How to Connect AliExpress to Shopify for Dropshipping

I chose these programs based on the following:  

• Ease of integration 
• Other features
• Reliability of the program 
• Cost of subscription 

In addition to this, I will also provide you with some high-level steps on how to connect AliExpress to your store manually. 

For starters, here is the list:

• Spocket
• CJDropshipping
• DSers
• AutoDS
• Dropified

Let us start!

5 Best Ways to Connect AliExpress with Shopify

1. Spocket

Spocket is one of the most popular dropship supplier databases in the world, and it does have many suppliers from AliExpress. For a time, the suppliers had to register to Spocket and then upload their products to Spocket. 

It was later on that they added a connection that allows dropshippers to import products directly from any AliExpress supplier. 

Other Features of Spocket

• Integration – it not only integrates with Shopify and AliExpress, but also other platforms such as WooCommerce, BigCommerce, eBay, Amazon, Wix, Squarespace, Alibaba, and more. What this does for you is that you can sell on multiple platforms yet only use one dashboard for importing products and fulfilling orders.
• DropGenius –is an AI program that customizes your theme and your product descriptions. Its purpose is to allow you to reduce your expenses on advertising copy and tech work. This AI also makes it possible to build a unique store. You will not operate a cookie-cutter store from common Shopify themes.  
• Products – there are over 7 million products in Spocket from thousands of suppliers.  
• Branded Invoicing – when customers pay, they will receive an invoice that reflects your business name, not the name of the supplier in AliExpress. This prevents customers from knowing that you are merely sourcing your products from someone else. 

Pros of Using

• You can filter suppliers based on some characteristics
• Spocket has an order fulfillment system
• No transaction fees

Cons of Using 

• No free account
• No automation

Spocket is not free. The basic plan costs $39.99 monthly, but you can get this at a discounted price of $24 monthly if you pay annually. In addition, you can only upload a limited number of products to your store based on your subscription plan. 

Summary: Spocket is a multi-tool dropship supplier database that can integrate AliExpress with Shopify. You can import products from AliExpress and process orders from the Spocket system. 

2. CJDropshipping 

As the name implies, the creators of CJ made the platform for dropshippers. You can integrate this system and find products you can import to your store.  

Although CJ does not directly integrate AliExpress with your Shopify store, it acts as a mediator between AliExpress and you. You can find all AliExpress products here, along with suppliers from other databases and online marketplaces. 

Other Features of CJDropshipping

• Marketplaces – AliExpress is not the only supplier marketplace where CJ draws products from. It also gets products from suppliers selling in QKSource, 1688, eBay, and Taobao. Because of this, you can find products not only in AliExpress but in many other supplier databases. 
• Custom Packing – you can contact CJ and ask them to create custom packing for you. This way, you can set your product apart from other dropshippers and maintain a brand image.   
• Product Sourcing – if there is a product you want to sell that is not on the CJ platform, all you need to do is file a sourcing request. Provide them with the image and the website where you saw the product, and they will find a supplier of the same product for you.  

Pros of Using of CJDropshipping

• Free to use 
• You can source products not on the platform
• Lots of products to choose from

Cons of Using of CJDropshipping

• Shipping can take time
• There are transaction fees

If CJ finds a supplier for a product you requested, they will ensure that the product is in the CJ platform. All you have to do now is to import that product to your store. 

CJDropshipping integrates with many platforms, not just Shopify. You can use CJ to sell in many other marketplaces like eBay, TikTok, Etsy, Wix, and many more. 

Summary: CJDropshipping is a China-based dropship database and supplier system. You can use it to import products from AliExpress to Shopify, or products from other supplier marketplaces to your Shopify store. 

3. DSers

DSers is a company built for AliExpress dropshipping. It is the official e-commerce integration solution for dropshippers who want to source products from AliExpress. On top of integration, you can also use DSers to make payments in bulk to your suppliers.  

