The dropshipping industry in China has transformed dramatically over the past decade, evolving from a niche e-commerce model into a global powerhouse. As one of the world’s leading manufacturing hubs, China has played a pivotal role in shaping dropshipping, offering affordable products and innovative fulfillment solutions. Among the standout players, CJDropshipping has emerged as a trailblazer, often regarded as the “Huangpu Military Academy” of the dropshipping world in China. This blog explores the historical development of dropshipping in China from 2015 to 2025, with a special focus on CJDropshipping’s journey, and concludes with an introduction to DSFulfill, a free Dropshipping ERP tailored for small teams and entrepreneurs.
The Rise of Dropshipping in China (2015-2025)
Dropshipping gained traction globally in the mid-2010s, and China quickly became its epicenter due to its vast manufacturing capabilities and low-cost labor. The industry’s growth was fueled by the rise of e-commerce platforms like AliExpress, which introduced the “free products + shipping” model around 2013-2015. During this period, small items like jewelry were shipped via China Post Ordinary Small Packet Plus, often at costs as low as $0.40, making dropshipping an attractive business model for entrepreneurs worldwide.
By 2015, the landscape began to shift. The increasing volume of orders exposed limitations, such as untracked shipments and long delivery times (up to three weeks to the USA). This prompted the adoption of ePacket and China Post Registered Air Mail, offering better tracking and delivery times of 2-3 weeks. However, challenges like order delays during peak seasons and limited country coverage persisted, pushing suppliers to innovate.
The Birth of CJDropshipping: A Game-Changer in 2015
The story of CJDropshipping begins in 2015, founded by Andy Chou and his partner, known as “Tu Zong,” under the original name Yiwu Cu Jia Trade Co., Ltd. Initially established in 2000 as a jewelry and commodity manufacturing business in Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province—a global hub for small commodities—the company pivoted to dropshipping when Andy identified a lucrative opportunity. While managing an AliExpress store, he noticed a client placing orders for a winning product and shipping them to different addresses. Investigation revealed the client was a Shopify store owner using Oberlo, marking Andy’s introduction to dropshipping.
At the time, dropshipping faced three critical pain points:
- Lack of Order Consolidation: AliExpress couldn’t combine multiple items into a single shipment.
- Higher Costs: Prices on AliExpress exceeded those from 1688 and direct factory sources.
- Logistics and Packaging Issues: Unreliable shipping and poor packaging frustrated customers.
To address these challenges, CJDropshipping was born. Launched with a domain registered in late 2016 and officially online by 2017, the platform introduced solutions like order consolidation, competitive pricing, and added value services such as print-on-demand and professional product photography. These innovations set CJ apart, turning it into a one-stop solution for dropshippers and laying the foundation for its dominance.
CJDropshipping’s Growth and Industry Impact
CJDropshipping’s early success inspired a wave of entrepreneurship, with many former AliExpress sellers and CJ employees launching their own ventures, often replicating its model. The company expanded rapidly, opening its first office in Yiwu’s International Trade City in October 2015 with a small team working 14-hour days to handle growing order volumes, eventually surpassing $1 million in annual sales.
Today, CJDropshipping is a household name in the dropshipping industry. With over 2,000 employees, the platform boasts a website with more than 1 million monthly visits. It serves over 1 million independent store owners, with nearly 90% from overseas markets, processing nearly 10 million orders monthly. Orders are shipped to over 200 countries and regions, supported by overseas warehouses in the USA, Germany, Thailand, and Indonesia, plus partnered facilities in the UK, Australia, and France. According to public data, its parent company, Cu Jia Trade, reported revenues of ¥1.35 billion ($190 million USD) in 2023, ¥1.5 billion ($210 million USD) in 2024, and is projected to reach approximately ¥2 billion ($280 million USD) in 2025, solidifying its status as an industry giant.
The Broader Dropshipping Ecosystem in China
CJDropshipping is not alone in this space. The Chinese dropshipping market has birthed other notable brands like EPROLO, Sourceinbox, HyperSku, and Dayone, each contributing to a competitive landscape. Many entrepreneurs in the industry share similar paths, often starting as AliExpress sellers before transitioning to specialized dropshipping services. This evolution reflects China’s growing influence, with innovations like global warehouses and enhanced logistics becoming industry standards.
DSFulfill: A Free Dropshipping ERP for Small Teams
While CJDropshipping has set the benchmark for large-scale dropshipping operations, DSFulfill offers a complementary solution tailored for entrepreneurial teams and small-scale Dropshipping Agents. As a free Dropshipping ERP, DSFulfill stands out with its user-friendly design, clear workflows, and simplicity, making it ideal for agents handling up to 3,000 orders daily.
How DSFulfill Differs from CJDropshipping
- Business Model: DSFulfill is a SaaS (Software as a Service) platform designed for Dropshipping Agents and suppliers, focusing on order fulfillment service providers. In contrast, CJDropshipping operates as its own fulfillment service provider, catering directly to Dropshippers.
- Branding Flexibility: DSFulfill enables Agents to build their own Dropshipping brands, offering customization and independence. CJDropshipping, however, leverages its established brand and traffic to drive its own visibility and reputation.
- Customizable Solutions: DSFulfill provides tailored software services, with premium versions allowing Agents to customize workflows to suit their specific needs in the dropshipping industry.
- Ideal for Startups: DSFulfill is perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs entering the CJDropshipping domain, offering an accessible entry point with its intuitive interface and robust features.
Unlike CJDropshipping’s focus on large-scale operations and global reach, DSFulfill prioritizes the operational ease and experience of small teams, making it a valuable tool for those starting or scaling modestly in the dropshipping world.
Conclusion
The dropshipping industry in China has evolved significantly since 2015, with CJDropshipping playing a pioneering role in shaping its trajectory. From addressing early pain points to becoming a global leader with millions of orders and a robust warehouse network, CJ’s journey reflects the industry’s growth. However, for small teams and new entrepreneurs, DSFulfill offers a free, user-friendly Dropshipping ERP that simplifies operations and fosters brand-building. Whether you’re inspired by CJDropshipping’s success or looking to start small, DSFulfill provides the perfect platform to kickstart your dropshipping venture in 2025.
