Drop Shipping without Stock and Minimizing Operating Money
(Use Case Scenario)

Advantage: Only the required items will be purchased and it occupies the least operating fund which is very helpful for small or starting business.

Disadvantage: It will take extra 3-5 workdays to get the items arrive in FSC warehouse before they can be shipped to end-clients. If inferior/damged/incorrect item was found and return/change was made, it would take additional 3-7 workdays. This may lower down the customer's satisfaction unless appropriate actions are taken to make end-clients happy.

Drop Shipping (Zero Stock & Direct Shipping) Worflow

(Drop Shipping Mode)

  • Step 1. Add Item into Shopping Cart
  • Step 3. FSC Purchases Items & Performs Surface Inspection
  • Step 5. FSC Charges 2nd Payment & Ships Out Parcels
  • Step 6. Track & End Client Receives Items & Confirm Delivery
Drop Shipping (Zero Stock & Direct Shipping) Worflow Sample
  • Step 2. Fill Shipping Info & Submit Orders & Make 1st Payment
  • Step 4. FSC Packages & Weighs parcels
Preparation: Import the TaoBao/Tmall product info into your Shopify Store

This is an optional step. If you are using Shopify store to sell products, you can use this function to populate your Shopify store, which saves your time greatly. Even, you can import hundreds of products into your store in one day.

This function is implemented in our new inventory site. You can search/browse and select what you want to sell and add them into your private inventory. After editing the targeted selling prices, you can export them out into a CSV formatted file and import them into your Shopify store. For more details, please read the Tutorial of Exporting TaoBao/Tmall Products into Shopify Store.

  • How many products can I export?

    There is no limit. But Shopify limits 200 pieces for import each time. If you are going to export more than 200 pieces of item info, you may need to repeat the export job.

  • Is this export and import function free?

    Unfortunately not. This function was built up based on third party services and APIs, which are billable. Also it takes additional cost for us to maintain this function. So this function is not free. However, we only charge very reasonable small amount for using this function. So it's always affordable and you don't need to worry too much about the cost.

  • How will I be charged for this function?

    We don't charge the export function directly. Instead, we charge a very small amount for the item detail page you are browsing, to cover the cost from third party APIs. In another word, every time you browse an item detail page in our inventory site, you will be charged a very small amount, like $0.01 or $0.02. The detailed price will be published in Dropshipping Center.

  • Besides Shopify store, are other ecommerce websites supported for export and import?

    Currently only Shopify stores are supported. If you have other e-commerce sites supporting CSV importing function, you can also tell us and we will evaluate to see if we can add them into supporting list.

  • Will the product info exported be translated?

    Yes, our system will translate the production info automatically. This is a great advantage which saves a lot of time for you. However, it's machine translation and is not very accurate. If you want to make it with strict accuracy, you may need to modify the data manually later. Also, for the item description part, which is usually HTML and images, our system won't translate it. You will need to adjust and edit it manually.

Step 1. Add Item Into Shopping Cart
Step 1.  Add Item Into Shopping Cart

Browse the taobao.com or 1688.com to find the products you want to purchase. There are three ways to add the products into FSC's shopping cart:

1.Copy the item URLs and paste them into FSC's Add New Order page;
2.If you are already having an excel list of items you want to purchase, you can import it into FSC's system in Import Orders page.
3.Click Add To Cart from inventory;

  • How to translate Chinese Taobao or Tmall into English site?

    Reading Chinese web pages is no longer difficult for you now with translation tools' help, even if you can not speak or read Chinese at all. Usually the translation tools can help you translate the whole webpage into English or any other language you speak. We suggest you use Google Chrome browser's built-in translation function or google toolbar's translation function. For more details, please refer to this topic: Translation Tools (http://www.freeshoppingchina.com/help.php?action=view&id=104).

  • How to find products from Taobao?