Other Features of DSers

• Multiple Platforms – you can integrate DSers not only with Shopify but also with WooCommerce, Wix, and others. You can also integrate with PayPal, so you can use PayPal for order processing and sales disbursements. 
• Product Bundling – you can create a bundle “shell,” and then use that shell to add products from different suppliers. From here, you can set the price and import the bundle to your Shopify store. You no longer need a special app to create the bundle. 
• Variant Mapping – you can manage the various types of products you have from different suppliers and for different markets or regions. You can also set up a different supplier for each region or country, making your shipping processes less expensive, seamless, and faster. 

Pros of Using DSers

• You can bundle products from different suppliers
• It is possible to place hundreds of orders in a few seconds only
• You will get shipping tracking numbers 

Cons of Using DSers

• The free account does not do much 

DSers offers multiple plan types, with one being free. The thing with the free account is that almost all of the important features are not available. 

The next plan, which costs $19.99 monthly, is a bit similar in the sense that you cannot use the system to its full potential. I recommend that you subscribe to the PRO Plan which costs $49.9 to be able to take full advantage of the platform.

Summary: DSers is one of the best integration systems between AliExpress and Shopify. You can use it to create bundles, pay in bulk, find multiple suppliers for the same products, and manage your dropshipping store in one place.

4. AutoDS

Other Features of AutoDS

• Integration – the platform integrates with Shopify, eBay, Facebook, Amazon, Etsy, Wix, and WooCommerce. You can sell on different platforms yet manage all your orders from one dashboard only.  
• Supplier Support – the platform has suppliers from AliExpress, Banggood, and even CJDropshipping. There is a product comparison tool where you can compare products from different suppliers. This process should give you better visibility of product details and costs, making it easier to base your decisions on data. 
• Product Count – there are over 50 million products in the system. The suppliers here have global warehouses, which means you are not going to rely on suppliers from China only. What this also means is faster and cheaper shipping, as you can sell products whose country of origin matches the shipping destination. 
• Automation – you can automate orders with AuatoDS, which means orders will go to the suppliers even if you do not place the order yourself. The system will automate the orders, tracking, and product returns.   

Pros of Using AutoDS

• Millions of products to choose from
• Automation is possible 
• You can monitor prices and stocks 24/7; there is an auto-update feature

Cons of Using AutoDS

• They do not offer a free account

AutoDS is an ideal option if you want to access products on top of AliExpress. It allows for automated ordering and fulfillment, plus automated updates to your product details like price should there be a change in the supplier’s prices. 

In addition, there is also a product variant tool that allows you to list product colors or sizes based on what you want. You no longer have to sell all variants if there is one that you do not like. 

Summary: AutoDS is a dropshipping supplier platform with over 500 million products. They work with suppliers not only from AliExpress but from other marketplaces, giving you leverage to sell products from international warehouses. 

5. Dropified

Dropified is one of the pioneers of the high-ticket dropshipping system. Lately, they added AliExpress to their platform to provide more supplier options to dropshippers. Today, Dropified is one of the best automation solutions for dropshipping from AliExpress and eBay. 

Other Features of Dropified

• Facebook Marketplace – you can list your products on the Facebook Marketplace if you are not yet ready to build a store. You do not even need a Facebook page to do this—a basic Facebook profile will do.
• Cash Back with Amitad – the company has a partnership with Amitad. For all purchases you make on AliExpress, you will receive a portion of that expense. You can accumulate this cashback and then use the funds later on for more purchases. 
• Automation – you can automate the process of ordering. You no longer have to fulfill orders manually. In addition, the system will update the tracking information as the product moves from one location to another. 

Pros of Using Dropified

• You can automate the dropshipping process
• You can list products in the Facebook Marketplace
• You can find suppliers on Alibaba

Cons of Using Dropified

• Dropified is not free; the prices are also not transparent. 

You will only see the price of a Dropified subscription once you register for the free trial account. These prices change, so we cannot quote any price right now. Also, you have to upgrade your account if you want to use all the features. 

Summary: Dropified is a dropship supplier database with an integration option for Shopify. The beauty of Dropified is that it can also integrate with Alibaba, making it easier to find suppliers with lower prices than retailers in AliExpress. 

