If you're starting a dropshipping store, you've probably considered sourcing products from China.
It's a common choice given the many products you can find for very low prices.
But you might face a little challenge: the Chinese address on the packages or tracking pages.
In this guide, we will walk you through some tips and tricks on how to hide the Chinese address when dropshipping.
Quick Answer: Can you hide the Chinese address when dropshipping?
Yes, you can hide the Chinese address when dropshipping by editing your order tracking page using apps like Parcel Panel or Tracktor. These apps can, for example, change any mentions of "China" to "Package in Transit."
You can also ask your supplier not to include any details containing the Chinese origin of the package.
Let's go more in-depth now!
Where and how do you hide the Chinese address when dropshipping?
In some cases, customers prefer not to see that a product is coming directly from China.
It could be due to lower perceived quality or a preference for locally sourced items. This perception can influence their buying decisions.
So, as a dropshipper, hiding the Chinese address can improve conversion rates.
There are three common places where the Chinese address is shown when dropshipping:
- The order tracking page
- The packaging
- The product page
Let's discuss how you can hide the Chinese address on each of them!
1. How to hide the Chinese address on the order tracking page
Alright, let's start with the order tracking page.
This is where your customer checks when their package will arrive.
Here is an example:
Typically, this page shows the package's journey, including its origin, which, in our case, is China.
But guess what?
You can modify this!
Order tracking apps like Parcel Panel or Tracktor let you customize how the shipping information is displayed:
For instance, instead of showing "Shipped from China," you can set it to display something more generic, like "Package Received and In Transit."
You just need to install the app and check the settings to find the option for renaming the country of origin.
It will go from something like this:
To this:
It's a subtle change, but it can significantly impact how your customers perceive the shipping process.
Why do this?
Well, some customers might have doubts about international shipping times or quality concerns when they see a product come from China. You maintain trust by focusing on the package's journey rather than its starting point.
2. How to hide the Chinese address on the packaging
Now, let's tackle another visible Chinese address - on the packaging.
When a package arrives with clear markings of its Chinese origin, it might raise questions for some customers.
But you can actually have more control over this than you might think.
The easiest way to prevent a Chinese address on your dropshipping package is to use DSers, a popular tool for managing AliExpress dropshipping orders:
Full Review: DSers Review: Is It the Best App for AliExpress? (2024)
DSers can automatically send a message to the AliExpress seller requesting them not to include any invoices, promotional materials, or anything else that might reveal the item's Chinese origin in the packaging.
For example, the supplier in China will see a note like this:
This is a dropshipping order. Please DO NOT put any invoices, QR codes, promotions, or your brand name logo in the shipments. Please ship as soon as possible for repeat business. Thank you!
Note: This strategy is known as "Blind dropshipping." You can learn more about it in our article here!
But what if you want to go a step further?
In that case, you can directly contact the seller on AliExpress.
Before placing a dropshipping order, send them a message.
Explain that you're dropshipping and would prefer if the packaging didn’t disclose the product's Chinese origin.
From my experience, most sellers are quite responsive and accommodating. They understand the dropshipping business model and are usually willing to cooperate to maintain a good business relationship.
In fact, sending messages is one of the most effective ways to find the best AliExpress suppliers!
It not only helps hide the Chinese address but also opens the door to further customize your packaging.
Some sellers might allow you to use your brand's logo on the packaging, especially if you're buying multiple daily orders.
Also, if you're not using AliExpress, some suppliers, like Zendrop, automatically repackage products, so there is no Chinese lettering at all.
Last tip: AliExpress or Chinese suppliers are not known for being the most honest. So, if you want to be 100% sure of their claims, you can always order a product sample.
3. How to hide the shipping origin on your Shopify store
Moving on, let's talk about your product page.
As a dropshipper, you're probably using Shopify for creating and managing your dropshipping store.
However, if you've just created your store or product page, you will probably see a "Ships From" option:
So, how do you remove this?
It's quite simple.
On your Shopify store, go to the product settings.
Here, you can edit the details your customers see, including the shipping information. You can simply remove these details by clicking the "Delete" icon:
How to hide the address when dropshipping from a Chinese 3PL?
If you're using a Chinese third-party logistics (3PL) company to fulfill your dropshipping orders, you can also hide the Chinese address!
Although it's a legal requirement that parcels shipped from Chinese 3PLs display a country of origin on the shipping label, you don't have to show it everywhere.
Besides this (small) mention of the Chinese origin, the rest of the packaging or contents shouldn't need to show "Made in China."
(However, this also depends on what products you're dropshipping and your local regulations.)
One more amazing trick is that you can hide the Chinese address from your order tracking page.
There are even some Chinese 3PLs who specialize in hiding the Chinese origin in your customer's 'Track my order' page.
