A whole list of UK importers can be found on some reputable trade directories online. These importers mostly use dropshipping to get supplies from wholesalers across the world. As we know dropshipping is a supply chain management technique in which the retailer of goods does not hold the goods in stock, but the customer orders are transferred to the manufacturer or wholesalers who ship the things directly to the customer.The UK importers also take supply directly from wholesalers.

They make profit on the difference between wholesale and retail prices.

Understanding the Business of Dropshipping

Some dropshippers in UK use retailers who keep the items on display as a sample item. This way, customers can inspect the sample and place orders for similar items they see as a sample. Some retailers provide only catalogue or display details and photos on website. The UK importers, who use dropshipping, sometimes take measures to hide the fact that they are using dropshipping. This is done because there is a stigma attached to this process or this is done to keep the wholesale source from becoming widely known.

This hiding is done by "blind shipping" where merchandise is shipped without a return address; sometimes the merchandise shipped from the wholesaler is with a return address of the retailer. Small UK importers also use dropshipping when they get a single big order for a product. Here the retailer arranges for the goods to be sent directly to the customer. For big ticket items like steel frames, heavy machinery and things like that, UK importers take a deposit from the buyer and arrange for dropshipping the material to the buyer directly.

The online auction sites like EBay also use dropshippers. Here the seller lists some item which is physically not in his possession, and the item is shipped directly from the wholesaler to the bidder after closing the auction. EBay has a policy where the seller is permitted to list such items provided he follows EBay’s policy on pre-sale items.

Advantages of Listing on Trade Websites

The trade websites have an exhausting list of trade suppliers as well as buyers. If the designer clothes wholesalers want to get a listing under the clothes category as well as the fashion apparels category, it is possible with single registration as the suppliers or wholesalers can list in 5 categories at a time. If they become premium members by paying a fee, they get better exposure and a greater chance of visibility.

The trade suppliers get access to thousands of trade buyers with queries and a good high listing in each category. The UK importers can find suppliers in their desired category and buy goods online. Most of these suppliers deliver the goods from any part of the world using the dropshipping facility, some deliver it directly too.

The UK importers get access to top suppliers in every category that can list in the websites for free. There is also an option of premium buyer membership in which a fee has to be paid for registration. The advantage of premium membership is that the UK importers get listings of exclusive wholesalers and websites. Wholesale suppliers from around the world can be contacted directly and thus buying goods becomes an easy and interesting thing to do online.