In the ever-evolving eCommerce landscape, finding a reliable dropshipping supplier can be a game-changer. Working with reliable and trustworthy suppliers enables us to offer our customers a better shopping experience. Now, Temu might be a newcomer, but it’s making its mark amongst other reliable dropshipping suppliers. In fact, Temu dropshipping enables us to see significant profits while remaining competitive.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the step-by-step process for Temu dropshipping. On top of that, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of dropshipping with Temu. All in all, it’ll give us a complete rundown of Temu dropshipping to prepare us for success.
How To Start Temu Dropshipping In 2024 - Key Takeaways
Temu is an online eCommerce marketplace that connects millions of buyers and sellers. It’s the sister company of the popular Chinese eCommerce platform, Pinduoduo.
While Temu is a Chinese-owned company, its headquarters is located in Boston and operates within North America and Europe.
Temu is making ranks in the eCommerce market due to a strategic combination of competitive pricing, effective marketing efforts, generous 90-day free returns, and a user-friendly online presence.
We cannot dropship on Temu but we can still use its features to find best-sellers and source affordable quality products.
So, let’s embark on this insightful journey into the realm of Temu dropshipping. Stay tuned and acquire the knowledge and tools you need to thrive in the competitive world of e-commerce.
Everything You Need To Know About Temu Dropshipping
Temu has only been around a year but has already managed to break through among the most popular e-commerce platforms. According to Statista, since its launch in September 2022, Temu has gained over 100 million active users as of April 2023. With a user-friendly website and mobile app, it is an accessible and convenient platform for consumers.
As an e-commerce marketplace, Temu connects buyers with millions of sellers and manufacturers from China. It offers affordable quality products across numerous categories, such as beauty, health, home improvement, electronics, and more.
Temu has quickly become a popular shopping app in the US, surpassing Amazon, Walmart, Nike, and Shein in daily downloads.
What Is Temu?
To put it simply, Temu is a mega online marketplace. It offers heavily discounted, affordable products sourced directly from Chinese suppliers. Plus, Temu has almost any product imaginable. From clothes, home appliances, power tools, and even car accessories, there’s an abundance of niches and categories to choose from.
Temu Pros & Cons
Temu, while a relatively young company, offers a range of enticing features for potential customers.
Temu Pros
Let’s go through each of Temu’s most promising pros for aspiring dropshippers:
Low prices
Wide variety of products
Lots of different discounts
Price Adjustment within 30 days
90 days return policy (with 100% payment refund)
One of its primary attractions is the promise of low prices, making it ideal for budget-conscious shoppers. Furthermore, Temu boasts an extensive product catalog, providing customers with a variety of options to choose from.
Also, Temu’s price adjustment feature offers a distinctive method to secure the sale price for an item you previously purchased before the sale commencement. Within a 30-day window, any product your customer bought enables them to recoup a portion of their money if the seller decides to reduce its price.
Moreover, frequent discounts sweeten the deal, ensuring shoppers find products at even more affordable rates. Plus, their generous 90-day return policy and 100% payment refund provide peace of mind to buyers concerned about the product’s quality. This way, they’re more confident with their purchase and proceed to checkout.
Temu Cons
It’s also critical that we look into and acknowledge some potential cons of dropshipping with Temu.
Inconsistent shipping times
Quality of products is not always the best
Their customer service says that it’s available 24/7, but they are not as productive and resolutive as people expect them to be.
Blind dropshipping and brand customization are not available
Shipping times occasionally exceed the two-week window, which can be frustrating for those expecting prompt deliveries. Additionally, the quality of products received may not consistently meet expectations. While Temu claims to offer 24/7 customer service, it can oftentimes be less responsive and resolutive than desired.
Lastly, Temu does not offer blind dropshipping or brand customization, limiting options for those seeking to maintain a distinct brand identity in their dropshipping business. Despite these challenges, Temu’s attractive pricing, diverse product selection, and return policy may still make it a viable choice for cost-conscious consumers willing to navigate its growing pains.
Temu’s Policies
Officially, Temu states in its support center article that it does not support dropshipping. As a seller, you can order goods directly from Temu’s platform and distribute them to your customers. But, there’s no official system or operation in place for Temu to send goods directly to your consumers. So, we need to have our own systems and operations in place to be able to utilize Temu dropshipping.
Notably, there is a loophole that enables suppliers like Temu to offer low prices for their products. A trade rule known as de minimis allows Temu to ship packages without paying duty and certain taxes as long as shipments are under $800. So, Temu can beat out the competition with prices while still allowing for significant markups.
Is Temu A Chinese Company?
