Everything You Need To Start Dropshipping On eBay In 2024

With its low cost and accessibility, many eCommerce entrepreneurs are moving towards dropshipping to eBay. However, figuring out where to start can be confusing, especially for beginners.

In this article, we look into what eBay dropshipping is and how to get started. Plus, we will explore the best product categories and suppliers to work with to boost our business. Let’s dive in!

What Is Dropshipping & How Does It Work On eBay?

Before we start dropshipping to eBay, let’s first understand what eBay dropshipping is. Dropshipping is an eCommerce business model that allows us to sell products without holding inventory or managing deliveries. Generally, we only place orders with suppliers once a customer purchases an item from our store.

eBay is an online marketplace and one of today’s most popular selling channels. With up to 138 million active users in 2022, eBay connects millions of buyers and sellers to countless product listings. This level of organic traffic is great for sellers with a limited budget to gain more profit.

eBay dropshipping opens up our business to a vast market of buyers without investing much capital. With a low-cost business model and an accessible platform, it’s ideal for sellers looking to earn money conveniently. 

Dropshipping To eBay: The Best Product Categories 

We want to start dropshipping to eBay, but what products do we want on our online store? For one thing, understanding which products sell helps us earn more profit. Now, let’s run through the best product categories to increase sales for our business.

Electronics

The pandemic’s impact on the rise of sales in eCommerce is undeniable – especially in electronics. In our current digital age, there’s a gadget for almost everything. Thus, electronics have become a dominant force in the retail industry.

In fact, e-commerce sales are increasing, with a projected revenue growth of $860 billion by 2030. Here are some electronic products we can sell in this category:

• Smartwatches 
• Wireless earbuds 
• Recreational drones 
• Wireless charging pads
• Bluetooth speakers
• VR headsets 
• Portable power banks 
• Home security cameras 
• Gaming headset 
• Smart thermostat

Automotive Parts 

Surprisingly on our list are automotive parts. Recently, more and more car buyers and owners have opted to order car parts online. Plus, more options are available at marketplaces like eBay versus in physical stores.

The automotive parts market is expected to grow to $25 billion in 2025. The following are ideal automotive parts to sell under this category:

• LED headlights and taillights 
• Car floor mats 
• Performance air filters 
• Car phone holders and mounts 
• Backup cameras and sensors 
• Car covers and sunshades 
• Roof racks 
• Car cleaning kits 
• Car diagnostic tools and scanners 
• GPS navigation system

Home & Kitchen 

Home is how we make it. That’s why homeowners constantly look for Home & Kitchen items to improve and personalize their living spaces. And, with the convenience of platforms like eBay, home & kitchen products present a lucrative opportunity for sellers online.

The Kitchen & Home appliances category experienced significant sales growth of up to 28.18% in April 2023. This is proof that demand for this category is there. With this in mind, here are some home and kitchen products we can sell to cater to this market:

• Wall art and decorative mirrors
• Artificial plants 
• Throw pillows and blankets 
• Coffee maker
• Air fryer
• Stand mixers 
• Smart kitchen scales
• Electric kettles
• Candle holders 
• Picture frames

Pet Supplies

Another top-selling product category is Pet Supplies. In 2020, e-commerce sales made up 20% of the total revenue in pet care. E-commerce sales in the category have steadily risen and are projected to reach about 30% by 2025.

Pet owners love their fur babies, and online shopping makes buying necessities and accessories easier. If we want to target this market for dropshipping, here are some pet supplies we should consider:

• Dog harness
• Dog leash
• Cat and dog beds 
• Automatic pet feeder
• Pet grooming brushes 
• Pet monitoring camera 
• Chew toys 
• Cat litter box 
• Pet Halloween costume 
• Pet grooming gloves

Sports & Outdoors 

The time to enjoy the great outdoors is back. As restrictions ease up post-pandemic, people are jumping at the chance to get up and get out again. The worldwide e-commerce revenue in the Sports & Outdoor industry is expected to steadily increase until 2027, reaching a peak of around $120 billion.

There are several subcategories we can explore, which include swimwear, sportswear, fitness equipment, sporting goods, and camping gear, just to name a few. The following are Sports & Outdoor products we can consider for our online dropshipping store:

• Yoga and workout mat 
• Sports bra 
• Fitness trackers
• Resistance bands 
• Hiking boots 
• Camping tent
• Fishing rods and reels
• Golf clubs 
• Basketball hoops
• Soccer nets

10 Best Suppliers To Work With When Dropshipping To eBay

AutoDS Warehouse

The AutoDS Warehouse is AutoDS’ private warehouse where we can source products for our eBay store. It includes access to private suppliers, giving us a competitive edge over other dropshippers.

