Zendrop's product sourcing feature lets you request products that aren't in the catalog. This guide covers everything: how to submit a request, track its status, understand plan limits, and what happens if a request is rejected or delayed.
Submitting a Sourcing Request
To initiate a product sourcing request on Zendrop, follow these steps:
Log in to your Zendrop Account.
Navigate to Extras in the left-hand menu and click Request a Product.
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.
Alternative sourcing workflow
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, select Source and Zendrop will source it for you.
Sourcing request limitations
The sourcing request 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
Zendrop uses multiple statuses to track sourcing requests:
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 the status of your requests in your Zendrop account under Request a Product.
You can also check the status of any sourcing request on Zendrop's public lookup page — enter your email address to view your request status.
Plan-Based Product Sourcing Limits
Zendrop imposes monthly limits on sourcing requests based on subscription plans:
Free Plan: 1 request per month
Pro Plan: 5 requests per month
Plus Plan: 20 requests per month
Usage-Based: 20 requests per month. Ensure your plan's allocation fits your product sourcing strategy.
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 sourcing 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)
What if the product I want is not available in Zendrop's catalog?
You can submit a product request as outlined 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 review and understand how many requests your membership plan includes and how does it works, visit Zendrop's Request a Product Quote article.