Yes. Temu’s parent company is the Chinese-based and Cayman Islands-registered PDD Holdings. But don’t get confused. While Temu is a Chinese-owned company, its base is still in Boston, with operations in North America.
Moreover, Temu is the sister company of the popular Chinese online eCommerce platform, Pinduoduo. Known for its unique group-buying model and focus on cost-effective options, Pinduoduo has garnered a massive user base. Likewise, Temu adapts and reflects its success in terms of operations and expertise of the eCommerce landscape.
Temu Origin: How Did It Become So Big So Fast?
Despite its short stint in the eCommerce industry, Temu is quickly becoming a top contender. But for what reason? Well, we can attribute their quickly mounting success to the following key factors:
Low Pricing Strategy
Big, Well-Implemented Marketing Strategy
User-Friendly Desktop Platform & Mobile App
One of the primary drivers of Temu’s success is its low-pricing strategy. By offering products at highly competitive rates, Temu makes itself an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. This pricing strategy draws in cost-sensitive shoppers and encourages repeat customers. In a market where competitive pricing is a significant factor, Temu’s affordability is evidently a major contributor to its growth.
Additionally, effective marketing is crucial for any company’s growth, and Temu has clearly invested in a comprehensive marketing strategy. From targeted online advertising to social media campaigns and search engine optimization, Temu has made its presence felt across various digital platforms. This marketing strategy ensures that Temu’s brand is visible and appealing to a wide audience, driving traffic and sales.
Lastly, convenience is vital in attracting and retaining customers in today’s digital age. Temu’s user-friendly desktop platform and mobile app offer a seamless shopping experience, making it easy for customers to browse, select, and purchase products. Furthermore, positive user experiences lead to higher customer retention rates and positive reviews, contributing to Temu’s rapid growth.
In summary, Temu’s quick rise can be attributed to its strategic combination of competitive pricing, effective marketing efforts, and user-friendly online presence. By addressing the core needs and preferences of today’s online shoppers, Temu successfully captures a significant market share in a relatively short span of time.
Where Does Temu Ship From?
Temu is an American-based eCommerce marketplace. Although it sources products from mostly Chinese suppliers, its headquarters is located in Boston, Massachusetts. Therefore, we can purchase products affordably and still expect faster shipping times.
Notably, Temu also covers America, Australia, and Europe. So, if we want to cater to customers in those areas, Temu is a great choice of supplier.
Is Temu Reliable?
Dropshipping on Temu is not allowed, but not banned either. In fact, the platform does not specify dropshipping in any of its policies. It’s important to consider this when dropshipping with Temu. However, if we do it correctly, nothing bad should happen. To do so, we must abide by Temu’s policies and use their signature orange packaging to dropship from the platform.
Notably, Temu is a reliable company because it’s a sister company of an already established eCommerce platform. It adapts a model that works great for customers already. We can trust its operations to work because it already has a track record of success.
Is Temu A Dropshipping Wholesaler?
No, Temu is not a dropshipping wholesaler, but it is an eCommerce marketplace. Therefore, we cannot list products on Temu via dropshipping, nor do they accept dropshipping requests from sellers. However, we can still source our products from them like any other dropshipping supplier.
Does Temu Allow Dropshipping?
The biggest question on everyone’s mind is “can I use Temu for dropshipping?” And the answer is no; we cannot dropship on Temu. As mentioned, the platform currently does not have policies regarding Temu dropshipping. However, we can still use Temu for two main purposes:
To identify trending products
To source products as a supplier
Let’s discuss each function related to Temu dropshipping in further detail:
As Temu is a rising platform with an increasing number of buyers and sellers, we can use it to gauge what consumers are buying. We can look at their best-selling products and determine top-selling items we can add to our store.
On their website, we can find high-ranked and top-selling items under the following sections:
Best-Sellers
5-Star Rated
New Arrivals
The Best Sellers section is a reliable starting point in our search. Here, we’ll find curated lists of products that have consistently performed well in terms of sales and demand.
Meanwhile, the 5-Star Rated section showcases products that have received top-notch reviews and ratings from customers. If we’re looking for high-quality products, it’s best to go through the items under this tab.
Lastly, the New Arrivals section helps us stay ahead of the curve with the latest trends. If we want new and innovative products for our customers, this is the section to visit.
Moreover, what makes the abovementioned features so powerful is the ability to filter by category. In addition, we determine best-selling products at various times such as “overall” or within the last week/month).
Here are some best-selling items on Temu right now:
Crossbody Bag
The Crossbody Bag is currently a top best-seller on the platform. Available in multiple colors and designs, this handy yet stylish bag attracts buyers, with 475 items sold just in the last 24 hours. It currently has an overall rating of almost 5 stars and reviews from over 30k customers. With these stats, this is a great item to add to our dropshipping store.