Sourcing products from the AutoDS warehouse enables us to add custom logos to products we sell in our store. This is an opportunity to enforce our brand and make us more easily recognizable to our buyers. Plus, this supplier offers us discounts, which means we can earn higher with each sale.

CJDropshipping

CJDropshipping is among the top eBay dropshipping suppliers right now. It was created by dropshippers for dropshippers, providing everything we’ll need for our business.

CJDropshpping carries an extensive product inventory and sources trending items for our eBay dropshipping store. Plus, we can take advantage of their fast delivery options and worldwide shipping services to satisfy our customers wherever they are.

Moreover, this dropshipping platform allows for personalized product branding, custom packaging, and sourcing services we can use to build our brand. On top of that, we can order several products in one package. It caters to our needs as dropshippers, making it an excellent choice for our business.

AliExpress

The next eBay dropshipping supplier on the list is AliExpress. You’ve probably heard of this platform, and for a good reason.

Based in China, AliExpress brings together various small producers to build an inventory of over 100 million products in multiple categories. Accordingly, the more product choices we offer, the higher potential sales conversions for our business. Plus, with affordable pricing, we can get higher promotions on eBay for having the lowest prices for specific products.

We also get access to the AliExpress Dropship Center – a free product research/analysis tool to help us find trending products for our store. The platform utilizes domestic warehouses and offers worldwide shipping for global customers. Since most dropshippers have UK/US suppliers, sourcing products from a Chinese platform gives us an edge and helps our products stand out.

Walmart

Another well-known platform is none other than Walmart. It’s a household name and a trusted brand as one of the world’s largest companies by revenue. As a multinational company, it’s now extended its reach into the e-commerce space. 

As one of the biggest online and in-store marketplaces, Walmart has over 370 million units in stock and growing. It also offers competitive prices and price match services to guarantee fair product pricing. Plus, the company is known for its great deals and discounts we can also provide our customers.

Moreover, Walmart has flexible shipping options we can maximize: Two-Day and Three-Day Delivery, Standard, Value, and Freight. We can even configure fast-shipping options for better tracking and speedier deliveries. Additionally, the site offers customer support via different channels to promptly address customer needs and concerns.

Wayfair 

We can also dropship to eBay using Wayfair. This supplier is an excellent source of furniture and home goods for our eBay dropshipping business.

Even with a niche product category, Wayfair holds over 18 million items on its website. The platform provides a variety of quality home improvement goods for us to choose from. It also offers worldwide shipping and free 2-day shipping for products over $49.

Another benefit to this dropshipping supplier is its MYWAY Program. For only $29.99 a year, this program gives us instant access to thousands of exclusive products and free shipping for each purchase. Plus, Wayfair offers diverse payment options that include Paypal Support, Apple Pay, and major credit/debit cards.

Banggood 

Next on our list of recommended dropshipping suppliers, is Banggood. Sourcing products from Banggood comes with a lot of perks.

Banggood offers an extensive yet carefully curated selection of up to 1,000,000 top-caliber products. Despite being a Chinese supplier, it also has domestic warehouses in the US. This means we can purchase items cheaper, get higher profit margins, and still maintain fast shipping.

Beyond that, Banggood is also a dropshipping-friendly supplier with its own dropship center. We can get exclusive membership benefits such as cashback and discounts we can extend to our buyers.

Costway

Costway is also a viable choice if we’re looking for a reliable dropshipping supplier. Mainly based in North America and Europe, it’s among the top retailers in the area.

Costway offers premium products, which include over 8,000 unique self-branded items in over 10 product categories. It also offers product support for dropshippers by providing CSV files containing links to images, descriptions, and stock management. Additionally, Costway offers free standard shipping and a 90-day warranty for exchanges and refunds.

Moreover, there are plenty of superb deals and rebates we can capitalize on. The site even offers a special perk for AutoDS members with a pre-arranged 3% discount on items, paving the way for higher profit margins. We can also rely on its trustworthy customer support for reliable help when needed.

Overstock 

Another excellent dropshipping supplier in the home improvement category is Overstock. The platform caters to 180 countries and offers amazing benefits to its users.

With over 20 years of experience in online sales, Overstock is a leading retailer in the US with a vast array of products. The site offers the fairest prices on the market. On top of that, there are numerous deals and discounts we can take advantage of.

Moreover, the platform ships internationally and offers expedited shipping options for global customers. This supplier also has a membership club with extended benefits. To top it all off, Overstock’s customer service has been held in high regard by industry standards, offering great support to buyers.