Manual Way of Adding AliExpress to Shopify

The only manual way to add AliExpress to your Shopify store is through what we call an API or application program interface. It is a code that you need to add to your Shopify’s source code. 

The steps are as follows:

• Create a buyer account in AliExpress
• Create a developer account in AliExpress; you can only do this if you have a buyer account
• Apply for an AppKey
• Once done, agree with the API user agreement
• Apply for a dropshipping key and create this as an app from your developer account 

From here you can begin the API integration with your Shopify store. Of course, you need to be able to access your Shopify source code, too, which is another set of steps.

At best, I recommend that you use any of the software programs that I listed earlier. If you create your API, you will be responsible for its maintenance and security—things you need not worry about if you use third-party AliExpress integration systems in our list. 

Best Practices When Choosing an AliExpress Supplier

I hate to sound negative, but business is business. Not all AliExpress sellers are reliable. There were times I ordered products and what I got delivered was an incorrect one. These were test products that I ordered to ensure supplier dependability. 

Sadly, processing a refund is too costly and time-consuming. It simply is not worth it. As such, there are some best practices I need to share with you about choosing the best AliExpress dropship suppliers. 

1. Choose quality over price

China is second to the US in terms of manufacturing size can capability. The difference is that the US has higher standards, and that is why their products are expensive. In China, many mass manufacturers compromise quality. 

Before you post an item in your dropshipping store, I recommend that you buy one from the supplier. You must see the product you sell. This way, you can rightfully assess its quality. 

Once you have the product, ask yourself: “Will I use this product myself?” If you won’t, it is not a good idea to sell it—your customers will feel the same way and you will not have happy consumers.    

2. Use third-party companies with rating systems

There are software programs that you can use to assess a supplier’s reliability. For example, SaleHoo has a vetting process where only legitimate suppliers can sell to dropshippers. 

A vetting process means that the suppliers have to go through a test of standards. If the supplier fails to meet these expectations, SaleHoo will not even allow them to list their items. 

Most of these sellers are from AliExpress. As such, you can rest assured that all products you find in SaleHoo are products from credible suppliers. 

These suppliers know that they are doing business with dropshippers. The suppliers, therefore, will do what they can within their power to satisfy both the dropshipper and the consumer.   

3. Check shipping rates, speed, and accuracy

Place an order and you will know how long it takes for a supplier to move an item. Although the shipping transit speed is out of a supplier’s control, the supplier is in control of the packing process. 

The purpose of this test is to see how many days it takes for a supplier to pick up an item from the warehouse, pack it, and drop it off to a logistics partner. Believe it or not, some suppliers take seven days to do this! The supplier you want is someone who processes your orders in as short as two days. 

Finally, check the accuracy of the shipment. In my experience, some AliExpress sellers send the wrong items, as if they are merely disposing of stocks that they know they can no longer sell. 

Imagine if this happens to you: your customer bought an iPhone 14 phone case from your dropshipping store. You ordered the item from a supplier, but the supplier sent an Android phone case. 

Now, you have a big problem. Even if the supplier agrees to issue a refund and ship a new product, your customer is no longer happy and will never order again.

AliExpress Dropshipping FAQ

Can I link AliExpress to my Shopify store?

Yes, it is easy to link AliExpress with your Shopify store. The best way to do this is by subscribing to a software program like the ones mentioned on our list.  

Does Shopify automatically order from AliExpress?

No, Shopify is not a dropshipping software program. It is merely a host for your store. The automatic ordering happens from a third-party software like Dropified. 

How do I link my dropshipping to AliExpress?

What I recommend is to use a program from our list. Many of these are free to use. You only need to subscribe to a paid plan if you want the added benefits.  

How do I connect with a supplier on AliExpress?

You need to send them a message through AliExpress. If you use a software program like Socket, there is a provision inside that system where you can contact the supplier. 

Summary:

Your supplier is an integral part of your dropshipping success. No matter what you do with your store, in the end, it is your supplier who produces the products and ships them. 

As dropshipper, we are merely conduits or bridges between customers and suppliers—we have no control over the product. To know more about suppliers and choosing them, read our tutorial on What to Consider When You Choose Your Dropshipping Supplier.