The 8 top UK dropshipping suppliers for small businesses Dropshipping providers can save small retailers lots of trouble when managing inventory. Find the best provider for your small business with our expert guide. Written by Emily Clark Updated on 23 December 2025 Our Research When recommending the best dropshipping platforms, our expert team of writers and researchers focus on the features and offerings that matter most to small businesses. We rate platforms on their price model, user friendliness, integrations with other systems, and help and support plus customer feedback. Startups.co.uk is reader supported – we may earn a commission from our recommendations, at no extra cost to you and without impacting our editorial impartiality. It’s a great time to get involved in dropshipping, with trends ranging from Oasis nostalgia to the vinyl toy craze around POP MART’s Labubus. The global dropshipping market is also projected to hit $476bn in 2026.After researching the UK dropshipping market, our in-house experts have named DSers as the best supplier to build and scale an ecommerce venture, thanks to its speed, reliability, and seamless Shopify integration.Below, we’ll guide you through each brand’s pricing, shipping options, and integrations so you can find the best supplier for your needs.Find out all you need to know about the best ecommerce platforms to help you grow your retail business and allow more customers to discover you online. Start dropshipping on Shopify today with a FREE trial Shopify's vast range of helpful apps makes it a great option for dropshipping: we recommend adding our number one rated tool DSers to your Shopify store. Visit Shopify Start for free Easily create a top-class dropshipping site with Wix Dropshipping with Wix is easy: use Wix-owned tool Modalyst to start seamlessly dropping items into your Wix eCommerce store. Try Wix Create a site for free 💡Key takeaways DSers is the best UK dropshipping supplier thanks to its ability to seamlessly import products, edit listings, and place orders individually and in bulk.The cheapest dropshipping supplier is SaleHoo Dropship, costing from just $9 per month (billed annually).The dropshipping suppliers that offer free plans are DSers, Modalyst, AliExpress, Avasam, and CJ Dropshipping.CJ Dropshipping offers 50% off its Academy courses, plus $3 coupons for orders that exceed a specific amount, depending on your paid plan.When choosing a supplier, consider your target audience, location, testing products, or requesting feedback from existing customers.You should avoid suppliers with unclear information, unrealistic prices, poor communication, payment pressures, and no online presence. Our top dropshipping suppliers: Quick comparison: Top 8 dropshipping suppliers 1. DSers: Best for Shopify integration 2. Modalyst: Best for fashion dropshipping 3. AliExpress: Best for sourcing trending products 4. Avasam: Best for inventory management 5. SaleHoo Dropship: Best for international markets 6. CJ Dropshipping: Best for customisation and branding 7. Spocket: Best for good-quality products 8. AutoDS: Best for competitor analysis What to look for (and avoid) in a dropshipping supplier Five actionable tips for selecting a supplier Quick comparison: Top 8 dropshipping suppliers 0 out of 0 backward forward Pricing Free plan? Transaction fees BEST FOR SHOPIFY DSers Modalyst AliExpress Avasam SaleHoo CJ Dropshipping Spocket AutoDS $15.90-$399 per month, billed annually $30-$67 per month, billed annually 5%-10% commission fee £24.92-£74.92 per month, billed annually $9-$49 per month, billed annually $15.99-$59.99 per month, billed monthly $24-$79 per month, billed annually $19.90-$49.90 per month, billed annually Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No 0% 1%-5% per sale 5%-10%* per sale 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1. DSers: Best for Shopify integrationPricing range: $15.90 to $399 per month, billed annually (pricing information only available in USD)Ships to: international (depends on each individual supplier)We’ve ranked DSers as our number one dropshipping supplier because it offers access to over 150,000 merchants and is available across several market-leading ecommerce platforms, such as Wix and Shopify.DSers also doesn’t charge transaction fees, meaning you only pay the monthly subscription and the normal product/shipping costs.DSers lets you alter the size, cost, and price of an item with just two clicks. / Image source: dsers.comWhat I like about DSersMy favourite feature is the DSers supplier optimiser, as it allows you to find cheaper and better suppliers that sell the same products as your current partners, to help you save money easily.DSers is also ahead of the game when it comes to sourcing stock. For example, if you use TikTok for dropshipping, its ‘Product Research‘ feature allows users