How To Start Dropshipping In Pakistan In 2025
Why start dropshipping
In an era where traditional retail is on the decline, a new breed of entrepreneurs is thriving.
Dropshipping, a model where sellers never hold inventory, is democratizing ecommerce.
With startup costs plummeting to near zero, innovators are capitalizing on $4.9 trillion in global ecommerce sales.
By leveraging dropshipping, pioneers are sidestepping logistical headaches and focusing on what matters: growth.
Join the ranks of those redefining the online marketplace. Discover how dropshipping can catapult your business to unprecedented success.
How dropshipping works
Why start dropshipping in Pakistan
As the world grapples with the challenges of traditional retail, Pakistan is poised to take the leap into the realm of ecommerce, with dropshipping emerging as a beacon of opportunity. With a growing middle class and increasing internet penetration, the Pakistani market is ripe for the picking. According to a report by Hootsuite, the ecommerce gross merchandise value in the country will increase from US$10.8 billion in 2022 to reach US$18.7 billion by 2027, with a growth rate of 24% per annum.
The benefits of starting a dropshipping business in Pakistan are numerous. For one, it allows entrepreneurs to tap into the vast and growing ecommerce market without the need for significant upfront investments in inventory and logistics. This low-risk, high-reward model is particularly appealing to small businesses and individuals looking to dip their toes into the world of online retail. Moreover, with the rise of social media and digital marketing, reaching customers has never been easier.
Pakistan’s strategic location at the crossroads of Asia also makes it an attractive hub for dropshipping, with access to a vast and diverse customer base. According to a report by the State Bank of Pakistan, the country’s ecommerce sector has the potential to create over 1 million jobs by 2025.
As the ecommerce landscape in Pakistan continues to evolve, entrepreneurs who seize the opportunity to start a dropshipping business will be rewarded with unparalleled growth and success. With its vast potential, low barriers to entry, and favorable market conditions, starting a dropshipping business in Pakistan is an opportunity that should not be missed.
Advantages and disadvantages of dropshipping in Pakistan
Advantages of dropshipping in Pakistan
1. Booming ecommerce market
Pakistan’s ecommerce sector is experiencing a remarkable boom, presenting a fertile ground for dropshipping businesses. The country’s online retail market is growing exponentially, driven by a rising middle class and increasing internet penetration. According to recent statistics, Pakistan has witnessed a significant surge in internet users, indicating a thriving environment for online ventures. This burgeoning market provides a vast playground for dropshipping entrepreneurs to showcase their products to millions of potential customers across the nation.
2. Diverse and vast consumer base
Pakistan’s population of over 220 million people offers a massive and diverse consumer base. The country’s cultural and regional diversity means that dropshipping businesses can cater to various preferences and tastes. From urban centers to rural villages, entrepreneurs can reach a wide audience, offering products that resonate with different lifestyles and cultural backgrounds.
3. Digital transformation and government support
Pakistan is undergoing a digital revolution, and the government is playing a pivotal role in fostering this transformation. The country has made significant strides in improving internet infrastructure and digital services, providing a more robust foundation for ecommerce operations. Government initiatives, such as the Digital Pakistan Vision, aim to support the growth of the digital economy, including ecommerce. These initiatives offer various resources, training, and support for startups and small businesses, creating an encouraging environment for dropshipping ventures.
4. Mobile technology penetration
Pakistan has a high mobile penetration rate, with a significant portion of the population using smartphones. This presents a unique advantage for dropshipping businesses, as they can leverage mobile commerce to reach a vast market. Mobile-optimized websites, apps, and social media platforms can be powerful tools to engage customers and facilitate convenient shopping experiences, especially among the tech-savvy youth.
5. Growing middle class and rising disposable income
Pakistan’s growing middle class and increasing disposable income present a significant opportunity for dropshipping businesses. As the country’s economy continues to develop, a larger segment of the population is gaining purchasing power and embracing a more modern lifestyle. This demographic shift leads to a growing demand for a variety of products and services, from electronics and fashion to lifestyle and luxury items. Dropshipping entrepreneurs can cater to this emerging market by offering a diverse range of products that align with the evolving preferences and aspirations of the Pakistani middle class.
Disadvantages of dropshipping in Pakistan
1. Infrastructure and logistics
While Pakistan is making progress in digital infrastructure, there are still challenges in terms of reliable internet connectivity and logistics, particularly in remote areas. Dropshipping businesses may face issues with inconsistent internet speeds and reliable delivery services, impacting the overall customer experience.
2. Payment methods and security
Pakistan’s payment landscape is diverse, with a mix of traditional methods like cash on delivery and the growing adoption of digital wallets. Integrating various payment gateways is essential, but ensuring secure transactions and building customer trust can be a challenge. Addressing security concerns and providing transparent payment processes are crucial for business success.