    You can browse or search products on Taobao.com. Usually we use Taobao's search function to find the items we want. Very similar to any other shopping site, you can just input the keywords and click the search button to bring out the search results. However, you MUST be aware that you need to translate the keywords into Chinese and then paste into taobao's search text box before you click the search button so that the search can run well. If you input English keywords directly, taobao will only try bringing out the results with the English keywords included, which means there will be far fewer products brought out. This is a computer technical limitation. Chinese characters and English characters are treated equally as different characters in taobao system and taobao won't translate them automatically. To make it easier, FSC provides an intermediate page in which you can just input the language you speak and it will be translated into Chinese before the related taobao search result page is brought out. Please refer to this topic for more details: How to find products on Taobao (http://www.freeshoppingchina.com/help.php?action=view&id=14).

  • How to find products from 1688.com?

    (Currently Zero Stock Dropshipping is not supporting 1688.com orders)You can browse or search products on 1688.com, which is also called alibaba.cn. Usually we use search function to find the item we want. Very similar to any other shopping site, you can just input the keywords and click the search button to bring out the search results. However, you MUST be aware that you need to translate the keywords into Chinese and then paste into 1688.com's search text box before you click the search button so that the search can run well. If you input English keywords directly, 1688.com will only try bringing out the results with the English keywords included, which means there will be far fewer products brought out. This is a computer technical limitation. Chinese characters and English characters are treated equally as different characters in 1688.com system and 1688.com won't translate them automatically. To make it easier, FSC provides an intermediate page in which you can just input the language you speak and it will be translated into Chinese before the related search result page is brought out. Please refer to this topic for more details: How to find products on 1688.com(alibaba.cn) (http://www.freeshoppingchina.com/help.php?action=view&id=135).

Step 2. Fill Shipping Info & Submit Orders & Make 1st Payment
Step 2.  Fill Shipping Info & Submit Orders & Make 1st Payment

Fill the end-client's shipping information and accept the conditions and terms to submit the orders into FSC's purchase workflow. Make sure you select the option of "Zero Stock" in shopping cart page before you input the end-client's shipping information.

1st payment will be made in this step and orders will be taken care of by FSC's purchasers afterwards.

If you are familiar with the shipping methods or you have tried estimating the shipping cost, you can select the shipping method here so that you no longer need to select it in 2nd payment page. Actually, if all the information is input here and the member account balance is enough for 2nd payment, the 2nd payment page will not display but handled in background automatically to save your time, which otherwise takes extra one or two days.

  • What are 1st payment and 2nd payment?

    FSC has been frequently asked for total cost quotation before new users place orders. Unfortunately, FSC is unable to answer this question directly as the shipping cost is unknown to FSC either. FSC is only a purchase agent not a direct seller and there is no item weight and volume data in hand, which decides the shipping cost. In order to make all the cost data accurate, FSC's workflow designed two payments: 1st payment and 2nd payment. The 1st payment is for the item cost and domestic shipping from seller to FSC warehouse; the 2nd payment is for international shipping and FSC's service charge. For more details about payments, please refer to the topic: Add Fund & Make Payments (http://www.freeshoppingchina.com/help.php?action=view&id=24).

  • When and How to Add Funds?

    If you are using credit cards to make payments, you can just go to the shopping cart and follow the steps guided by the pages to finish the payments just like you did in any other online shopping site. The payments will be instantly finished with credit cards. If you are going to make payments via Western Union, MoneyGram, Telegraphic Transfer (Bank Transfer), you will need to Add Fund to FSC member account before you place orders as these payment methods are not instant and need some time to get the funds arrive. The funds will be added into FSC's member account and you can later use the member account balance to make the 1st payment and 2nd payment. For more details of adding funds, please refer to the topic: How to Add Funds to Member Account (http://www.freeshoppingchina.com/help.php?action=view&id=20).

  • How to use credit card to make the payment?