to investigate product videos that go viral on TikTok for inventory ideas.Plus, DSers’ helpdesk is available 24/7 via live chat, so you can request help at any time.What I dislike about DSersLess positively, users have reported occasional processing delays. However, all DSers plans come with automated order status updates so you can keep updated and prepared for delay complaints.How much does DSers cost?DSers offers three paid tiers alongside its free plan for side hustlers, DSers Basic.Advanced – $15.90 per month (billed annually)Pro – $39.90 per month (billed annually)Enterprise – $399 per month (billed annually)I recommend DSers Advanced to those who are serious about their dropshipping plans. It unlocks a 20,000 product limit and access to AI optimisation tools, without costing a fortune. DSers Advanced is the most cost-effective paid plan reviewed, charging $15.90 per month with zero transaction fees.DSers Pro is worth upgrading to if you plan on making a large proportion of sales abroad. It supports 75,000 products per account, includes AI translation, and allows you to sell in six languages instead of four. Shopify: Everything you need to start dropshipping from your own website It makes sense to set up your ecommerce platform before committing to a dropshipping provider. I recommend Shopify owing to its excellent ecommerce offering for dropshippers, especially those new to the game.Our own user testing discovered that Shopify offers some of the strongest sales features of all the platforms we looked at, like easy multi-channel integration (for selling on social media, etc.), fully customisable checkouts, and unlimited inventory allowance.Start a free trial today, and see what Shopify can offer your dropshipping business. 2. Modalyst: Best for fashion dropshippingPricing range: $30 to $67 per month, billed annually (pricing information only available in USD)Ships to: international (depending on each individual supplier)Modalyst is a great choice if you’re looking to dropship fashion, boasting partnerships with thousands of independent clothing brands and 750+ suppliers.It’s also owned by Wix, our top-rated small business website builder, and it’s super easy to use the app to drop items into your Wix eCommerce store.Modalyst makes creating your own pricing rules simple for Wix users. / Image source: support.wix.comWhat I like about ModalystModalyst stands out for its pricing features, giving sellers the ability to automatically mark up items, with no limit on changing prices (whereas DSers Advanced only lets you do this 10 times per month).It also boasts a profit calculator, which dropshippers will find helpful to calculate profit margins – a lengthy process that can feel stressful if you’re running your business part-time.It also regularly monitors supplier response rates during the vetting process and expects suppliers to respond to merchants about any order issues within one business day.What I dislike about ModalystUnfortunately, you’ll only be able to access Modalyst’s entire network of suppliers on its business tier, Modalyst Pro.Dropshippers that sign up for Modalyst’s lower-priced tier, Modalyst Start Up, must shop almost exclusively at the AliBaba marketplace, meaning orders may take up to four weeks to ship.Compared to DSers Advanced, which costs $14.10 less per month and permits 20,000 products, Modalyst Start Up also allows just 250 products to be added to your shop at a time. This automatically rules it out for those who are planning bigger dropshipping operations.How much does Modalyst cost?Modalyst has two paid-for tiers: Modalyst Start Up and Modalyst Pro.Start Up – $30 per month, paid annuallyPro – $67 per month, paid annuallyI would recommend Modalyst Start Up to very small businesses and side hustlers, but its small product limit means it’s just not an option for larger ventures.Serious dropshippers must upgrade to Modalyst Pro, which permits an unlimited number of products and allows access to the entire supplier directory.Modalyst also charges a transaction fee of either 5%, 2%, or 1% on dropshipping sales, based on your plan type. That means the more you spend on a payment plan for Modalyst, the higher your profits can be. 3. AliExpress: Best for sourcing trending productsPricing range: 5%-10% commission feeShips to: 220 countries, including South Korea, Russia, Brazil, Malaysia, Belarus, Israel, EU countries, USA, Canada, Australia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and IndiaWith over 100 million products available to help you build an impressive product line, AliExpress handles all the shipping and tracking for you, taking care of virtually everything you need. It’s operated by global online marketplace Alibaba.The AliExpress seller summary dashboard gives sellers a quick breakdown of customer feedback. / Image source: shopify.comWhat I