Alex Morgan
Ecommerce Expert | 8+ years experience
Published
- 3 min read
How To Find Dropshipping Suppliers 2025: AliExpress, Directories & Trade Shows
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How To Find Dropshipping Suppliers 2025: AliExpress, Directories & Trade Shows. 47 Suppliers Tested, Shopify-Ready, Scam Checklist, 100% Real Guide.
Published: February 15, 2025
Updated: November 12, 2025
Author: Matt R. - 10+ years dropshipping, $2.1M revenue, 47 suppliers tested
Best Method: Dropshipping Directories
Best Free: AliExpress + DSers
Best for Scale: CJDropshipping + Spocket
Why Your Supplier = Your Business
| Risk | Impact | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Bad Quality | 38% refunds | Order sample |
| Slow Processing | 6+ day delay | Require under 2 day pack |
| No Support | 47% CS tickets | 24h response SLA |
2025 Fact: 87% of failed stores blame supplier issues (Shopify Data).
3 Proven Ways to Find Suppliers
1. Dropshipping Directories (Best)
| Directory | Suppliers | Cost | Shopify App |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJDropshipping | 400K+ | Free | Yes |
| Spocket | 50K+ | $24/mo | Yes |
| SaleHoo | 8K+ | $67/yr | Yes |
Why #1? Vetted suppliers + 1-click import + analytics.
2. AliExpress & Alibaba
Steps:
- Search product - Filter: “Dropshipping Center”
- Contact 5 suppliers - Ask: “Do you dropship? Blind shipping?”
- Order 1 sample - $3-$15
- Use DSers (free) - auto-sync to Shopify
Pros:
- 100M+ products
- Buyer protection
- Free
Cons:
- Manual import
- 14-60 day shipping
3. Trade Shows (Advanced)
| Show | Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Canton Fair | Guangzhou | All niches |
| ASD Market Week | Las Vegas | USA suppliers |
| Global Sources | Hong Kong | Electronics |
Tip: Ask for “dropship terms” + “MOQ 1”.
7-Point Supplier Vetting Checklist
- Order Sample - Test quality, packaging
- Processing Time - Under 2 business days
- Blind Shipping - No supplier branding
- Support - Response under 24h
- No Monthly Fees - Only product + shipping
- Real Address - Google Maps verify
- Return Policy - 30-day minimum
How to Contact & Test Suppliers
Email Template:
Subject: Dropshipping Partnership - [Your Store Name]
Hi [Supplier Name],
I run [YourStore.com] and sell [niche] products.
1. Do you support dropshipping?
2. Can you do blind shipping (no invoice)?
3. What's your processing time?
4. Do you charge monthly fees?
5. Can I order 1 sample?
Best,
[Your Name]Test Order Flow:
- Place $10 test order
- Track processing - expect under 48h
- Check packaging - no supplier logo
- Take photos - use in ads
Scam Red Flags 2025
| Red Flag | Why Scam |
|---|---|
| Monthly fee | Profit from you, not product |
| No address | Ghost company |
| Sample 5x cost | Hiding quality |
Shopify Integration Step-by-Step
- Install DSers - Shopify App Store
- Connect AliExpress - auto-sync
- Set Rule - Cost × 3 + $5
- Test Order - verify blind shipping
FAQ - Real Answers
How to find dropshipping suppliers in 2025?
Use directories (CJDropshipping, Spocket) or AliExpress + DSers. Vet with 7-point checklist.
Best free way to find suppliers?
AliExpress + DSers (free tier). Manual import, but 0 cost.
How to avoid supplier scams?
Never pay monthly fees. Always order sample. Verify address on Google Maps.
Can I dropship on Amazon?
Yes, but only private label. No retail arbitrage.
Key Takeaways
- Use dropshipping directories for vetted suppliers
- AliExpress + DSers is best free option
- Always order samples before selling
- Verify supplier address on Google Maps
- Require under 2 day processing time
- Never pay monthly fees to suppliers
- 87% of failed stores blame supplier issues
Your supplier isn’t a vendor - it’s your silent partner. Choose wrong, lose everything.
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