Dropshipping News
Rule changes, platform updates and supplier news, each dated, sourced and explained for people running a dropshipping store.
Latest developments
Newest first. Each entry links to our full story.
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Suppliers & Shipping
Royal Mail Pickup Points: Can Dropshippers Use Them in Shopify?
Shopify’s 15 October 2026 integration of Royal Mail pickup points introduces collection-based delivery at checkout for qualifying UK fulfilment operations, creating an additional shipping option for eligible dropshipping businesses.
Customers can select participating collection locations, potentially reducing dependence on home deliveries. However, technical eligibility does not establish supplier compatibility. Orders must be dispatched through supported domestic Royal Mail Local Collect services, with accurate pickup details transmitted to the fulfilment provider.
Stores relying on overseas warehouses, multiple dispatch locations or incompatible shipping applications may encounter rejected deliveries, processing delays and refund requests.
Before activating the feature, merchants should confirm supplier capabilities, examine checkout restrictions and complete an end-to-end test order. Reliable execution matters more than expanding delivery choices.
FAQs
What is Dropshipping?
Dropshipping is a way of selling online without holding stock. You list products in your store, and when a customer orders, you pass the order to a supplier who ships it directly to them.
It costs less to start than buying stock up front, but you still pay for your store, apps and advertising before you make sales. Margins are often thin, delivery can be slow, and you rely on the supplier for quality and stock. You are still the seller, so your customers’ refund and return rights are your responsibility.
Is dropshipping still worth it?
It can be, but it’s no longer an easy win. Starting costs are low because you don’t buy stock in advance, but margins are often thin, competition for popular products is heavy, and most stores have to pay for advertising before they make sales.
It tends to work for sellers who pick a clear niche, choose reliable suppliers, and track their numbers closely. Anyone hoping for quick, passive income usually finds it harder than expected.
How much does it cost to start dropshipping?
You don’t need to buy stock, but dropshipping isn’t free to start. Typical costs are a store platform subscription, a domain name, apps to connect your suppliers, payment fees on each sale, sample orders, and marketing.
Advertising is usually the biggest and least predictable cost, and you spend it before you know whether a product will sell. Check platform prices on each provider’s own site, because plans change regularly.
Is dropshipping legal, and do I pay tax on it?
Yes, dropshipping is legal, but the rules for any online shop still apply to you. You are the seller, so you’re responsible for your customers’ refund and return rights, product safety, honest advertising, and any marketplace rules, such as Amazon’s.
You’re usually responsible for sales tax or VAT on your sales, depending on where your business is based and where your customers are. Rules change, so check official guidance or ask an accountant.
How do I find a reliable dropshipping supplier?
Compare several suppliers before you commit. Check reviews, delivery times to your customers’ countries, return policies, and how quickly they reply to questions. Order samples so you can see the product quality for yourself.
Your supplier ships every order you take, so their delays and mistakes reach your customers under your store’s name. A slightly higher price from a dependable supplier is often worth it.