Interested in opening a dropshipping business but want to keep startup costs low? eBay dropshipping remains a smart choice.
Dropshipping on eBay removes the need to create a custom storefront, as you can use your eBay store to start selling products online. You also get access to a ready-made audience of over 134 million global buyers, helping you save on upfront marketing.
Fascinated? This post covers everything you need to know about eBay dropshipping, from finding the right suppliers to maintaining healthy profit margins.
What is eBay Dropshipping?
eBay dropshipping is a profitable, low-cost business model, where a merchant buys products from wholesalers, marks up the price, and resells them through the platform.
It’s preferred by many entrepreneurs because there’s no need to physically touch any item or rent a warehouse to store inventory. Any orders you get go straight to your dropshipping vendor, and it’s their job to sort, pack, and ship the product to your customer.
Benefits of eBay Dropshipping
There are numerous benefits to dropshipping via eBay:
- Low risk: eBay dropshippers only purchase goods as customers purchase them. There are no minimum order quantities. So if a customer only buys one necklace from your eBay store, you only need to pay for that one specific necklace. It’s a great business model for new entrepreneurs looking to experiment or experienced entrepreneurs looking to try a new niche.
- Highly automated: Using dropshipping suppliers like DSers, you’ll be able to automate most of your dropshipping efforts. It only takes a few minutes to list the product you want to sell on your eBay store. Once a sale rolls in, it only takes one click to process the order. This gives you more time to focus on what matters: marketing and customer service.
- Lower costs: Since you’re selling a manufacturer’s product instead of designing your own, you’ll pay wholesale pricing. Depending on where you’re dropshipping from, you might even benefit from having low shipping rates (sometimes even free) that keep costs low for yourself and your customers.
- Saves time: You only need to focus on a couple of administrative tasks, marketing, and customer service. The manufacturer tends to carry the weight of the most time-consuming (packaging and shipping) and expensive (carrying inventory) tasks.
- Millions of products to sell: You can choose from millions of products from a wide-range of dropshipping niches. Simply look through product marketplaces like AliExpress and add any product to your store in just one click. You can sell proven products rather than trying to create your own. For eBay compliance, source from wholesale/manufacturer channels, not retail marketplaces.
eBay Dropshipping Policies
Standard Dropshipping Policy
Is dropshipping allowed on eBay? Yes, eBay permits dropshipping when you purchase from wholesale suppliers or manufacturers and ship directly to buyers. Fulfilling orders from another retailer or marketplace that sends products directly to customers is prohibited.
If you resell products from retail websites or marketplaces (like Amazon or AliExpress) that ship to your buyer, your account may be flagged or face temporary or permanent suspension. Packaging, invoices, or gift receipts that reveal third‑party marketplaces can also trigger violations.
To stay compliant, source products from wholesale suppliers, distributors, or use private labeling—and ensure shipments reflect your business as the seller of record.
“Item Not Received” Policy
Beyond the standard policy, eBay monitors “Item not received” (INR) and Valid Tracking metrics. Sellers with high INR rates can face restrictions.
To avoid suspension, follow these strategies:
- Ship on time and upload Valid Tracking within your stated handling time.
- Use carriers that integrate with eBay so tracking auto-updates.
- Partner with suppliers who offer fast, reliable delivery; consider eBay International Shipping to simplify global orders and reduce INR risk.
- Leverage order automation tools to streamline fulfillment and keep tracking information current.
- Monitor performance in Seller Hub and address shipping issues promptly.
eBay Dropshipping Fees
Before diving into eBay dropshipping, familiarize yourself with the different fees involved. Rates change over time and vary by category, plan, and listing format—always confirm the latest on eBay’s fees page.
Store Subscription Fees
eBay provides various subscription plans tailored to different needs:
- Starter Store: $4.95/month annually for 250 listings.
- Basic Store: $21.95/month annually for 1,000 listings.
- Premium Store: $59.95/month annually for 10,000 listings.
- Anchor Store: $299.95/month annually for 25,000 listings.
- Enterprise Store: $2999.95/month annually for 100,000 listings.
Choosing the right plan depends on your listing volume and budget.
Insertion Fees
Insertion fees apply once you exceed the number of free listings included in your subscription plan. Higher subscription levels reduce these fees:
- Starter Store: 250 fixed price listings + 30¢ per additional listing.
- Basic Store: 1,000 fixed price listings + 25¢ per additional listing.
