We know shipping costs and product pricing are important when choosing where to source products. Here’s how Zendrop makes it simple, transparent, and reliable.
Transparent Shipping Costs
With Zendrop, the shipping cost you see is the shipping cost you pay, no hidden fees or surprise charges. Shipping rates are calculated based on:
Product weight
Destination country
Product type
The total order cost on Zendrop combines the product cost (base price of the item as set by the supplier) and the shipping fee.
For every product, the shipping cost is shown upfront so you can make informed decisions right away. These rates are available in the 'Variants' section of the product details page, ensuring you have immediate access to cost information for various destinations.
Why Zendrop Might Look Different from Other Platforms
Other sites often show very low product prices, but then add high shipping fees at checkout. For example, a $1.99 item might end up costing $29 after shipping. On Zendrop, you might see that same item priced at $5.65 with only $2 shipping, offering a clear, predictable, and affordable total order cost overall.
Some platforms lower costs by offering promotional free shipping when you bundle products. Zendrop calculates shipping individually for each product unit, ensuring faster, reliable delivery with built-in quality checks. However, there may be item-specific multi-unit discounts for certain products, which are reflected in the order summary during fulfillment.
The Value You Get with Zendrop
When comparing Zendrop to other platforms, it’s helpful to think beyond just the sticker price. With Zendrop, you also get:
Reliable and consistent delivery times
Quality control checks before items leave the warehouse
Transparent costs with no hidden fees or surprise tariffs
Custom branding options to personalize packaging and improve the customer experience.
This means your customers get their orders faster and in great condition, helping you build trust and repeat sales. Additionally, Zendrop's suppliers include both China-based and U.S.-based options. Products sourced from China are shipped globally with specific destination rates, while U.S.-based suppliers primarily ship domestically, occasionally offering free shipping. This distinction helps tailor delivery expectations. Additionally, many U.S.-based products are selected to ensure shorter shipping times and higher-quality standards, providing reliable options for merchants looking to meet diverse customer needs effectively.
When you receive an order from your Shopify store, customers pay the retail prices you’ve set, which should account for product and shipping costs plus your profit margin. Zendrop charges you (the merchant) directly, covering the product and shipping fees, allowing you to retain full control over your pricing strategy.
Staying Competitive on Pricing
If you notice lower prices elsewhere, Zendrop has tools to help you stay competitive:
Request a sourcing quote – Found a better price? Submit a sourcing request from your dashboard, and our team will try to match or beat it within 12–24 hours.
Explore alternatives – Zendrop’s catalog includes a wide range of products, some with lower shipping fees or better margins.
Build long-term value – Highlight fast shipping and product reliability in your store to show customers the value they’re getting beyond just price.
Set effective retail pricing – Aim for retail prices at 2-3 times the product and shipping costs to ensure profitability.
Target niche markets – Position products for specialty markets rather than engaging in direct price competition.
Requesting Specific Products
Looking for a product you don’t see in the catalog? You can easily request it:
Go to Extras > Request a Product in your dashboard.
Paste a product link (from AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, Temu, or Alibaba).
Add your expected daily sales volume.
Once sourced, the product will be added to your catalog so you can continue selling it without extra hassle. To learn more about how to request products for a quote, click here.
Zendrop gives you clear, predictable shipping costs, reliable fulfillment, and tools to keep your pricing competitive, so you can focus on growing your business.