    (Credit card is not supported for dropshipping for now.)Just like you ever did on other shopping sites, when you go to the shopping cart after the items are put into it, you will be guided to make the payment. In the payment confirmation page, you only need to select Visa, MasterCard or JCB, depending on your card type, and follow the other steps to input the accurate card information and billing information to finish the payment. Be Aware: FSC does not store you credit card information. Instead, FSC directs you to Alipay Cashier page to finish the card information. Alipay Cashier page is highly secured by Alipay's system so your card information is highly protected and even FSC is not aware of your card information at all. This is a technology for protecting sensitive information, in this way, even if FSC site was hacked, hackers would have no chance to get your card information and your card information is always safe. Alipay is the largest online payment platform in China, probably will be the No. 1 in the world in future. It's highly trusted. For more details of Alipay, you may want to refer to: What is Alipay (http://www.freeshoppingchina.com/help.php?action=view&id=133).

  • What is the purchase limitation?

    The following are limited for purchasing: Liquid, Cream, Powder, Chemical and other sensitive items defined by shipping companies. For more details, please refer to this topic: Purchase Service Limitation & Tips (http://www.freeshoppingchina.com/help.php?action=view&id=132). Besides, for dropshipping, there are more limitations, please refer to this topic: Extra Conditions & Terms for Zero Stock Dropshipping (http://www.freeshoppingchina.com/help.php?action=view&id=132).

  • What is the Customs Declarance CN22 Form?

    CN22 Form must be filled in the waybill when any shipping method from China Post is selected. This form will be reviewed by both China customs and destination customs and is considered to be one of the reasons for charging customs taxes. You need to fill the form with appropriate information and item values which will be exposed to customs. If you failed to fill it, FSC will fill it for you. However, FSC will not be responsible for any issue or loss caused by it.

  • How can I select the shipping method without knowing the items weight?

    Considering you are drop shipping seller without stock built here, you need to estimate or learn weight data of the items you are going to purchase and ship. If you are not sure of it, you can skip selecting shipping method in 1st payment and leave it to 2nd payment in which you will see the accurate weight data of the parcel. However, the manual operation on 2nd payment will cause some delay and slower down the whole speed. The reason FSC is offering shipping method selections and insurance option in 1st payment page, which are actually duplicate in 2nd payment, is because FSC is helping you to skip the manual operation step in 2nd payment if you are very familiar with the item weight. Skipping the 2nd payment page and making it automatic will usually save much time for you and make the drop shipping much easier, especially if you are selling the items with the same weight frequently, like a specific model of clothes or tools.

  • What if I didn't select the shipping method?

    Collecting the information in 1st payment is to help you skip the delay caused by 2nd payment, and it's optional. If you didn't select the shipping method in 1st payment page, the 2nd payment will not be done automatically and related 2nd payment page will be waiting later for you to complete the shipping method selection, which takes additional time.

  • What if my member account balance is not enough for paying for the 2nd payment?

    The 2nd payment can only be done automatically when all the information is collected in 1st payment and the money in member account balance is sufficient enough. If either of the conditions are not met, 2nd payment will not be done automatically. Instead, you will later need go to "My Parcels" page to make the 2nd payment manually after the parcel is packaged and weighed.

Step 3. FSC Purchases Items & Performs Surface Inspection
Step 3.  FSC Purchases Items & Performs Surface Inspection

FSC will review the orders submitted and accept them if they are not violating the conditions and limitations. In the purchase process, purchasers may ask for additional information by sending messages on the orders if needed. If item costs or shipping prices need to be changed, purchasers will also send messages.

Usually the purchase process takes about 3 workdays, if the seller is making delays or the order is complicated(for example, a customized item), it may take longer time. When the items arrive in FSC's warehouse, FSC's warehouse folks will perform surface inspection on the items. Return, change, refund or other actions will be made if problematic orders are found.

  • How can I know when my items are in FSC's warehouse?

    Usually retail items arrive in FSC warehouse in 3 days after sellers shipped out in time. Some special items may take longer time. Once the items arrive in FSC warehouse, FSC warehouse will update the order status to be "Arrived" after surface/integrity inspection. Any problematic item will be put into "Return/Change" queue for further actions. Therefore, you can sign in FSC member center and check the order status in "My Orders" page.

  • What is the China domestic shipping price?

