How To Start Dropshipping In Saudi Arabia In 2025
Why start dropshipping
Imagine a world where the bounds of geography fade away, where your entrepreneurial dreams can break free from the limits of your location.
This is the realm of the global business, where customers worldwide await your offerings.
If this vision captivates you, then you’ve arrived at the right place. Dropshipping, a business model that levels the playing field, presents equal opportunities for everyone.
Seeking a brighter future for yourself and your family? Start an online business that generates income from anywhere in the world.
All you need is a reliable internet connection and an online store. Your entrepreneurial path begins here, in this borderless realm of boundless potential.
How dropshipping works
Why start dropshipping in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia presents a compelling opportunity for those looking to start a dropshipping business. As the largest economy in the Middle East, the country boasts a rapidly growing ecommerce market that is ripe for disruption.
One of the main benefits of dropshipping in Saudi Arabia is the country’s young, tech-savvy population. Over 70% of Saudis are under the age of 30, and they have enthusiastically embraced online shopping. In 2023, ecommerce sales in the Kingdom reached $11.2 billion. This trend is only expected to continue, with projections showing ecommerce sales reaching $14.1 billion in 2024, as more consumers shift their shopping habits online.
Another factor working in favor of dropshippers is the Saudi government’s push to diversify the economy away from oil. The country has implemented a number of initiatives, such as the Vision 2030 program, that aim to foster entrepreneurship and support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses. This creates a favorable regulatory environment for those looking to start an online business.
Finally, the logistics infrastructure in Saudi Arabia is rapidly improving, making it easier for dropshippers to fulfill orders and deliver products to customers. The country has invested heavily in its transportation network, including the development of new airports, seaports, and highways.
This, combined with the rise of ecommerce-focused logistics providers, means that dropshippers can reliably and efficiently ship products to customers across the Kingdom.
Advantages and disadvantages of dropshipping in Saudi Arabia
Advantages of dropshipping in Saudi Arabia
1. Rapidly growing ecommerce market
Saudi Arabia’s ecommerce market is experiencing rapid growth, with sales reaching $11.2 billion in 2023 and projected to hit $14.1 billion in 2024. This represents year-over-year growth of 28% and 26% respectively. The country’s young, tech-savvy population has enthusiastically embraced online shopping, creating a prime opportunity for dropshippers to tap into this burgeoning market.
2. Supportive government initiatives
The Saudi government has made diversifying the economy away from oil a key priority, implementing programs like Vision 2030 that aim to foster entrepreneurship and support small and medium-sized businesses. This pro-business environment provides a favorable regulatory landscape for those looking to start an online dropshipping venture.
3. Improving logistics infrastructure
Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in upgrading its transportation network, including the development of new airports, seaports, and highways. This, combined with the rise of ecommerce-focused logistics providers, means that dropshippers can reliably and efficiently fulfill orders and deliver products to customers across the Kingdom.
4. Low startup costs
Dropshipping offers a relatively low-cost way to start an online business, as it eliminates the need for inventory, warehousing, and physical retail space. This makes it an attractive option for entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia, where startup capital can be a challenge to secure.
5. Untapped potential
While ecommerce is growing rapidly in Saudi Arabia, the market is still relatively underdeveloped compared to more mature markets like the United States or Europe. This presents dropshippers with an opportunity to establish a strong foothold and gain a competitive advantage before the market becomes more saturated.
Disadvantages of dropshipping in Saudi Arabia
1. Cultural and language barriers
Saudi Arabia has a unique cultural and linguistic landscape that can present challenges for foreign dropshippers. Understanding and adapting to local customs, preferences, and communication styles is crucial for building trust and connecting with customers.
2. Logistics complexities
While the logistics infrastructure in Saudi Arabia is improving, there are still complexities and potential pain points that dropshippers must navigate. This includes navigating customs and import regulations, dealing with varying delivery times and costs across the country, and ensuring reliable and timely fulfillment of orders.
3. Limited payment options
The range of payment methods available to online shoppers in Saudi Arabia is more limited compared to other markets. Dropshippers may need to invest in integrating alternative payment gateways, such as mobile wallets or bank transfers, to cater to local customer preferences.
4. Fierce competition
As the ecommerce market in Saudi Arabia continues to grow, dropshippers will face increasing competition from both local and international players. Establishing a strong brand, offering unique products, and providing exceptional customer service will be essential for providing a distinctive edge in a saturated market.
5. Regulatory uncertainty
While the Saudi government has taken steps to create a more favorable environment for entrepreneurs, the regulatory landscape for ecommerce and dropshipping businesses can still be complex and evolving. Dropshippers must stay up-to-date with changing laws, taxes, and other compliance requirements to avoid potential pitfalls.
All things considered, starting a dropshipping business in Saudi Arabia presents both significant opportunities and unique challenges. Entrepreneurs must carefully weigh the advantages, such as the rapidly growing ecommerce market and supportive government initiatives, against the potential disadvantages, including cultural and language barriers, logistics complexities, and fierce competition. By understanding and addressing these factors, dropshippers can position themselves for success in this dynamic and promising market.
What to dropship?
How much can you make with dropshipping?
How far you can go with dropshipping: real-life experience
FAQ
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
