the ground.

✅ Leverage eBay’s Massive Audience

Tap into eBay’s vast pool of active users. Their platform is your springboard to visibility and sales, without spending a dime on ads.

CONS

❌ Shipping Times Can Be a Curveball

Prepare to manage expectations around delivery schedules, as you won’t have direct control over how fast products ship from AliExpress.

❌ Savings on Bundled Orders Aren’t a Given

Since bundling isn’t an option, finding other ways to offer value will be key to keeping your pricing competitive.

❌ The Marketplace Is Crowded

The competition on eBay is fierce, but don’t let that discourage you. Instead, let it motivate you to carve out a unique niche for your store.

💡Tips To Turn Challenges Into Opportunities

• Explore AliExpress’s various global warehouses to find faster shipping routes to your customers. It’s all about making smart choices to improve delivery times.
• Although you can’t bundle orders to save on shipping, you can still pass on discounts and special offers from AliExpress to your buyers. Every little saving counts.
• Stand out in a crowded marketplace with a robust marketing strategy and a brand that resonates with your target audience. Be the dropshipping entrepreneur that does it differently.

Other Dropshipping Automation Tools for Dropshipping From AliExpress To eBay

So, it is advisable to use one of the following dropshipping automation tools to add products to your store:

Dropified

If you’re diving into dropshipping from AliExpress to eBay, Dropified is your ultimate sidekick.

Say goodbye to manual product sourcing and order processing – Dropified handles it all. With easy product imports, automated order fulfillment, and nifty inventory syncing, it’s like having a virtual assistant for your dropshipping business.

Trust me, it’s the shortcut you’ve been searching for to scale up hassle-free.

KalDrop

Want to stay ahead of the dropshipping game? KalDrop’s got your back. This tool is tailor-made for AliExpress to eBay dropshippers, packed with features to skyrocket your efficiency and profits.

From seamless product imports to dynamic pricing strategies and competitor tracking, it’s the key to outshining the competition.

So, KalDrop will be your best ally in the ever-evolving world of e-commerce.

When choosing a tool for your e-commerce business, make sure it:

• Supports every single product from AliExpress. The majority of tools work with an “API”. That’s to say, it is actually the interface the software uses and fetches all of the data from the marketplace. But the API fails to support all the items.

That’s why you must identify if your chosen tool to start dropshipping from AliExpress to eBay supports all products from AliExpress.

• Sends automated feedback. With certain automated dropshipping tools, your customers will receive a “Thank You” note when they receive their order.

Or they will receive a tracking number once an order is shipped. So, ensure that your chosen tool sends automated feedback.

• Supports product variations. Almost all AliExpress products have different attributes like color and size. For example, a bag on AliExpress is available in multiple colors and patterns. And the good news is that when dropshipping from AliExpress to eBay, you can take advantage of this.

In short, when selling on eBay, you pay per product rather than per variation. Therefore, choose a dropshipping tool that supports product variations.

Shipping rules you must know as a new eBay seller to avoid trouble from the outset

When dropshipping from AliExpress to eBay, you have to work with a wholesale supplier that can ship orders as quickly as possible on your behalf.

The reason for this is that eBay requires its sellers to list products that are guaranteed to arrive in 30 days or less.

Since the majority of AliExpress wholesalers are based in China, it might be hard to guarantee 30-day delivery. Here’s our simple guide on how to dropship from China to the USA effectively.

But fortunately, you can learn how to reduce AliExpress shipping times. That way, you will comply with eBay’s rules and policies as well as make your customers happy.

How Much Does It Cost To Start Dropshipping From AliExpress To eBay?

Well, it won’t cost much to start dropshipping from AliExpress to eBay. Namely, to dropship on eBay, you have to pay two types of fees:

• An insertion fee; (You have to pay this type of fee when you list a product.)

• A final value fee; (You have to pay this kind of fee once you sell a product.)

Sure, the fees you will have to pay for dropshipping depend on your eBay Store subscription levels. Please see the image below.

When it comes to final value fees, the fees typically range from 5-10%. Learn more about it here.

💡 Tip: Discover the 9 Reasons About Why Is AliExpress So Cheap [Truth Revealed]

Is Dropshipping on eBay Worth It?

As eBay claims, dropshipping on eBay is allowed!

So, dropshipping is not banned on eBay. However, it is actually restricted.

Some think that it is difficult to start dropshipping from AliExpress to eBay because of the many restrictions.

More specifically, eBay may remove their listings from search, display them lower in search results, or remove them completely from the marketplace if they do not buy bulk inventory from an AliExpress wholesaler.

After all, the marketplace had about 159 million active buyers globally in the second quarter of 2023, which is expected to grow in 2024. This can be a huge potential customer base for your online business.

Still, it is up to you to decide whether you want to dropship from AliExpress to eBay or not.

👉 Read about Poshmark Review: Is Poshmark Legit For Buying & Selling?

Conclusion

In wrapping up, if you’re considering diving into dropshipping from AliExpress to eBay, here’s some advice to keep in mind:

First off, this strategy offers a promising opportunity to tap into AliExpress’s wide array of products and eBay’s massive customer base. But remember, success doesn’t come without its considerations.

Shipping times can be a bit unpredictable, so it’s wise to manage customer expectations and perhaps consider faster shipping options when available.

When selecting suppliers on AliExpress, prioritize reliability and quality. Check seller feedback and ratings to ensure you’re partnering with trustworthy suppliers.

While eBay’s fees and competition can be daunting, don’t let that deter you. With strategic pricing, effective marketing, and top-notch customer service, you can carve out your space in the marketplace.

Lastly, stay informed on industry trends, leverage automation tools like AutoDS or Dropified, and always adhere to eBay’s policies to keep your business in good standing.

With careful planning and execution, dropshipping from AliExpress to eBay can be a rewarding venture. So, if you’re up for the challenge, go ahead and give it a shot!