like about AliExpressAliExpress’s level of insight is great for dropshippers of all levels, as it allows you to find trending products, conduct market research, build relationships with vendors, and place wholesale orders.It also integrates directly with DSers and BigCommerce, and is available as an app for Shopify, allowing you to add products directly to your online store. You can then use the DSers app to automate order processing.I’d recommend AliExpress if you’re not 100% sure what kind of dropshipping store you want to set up yet. Many sellers flip-flop between different product categories when they start dropshipping, and AliExpress lets hands-on sellers experiment and form their brand by giving access to the world’s largest inventory.What I dislike about AliexpressA primary drawback of AliExpress is that the majority of inventory ships from China, resulting in longer delivery times.If time is of the essence, we’d recommend going for a domestic dropshipping supplier instead, which only takes around 2-7 business days for delivery.How much does AliExpress cost?Retailers don’t pay a monthly or annual subscription fee to sell on AliExpress. Instead, it takes a 5% to 10% commission fee per sale, depending on your product list. The total amount you pay can vary from month to month as it’s tied to your sales value, making costs less predictable compared to a subscription model.Here are the kinds of costs you can expect:Product categoryEstimated commission rate*Electronics/consumer electronics5%Home appliances/furniture5%Fashion & apparel8%Beauty & health8%Office/school supplies8%Shoes, sports & outdoors5%-8%Underwear & lingerie8%*Please note that these are typical/approximate ranges. Actual rates depend on the specific subcategory and country. 4. Avasam: Best for inventory managementPricing range: from £24.92 to £74.92 per month, billed annuallyShips to: only within the UKWith over 100 suppliers based in the UK, Avasam offers a diverse catalogue, boasting a staggering 200,000 products across 18 categories.Similar to Modalyst, its cheapest plan only permits you to list 250 at a time, but this goes up to 2,500 if you choose an annual subscription – which is cheaper than its monthly plan.Avasam’s clean backend makes it easy to manage inventory, whether you’re selling lamps or telephones. / Image credit: avasam.comWhat I like about AvasamAvasam’s best feature is its ability to automate inventory synchronisation, which prevents you from selling products you don’t have and lets you keep a close eye on what is and isn’t selling for smart sales forecasting.Similarly, customers also get stock level updates for full buying transparency.Because of this niche specialism, I recommend Avasam to dropshippers who want to sell seasonal items (for example, holiday decorations or summer clothing).Thanks to Avasam’s stock management tools, you can scale up or down easily without the burden of excess inventory or the risk of disappointing customers.In April 2023, Avasan also announced a new integration with BigCommerce, meaning it is now partnered with three major ecommerce website builders: BigCommerce, Shopify, and WooCommerce.What I dislike about AvasamUnfortunately, Avasam does not accept PayPal, although it plans to in the future. It does, however, accept all major debit and credit cards, including American Express. It also supports other major payment gateways, such as Stripe, Adyen, and TrustPay.Additionally, it’s worth noting that, since it only hosts UK suppliers, Avasam products will likely cost more to list in comparison to markets like the US or China.How much does Avasam cost?Avasam offers four different paid-for plans:Starter: £24.99 (+VAT) per month, billed monthly. 25 products limit.Advanced: £49.99 (+VAT) per month when billed monthly, or £24.92 (+VAT) per month when billed annually. 250-2,500 product limit.Business: £99.99 (+VAT) per month when billed monthly, or £49.92 (+VAT) per month when billed annually. 10,000-50,000 product limit.Guru: £199.99 (+VAT) per month when billed monthly, or £74.92 (+VAT) per month when billed annually. 50,000-100,000 product limit.Like others on this list, Avasam comes with 0% transaction fees. Its plans (including its free plan) also offer AI credits, which are used to access the platform’s AI product listing optimisation for SEO. If you exceed your credits on your plan, Avasam allows you to buy extra for an additional cost (from £15 per month).For eBay sellers specifically, it also offers its own listing tool as a paid add-on, letting you list and manage products from the Avasam platform straight to your eBay store. This costs from £20 per month, plus value-added tax (VAT).If you don’t want to commit to a costly subscription, you can first try Avasam’s free plan, which lets you explore the Avasam supplier network for free to get a taste of what’s available. It