Definition
A dropship order is a customer order that is fulfilled directly by a supplier rather than the online store that sold the product.
In the dropshipping model, the retailer forwards the order details to a supplier, who then picks, packs, and ships the product directly to the customer. The retailer manages marketing, pricing, and customer support, while the supplier handles inventory and shipping.
How a Dropship Order Works
A typical dropship order follows this process:
- A customer places an order in an online store
- The store forwards the order to a supplier
- The supplier ships the product to the customer
This allows online sellers to operate without holding inventory.