Mini Photo Printer
This portable mini photo printer is another best-seller on Temu. In fact, it’s been sold more than 100k times on the platform with a near 5-star rating from 15,968 customers. The product is available in two colors, with other inclusions also for sale. It’s a trendy product that can attract younger audiences to our store.
3-in-1 Fast Charging Station
This 3-in-one fast charging station is the perfect accessory for all gadgets. This multifunctionality is also the reason why this product is selling out. It’s currently available in six colors we can also offer to potential buyers. Giving our customers options will always increase the likelihood of a completed sale.
Extension Cable
Up next, this 4-foot extension cable attracts buyers with its superb function. With this product, we can maximize our outlet space and expand to 8 AC outlets, 3 USB ports, and 1 Type C port. It’s an all-in-one extension cord that’s useful for multiple occasions offering maximum utility.
Use Temu As A Dropshipping Supplier
Temu has swiftly gained attention in just a year with its extensive product range, low prices, and customer-friendly policies. It even rivals major platforms like AliExpress and Banggood.
Cheaper products mean we can stay competitive while earning a significant profit. Plus, they have a huge inventory of products in various niches and categories. We don’t have to limit our store, and we can cater to more customer demands. Key features include a Price Adjustment program and a 90-day free return policy. However, some customers have reported issues like varied product quality and packaging concerns.
Unfortunately, a notable drawback for dropshippers is that Temu does not support AutoDS automation. Despite its promising features and product range, the absence of compatibility with AutoDS could limit the efficiency and convenience for those relying on automated dropshipping processes.
How To Start Dropshipping With Temu
With Temu’s incredible rise in the eCommerce space, learning how to dropship with Temu is crucial. So, we’ll go into the step-by-step process to get us started with Temu dropshipping, covering everything from A to Z.
Decide Your Starting Budget
Before starting a dropshipping business with Temu, we need to determine our working capital. We also need to identify which available selling platforms work best for our budget. So, we need to know how much it costs to dropship.
Notably, dropshipping with Temu is an awesome way to add solid markups while remaining competitive because sourcing from Temu is cheap. Temu, similarly to AliExpress, has tons of diverse and very affordable products enabling us to make solid profits. However, when we start Temu dropshipping, we need to consider our budget.
Our dropshipping costs will vary depending on the selling platform we choose. Different selling platforms have different expenses based on the features they provide. So, these potential budgetary needs are based on platform expenses, selling fees, marketing expenses, payment provider fees, etc.
On that note, let’s take a look at some potential budgets we might need to consider for different selling platform options:
Facebook Marketplace Starting Budget: $0 – $200
Shopify Starting Budget: $500 – $1000
eBay Starting Budget: $50 – $100
Amazon Starting Budget: $500
WooCommerce Starting Budget: $500
Wix Starting Budget: $500
Etsy Starting Budget: $100
Check Needed Requirements
After securing our starting budget, we must meet the necessary requirements to start with Temu dropshipping. In fact, we need to consider some relevant sellingchannel requirements and Temu guidelines.
For Facebook Marketplace, we must own an active Facebook account to start selling. Also, the platform requires US citizenship with a US IP address for verification when our sales exceed $500 and for us to deliver to 50 US states and enable shipping options.
There are no specific limitations to utilizing Temu to source our products apart from the lack of automation. It’s also important to adhere to Temu’s guidelines, but those are pretty standard.A couple of things to keep in mind are respecting copyright laws and avoiding prohibited items.
Choose A Selling Channel
Now, to start with Temu dropshipping, we need to choose a selling channel. First, we need to know what a sales channel is.To elaborate,sales channelsare places where we can market and sell products for our dropshipping business. However, we need to consider the differences between amarketplace and a customizable eCommerce website.
In truth, we can utilize a customizable website if we want better brand development. Plus, this way, our customers will focus solely on our products without being pulled to someone else’s listing.
On the other hand, when using a marketplace, we have a lot of direct competition. But, marketplaces have a ton of organic traffic that we can leverage.
With all that being said, the top-selling channels are:
Shopify
Amazon
Wix
WooCommerce
Facebook Marketplace & Facebook Shops
eBay
Wix
TikTok Shop
Conduct Product Research
Product research is integral to the success of our dropshipping business. The key to effective product research is to use data-driven methods to identify winning products.