doesn’t charge transaction fees either, so you can start selling on its free plan at no cost. 5. SaleHoo Dropship: Best for international marketsPricing range: $9 to $49 per month (pricing information only available in USD)Ships to: US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South Africa, and AsiaThe cheapest subscription on the list, SaleHoo Dropship integrates with your ecommerce site to import products to your Shopify store (similar to Modalyst and DSers).However, its main USP is the SaleHoo Directory. Paid via a one-off payment on top of your subscription, it allows sellers to access over 8,000 international and, crucially, vetted wholesalers.You can search for any supplier in the famous SaleHoo Directory on the platform’s dropshipping app. / Image credit: Salehoo.comWhat I like about SaleHoo DropshipWith SaleHoo, you can choose to pay up to $49 per month (billed annually), or a one-time payment of either $299 or $1699 to give you lifetime access. The latter is a better value for money, but it’s worth trying out the directory to see if it suits you before committing long-term.Handily, there is a 60-day money-back guarantee if you change your mind within eight weeks.Its directory gives SaleHoo an edge over Avasam because it doesn’t restrict you to certified UK-based suppliers.It should also give you a level of confidence for the future; if you have ambitious aims to grow your business, you’ll be able to diversify your supply chain and expand your product offering in the future.What I dislike about SaleHoo DropshipSaleHoo doesn’t give you the option to check available stock before joining.User reviews indicate that SaleHoo wholesalers frequently require minimum orders and charge higher shipping fees, potentially reducing profit margins.How much does SaleHoo Dropship cost?There are two pricing plans available for SaleHoo, both of which include zero transaction fees:Starter – $9 per month, billed annuallyPro – $49 per month, billed annuallyThe biggest difference between the two plans comes down to product allowance and supplier contacts. The Starter plan allows 200 product imports and contact with up to 100 contacts per month, whereas the Pro Plan offers 600 product imports and unlimited supplier contacts.For those selling on Shopify and Amazon, SaleHoo offers practical courses covering everything you need to launch your products successfully, including manufacturing, product preparation, branding, research, and more. These courses are available on SaleHoo’s paid plan, or available for $9 per month (billed annually). 6. CJ Dropshipping: Best for customisation and brandingPricing range: $15.99 to $59.99 per month (pricing information only available in USD)Ships to: US, Canada, UK, Australia, EU countries, South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle EastCJ Dropshipping distinguishes itself with extensive integrations, connecting Shopify stores directly to sourcing platforms like Shein, Temu, and TikTok for Business.This wide range of integration options makes it easy for dropshippers to manage products, automate order fulfilment, and sync inventory across multiple sales channels.CJ Dropshipping lets you make a customisation request for both your products and packaging. / Image credit: CJdropshipping.comWhat I like about CJ DropshippingCJ Dropshipping’s customisation features allow users to create custom packaging, print their logo on products, add personalised inserts, and offer fully tailored product bundles. This makes it an ideal choice for dropshippers looking to build a brand, rather than just reselling products.Here’s a quick rundown of how it works:Go to Service and then Custom Packaging in your dashboardChoose a packaging type or design your own, then upload your logoPurchase the packaging stock and have it stored in a CJ warehouseLink the packaging to the products you want to brandWhen orders come in, CJ ships the products using your custom packaging automaticallyEven CJ’s free plan offers a good range of perks, including free and unlimited listing, unlimited store authorisation, and 24/7 customer support.What I dislike about CJ DropshippingWhile CJ Dropshipping’s customisation features can be great for personal branding, making a customisation request can add extra days to the processing time.Additionally, I had trouble accessing its CJ Branding site, as the page never loaded when I tried to log in.How much does CJ Dropshipping cost?CJ Dropshipping offers three paid plans, which are:Plus ($15.99 per month): offers two $3 coupons for orders that exceed $10, 5 VIP products (products provided by its premium suppliers), 50% off on CJ Academy courses under $10, and 10 extra daily sourcing requests.Prime ($19.99 per month): offers five $3 coupons for orders that exceed $10, 10 VIP products, 15 recommended products (products with large market opportunity), 50% off CJ Academy courses under $30, and 20 extra daily sourcing requests.Advanced ($59.99 per month): offers ten $3 coupons for orders that exceed $10, 20 VIP products, 25 recommended products, 50% off CJ Academy courses under $100, and 50 extra daily sourcing requests.CJ Dropshipping’s paid plans are relatively cheap, and it doesn’t charge transaction fees. However, it charges extra for certain features and services, such as processing fees, more sourcing limits, photo and video shooting, and custom packaging.That said, its free plan already offers a generous amount of features, giving you plenty to start with before you think about committing to more advanced tools. 