Italy has always been a great market for eCommerce. Whether you want to sell there or start selling from there - both are profitable options. 

The best way to enter the Italian eCommerce market is with dropshipping. Once you test the audience, find your perfect niche, and gain enough experience in marketing, you can scale. Later on, you can stock (buy in bulk) the products that sell the best or even source custom or upgraded products and still have someone else run logistics and warehousing.

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You can expect to learn a trick or two about dropshipping secrets to success, and "Is Italy all about branded products or can you sneak in with cheaper but high-profit products?"

Before diving into the how-to of dropshipping in Italy, let's see why you should do it one more time. Italy has been one of the fastest-growing markets since 2018. Italy's total eCommerce worth is estimated to be 75.89 billion euros in 2022.

This is basically statistics giving you information on a silver platter and shouting, "Go there, earn for that car you've been dreaming about." So, are you in for dropshipping in Italy?

How to dropship in Italy?

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Starting a dropshipping business in Italy is straightforward but requires a strategic approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide to dropshipping in Italy:

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1. Market research and niche selection

• Start with in-depth market research. Use tools like Google Trends to see what's popular in Italy.
• Check social media and forums to understand consumer preferences in Italy.
• Choose a niche that's not only in demand but also something you're passionate about.

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2. Setting up your online store

• Select an eCommerce platform like Shopify or WooCommerce that suits your business model.
• Customize your website with a user-friendly design and include Italian language support.
• Ensure your store is mobile-friendly, as many Italians shop on their smartphones.

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3. Partnering with suppliers

• Research and select suppliers with a solid reputation and reliable shipping.
• Establish a good relationship with suppliers to negotiate better terms as you grow.

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4. Legalities and administration

• Register your business or choose a dropshipping model that doesn't require company registration.
• Understand the consumer rights in Italy to ensure your policies are compliant.

• Consider hiring an accountant to help with tax submissions.

• Keep records of all your sales and transactions for tax purposes.

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6. Marketing your products

• Utilize social media platforms popular in Italy, like TikTok and Instagram, for marketing.
• Consider influencer partnerships to boost credibility and reach a wider audience.
• Invest in local SEO to ensure your store ranks well on search engines.

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7. Managing logistics

• Make sure your supplier will honor the shipping terms agreed.
• Find a supplier that offers multiple payment options that Italians commonly use, like COD, PayPal, and others.
• Keep track of inventory and communicate with your suppliers regularly to avoid stock issues.

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8. Customer service and support

• Offer exceptional customer service by being responsive and helpful.
• Make localized content and translate your store to the local language.
• Collect customer feedback to improve your service and product offerings.

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Best dropshipping and wholesale suppliers in Italy

Finding reliable suppliers is crucial. Let’s start by determining the criteria for choosing the perfect supplier for your dropshipping business in Italy

• Fast delivery
• Various payment options
• Low shipping and no hidden fees
• Free registration and no subscription fees to suppliers’ platform
• Responsive ‘Human’ client support
• Swift and easy return and refund policy
• Product creatives 

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Ok, now let’s start from global suppliers and see their pros and cons!

AliExpress is a giant in the eCommerce industry, but that doesn't mean it's perfect for your business. By choosing AliExpres as your dropshipping supplier in Italy, you'll benefit from choosing among millions of products. However, at the cost of slow shipping, Aliexpress only has a certain number of products in their EU warehouse, and most are located overseas. Also, returns and refunds are complex and take time. And the prices of shipping are variable and depend on the:

• Weight
• Dimensions
• Destination
• Carrier

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Dropshippers may need to pay extra for services like ePacket shipping, and some suppliers have minimum order quantities or different pricing for bulk orders.

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It’s pretty much the same for CJdropshipping.

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And as for EU leading supplier, BigBuy, their main pros are related to registration and subscription fees. Actually, to the pricing in general, since they also have pricier shipping, complex returns, and refunds, and don't offer one of the most popular payment options in Italy, the COD (cash on delivery).

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Looking at other suppliers focused on the EU market (Vimando AG, Printful, Printsome, Griffati, and eComZone), eComZone comes on top due to their comprehensive eCommerce offer:

• Dropshipping, with or without registered company
• Wholesale, with delayed payment option
• Fulfillment
• Custom sourcing
• Performance marketing
• Custom software development

Regarding subscriptions and the number of products imported to your store, eComZone doesn't have any restrictions - contrary to Spocket, which restricts the number of available products depending on the subscription model.

Also, when it comes to transaction fees, some suppliers, like 01supply, have them at a high starting rate, decreasing with having a more expensive subscription model, which is not the case with eComZone.

With VidaXL and BigBuy being market leaders, it's hard to get a human support operator. Also, BigBuy doesn't offer a COD payment option, and they charge their services, unlike eComZone, which is entirely free.

That's pretty much it regarding the best and most known dropshipping platforms for Italy. Now, let's see some specifics tied to eCommerce in Italy.

A thing or two about dropshipping success in Italy

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We’ve promised an answer to “Is Italy really all about branded products or can you sneak in with cheaper but high-margin products?”

And we'll be direct - Yes, you can sneak in with cheaper but high-margin products. Italy is saturated with branded products since everyone's first association in Italy is well-known brands. Italy is a homeland of fashion, but if you want to dropship branded stuff or even copies, keep in mind that there's enormous competition in that niche.

On the other hand, there are niches in demand that are still unexploited. Here are the top 5 niches in Italy for 2023

1. Tools and hardware
2. Electronics and gadgets
3. Health and wellness products
4. Smart home technology
5. Kitchen products

Remember to stay informed about any changes in regulations and market trends to run a successful dropshipping business.

Dropshipping in Italy - FAQ

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Is dropshipping legal in Italy?

Absolutely! Just like in many other parts of the world, dropshipping is a perfectly legal business model in Italy. It's a legitimate method used globally by retail giants to fulfill orders. However, do remember that while it is legal, there are certain rules and ethical considerations to follow, such as tax obligations, acquiring the necessary business licenses, avoiding copyright infringement, and maintaining transparent return policies and advertising practices​.

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What are the best dropshipping platforms in Italy?

Italy offers a great variety of platforms for dropshipping, with some of the top picks being eComZone, Spocket, BigBuy, SaleHoo, and others. These platforms are recognized for their extensive selection of products and reliable supplier networks, which are essential for a successful dropshipping business in Europe.

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Who are some wholesale jewelry suppliers in Italy?

Italy is renowned for its exquisite jewelry, and you can find a broad range of suppliers offering wholesale options. ItalianModa B2B marketplace, Fair Line SRL, and Mangla International are among the prominent names where you can find beautiful Italian jewelry, including 14kt gold pieces and handcrafted items, suited for various business needs. These suppliers offer a wide selection of products and are known for their quality and tradition.

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Is dropshipping fake?

Not at all! Dropshipping is a genuine business strategy where a store doesn't keep the products it sells in stock. Instead, when the store sells a product, it purchases the item from a third party and has it shipped directly to the customer. It's a legitimate method of order fulfillment that many businesses use worldwide.

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Can I dropship to another country?

Yes, you can! Dropshipping is not limited by geographical boundaries. As long as you have the right suppliers and shipping arrangements, you can dropship to customers in different countries.

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Can you dropship internationally?

Certainly! International dropshipping is a common practice. It allows you to sell to customers worldwide, giving you a vast market to tap into. Just make sure to consider shipping times, costs, and the import/export regulations of the countries you are shipping to.