With that said, there are a few factors that can help us determine winning products:
High demand
Low competition
Positive reviews
Profitability
Trends
Quality
This is where Temu fits perfectly in the dropshipping story. Temu’s incredibly vast and diverse product catalog with very affordable prices makes it an awesome place to conduct product research. Plus, the massive userbase they are getting makes it easier to see what customers are looking for. That way, we can make educated decisions regarding what products we want to sell.
In order for us to conduct quality product research, there are a few other methods we can take advantage of as well:
When picking a supplier, we must consider these primary factors that it can provide our dropshipping business:
Reliability
Shipping speed
Return Policies
Customer service
Quality of products
Notably, Temu’s role as a supplier fits perfectly in our dropshipping story. With its diverse and wide range of affordable products, it’s the perfect supplier. However, we should consider that Temu is not supported by AutoDS, so we can’t automate our product research and product importing with Temu.
We can also rely on the AutoDS Marketplace, where we effortlessly discover, source, research, and import winning products from private and retail dropshipping suppliers. Uniquely, AutoDS has numerous interesting private suppliers that other dropshippers don’t have access to. This can give us a competitive edge.
Connect With An Automation Tool
One of the best aspects of dropshipping is that we can automate all our tasks! Dropshipping automation allows us to automate the entire dropshipping process. As a result, we save a bunch of time and effort while reducing errors in any of the steps. Plus, by automating our dropshipping processes, we can optimize our business and boost profits.
However, the downside of using Temu as a supplier is that it is not supported by most automation tools, including AutoDS. So, when utilizing Temu for dropshipping, we have to cover all the processes manually.
Import Your Products
Usually, we gravitate towards using automation tools like AutoDS for product importing. In fact, the AutoDS Product Importer saves a bunch of time on the product importing process, enabling us to easily import all product details in seconds. With the bulk importer option, we can import thousands of products simultaneously. Or, we can even schedule single or bulk imports for future dates.
However, as we mentioned above, the downside of Temu dropshipping is that it is not supported by most automation tools. So, we won’t be able to automate the product importing process when sourcing from Temu. Alternatively, when we import products manually, we have to copy/paste each detail separately for every item.
Market Your Products
If we want to run a successful Temu dropshipping business, we need to generate interestand turn that into sales. Plus, we need to navigate through the intense competition and do our best to stand out.
With that said, the best way to achieve this is through marketing.So, we need to get the right message in front of the right audience. To do so, we can take advantage of several different marketing strategies:
PPC (pay-per-click)
Email marketing
Influencer marketing
Blog for organic traffic
Fulfill Your Dropshipping Orders
Notably, we need to fulfill our customers’ orders as fast as we can to guarantee satisfaction. However, when we start receiving more orders daily, fulfilling them manually is a hassle. Plus, it opens the door for mistakes.
In fact, with manual fulfillment, we have to manually fill in every detail of our customers’ shipping information. Basically, we go to our supplier’s website and fill in our customers’ addresses, shipping information, and product specifications one by one.
On the other hand, with AutoDS Automatic Orders, we can automate this process entirely. The whole process from ‘order made’ to ‘order shipped,’ and everything in between is fully automated, saving us time and reducing errors.
Additionally, if we work with US suppliers, we can use Fulfilled by AutoDS. This tool protects our personal buyer accounts by using AutoDS accounts when sourcing our items. Plus, Fulfilled by AutoDS automates the entire fulfillment process. We can also use one-click returns to make things easier.
Notably, both AutoDS Automatic Orders and Fulfilled By AutoDS have automatic tracking updates. So we can easily keep our customers up to date on the entire delivery process. But we need to keep in mind that for Temu dropshipping, we have to handle order fulfillment manually since it’s not supported by automation platforms.
Provide Excellent Customer Service
Undoubtedly, providing our customers with exceptional customerservice is vital for our Temu dropshipping success. This helps us differentiate ourselves from the competition and attain customer loyalty. So, customers will be encouraged to return if they have a pleasant experience purchasing from our store.
To demonstrate, a general way to offer customer service is by providing frequently asked questions. Thus, we can try to help our customers without them even reaching out. Another more direct and personal approach is through email. Once a customer sends us their query, we can resolve it by sending them an email with the answer or solution. As such, these tactics allow us to differentiate ourselves from the competition and build customer loyalty.
Temu vs AliExpress
Now, AliExpress is an established and trusted dropshipping supplier already. So, how does Temu compare to this eCommerce giant? When comparing Temu to AliExpress, it’s essential to consider several key distinctions that can impact your dropshipping business.
Firstly, AliExpress is well-known for being dropshipping-friendly. Moreover, it is supported by various automation tools and integrations, making it a popular choice for many dropshippers. On the other hand, Temu distinguishes itself by offering faster shipping options than AliExpress, which is a critical factor in meeting customer expectations.