- Premium Store: 10,000 fixed price listings + 10¢ per additional listing.
- Anchor Store: 25,000 fixed price listings + 5¢ per additional listing.
- Enterprise Store: 100,000 fixed price listings + 5¢ per additional listing.
Final Value Fees
Final value fees are a percentage of the total sale amount, including item price and shipping, and vary by category. Store subscribers may receive slightly lower rates than non‑subscribers. Most categories fall in an approximate 12%–14% range, but some are higher or lower. Always consult eBay’s current fee tables or the fee calculator in Seller Hub.
- Starter Store: Category‑based percentage; rates shown in eBay’s current fee schedule.
- Basic Store and above: Slightly reduced category‑based percentages versus non‑store; fees are automatically deducted via eBay Managed Payments.
Promotional Fees
Promotional fees are optional but can help increase your product’s visibility. eBay offers multiple types:
- Promoted Listings (General Strategy): You set an Ad Rate (a percentage of the sale price, minimum 2%). You only pay the fee if a buyer clicks on your ad and purchases any of your promoted items within 30 days.
- Promoted Listings (Priority Strategy): This works like traditional Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising. You set a daily budget and bid on specific keywords. You are charged a fee every time a buyer clicks on your ad, regardless of whether the item sells. This offers priority placement (e.g. top search spots) and greater targeting control.
Free Listings
eBay typically offers 250 zero-insertion-fee listings each month, making it economical for beginners. If you require more, pay per additional listing or subscribe to one of eBay’s store plans. Availability and counts can change—check your current monthly allotment in Seller Hub.
Understanding and managing these fees can help you budget effectively and maximize profitability in your eBay dropshipping business.
How to Dropship on eBay
Ready to become an eBay dropshipper? Here’s a step-by-step guide to launching your own successful eBay dropshipping store.
1. Create an eBay Seller Account
A seller account is necessary to sell products via an eBay store. To create one:
- Go to the registration page and provide basic information about your online business.
- Subscribe to the eBay store option that best suits your needs.
- Link your checking account to receive payments.
Once you’ve completed these steps, connect the new store to Shopify using the eBay Integration app. Doing this will enable you to see inventory levels, communicate with buyers, and manage returns—all through one dashboard. You can also manage everything natively in eBay Seller Hub if you prefer.
2. Find Profitable Items
Next, investigate which products sell best on eBay. Check eBay’s trending products page for insights and check whether you can source similar products at lower-than-MRP through dropshipping sites like Doba or AliExpress.
The popular item categories are:
- Clothing, shoes, and accessories
- Consumer electronics
- Home and garden
- Pet supplies
- Toys and hobbies
Products that are lightweight are generally the easiest to dropship, so consider finding such items in the listed categories. You’ll also want to check the return rate of each item—products with a low return rate are less likely to cause problems with your customers.
3. Choose Your Dropshipping Suppliers
Once you’ve found a profitable item to sell on eBay, look for dropshipping suppliers that can offer you a good deal on bulk purchases. If you own a Shopify store, you can use apps like DSers to connect with different wholesalers.
Vet suppliers by checking their seller rating, customer reviews, shipping times, and fees. Pay special attention to the delivery time, since eBay requires brands to deliver items within 30 days of an order being placed.
4. Create Your eBay Listing
Create a listing for each of the products you’re dropshipping on eBay. Include keywords that your target customers may use when searching for those items. And pay special attention to the following things—they all influence how likely the eBay algorithm is to show your products to potential customers:
- Product title and description (AI tools like Shopify Magic can help craft keyword-rich, high‑quality copy)
- Product images
- Customer reviews
- Return policy (check whether your dropshipping supplier handles product returns)
5. Price Your Product
eBay dropshipping becomes lucrative when you leave enough room between an item’s purchase and resale price. Determine the price of your dropshipping products by factoring in:
- Product costs
- Business expenses (listing costs, shipping fees, promotional fees, etc.)
- How much profit you want to make
Monitor what comparable products sell for and use eBay’s fee calculator in Seller Hub to estimate total costs. Tweak pricing until you find a balance between competitiveness and healthy margins.
6. Market Your Listing
Your listings won’t sell themselves—you need to get them in front of potential customers to drive sales. Marketing is crucial for this purpose.
You can use social media platforms to promote your eBay store. Sharing your listings on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok can attract a wider audience and increase visibility for free.
Another way is to leverage email marketing. Sending newsletters or promotional emails to your subscribers can keep them informed about new products, discounts, and special offers, encouraging repeat business.
