Dropshipping suppliers: How to find, evaluate and pay suppliers globally
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For entrepreneurs running a dropshipping business, suppliers are everything. They handle your inventory, fulfillment, and shipping while you focus on marketing, sales and customer service.
Get this relationship right and you’ve got a solid foundation for growth. Get it wrong and you’ll be dealing with angry customers, delayed shipments and razor-thin margins.
The challenge is that the thousands of dropshipping suppliers worldwide all seem to offer similar products and shipping promises. Finding reliable partners who’ll actually deliver on their promises isn’t as straightforward as it should be.
That’s why we’ve put together this beginner-friendly guide to help dropshipping businesses select the right suppliers and build successful partnerships.
We’ll also show you how WorldFirst makes it easier to pay global suppliers and manage your international business finances. As a global payments platform, WorldFirst offers an all-in-one multi-currency business account built specifically for businesses that sell and source internationally.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Popular dropshipping suppliers and partner platforms
- How to choose the right dropshipping suppliers for your business
- Red flags to avoid when choosing dropshipping suppliers
- How WorldFirst helps you pay global dropshipping suppliers
Open a World Account for free to get local account details in 20+ currencies.
Popular dropshipping suppliers and partner platforms
When you’re setting up a dropshipping store, finding the right suppliers can make or break your success. There are two main categories to consider.
First, you have wholesale marketplaces where you can connect directly with suppliers who handle dropshipping. These platforms let you browse millions of products and chat with manufacturers and wholesalers who’ll ship directly to your customers.
Then there are dropshipping partner platforms. These companies have built their own networks of suppliers and offer extra tools to make your life easier. Think automated order processing, online store integrations and a customer support team to help you manage everything smoothly.
Let’s dive into some of the best dropshipping suppliers in each category.
Wholesale marketplaces
- 1688: This massive Chinese B2B marketplace connects you with millions of suppliers at competitive prices. Because 1688 is designed for the domestic Chinese market, though, most suppliers only ship within China.
That means, if you want to dropship to global customers, you’ll need a dropshipping agent who can handle international shipping on your behalf. The agent receives products from suppliers and forwards them to your customers worldwide.
And with a WorldFirst account, you can use World Pay to make one-click payments on 1688.com, with better exchange rates for transferring funds in CNH.
- Alibaba: Alibaba supports international dropshipping directly, so you can dropship products to customers without needing an agent. Most suppliers on the platform are experienced with global shipping and can handle international orders. You can integrate Alibaba with your e-commerce store through various dropshipping partner platforms.
- AliExpress Business: This invite-only marketplace is specifically designed for businesses looking to source products and suppliers. AliExpress Business gives you access to the same massive product catalogue as regular AliExpress, but with business-focused features and better supplier verification. Its dropshipping API can be used to automate order processing and inventory management.
Dropshipping partner platforms
- CJDropshipping: A platform with a large global product catalogue and worldwide shipping capabilities. It integrates with most major e-commerce platforms, including AliExpress, eBay, Etsy, Lazada, Mercado, Nuvemshop, Shopee, Shopify, Shoplazza, Temu, TikTok Shop, WED2C and WooCommerce. It also offers API integration for custom setups.
- Doba: With 90% of its products stocked in US warehouses, Doba boasts fast shipping times for customers in North America. The platform integrates with Amazon, BigCommerce, eBay, Newegg, Shift4Shop, Shopify, Square, Temu, TikTop Shop, Walmart, Wix and WooCommerce. It also offers API integration.
- Modalyst: Focuses on premium dropshipping products from both big brands and independent merchants. It provides access to US suppliers and AliExpress vendors, as well as offering integrations with Alibaba, Shopify and Wix.
- Salehoo: A product sourcing directory with over 8,000 pre-vetted global suppliers and access to more than 2.5 million products. Unlike full-service platforms, Salehoo focuses on connecting you with suppliers rather than providing additional tools. You can integrate it with your Shopify store.