Costco 

Moving on, up next on our list of top eBay dropshipping suppliers is Costco. A well-known multinational company, this supplier offers a lot of great benefits with its unique offerings.

As a wholesale supplier, Costco offers tons of great deals, which helps us extend competitive prices to our buyers. There’s also an incredible range of trending products to choose from for us to curate a unique product listing and stand out from the competition. Plus, the site offers fast and reliable shipping we can apply in our own store.

Moreover, their top-notch customer support takes care of all buyer concerns, be it about tracking, shipping, returns, or cancellations. Furthermore, this supplier also has a unique membership club with special benefits and rewards.

The Home Depot 

Last but certainly not least on our list of top dropshipping suppliers for eBay is The Home Depot. This is one of the largest retailers specializing in home improvement.

With a niche in home improvement and construction supplies, the platform offers more than a million products online in various subcategories. Plus, the platform carries exclusive brands, including company-owned brands like HDX, Husky, Home Decorators Collection, and several more.

Additionally, this supplier has a price match policy that ensures we get items at their most affordable price. Plus, the company has multiple several distribution centers, which enable fast 2-day shipping options. Finally, we can rely on The Home Depot’s exceptional customer support for any concern we or our buyers might have.

How To Start Dropshipping To eBay: Overview 

Now that we’ve gotten to know the top dropshipping suppliers to work with, it’s time to get into how to start dropshipping on eBay.

1. Set Up Your eBay Account
2. List Your First Item 
3. Conduct eBay Product Research 
4. Choose A Reliable Dropshipping Supplier 
5. Calculate Your Fees & Profit
6. Import Your Dropshipping Products 
7. Fulfill Your Customer Orders 
8. Provide Customer Service

Now, we’ll be looking at the most important steps in our eBay dropshipping journey. Let’s get to it!

Conduct eBay Product Research: Find Winning Products 

Product research is crucial for online dropshipping businesses. It’s about knowing the top products buyers are looking for so we have products that actually sell. In other words, knowing what buyers want makes a profitable dropshipping business. Product research is how we find out.

We can use these product research methods for our eBay store:

• Find trending products on eBay
• Search Suppliers’ Best Seller“ Sections
• AutoDS Winning Products Hub
• Product Finding Blog 
• “Sell These Now” Playlist 
• Google Lens & Google Trends 
• eBay Terapeak

Among these methods, one stands out as the best for our eBay dropshipping business. The AutoDS Winning Products Hub makes product research on eBay fast and easy. Simply put, it’s an in-depth research and analysis tool that helps increase sales by identifying profitable products.

Furthermore, here’s how to optimize product research with AutoDS Winning Products Hub:

1. Start by signing in to your AutoDS account. Then, click the Winning Products Hub under the Marketplace tab.

2. Here, we can filter and sort products to find the perfect items for our eBay dropshipping stores.

3. Next, browse and choose trending items for your store. Then, we can conveniently import products to our store through the ‘Import Draft’ button.

4. To learn more about the product, simply click on the product to find its product page.

5. On the product page, we can see other information like product variations, price, shipping info, etc.

6. Scrolling down, we can see tabs with more insights, including Product Info, Specifications, Policy, Reviews, and Product Analysis. For now, let’s focus on Product Analysis.

Notably, this section shows the product’s potential profit along with data regarding its target audience.

Moreover, we can use in-depth analysis of our competitors to improve our business. Overall, product research ensures that our products are sellable and profitable.

Import Products To Your eBay Dropshipping Store 

So, we’ve found sellable products to list in our shop. How do we import them from the supplier to our eBay store? There are two main methods: manual and automatic.

The manual method of importing products to our eBay store is straightforward yet time-consuming. Particularly, we have to go to the supplier’s website, copy and paste the title, descriptions, and images, and repeat that for each product. It can be tedious, especially if we want to set up an extensive listing for our store.

However, with the automatic method of importing products, we can cut hours of manual work. Using tools like the AutoDS product importer automates the process for us so we can invest time in other areas to scale our business. Additionally, this one-click tool automatically extracts products, individually or in bulk, and uploads them to our eBay store.

To explain, we simply add a product URL or product ID and import directly to our shop. However, we also have the option to edit and optimize it before doing so.

Furthermore, we can make edits on the product optimization page and choose which information we want on our eBay store. We can optimize the description, specifications, and images to our liking. After that, we can easily import the updated listing directly to our eBay shop.