You can also use eBay's in-built advertising tools to promote your listings.
7. Provide Excellent Customer Service
As an eBay seller, you might not have a dedicated customer support team. But don’t worry, you can still provide excellent support yourself. Here are some tips to ensure a great customer experience:
- Respond quickly to customer inquiries: A prompt reply shows customers you value their time and are eager to help. Aim to respond within 24 hours.
- Be clear and concise in your communication: Provide clear answers and solutions to customer questions to avoid any misunderstandings.
- Include answers to common questions on your product page: This helps customers find information they need without having to ask.
- Be proactive in resolving issues: If a problem arises, address it immediately and offer a solution to keep your customer satisfied.
8. Strive to Become a Top Rated Seller
A high eBay seller level, or Top Rated Seller status, signifies that you are a reliable and trustworthy seller. This status boosts your visibility in search results, attracts more buyers, and can even give you access to discounted shipping rates. It’s a badge of honor that shows customers you’re committed to excellent service.
Here are some tips for achieving this status:
- Keep transaction defects low: Maintain a transaction defect rate at or below 0.5%.
- Ship on time: Keep your late shipment rate at or below 3% and upload Valid Tracking within your handling time.
- Resolve issues quickly: Keep cases closed without seller resolution at or below 0.3% through clear communication and fair solutions.
- Upload Accurate Tracking Info: Aim for 95%+ of orders with timely, valid tracking. For Top Rated Plus discounts, offer 1‑business‑day handling and 30‑day (or longer) free returns.
Dropshipping From Amazon to eBay
Reselling retail‑sourced items to eBay buyers where the retailer ships directly to your customer is against eBay policy. This includes orders fulfilled by Amazon or other marketplaces that arrive with their branding, invoices, or gift receipts.
To avoid penalties, do not fulfill eBay orders via retail marketplaces. Use wholesale, manufacturer, or private label suppliers that ship neutrally and comply with eBay standards.
Tips for Building a Successful eBay Dropshipping Business
Although eBay dropshipping isn’t overly complicated, there are some things you can do to set your new business up for success.
- Create a multi-buy offer. Multi-buy offers basically are eBay’s version of bundled offers, where you sell one product for $5, two for $8, and so on. They’re a great way to increase your profit margins, since you won’t need to pay import or shipping fees several times.
- Unify your inventory. Dropshipping tools like DSers merge inventory data from all sales channels (including your eBay storefront and online store), so you can view customer and sales information in one place.
- Automate your operations. Use tools to automate email marketing, inventory management, and order processing. These tools will save you time that you can spend on expanding your product range and optimizing your listings. Consider eBay International Shipping to simplify global logistics and reduce returns.
Starting Your eBay Dropshipping Journey
With millions of users turning to eBay to find and purchase products, opening a dropshipping store on the platform is an obvious choice.
Apply the tips from our guide to source profitable items, create a seller account, and start making a profit. With dedication and the right approach, you can build a successful dropshipping business and generate a substantial income stream through eBay in 2026.
eBay Dropshipping FAQ
Is eBay Dropshipping Profitable?
Dropshipping on eBay can be profitable and low-risk. The key is sourcing products at a low cost from wholesale/manufacturer partners and selling them on the marketplace for a higher markup while keeping fees and shipping under control.
How Much Does It Cost to Dropship on eBay?
eBay fees include insertion fees (after your monthly zero‑insertion allotment), final value fees (category‑based percentages, typically ~12%–14%), and store subscription fees (which vary by plan). Rates can change so confirm current fees in Seller Hub or on eBay’s fees page.
Do I Need a Seller License to Dropship on eBay?
You don’t need a specific “seller license” to dropship on eBay, but you must follow site rules and local business requirements. Regulations differ by location—check your local laws and tax obligations.
What Are the Best eBay Dropshipping Suppliers?
Reliable suppliers are critical. Source from manufacturers, wholesalers, or private label partners. You can find suppliers on platforms like Alibaba, AliExpress, and Doba. Check seller ratings, reviews, delivery times, and packaging compliance.
What Should eBay Dropshippers Keep in Mind To Avoid Account Suspension?
- Ship products on time and upload Valid Tracking.
- Maintain low transaction defect rates.
- Avoid listing counterfeit or policy‑restricted items.
- Source products from reputable wholesale suppliers.
- Follow eBay’s dropshipping guidelines and Seller Performance Standards.