    China domestic shipping is 0-12CNY for small packages. Many of the TaoBao/Tmall sellers are with free shipping. If the real domestic shipping fee from seller is incorrect, FSC purchaser will adjust the cost and send you a notification/message on the specific order.

  • Are the items from same seller charged for one total China domestic shipping?

    Yes, the domestic shipping cost is only charged once if you purchase multiple items at the same time from the same seller. However, you need to be aware you need to submit the orders to the same seller together in the same order list to have the orders share the one domestic shipping. If you submit them in different order lists, the domestic shipping cost will be charged separately. If the real cost is higher, adjustement along with notification/message will be sent to you on the specific order/seller.

  • Can I cancel the orders in this step?

    If the order status is "pending" or "invalid", you can cancel the order freely. Otherwise, you need to confirm with FSC purchaser to see if the order can be cancelled. If the order is already shipped out by seller, canceling the order means the loss of round trip domestic shipping cost and a series of communication and procedures on Taobao platform which will result in double service charge. For more details, please refer to FSC's conditions and terms of Order Cancellation(http://www.freeshoppingchina.com/help.php?action=view&id=116).

  • How do you guarantee the item's quality?

    Integrity/Surface inspection will be performed when every item arrives in FSC warehouse. Any damaged/incorrect/defected and other inferior item will be moved into Return/Change queue for further actions. Only non-problematic items will be marked in "Arrived" status for further shipping. However, FSC only focus on integrity/surface inspection on general items, and the following issues will be ignored: 1. Function disability (For example, a cell phone is not functioning well); 2. Material natures (For example, clothes is made up with low quality material and return to seller for change won't bring any difference); 3. Style design and slight color difference (return for change won't bring any difference.). It's suggested that you walk around too cheap items and look into the item description carefully before you place orders. If you are wholesaler, it's suggested that you purchase some samples before large orders. For more details, please refer to: Purchaser Service Limitations & Tips (http://www.freeshoppingchina.com/help.php?action=view&id=132).

  • Why my items stay in FSC's warehouse instead of being shipped to my end-client?

    You will need to check the order status. If It's already arrived in FSC warehouse, but not shipped, it means there is some info missing for shipping. You will need to go to "My Parcels" page to find the package record and click the "Pay Now" link to fill all the info and complete the 2nd payment manually.

  • Can I consolidate the orders and ship them together?

    Sorry, it's not supported in Zero Stock Dropshipping. This will make the order complicated with delays and extra communications, which costs more time to all. So it's not supported. Each order will be packaged in individual package and shipped out separately, even they are for the same end client.

  • Why my order is in Return/Change status?

    The reason is that the item is with problems. It can be damaged, incorrect or of other problems. Usually purchaser will contact you when the item is incorrect, to confirm if you can accept it. If the item is damaged or of other problem that can not be solved, it will be returned for change or refund by default. FSC will expose the issue to you as much as possible, and you can also send message to purchaser for more details. FSC does not charge for return/change operations. FSC does it for you for COMPLETELY FREE besides integrity/surface inspection.

  • How do I get refund from the invalid orders?

    When the order is marked as "Invalid", you can just simply click the "X" in the head of the order to delete the order and get the item cost returned to your member account on FSC system. If you further want to get the money back to your credit card or send back to you via bank, you can submit a Withdraw Fund request to make it. For more details, please refer to the topic: Refund & Withdraw Fund (http://www.freeshoppingchina.com/help.php?action=view&id=25).

  • Can I add more items into the existing order list to ship together to the same end-client?

    Sorry, it's not supported.

Step 4. FSC Packages Items & Weighs Parcels
Step 4.  FSC Packages Items & Weighs Parcels

FSC will package the items into parcels according to the order list you want to ship the end-client. Additional protection material will be added into packaging if needed. Usually the packaging can be finished within 24 hours. After it's done, weight and volume data will be added into system.

  • Can I cancel the parcel or remove some items from the parcel?

    If the parcel record is displayed as "Unweighed", you can cancel it freely by clicking the "Cancel It" link. When the parcel record's status has changed to others, you can not cancel it as it has been handled or is being handled, which will cause additional fee if you insist to cancel it in that status. Therefore, please organize your shipments well to avoid the additional cost. Removing some items from the parcel is not supported. You can cancel the parcel and re-submit shipping to make it indirectly.

