Managing an online business is not easy for anyone especially when the business is small. When it comes to stock management to shipping it all, it is very time consuming and needs a lot of effort. But there is a way of expanding across the globe without storing inventory or arranging for delivery on your own. That is what is referred to as dropshipping.
Below are the steps on how to carry out dropshipping in a legal and organized manner if you are new to it or if you wish to venture into the international market. You are not required to spend a lot of money, involve people, or have a facility where to store the products. All that is required is a good business plan; reasonable product demand; proper means of distribution.
Here, you shall discover all that you ought to regarding the platform right from the simplest details to registering your company, documentation, uploading your products, and accessing and utilizing the fulfillment services most effectively.
Dropshipping is a retailing technique where the retailer who has sold an item does not physically handle it in the course of the selling process. In other cases, when one purchases a product from your online store, the merchandise gets delivered from another supplier to the consumer ex. Amazon dropshipping. You listen between the two parties – receiving orders and forwarding them to the supplier who delivers the product.
This means that there are no challenges like inventory, packaging or even delivery to worry about when choosing and using the facility. The areas here that any seeker of the job has to do include selecting good products and listing them and also attending to customers.
Why Use Dropshipping for Global Sales?
Amazon dropshipping, also makes it easy to sell your products in other countries without having to open offices or stores across the different countries. It offers businesses an excellent chance to supply clients from various countries from the comfort of one’s home or a small office.
This is beneficial to small to medium companies, or even single, inexperienced businessmen who have no intent in bearing the costs of storage, manpower or delivery services.
The benefits include:
Low startup costs
No need to hold stock
Flexible location
Access to international buyers
Simple operations with fewer overheads
Step 1: Register Your Business
Before you start selling products, it’s important to register your business legally in India.
You can register as:
Sole Proprietor
Partnership Firm
Private Limited Company
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Step 2: Complete KYC and Banking Setup
After business registration, the next step is completing KYC. Banks and online platforms will ask for the following documents:
PAN
Business registration certificate
Identity proof
Address proof
Bank account details
Cancelled cheque
GST certificate (if available)
Step 3: Choose a Product Category That Sells Globally
Choosing the right product is key to success in Amazon dropshipping. You must identify products that have high demand in foreign countries, are lightweight (for easy shipping), and are not restricted under export laws.
Popular categories for global sales include:
Hme and kitchen
Fashion accessories
Wellness and beauty items
Digital gadgets
Handmade or craft goods
Organic or eco-friendly products
Make sure the product complies with the rules of the country where you are selling. Some products may require certifications or may be banned in specific regions.
Step 4: List Your Products Online
Once you have finalized the products and suppliers, it’s time to list your products on your own website or on international marketplaces.
Each product listing should have:
Product title
High-quality images
Clear description
Key features
Price
Delivery information
Return policy
Step 5: Connect With a Reliable Fulfillment Partner
This is the most important step in drop shipping. You need a third-party supplier or fulfillment partner who will pack and ship your products when you receive an order.
Some businesses also work with local warehouses in target countries, which store products in small quantities and deliver them quickly to buyers.
Choose partners who offer:
Real-time inventory updates
Fast delivery timelines
Clear tracking information
Proper packaging
Return handling services
Step 6: Handle Payments and Banking Smoothly
You must have a business account that can receive international payments. Options include:
Export payment gateway
Wire transfer (SWIFT)
UPI for global transactions (if supported)
Foreign currency accounts (FCA)
Keep your payment records and invoices safe for reporting and audits.
After receiving international payments, your bank will issue an e-BRC (electronic Bank Realisation Certificate). This is proof that you have received money from abroad for your export.
Step 7: Market Your Products Globally
You must promote your store and products to reach global customers. Some cost-effective marketing ideas include:
Social media promotion
Email newsletters
Collaborations with influencers
Online ads targeting specific countries
Running discounts and deals for festivals
What to Keep in Mind
If you’re using drop shipping, make sure your customers know delivery times may vary. Always offer tracking and customer service support.
Never list products you don’t have access to or that your supplier can’t deliver. Late delivery or poor quality can lead to negative reviews and account issues.
Respect all tax and trade rules of the countries where you ship. Consult with a chartered accountant or legal expert if unsure about compliance.
Keep your business registered, pay taxes on time, and maintain records of all exports and payments.
Fulfillment by Third-Party Logistics (FBA-like Services)
Many small businesses prefer to store some products in warehouses near the customer location and let third-party logistics providers handle delivery. This model is similar to Fulfillment by Aggregators (not using platform-specific words).
These providers pick, pack, and ship the order for you. You don’t need to worry about delivery, storage, or returns. It saves time and lets you focus on choosing the right products and growing your business.
This model is especially helpful when your order volume increases and you want faster delivery for global customers.
How Government Supports Small Exporters
India’s government supports exporters through various schemes. You can apply for:
RoDTEP: Refund of duties paid on exported goods
MEIS: Support for goods exported to specific countries
SEIS: Incentives for export of services
EPCG: Allows import of capital goods at reduced duty for export production
All of these require a valid IEC and e-BRC. You can check your eligibility and apply through the DGFT portal.
Conclusion
Drop shipping is a smart and budget-friendly way for small online businesses to go global. It allows you to sell to buyers in different countries without holding stock or setting up warehouses.
With the right supplier, strong listings, proper registration, and fulfillment partners, even a small business or individual can start exporting and growing steadily.