- Spocket: Has a catalogue of over 100 million products, with suppliers from the US, EU, Alibaba and AliExpress. It offers integrations with Alibaba, AliExpress, Amazon, BigCommerce, eBay, Ecwid, Shopify, Square, Squarespace, Wix and WooCommerce.
How to choose the right dropshipping suppliers for your business
While it can be tempting to go with the cheapest or fastest supplier, you want to evaluate suppliers thoroughly. Here are six criteria to consider:
- Product quality and reliability: Check for detailed product specs, quality certifications and clear return policies for defective items. Verify everything through customer reviews, third-party certifications and actual product samples. The best suppliers also provide real-time inventory updates and automated low-stock alerts to prevent overselling.
- Shipping speed and costs: Think about your target market’s shipping expectations when evaluating shipping speed. For instance, Amazon Prime has trained customers in the USA to expect fast, free shipping. Factor shipping costs into your margins early.
- Payment and conversion fees: Consider the total cost of your order, including conversion fees, transfer charges and processing times. Typically, fast and reliable payments in local currency will help you negotiate better terms, bulk discounts and priority fulfilment during busy periods.
- Communication and service quality: Test supplier responsiveness during evaluation. Choose suppliers that provide order tracking, inventory updates and proactive communication about delays. It’s also important for them to understand your market’s service expectations and handle returns professionally.
- Technology integration: Modern suppliers offer API integrations, automated order processing and real-time tracking updates. Ask suppliers if their systems integrate smoothly with your e-commerce platform and payment setup.
- Scalability: The best suppliers scale with your business, offering volume discounts, priority fulfilment and dedicated account management as you grow. Look for suppliers that can handle sudden order spikes without compromising quality or speed.
Red flags to avoid when choosing dropshipping suppliers
We’ve covered what to look for in a dropshipping supplier, but what about what to avoid? Here are some red flags to be on the lookout for when evaluating your suppliers:
- Quality and reliability issues: Watch out for suppliers that won’t provide product samples or detailed specifications before you commit, as well as those with no clear return or refund policies for defective products.
- Payment and financial red flags: Avoid suppliers that only accept high-cost payment methods or demand payment via personal accounts rather than proper business accounts. Also, steer clear of suppliers that don’t provide proper invoicing or business documentation needed for your accounting and tax reporting.
- Communication and service warning signs: Delayed responses during the evaluation phase typically get worse once you become a customer. If they can’t respond promptly when trying to win your business, don’t expect better service later. Generic responses that suggest outsourced customer service without product knowledge are also red flags.
- Operational concerns: New suppliers without established track records, proper business registration or verifiable addresses pose a major risk to your business. You’ll also want to avoid suppliers that lack backup fulfilment options or contingency plans for disruptions. You need partners who can handle unexpected challenges without leaving you stranded.
How WorldFirst helps you pay global dropshipping suppliers
Managing international payments is one of the biggest headaches for dropshippers. Traditional banks make it expensive and inefficient to pay overseas suppliers, and those extra costs can quietly erode your already-thin profit margins.
With traditional banks, you’re often stuck dealing with high international transfer fees, slow payment processing and poor currency conversion rates that eat into every transaction.
WorldFirst offers simplified and secure solutions for global payments. Our multi-currency World Account lets you collect, hold, pay and manage funds in multiple currencies – all from a single user-friendly platform. Built for e-commerce businesses and online retailers, we make it easy to collect and make payments around the world.
Here’s how WorldFirst can help you pay global dropshipping suppliers faster, more affordably and with better control.
Pay suppliers faster with a multi-currency account
Paying suppliers in foreign countries usually means waiting days for international transfers to clear and paying hefty fees for the service. SWIFT transfers can often take up to five business days, which can quickly lead to delayed orders, frustrated suppliers and unhappy customers.
With WorldFirst’s World Account, you can hold funds in 20+ currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, CNH, JPY and more. This means you can pay suppliers in their preferred currency without conversion delays or transfer fees.