  • Can I add more items into the parcel?

    Sorry, it's not supported.

  • Can I merge two of my parcels?

    Sorry, it's not supported.

  • How will FSC package my items?

    After you have selected the item and submitted shipping, FSC warehouse will package your items into bubble envelope or foil bag according to the need to try best to reduce the weight. Plastic bubble film and foam board will be added into the parcel if needed to protect your items. And weight and volume data will be updated into the system after the parcels are finished. Considering the shipping methods' weight and size limitation, FSC may package items into several parcels if there are too many items in one order. Carton packaging is not supported for Zero Stock Dropshipping.

  • Why the weight is different from what I thought of it?

    Sometimes, you found the weight data is different from what you thought of it. The possible reason can be any of the following: 1. The item weight is really different from what you thought of it; 2. You didn't add the packaging material weight but only thought of the item net weight; 3. The item is with some special original packaging which makes the weight heavy, like wood gift box or shoe box. You can remark when placing orders to have FSC remove the original packaging to maximally reduce the weight if needed.

  • Will FSC package items into several parcels if I have many items?

    Usually, FSC will try package all the items in one order to one package. However, if there are too many items in the order, these items will be packaged into several packages because of the weight and size limitation from shipping companies.

Step 5. FSC Charges 2nd Payment & Ships Out Parcels
Step 5.  FSC Charges 2nd Payment & Ships Out Parcels

The 2nd payment transaction will be made automatically in the background if your shipping information is complete and there is enough member account balance for the 2nd payment. Otherwise, the parcel status will be set as "Weighed" and you may need to go the "My Parcels" page to check the parcel entry and click the "Pay Now" link to finish the information and make the 2nd payment manually.

If you are familiar with what you are purchasing, it's suggested that you complete the shipping information and shipping method in the 1st payment as well as leaving enough member account balance to make the 2nd payment handled in background automatically, which saves more time for you, especially when you are having a lot of orders.

After the 2nd payment is made, the parcel/shipping request status will be changed to "pending", which means it's already in the shipping queue and will be shipped in the next batch. A tracking number will be uploaded into the parcel entry for tracking purpose when the parcel is shipped out.

  • Why my parcel is always kept as "Weighed" status?

    If it's always kept in "Weighed" status, the 2nd payment is not done automatically because of insufficient data or member account balance. You need to go to "My Parcels" page to go into the 2nd payment page to make it manually.

  • How can I know the 2nd payment details if it's made automatically in background?

    All the member account balance change will be recorded in Account History. Therefore, you can go to "My Account Balance" to check all the cost details. The automatic 2nd payment amount details will also be logged there for your review, any time.

  • How to track my parcel with the tracking number?

    After the parcels are shipped out, tracking numbers will be uploaded into FSC's system. You can go to My Parcels page in member center to find the tracking numbers. FSC has integrated third party tracking API which allows you to view the trace by one click. If the trace is not displayed, you can also go to the related official tracking site to track it manually.

  • Why my parcel is taking long time to be shipped?

    Parcels will only be shipped out after 2nd payment. Make sure you make the 2nd payment in time so that your parcels can be shipped out right away. However, there may still be the case that there are too many parcels in queue and it takes some time for FSC warehouse to handle the waybills and print the correct information. As long as the 2nd payment is made, the parcels will be moved into shipping queue and will be shipped out ASAP.

  • Can I change the shipping information after the parcel is shipped?

    Sorry, you can NOT change the shipping information any more after the parcel is shipped out. However, you can still contact FSC's customer service to try stopping the parcel if there is no trace for the tracking number yet. FSC will try best to stop it. But FSC can not guarantee it nor accept any complaint on it. Therefore, make sure you input correct shipping information in the 2nd payment page to avoid trouble and loss.