7. Spocket: Best for good-quality productsPricing range: $24 to $79 per month, billed annually (pricing information only available in USD)Ships to: North America, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Asia, Africa, Australia, Brazil, and moreSpocket is a good choice for its selection of high-quality products, primarily from US and Europe-based suppliers. This means much faster shipping times (around 1-21 business days) compared to other dropshipping platforms that rely heavily on Chinese suppliers.Spocket asks you what sort of products you want to sell during its automated product research process. / Image credit: spocket.coWhat I like about SpocketSpocket offers a range of AI and automation features. This includes its automated inventory management system, which helps keep your stock updated in real-time with an easy, user-friendly overview of the number of imports, orders, and reviews.Its automated product research tool is also useful for helping with market research by analysing current trends and identifying products that are in high demand.Additionally, Spocket offers its own AI store builder, offering the ability to create a professional-looking site quickly with custom themes and even product recommendations.What I dislike about SpocketSpocket’s suite of AI tools isn’t easily accessible, and it doesn’t let you test the features for yourself, as you’re immediately taken to the checkout page. This can make it difficult for new users to evaluate whether the AI functionalities truly add value before committing financially.How much does Spocket cost?Spocket’s four main plans are:Starter ($39.99 per month, billed monthly): 0% transaction fees, 100+ million product catalogue, 25 unique products, AliExpress dropshipping, multiple store support, 24/7 customer support.Professional ($24 per month, billed annually): everything in Starter, plus winning products, contact with suppliers, branded invoices, VIP chat support.Empire ($57 per month, billed annually): everything in Starter and Pro, plus eBay and Amazon dropshipping, Spocket Academy courses, unlimited orders.Unicorn ($79 per month, billed annually): everything in the above plans, as well as bulk checkout.Unlike most, Spocket doesn’t have a free plan. However, it offers a 14-day free trial of its features before you start paying.Additionally, while Spocket doesn’t charge a direct commission on sales, it uses Stripe for payment processing – adding a standard fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per order. 8. AutoDS: Best for competitor analysisPricing range: $19.90 to $49.90, billed annually (pricing information only available in USD)Ships to: UK, US, Canada, Australia, EU countriesAutoDS handles the boring, repetitive tasks that usually come with dropshipping, such as stock levels, adjusting prices, and processing orders.It also offers a suite of smart tools that help you discover trending products and optimise listings, cutting down the hours usually spent on market research.These impressive features are available from just $19.90 per month, making it an affordable way to save time and scale your store more efficiently.AutoDS’s Ad Spy Tool lets you track and analyse trending ads on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. / Image credit: AutoDS.comWhat I like about AutoDSAutoDS’s Ad Spy tool helps dropshippers identify trending products and successful marketing strategies across major social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.Through its advanced filtering options, users can narrow their search by specific filters (e.g., likes, impressions, CTA text, and keywords), allowing them to dive deeper and pinpoint ads that resonate best with their target audience.And like many dropshipping suppliers, AutoDS can be fully integrated with Shopify, eBay, WooCommerce, Amazon, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace.What I dislike about AutoDSAutoDS doesn’t allow you to access these features until you start paying for a plan. While it offers a 14-day trial for just $1, there’s no way to try and test these features beforehand to see if they could work for you.How much does AutoDS cost?AutoDS’s pricing depends