3. Cultural and regional diversity
Pakistan’s cultural and regional diversity, while an advantage, also presents a complex landscape. Dropshipping businesses need to navigate the nuances of different cultural preferences, languages, and regional trends to create effective marketing strategies and product offerings. Understanding and catering to these diverse segments can be a delicate balance, requiring localized approaches and tailored content.
4. Regulatory and legal considerations
As with any ecommerce venture, understanding and complying with regulations is essential. Pakistan has laws and regulations related to ecommerce, consumer protection, and data privacy. Dropshipping businesses must stay informed about these legal requirements and ensure compliance, particularly as the industry continues to evolve and attract more attention from regulators.
Although some may doubt the effectiveness of dropshipping, the countless success stories of entrepreneurs who have built thriving businesses from the ground up demonstrate that with the right mindset and strategies, this model is indeed worth pursuing.
What to dropship?
How much can you make with dropshipping?
How far you can go with dropshipping: real-life experience
FAQ
Is dropshipping legal in Pakistan?
Yes! When you are dropshipping, you are not ‘fooling’ anyone, and you are not breaking any laws. You are simply helping other people receive the items they want - and enjoy the perfect customer service you provide.
However, pay attention to your choice of products. It is illegal to sell branded, copyrighted items, or things like weapons (even their sports or hunting models), knives, smoking mixtures, etc.
How much money do I need to start?
At least $150 is necessary - let’s do the maths.
If you have some technical skills and can assemble and set up a website yourself, you will need around $150.
First of all, you will need to buy a domain name (a good one costs about $10-15, and you will need to pay this fee every year to prolong your registration).
After that, you need a hosting: a server that makes your store info visible to the Internet user. You can use the basic hosting service from AliDropship (‘Silver Plan’) and only pay $69 per year.
Then, you will need to install WordPress, which is absolutely free, and buy AliDropship plugin, which costs $89. It should be enough: WordPress + AliDropship make a proper basis to create a fully functional dropshipping store.
If you don’t have these technical skills, you can order a ready-made store based on the AliDropship plugin. It will be made for you personally by an expert team: the specialists will even add the first products to your store. So, technically, it will be ready to sell items from day 1. The basic ready-made dropshipping store costs $299; together with the annual domain fee, you will have to pay $310-315 to launch your business.
How to choose the store niche?
First, it should be something that you really like - or, at least, know deeply. You will be picking products, making advertisements, and advising customers, so you absolutely need to be a pro in this.
Also, this niche should be popular with buyers and easy to promote online. Here is a complete niche selection guide that will help you!
Where to find the products?
AliDropship plugin lets you easily import products on your dropshipping website. Basically, it transfers the products’ titles, descriptions and images in a single click. So, all you need to do is browse and find good quality products from reputable sellers.
Alternatively, you can use a database of over 50,000 selected products which are guaranteed to be in high demand. This database is available within AliDropship plugin: you can see it when you go to the Import section of your AliDropship-based store. The best part is that all the products’ titles and descriptions are already edited there, so you won’t spend your own time doing this yourself.
If I sell products, how can I compete with itself?
AliExpress is a large shopping platform where sellers offer everything at once. At the same time, your niche dropshipping store is focused on a specific range of products. Surely, you are more client-oriented than a large-scale store, and this is why buyers will choose you over.
Will my buyers know they are actually buying items?
It’s not likely. Even if they see Chinese names/addresses/characters on the wrapping paper, it won’t tell them anything. Lots of warehouses and manufacturing facilities of the largest global companies are situated in China, so there is nothing strange if a buyer receives a package of the Chinese origin.
Also, you can write your suppliers directly and ask them not to put any promotional materials into the package. Sellers are always glad to partner with dropshipping store owners because this partnership is profitable, so they will be happy to help you.
Will my buyers agree to a long delivery?
Long delivery itself isn’t a problem. Your customers are not buying life critical items from you, so they don’t mind waiting - especially, if you offer them an appealing price and a low-cost shipping.
Besides, you can choose the ePacket delivery method which cuts up the delivery time significantly. With ePacket, it will take the packages 7-15 days to arrive.
What if a buyer asks me for a refund?
Refunds are the responsibility of the original suppliers. Usually, they refund low-cost purchases really quickly, so there is nothing for you to worry about.
How to promote the store?
To make profit from your store, you first of all need to attract traffic to it. There are lots of ways to promote your store online for free, so pick the ones you personally like. Also, read the free marketing tips for dropshipping business: an experienced team brings them to you every week!
Will WordPress or AliDropship limit my activity and charge business fees?
No. The only recurring fee is the domain fee - you will have to pay for it every year, otherwise, your site won’t be visible on the Internet.
WordPress is completely free, and all the AliDropship solutions only require a one-time payment. Whatever AliDropship tool or service you get, you remain a full owner of your business. There are no limits on the amount of orders you can accept, or the volume of profit you make, or the quantity and the content of the products you import, etc. You are your own boss!
Free Dropshipping Guide