Fulfill Your Customer Orders 

Order fulfillment is central to any dropshipping business. In fact, completing orders on time is especially important when dropshipping on eBay. With intense competition, we can stand out through excellent customer service, including timely fulfillment of customer orders.

While necessary, fulfilling orders can take a lot of time. Thus, opting for automatic order fulfillment makes it easier and faster for smoother transactions. Conveniently, AutoDS offers two tools that can help us automize our dropshipping services.

Fulfilled By AutoDS is our order fulfillment solution that simplifies processing returns into a one-click method for zero hassle. We can automate our orders and scale as much as we want without using our buyer accounts!

In addition, AutoDS’ Automatic Orders feature processes orders with 100% accuracy. This auto-ordering tool immediately updates information, so we no longer have to worry about sending items to the wrong address. Plus, both tools offer tracking updates which add up to a satisfactory customer experience.

Mastering eBay Dropshipping: Strategies For Success

Now that we’ve got the basics down on how to start dropshipping to eBay, it’s time to take it to the next level. Here, we discuss the different methods we can apply to make our business succeed and thrive on eBay. So, let’s get to know some tips to achieve success with eBay dropshipping:

• Conduct regular product research 
• Provide excellent customer service
• eBay Promoted Listings & Best Offers
• Offer fast shipping and free returns
• Work with multiple reliable suppliers
• Scale your eBay business with dropshipping automation

Product research doesn’t just happen at the start of our dropshipping business. In fact, we should regularly analyze trends to have an updated list of trending and winning items on our eBay store. 

More than offering quality products, excellent customer service is key to keeping our customers coming back. And, with intense competition on eBay, it’s also beneficial to employ marketing strategies to expand our reach. eBay PPC (or Pay Per Click) increases the visibility and, thus, sales of our products.

Fast shipping and free returns also make attractive offers for our customers. It’s even good to have multiple reliable suppliers to work with when running an online dropshipping business. Besides, managing multiple suppliers and scaling the business becomes easy with dropshipping automation.

Dropshipping Automation

Dropshipping automation benefits online dropshippers because it takes a bulk of the load off our shoulders. Thus, we can focus on strategizing and scaling instead of getting stuck on processes. On top of that, there are tons of tools readily available for us to integrate automation into our business.

AutoDS is a dropshipping automation platform that does just that. In fact, even Nahar Geva, CEO of Zik Analytics, acknowledges the benefits of using the platform for optimizing online dropshipping businesses. With that in mind, here are AutoDS features we can utilize for our dropshipping business:

• Quick product imports
• Complete automatic order fulfillment
• Price/stock monitoring
• Automatic price optimization
• Automated product research 
• Easy inventory management
• and much more!

Frequently Asked Questions 

Does eBay Allow Dropshipping? 

Yes! Dropshipping is allowed on eBay as long as you abide by their policies. Additionally, make sure you do not list products tagged as eBay VeRO or under eBay’s Verified Rights Owners Program to avoid getting tagged for copyright infringement.

Is Dropshipping To eBay Profitable? 

eBay is an affordable and accessible platform, so the chances of earning more are greater. Moreover, we can increase our profit margins by working with the right suppliers to find affordable quality products for our store. So, yes, dropshipping to eBay is profitable, but learning how to maximize the platform is the key to higher sales and greater profits.

How Much Does It Cost To Dropship On eBay? 

Setting up our store on eBay is completely free. However, each product listing has insertion fees of up to 35¢ per listing. eBay does offer store plans for its sellers, which include a limited amount of free product listings. Depending on the subscription, we can have anything from 250 to 100,000 free fixed-price product listings on our eBay store. Here’s a list of eBay’s available plans we can consider:

• Starter Store – $7.95 per month or $4.95 per month billed yearly
• Basic Store– $27.95 per month or $21.95 per month billed yearly
• Premium Store– $74.95 per month or $59.95 per month billed yearly
• Anchor Store– $349.95 per month or $299.95 per month billed yearly
• Enterprise Store– $2999.95 yearly 

Conclusion 

Congrats! We now know the basics of how to start dropshipping to eBay. We hope this helps you successfully start your journey to eBay dropshipping!

eBay is an excellent platform for beginner dropshippers who want to sell products online immediately. However, we can always scale up our business by using automation tools. What are you waiting for? Now is the perfect time to learn more so we can earn more with dropshipping.

Find more helpful articles to help successfully launch our dropshipping store on eBay here:

• A Step By Step Guide To Dropshipping On eBay – With A Bonus Case Study
• How To Write The Best eBay Listing Titles To Drive More Traffic & Sales
• How To Use The eBay Seller Hub: Optimize Your Dropshipping Business