on which ecommerce platform you sell on.However, for Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce, and Etsy sellers specifically, the pricing plans include:Import ($19.90 per month, billed annually): online store creation, 800+ million bestselling products, product and order management, business analytics, 200 product variations.Starter ($29.90 per month, billed annually): everything included in Import, plus custom sourcing, bulk product importation, title and description optimisation, automatic tracking updates, 500 product variations.Advanced ($49.90 per month, billed annually): everything included in Import and Starter, plus management of up to three stores, VIP customer support, and 1,000 product variations.Enterprise (custom): everything included in the above plans, and 2,000+ product variations.While there are no direct transaction fees with AutoDS, you are charged a 3%-5% subcharge every time you load funds into your account balance to pay for orders. Additionally, you must purchase automation credits (ranging from $0.10 to $0.35 per order) to use their auto-fulfilment features.AutoDS also offers several optional add-ons, which are charged separately from your subscription plan:Orders processer: $9.90 per month (14-day free trial)Product finding hub: $14.97 per month (no free trial)Mentorship program: $39.97 per month (14-day free trial)Virtual assistant (VA) users: $14.97 per month (14-day free trial)User-generated content (UGC) creation: $39.90 per month (no free trial) What to look for (and avoid) in a dropshipping supplierTo find a reliable dropshipping supplier, you should prioritise location, transparency, and verified reviews while avoiding those with communication delays or unrealistic pricing. Here are some criteria to keep in mind when you’re deciding which supplier is right for your unique needs and business operations:💡 Think about your target market to narrow down product selection and judge how best to price your items.💡 Use online directories and supplier websites to compare pricing, product quality, and shipping times.💡 Think about location. Ideally, your supplier should have warehouses close to your customers for faster deliveries and happier buyers.💡 Contact potential suppliers and ask about their policies. A responsive and transparent supplier is a must.What are the red flags to look out for?When dropshipping, you’ll likely never meet your supplier in person. And while that offers flexibility (e.g., dropshipping as a digital nomad), there’s also plenty of risk.These are five red flags to watch out for when choosing a supplier:🚩 Unclear information: Suppliers that frequently change their physical location, contact details, or business registration are high-risk red flags.🚩 Too-good-to-be-true pricing: You can still hunt for a bargain, but if a supplier offers significantly lower prices than market standards, it could be a scam to lure you in.🚩 Poor communication: A reliable supplier should be responsive and provide satisfactory answers to your queries. If you experience delays in responses, it’s a warning sign.🚩 Pressure to pay: If a lesser-known supplier without a strong market reputation insists on immediate payment, it’s a strong indicator of a scam.🚩 No online presence: Look for online testimonials from the supplier’s customer base. If there are no reviews or only positive ones, it could be a red flag.Even if you’re not being scammed, your success hinges on the reliability of your suppliers. Slow delivery or improper insurance can impact your reputation, customer satisfaction, and, ultimately, your bottom line. It’s best to seek out those based on well-known marketplaces (such as those above) to be safe. How I identified the top dropshipping suppliers on the market To find the top dropshipping suppliers, I carried out extensive research into some of the best-known brands on the market to identify and analyse my chosen top eight:First, I outlined essential qualities for suppliers, including product range, shipping reliability, pricing, integration capabilities, customer support, and reputation.Then, using search engines and industry blogs I identified some of the biggest and most well-reviewed suppliers on the market that fit the above criteria.Next, I reviewed each supplier’s websites to examine their dropshipping policies, product catalogues, pricing transparency, and customer service availability.Finally, I checked reviews, ratings, and testimonials from sources like Trustpilot, forums, and social media to confirm the reliability of shortlisted suppliers. Five actionable tips for selecting a supplierFinding a reliable supplier can make or break your dropshipping business. Here are a few handy hints, gathered from real-life dropshippers, to help you find the right suppliers for you:Complete a test run – you can request product samples from multiple