However, for those looking to combine the benefits of both speed and automation, AliExpress provides ways to find sellers with faster shipping times. We can do this by adjusting your ‘Ships From‘ setting and looking for domestic warehouses. Otherwise, we can carefully select sellers based on their customer reviews and average shipping ratings.
Ultimately, the choice between Temu and AliExpress may depend on your specific business needs and priorities, such as shipping speed and the level of automation required. Keep in mind that AutoDS now supports both these platforms, as a suppliers. With AutoDS, we can eagerly import products, monitor prices and stocks, and manage and track orders from either or both suppliers.
Beginner’s Tip: It’s ideal to work with two or more suppliers when dropshipping. With multiple suppliers, we can offer more products to our customers. Plus, this gives us a fallback in case of supply chain issues or stock shortages.
Temu Competitors & Best Alternatives
Although Temu is a great choice for a supplier because of its prices and product variety, it does have some drawbacks that might have us reaching for alternatives. Because Temu dropshipping is not supported by automation tools, we have to rely on manual dropshipping. But, here are some Temu alternatives and competitors that we can source from and utilize automation tools on top of that:
AutoDS Warehouse & Private Suppliers
The AutoDS Warehouse is a great alternative to Temu dropshipping since it houses lots of private home decor dropshipping suppliers. This gives us a competitive edge since our competitors don’t have access to these private suppliers.
Notably, AutoDS is also a dropshipping supplier with a warehouse. It offers fast shipping, making it a great source from which to source. Apart from AutoDS, the AutoDS Warehouse keeps adding new private suppliers and growing the list, enabling us to enjoy more diversity. And, since it’s linked to the platform, all orders will be fulfilled through the automatic order fulfillment system, Fulfilled by AutoDS.
Uniquely, unlike other suppliers, we have suppliers that offer the option to send a branded Thank You card. By shipping out our orders with a branded card, these suppliers help us build brand recognition. Lastly, we can enjoy the benefit of getting discounts. This allows us to add a higher profit margin while remaining competitive.
AliExpress
AliExpress is one of the most globally used marketplaces housing over 100 million products across every category imaginable. Additionally, what makes them a great alternative to Temu dropshipping is that it’s supported by AutoDS, so we can automate our processes.
Pros:
AliExpress Dropship Center
Huge product selection
Low prices
Warehouses around the world
Cons:
Customer support
Product quality
SHEIN
Next, we have a globally famous fashion and lifestyle brand, Shein. Shein is a more niche supplier since its main focus is on apparel. With that in mind, we can easily find amazing fashion best-sellers.
Pros:
Affordable prices
Global shipping
Convenient online customer support
Shein VIP program
Cons:
Branded packaging
Copyright infringement
Alibaba
For most people, Alibaba is synonymous with AliExpress. However, AliExpress is part of the Alibaba Group. Since Alibaba is the parent company, it is massive and primarily a B2B supplier. Plus, Alibaba has tons of products and may even offer better prices than AliExpress since it’s mostly a bulk supplier.
Pros:
Wholesale prices
Private label products
Cons:
Minimum order requirements
B2B supplier
Amazon
Amazon is one of the most attractive suppliers as it offers millions of productsacross all categories. Being one of THE most successful companies in the US, it houses thousands of dropshippers and their supply needs.
Pros:
Lightning-fast 2-day delivery
International warehouses
Wide product catalog
Flexible return policy
Cons:
Constant price fluctuations
Quality Control
Notably, what makes these Temu dropshipping alternatives an awesome choice to source from is that all of these Temu competitors are actually supported by automation tools like AutoDS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Temu A Dropshipping Company?
No, Temu is not a dropshipping company. Temu is an eCommerce marketplace where people can buy and sell products directly from Chinese suppliers. As such, they offer affordable items directly sourced from China.
Can I Trust Temu To Use It As A Supplier To Dropship?
Definitely! Temu is a good supplier for dropshipping. With products directly sourced from Chinese suppliers, we can expect their products to be some of the most affordable prices in the market.
What Can I Use Temu For In Dropshipping?
In dropshipping, you can use Temu as a supplier or as a platform for product research. Although Temu is not supported by automation tools, it offers many diverse products at great prices.
Conclusion
Finally! Now we know how to utilize Temu for dropshipping and the step-by-step process of running a Temu dropshipping business. We also learned what Temu is, its characteristics and policies, and the best way to utilize the platform. If we’re looking for a reliable dropshipping supplier with great products and affordable prices, Temu should be on top of our list.
Now, let’s take a look at some additional articles to help us in our dropshipping journey:
