Zendrop's product sourcing feature lets you request products that aren't in the catalog. This guide covers everything: the two ways to request sourcing, how to track a request, limits, and what happens if a request is rejected or delayed.
Before you start: You need a store connected to your Zendrop account to request sourcing. How many requests you can submit depends on the route you use. See Two ways to request sourcing below.
Two ways to request sourcing
| Request a Product | Source a Product from an order |
Where | Left-hand menu → Request a Product | Orders page → Source a Product on the order |
What you need | A product link and your daily sales volume | A product you added to your store yourself, plus an order that synced to Zendrop |
Limit | Depends on your plan | 5 requests per week |
Tracking | Request a Product page: Submitted → In Progress → Add to My Products → Linked or Rejected | The order shows Quoting until the quote is ready |
Once sourced | Click Add to My Products, then publish to your store | Added to the catalog; the order fulfills automatically if auto or daily fulfillment is on |
Both routes are usually completed within 24 to 48 hours. Their limits are separate.
Submitting a Request a Product request
To submit a request through Request a Product, follow these steps:
Make sure your store is connected to your Zendrop account.
Log in to your Zendrop Account.
Click Request a Product in the left-hand menu.
Provide the link to the product you want sourced.
Specify your daily sales volume using the dropdown menu to assist Zendrop in identifying your sourcing requirements more effectively. Zendrop’s team will handle the rest to find the product for you.
You can submit a product link from AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, Temu, or Alibaba. Zendrop uses the link as a reference to locate or manufacture a comparable product through its vetted supplier network, it does not re-ship directly from those platforms.
Source a Product from an order
Don't have a product link? Manually add the product to your store and make a sale. Once the order appears in your Zendrop account, click Source a Product on the order and Zendrop will source it for you. This route is limited to 5 requests per week. For full steps, see How to Source Products Not Listed in Zendrop's Catalog.
Sourcing request limitations
The Request a Product form accepts a product link and daily sales volume only, there's no notes or comments field. Our team will do their best to source the product or suggest available variants that match your needs.
Need the same product in multiple quantities?
The sourcing form doesn't support requesting multiple quantity variants in a single request. Instead, use one of these two approaches:
Duplicate the product in Shopify. Publish the product from Zendrop, then duplicate it in Shopify for each quantity option (e.g., 1 unit, 2 units, 3 units). Each duplicate stays linked to the original Zendrop product, so fulfillment continues to work as normal.
Use a bundle app in Shopify. Install a bundle app to create quantity variants (e.g., 1, 2, or 3 units) on a single product listing, without needing separate sourcing requests.
You can access the 'Request a Product' feature directly from the left-hand menu, making navigation easier. Remember to provide your anticipated sales volume details when prompted, as this can assist Zendrop in meeting your sourcing needs effectively. Additionally, take advantage of Zendrop's curated list of trending products that is updated weekly to discover niche or high-potential items to source for your store.
Tracking Request Status
Request a Product requests use these statuses:
Submitted: Your request has been received and is awaiting review.
In Progress: The sourcing team is actively working to find your product. This may take time depending on product complexity and supplier response times.
Add to My Products: The product was sourced successfully. Go to your My Products tab to review it and publish it to your store.
Linked: The product has been sourced, reviewed, and published to your store.
Rejected: The request couldn't be fulfilled. You'll receive an email explaining the reason so you can correct and resubmit.
You can monitor these requests in your Zendrop account under Request a Product. When you use Source a Product on an order, the order itself shows Quoting on your Orders page until the quote is ready.
Sourcing limits
Both routes need a store connected to your Zendrop account. Each route has its own limit:
Request a Product: The number of product requests you can submit depends on your plan. Your remaining requests are shown at the top of the Request a Product page. Requests reset on a rolling basis: each request is returned 30 days after you made it. For details, see Request a Product Quote.
Source a Product from an order: Limited to 5 requests per week.
Sourcing limitations
Zendrop's sourcing is flexible but operates within these constraints:
No direct platform sourcing: Zendrop doesn't re-ship from AliExpress, Temu, Amazon, eBay, or Alibaba. Links from those platforms are accepted as references only, Zendrop locates or manufactures a comparable product through its vetted supplier network.
Manufacturing constraints: If a product can't be manufactured by Zendrop's suppliers, the request won't be fulfilled. Similar alternatives will be suggested.
Shipping and size limits: Products must meet Zendrop's shipping and size criteria. Maximum weight per product is 28 kg.
No custom or tailored sourcing: Fully personalized or custom-made sourcing requests aren't supported.
No branded products: Zendrop only sources generic, unbranded products to comply with copyright regulations. A suitable generic alternative will be provided instead.
Variant availability: Some sizes or variants may not be available due to packaging or shipping constraints, especially larger variants that don't fit standard shipping channels.
No notes field: The Request a Product form only accepts a product link and daily sales volume. There's no comments field, Zendrop's team will source the closest match or suggest available variants.
Multiple quantity variants
The sourcing form doesn't support multiple quantity variants in a single request. Use one of these approaches instead:
Duplicate in Shopify. Publish the product from Zendrop, then duplicate it in Shopify for each quantity option (e.g., 1 unit, 2 units, 3 units). Each duplicate stays linked to the original Zendrop product.
Use a bundle app. Install a Shopify bundle app to create quantity variants on a single listing without separate sourcing requests.
Repackaging and branding
All sourced products are repackaged to exclude Chinese lettering and foreign addresses, ensuring a professional presentation for your customers.
For logo customization or branded packaging, this is available through the Zendrop Private Agent Program for higher-volume sellers. It requires upfront payments and minimum order quantities.
Expected Timelines and Delays
Product sourcing requests are typically completed within 24 to 48 hours, including any supplier coordination needed to confirm product availability or details. Some requests may require additional time due to factors like high request volumes or complex product specifications.
Common Causes of Delays
High Volume: Increased demand can create processing backlogs.
Supplier Responses: Communication delays with suppliers or availability issues.
Holidays or Weekends: Requests may take longer during non-working days.
For requests marked as 'Quoting' or 'In Progress,' Zendrop may need additional time to negotiate the best prices and ensure quality. If delayed over a weekend, progress will resume on Monday or Tuesday.
Outcomes and Rejections
While Zendrop strives to fulfill all sourcing requests, some circumstances lead to rejections:
Low Demand: Factories may not manufacture low-demand items.
Prohibited Products: Products like contraband or items requiring customization (not supported under regular sourcing).
Supplier Availability: Lack of suitable suppliers in Zendrop’s network.
Product Unavailability: Zendrop will suggest similar alternatives if the requested product is permanently discontinued or unavailable.
Generic Products: Zendrop sources unbranded, generic products to avoid copyright issues; this may result in slight variations from the original product links provided.
In case of rejections, alternatives like the Print-On-Demand (POD) feature or the Private Agent Program (meeting eligibility criteria) may apply.
Policies for AliExpress Integration and Repackaging
Zendrop does not source products directly from platforms like AliExpress, Temu, Amazon, eBay, or Alibaba. Links from these platforms are accepted as references only, Zendrop uses them to locate or manufacture a comparable product through its trusted supplier network.
Products may not always be sourced due to supplier limitations; alternatives will be suggested if necessary.
All products are repackaged to exclude any Chinese lettering, or foreign addresses, ensuring a professional presentation.
Managing Expectations and Updates
Zendrop is committed to keeping users informed about their requests:
Request status is updated promptly in your account.
Delays are communicated with reasons where possible.
The team works actively to resolve issues, providing alternatives like similar product options when exact matches aren’t available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a connected store to request sourcing?
Yes. Both Request a Product and Source a Product from an order need a store connected to your Zendrop account.
Which route should I use?
Use Request a Product if you have a product link and want a quote before you start selling. Use Source a Product on an order if you've already made a sale of a product that isn't in the catalog.
What if the product I want is not available in Zendrop's catalog?
You can submit a request using either route above. Zendrop’s team will source the product and notify you of the update within the specified timeframe.
Can I submit a request for branded products?
No, Zendrop only sources generic products to comply with copyright regulations. Providing generic equivalents ensures compliance with laws and minimizes risks tied to sourcing branded items.
What happens after the product is sourced?
Once the product is sourced, it is added as a Zendrop item. You can review the product, create a listing for your store, and proceed with fulfilling orders.
If your request has been delayed significantly, Zendrop’s team ensures all steps are taken to expedite the process.
To learn how the Request a Product limit resets, visit Zendrop's Request a Product Quote article.