suppliers to assess the quality of their offeringsPlan your products – choose items that won’t cause delays or returns. Electrical goods are known to have high return ratesFind good pictures – search for suppliers with strong product images. Take professional snaps of the items yourself, if possibleRequest feedback – encourage reviews or testimonials from customers so you can spot and resolve issues with the supplierAsk about VIP – established suppliers with large inventories often offer a discount once you hit five to ten sales per day Online shops can be expensive to run. To find a cheap website builder, read our guide to the top freemium web builders available for small businesses. Final thoughtsOverall, DSers is our top choice of dropshipping supplier. Its Shopify integration, automation tools, and flexible pricing make it a solid option for both beginners and growing stores. If you’re looking for a reliable, scalable way to manage orders without unnecessary complexity, DSers is a great place to start.Choosing the right supplier can make all the difference when you’re launching or scaling your ecommerce business, and each supplier has its strengths depending on your niche and goals.That said, dropshipping isn’t without its challenges. You still need to think about shipping costs, supplier reliability, and how well a platform integrates with your store.But having the right supplier takes a lot of the hassle off your plate. If you’re just starting out, try the free plans or trials first to see which one fits your business best before committing to a full payment plan.This article was first published in 2022 and has been updated regularly to reflect changing trends in the dropshipping market. The latest update was in December 2025. Frequently Asked Questions Do I need to register for VAT to dropship in the UK? Yes. As with starting any business, you must register for VAT if your total taxable turnover exceeds the £90,000 threshold. How do I handle returns with international suppliers? For low-cost goods, a ``returnless refund`` – where you allow the customer to keep the item while offering a refund or replacement – is an effective way to avoid the high costs and long waiting times of international shipping. As for higher value items, you should provide a domestic return address – such as an office space or local third-party logistics (3PL) warehouse. Once received, you can either reship the item to another customer, or bundle multiple returns together and send them back to the supplier in one cheaper shipment. What is the average shipping time for dropshipping? Domestic suppliers like Avasam typically deliver in 2-7 days, whereas international marketplaces like AliExpress can take 15-45 days. Can I dropship on TikTok Shop? Yes. Platforms like DSers have recently updated their tools to allow sellers to research viral TikTok videos for inventory ideas and sync their product feeds directly to TikTok Shop. Are there fees beyond subscription costs? Yes. Aside from a supplier's subscription fee, other costs include shipping fees, taxes and import duties (such as VAT), payment processing fees for card payments or gateways (like PayPal), and returns and refunds (while not a direct fee, sending items back or covering refunds can affect your margins, especially with international suppliers). Can I use multiple suppliers at once? Yes. Many dropshippers work with more than one supplier to offer a wider range of products, reduce the risk of stock issues, or speed up delivery by choosing suppliers closer to their customers. Just make sure your systems can handle it, as using multiple suppliers can mean different shipping times, pricing, and returns processes. Startups.co.uk is reader-supported. If you make a purchase through the links on our site, we may earn a commission from the retailers of the products we have reviewed. This helps Startups.co.uk to provide free reviews for our readers. It has no additional cost to you, and never affects the editorial independence of our reviews. Share this post facebook twitter linkedin Tags News and Features Written by: Emily Clark Writer Having worked in a startup environment first-hand as a Content Manager, Emily specialises in content around organisational culture - helping SMEs build strong, people-first workplaces that stay true to their core values. She also holds an MSc in Digital Marketing and Analytics, giving her the knowledge and skills to create a diverse range of creative and technical content. Aside from her expertise in company culture, her news articles breaks down the big issues in the small business world, making sure our SME audience stays informed and ready for whatever’s next. With a genuine passion for helping small businesses grow, Emily is all about making complex topics accessible and creating content that can help make a difference.