An example is EcomFlow:
EcomFlow uses post-order email flows for the initial few days and then uploads the local courier’s tracking link to Shopify, so it doesn't reveal that the package comes from China:
Amazing, right?
What are the benefits of hiding the Chinese address?
You might wonder, "Why go through all the trouble of hiding the Chinese address?"
Well, there are some pretty good reasons for it.
Let's discuss them:
- Improve your brand perception. Let's face it: there can be biases towards products from certain countries, especially China. By focusing on the product itself rather than its country of origin, you help ensure that your customers judge your products based on their benefits, not their shipping labels.
- Managing customer expectations. Shipping times can be a big deal for online shoppers. Customers who see a product shipped from China might assume it’ll take ages to arrive. By not emphasizing the Chinese origin, you can manage expectations better.
- Competing with local sellers. Not highlighting the Chinese address can level the playing field if you're in a market where customers prefer buying from local businesses. This way, your store can compete based on product quality, price, and service rather than geography.
All in all, it's not about tricking your customers. It's about focusing on what really matters - the quality and value of what you're selling.
2 Alternatives to hiding the Chinese address
If you're in a specific situation where you don't want to or can't hide the Chinese address, there are two alternatives:
1. Improving communication and setting the right expectations
This approach is all about transparency and building trust, and it can be incredibly effective.
The way you communicate with your customers can make or break your business. Being upfront about shipping times (and possibly the origin of your products) helps build a relationship based on honesty.
Let your customers know if your products are coming from China and might take a bit longer to arrive:
Many shoppers are fine with waiting a bit longer if they know it beforehand. The key is to avoid surprises.
Your honesty can make your brand stand out in a market saturated with businesses trying to hide their real operations.
You can even turn this into a marketing advantage by explaining how this allows you to offer better prices or unique products!
2. Building a brand so the product origin doesn't matter anymore
Another great strategy is to build a brand so strong that the Chinese address becomes insignificant.
There are a few strategies that can help with this:
- Focus on brand storytelling. Your brand's story is powerful. It's what connects emotionally with your customers. You can write a story about quality, innovation, sustainability, or unique design. Once customers are invested in your story, the origin of the products becomes a secondary consideration.
- Highlight the value of your products. If your items offer great value, customers are less likely to be concerned about where they're from.
- Show customer reviews. Real stories from satisfied customers can be more persuasive than any marketing copy. They provide social proof and can help prevent any potential concerns about product origin.
- Offer exceptional customer service. Quick responses, helpful support, and a customer-centric approach can go a long way in building a loyal customer base. It shows that you are committed to providing a positive experience, regardless of where your products come from.
When customers believe in your brand and are aligned with its values, the origin of your products becomes less significant!
Can you do dropshipping with suppliers outside China?
Is it possible to bypass these Chinese address concerns altogether by partnering with suppliers outside China?
Absolutely!
Dropshipping isn't limited to Chinese suppliers.
There are many suppliers worldwide, from the United States and Europe to Australia and beyond.
Here are some of our articles where you can find them:
- Best Dropshipping Suppliers in Canada
- Best Dropshipping Suppliers in the US
- Best Dropshipping Suppliers in Australia
- Best Dropshipping Suppliers in the UK
- Best Dropshipping Suppliers in Europe
Working with these suppliers can significantly reduce shipping times, which is a major plus for your customers!
The main downside is that these products are often more expensive, so you'll need to factor that into your pricing strategy.
Learn more here: Can You Do Dropshipping With Suppliers Outside China?
Summary
Before we go, we've created a quick summary of this article for you so you can easily remember it:
- To hide the Chinese address on the order tracking page, you can use apps like Parcel Panel or Tracktor.
- For packaging, apps like DSers can send automatic messages to AliExpress sellers not to add invoices or promotional materials that reveal the Chinese origin.
- On your Shopify store, you can edit the product page details and remove the shipping origin information.
- You can also use a Chinese 3PL like EcomFlow that will help you hide the Chinese address.
- Instead of hiding the address, you can also set clear expectations and build a strong brand, which can help build trust.
Conclusion
Whether it's tweaking your order tracking page, contacting your supplier, or managing your Shopify store settings, there are plenty of ways to hide the Chinese address when dropshipping.
Good luck with your dropshipping store, and let us know if you have any other questions!
Want to learn more about dropshipping?
Ready to move your dropshipping store to the next level? Check out the articles below:
- How Do You Track a Package From China in 2024?
- 11 Best Dropshipping Suppliers in China (With Fast Shipping)
- How to Start Dropshipping From China in 2024 (& Should You?)
Plus, don’t forget to check out our in-depth guide on how to start dropshipping here!