Step 6. Track & Confirm Delivery
Step 6.  Track & Confirm Delivery

You will be able to track the parcel with the tracking number uploaded by FSC. Usually, shipping company will notify your end-client on the delivering when the parcel arrives in destination. But it's dropshipping, you may only be able the see the progress in the trace. Different shipping methods may have different trace formats and take different times to get the parcels delivered. Once you have found the trace indicates the item is successfully delivered, you can update the parcel status to be "Confirmed".

  • Why the shipping takes long time?

    Different shipping methods are taking different times to get the parcels delivered. Usually EMS, Epacket, DHL and other commercial shipping methods are fast. Air Parcel and Airmail are slower. SAL is much slower. For more details of the timing, please refer to the topic: Shipping Methods Comparison (http://www.freeshoppingchina.com/help.php?action=view&id=27).

  • What can I do if my parcel is held by customs?

    If your parcel is held by destination customs, your end client will usually be contacted to provide information like invoice and payment proof to get the customs clearance done. Sometimes, customs will ask for some additional information if special items are purchased, you can contact FSC for help to get the information from sellers/suppliers. But FSC can not guarantee all information can be obtained from sellers/suppliers, which depends on sellers/suppliers. It's suggested that you make clear if the destination customs is having any restriction on the items you are going to purchase before you place orders. If the items are held by customs because of brand names on them, or even the items are forfeited by customs, FSC will not be responsible for the loss as FSC is only a purchase agent to help you make the purchase and perform surface inspection. Users need to undertake all the customs risk and loss caused, if any. Therefore, FSC suggest you don't purchase branded items to avoid the trouble and risk. For more details, please refer to: Purchase Service Limitation & Tips (http://www.freeshoppingchina.com/help.php?action=view&id=132).

  • Why my parcel is returned?

    There are three possibilities: 1. There is some item violating the shipping companies' regulations; 2. The shipping information is incorrect or the recipient is not able to be reached by shipping company when the items arrive in destination; 3. The destination customs is having special conditions for some item and finally returned it to sender.

  • Can I return the items for refund if my client is not satisfied with the items purchased?

    Sorry, FSC is a purchase agent, a service provider, not a direct seller. FSC has no chance to control the item source for better quality, functions and any other nature of the items thus FSC is not guaranteeing your end client's satisfaction on the items. If you want to make return and refund, you may need to follow the condition and terms of Return Policy (http://www.freeshoppingchina.com/abouts.php?id=37) to make it. Only those items which meet the conditions can be returned.

  • Who will be responsible for a delivery failure?

    If the failure was caused by incorrect shipping information, unreachable recipient or destination customs' restriction, users will be fully responsible for the delivery failure and the shipping cost. If the incorrect shipping information was made by FSC, the shipping cost loss will be undertaken by FSC. If the parcel got lost, compensation will be made according to shipping companies' standards, usually no more than 400CNY. Therefore, it's suggested that you purchase insurance which guarantees full refund if a parcel gets lost.

  • How can I get compensation for a lost parcel?

    If your end client hasn't received a parcel after a long time, you can contact FSC customer service to confirm if the parcel gets lost. FSC will contact the shipping company to finally confirm if the parcel is lost or not. Once it's confirmed by shipping company that it's got lost, compensation will be made according to the shipping company's standard based on the item details and declaring value. However, the compensation is usually the shipping cost only and less than 400CNY in most cases. Therefore, it's suggested that you purchase FSC insurance to get full refund to avoid the loss.

  • Can I get warranty for the electronic/professional items?

    Unfortunately, FSC treats the electronic/professional items the same as other general items and no warranty is being offered by FSC for now. Actually, FSC is not having the ability to offer this warranty as FSC only handles the purchase jobs for you. Therefore, please think twice before you purchase electronic/professional items. However, if the problem is only a simple question to seller, you can still contact FSC customer service for help to get the answer from the seller.

It's not meeting your needs? Check other workflows:
Service Mode(Family & Small Order) Service Mode(Wholesale LCL or FCL) Service Mode(EXW Order & Purchasing Only) Dropshipping Mode(Zero Stock & Direct Delivery) Dropshipping Mode(Stock Prepared)