You get local account details for each currency, enabling as quick as same-day payments via domestic payment networks instead of slow international transfers. For instance, when you pay Chinese suppliers in CNH or USD using local payment rails, your money can arrive the same day rather than getting stuck in the SWIFT system for nearly a week.
A World Account also lets you receive marketplace earnings from Amazon, Shopify, Etsy and 130+ platforms directly in local currencies, then use those funds to pay suppliers efficiently. That means no more converting every payment back to your home currency just to convert it again when paying suppliers.
Read more: How to choose a multi-currency business account (+ 6 options)
Pay like a local on 1688 via World Pay
1688.com is one of China’s largest wholesale marketplaces, offering access to over 10 million suppliers with prices up to 40% lower than international marketplaces. 1688 buyers also benefit from smaller minimum order quantities for product testing and bulk pricing for scaling.
The catch? 1688 suppliers have traditionally only accepted domestic payments from Chinese bank accounts – a major barrier for international buyers.
WorldFirst solves this problem with our exclusive payment integration: 1688 World Pay. This connection enables you to make instant payments to Chinese suppliers – even if you don’t have a Chinese bank account.
Here’s a step-by-step: Link your World Account to your 1688 account via the WorldFirst dashboard. Then, when browsing on 1688.com, you can choose “World Pay” as your payment method at checkout. This lets you pay suppliers directly and skip the hassle of setting up a Chinese bank account or using complex payment intermediaries.
Read more: How to source wholesale using 1688.com outside China
Protect your margins with competitive FX rates and transparent pricing
Currency fluctuations and hidden banking fees can eat away at your profits before your products even ship. For instance, a £1,000 supplier payment through traditional banks could end up costing an extra £20–£70 in flat fees and exchange rate markups.
WorldFirst offers FX fees capped at 0.50% for major currencies compared to 2–4% at traditional banks. Plus, there are no monthly account fees, setup costs or hidden charges. You only pay when you send and convert currency.
You also get access to advanced FX tools that help you manage currency risk:
- Forward contracts let you lock in favourable exchange rates for up to 24 months
- Spot contracts let you convert currency at the live market rate when you need immediate settlement
- Firm orders give you the ability to set target exchange rates. Once the market hits your desired rate, the transaction is triggered automatically
Together, these tools give you more control, stability and confidence when paying suppliers internationally.
Read more: Foreign exchange risk management: How to make international business more affordable
Earn cashback while paying suppliers with a World Card
Traditional business cards often charge foreign transaction fees, cutting into your margins when paying suppliers in multiple currencies. These fees add up quickly, especially for dropshippers making frequent, smaller payments.
The World Card is a virtual payment card with zero FX fees when paying in 15 major currencies from your account balances. You can issue up to 20 cards for different suppliers or expense categories, which helps simplify expense tracking while avoiding unnecessary conversion fees.
Plus, you can earn up to 1% cashback on supplier payments and business expenses, effectively turning every transaction into a small revenue boost. Rather than paying fees to use your card abroad, you’re getting money back.
Read more: How to get an instant virtual debit card online: Your options
Simplify dropshipping supplier payments with WorldFirst
Finding the right dropshipping suppliers is only half the equation – paying them quickly and cost-effectively is what keeps your business running smoothly.
When you’re dropshipping, every penny counts. Traditional payment methods can eat into your already thin margins with high fees and poor exchange rates. Not to mention, managing payments across multiple suppliers in different currencies quickly becomes a logistical nightmare.
With WorldFirst’s World Account, you can pay global suppliers quickly, securely and in their local currencies. Your World Account also helps you keep more of your profits. There are no monthly fees, and competitive exchange rates are capped at 0.50% for major currencies. It’s a smarter way to manage cash flow, maintain strong supplier relationships and keep your margins healthy.
Ready to streamline how you pay your dropshipping suppliers? Open a World Account for free today.
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