How Dropshipping Shipping Actually Works (From China to Your Customer's Door)
You are doing dropshipping. You are making sales. But have you ever wondered: “How does the product actually get from a factory in China to John in Texas?”
Maybe you lost money because of bad shipping. Maybe a customer asked “Where is my order?” and you didn’t know the answer.
We have all been there. In this guide, DailyFulfill will open the “Black Box” of logistics. We will show you exactly what happens behind the scenes, and which shipping method is right for your business in 2026.
The Journey of a Package (Step-by-Step)
Let’s keep it simple. Imagine a customer named John buys a Watch from your store for $50.
Here is the invisible journey:
Step 1: The Order John pays you $50. You pay your supplier (DailyFulfill) $10. You keep the $40 profit.
Step 2: The Warehouse (The Check) We don’t just ship it blindly. DailyFulfill collects the watch from the factory.
We check it: Is the glass broken? Is the battery working?
We pack it: We put it in a nice box (maybe with your logo).
Step 3: The Handover We give the package to a Logistics Company (like YunExpress or CNE). While you sleep, they book the fastest flight to the USA.
Step 4: The Flight & Customs The plane lands in the USA. It goes through Customs.
If you use the wrong shipping: It gets stuck here for weeks.
If you use DailyFulfill: It clears in hours.
Step 5: The “Last Mile” The logistics company hands the package to a Local Courier (like USPS in the USA). The local postman delivers it to John’s door.
Key Lesson: You don’t need to do any of this. DailyFulfill handles all 5 steps. You just focus on selling.
The 3 Types of Air Shipping (Which One is Best?)
You might think: “Shipping is just Shipping. It goes on a plane.” Wrong.
Not all planes are the same. There are 3 main ways to ship from China. Choosing the wrong one can kill your business.
Option 1: Postal Services (The “Old & Slow” Way)
Examples: China Post, ePacket.
Used by: AliExpress sellers.
Speed: 30+ Days.
Pros: Very cheap.
Cons: Very slow. Tracking often stops working.
Verdict: Avoid. In 2026, customers will not wait 30 days.
Option 2: Commercial Express (The “VIP” Way)
Examples: DHL, FedEx, UPS.
Speed: 3-7 Days.
Pros: Super fast. very reliable.
Cons: Very Expensive. Shipping a $10 watch might cost $40 in shipping.
Verdict: Good for high-ticket items (over $100), but too expensive for normal dropshipping.
Option 3: Dedicated Lines (The “Smart” Way)
Examples: YunExpress, CNE, Yanwen.
Used by: Top Dropshippers & DailyFulfill.
Speed: 8-12 Days (to USA/Europe).
Pros: Faster than Postal, Cheaper than DHL.
How it works: They charter special space on planes just for e-commerce packages.
Verdict: The Winner. This is the “Goldilocks” option—not too slow, not too expensive. Just right.
The Top 10 Shipping Companies Compared (Pros & Cons)
You have heard the names: YunExpress, CNE, Yanwen… But which one is actually good?
At DailyFulfill, we work with all of them. We see the real data every day. Here is our honest review of the Top 10 logistics options for dropshippers in 2026.
The “Gold Standard” (Best for Dropshipping)
These are the companies used by 90% of successful 7-figure stores.
1. YunExpress (The King)
Best For: USA & Europe Dropshipping.
Speed: 6-10 Days (Fast).
Pros: Very stable. Excellent tracking. DDP (No tax) for Europe.
Cons: Not the cheapest, but worth the money.
Verdict: Our Top Recommendation. If you want happy customers, use YunExpress.
2. CNE Express (The Reliable Alternative)
Best For: UK & Europe.
Speed: 7-12 Days.
Pros: Very low “lost package” rate. Great for clothing.
Cons: Slightly more expensive than YunExpress for some routes.
Verdict: A solid backup if YunExpress is busy.
3. 4PX (The Giant)
Best For: Electronics & Multi-country selling.
Pros: Huge network. Owns warehouses everywhere. Good for Australia.
Cons: Customer service can be slow because they are too big.
Verdict: Great for big brands with global sales.
The “Budget” Options (Cheap but Slow)
4. Yanwen (The Economy Choice)
Best For: Cheap items (under $5) like stickers or phone cases.
Speed: 12-20 Days.
Pros: Very cheap.
Cons: Slower than YunExpress. Tracking sometimes stops.
Verdict: Use this only if your profit margin is very low.
5. Cainiao (The AliExpress Default)
Best For: AliExpress/Lazada sellers.
Speed: Unpredictable (15-45 Days).
Pros: Integrated with Alibaba.
Cons: It’s basically an upgraded Postal Service. Too slow for a real brand.
Verdict: Avoid if you want to build a premium brand.
The “Specialists” (Specific Needs)
6. Wanb (The US Specialist)
Best For: USA Market only.
Pros: Very strong US routes.
Cons: Weak in Europe/Rest of World.
7. SF Express (The Speed Demon)
Best For: High-value items (Luxury, Jewelry).
Speed: 3-5 Days (Almost like DHL).
Cons: Very Expensive.
Verdict: Use this if you sell $200+ items.
8. Huahan (The Sensitive Goods Expert)
Best For: Supplements, Pills, Powders.
Pros: They can ship things that others refuse.
Cons: Slower (12-18 days). Tracking is not great.
9. Shunyou (The Liquid Expert)
Best For: Liquids, Creams, Perfumes.
Pros: Can ship almost anything.
Cons: High Risk. Slow (20-40 days).
Verdict: Only use this if you sell liquids and have no other choice.
The “Trap” (Avoid This!)
10. “Fake” Dedicated Lines (Fraudulent Shipping)
What is it? Some shady agents use hacked USPS accounts to ship cheaply.
The Risk: If Customs catches it, your package is destroyed. No refund.
Verdict: NEVER use this. It is illegal and risky. DailyFulfill never uses this method.
Comparison Summary Table
Don’t have time to read? Here is the cheat sheet.
| Company | Best For… | Speed (Avg) | Cost | Risk |
| YunExpress | General Dropshipping | Fast (6-10 Days) | $$ | Low |
| CNE | Fashion / UK Market | Fast (7-12 Days) | $$ | Low |
| 4PX | Electronics / Global | Fast (7-12 Days) | $$ | Low |
| Yanwen | Cheap Small Items | Slow (12-20 Days) | $ | Medium |
| Cainiao | AliExpress Orders | Slow (15-45 Days) | $ | Medium |
| SF Express | Luxury / High Ticket | Very Fast (3-5 Days) | $$$$ | Low |
| Huahan | Supplements / Pills | Medium (12-18 Days) | $$ | Medium |
| Shunyou | Liquids / Perfume | Slow (20-40 Days) | $ | High |
How to Track (The Secret)
Ever get a tracking number that doesn’t work? Here is why: You have two numbers.
First Mile Number: From China to USA (e.g., YT123456).
Last Mile Number: From USPS to Customer (e.g., 94001…).
Pro Tip: Don’t use the carrier’s website. They only show one part of the journey. Use 17TRACK.net. It shows the entire journey from China to the customer’s door.
Conclusion: You Don’t Need to Choose
You just read about 10 different companies. Are you confused?
“Should I use CNE for UK and Wanb for US?”
“What if I sell liquids?”
Stop worrying. Partner with DailyFulfill. We have accounts with ALL these companies. Our system automatically picks the Best, Fastest, and Cheapest option for every single order.
Order to New York? -> System picks YunExpress.
Order to London? -> System picks CNE.
Order contains liquid? -> System picks Shunyou.
Let us handle the logistics. You just handle the sales. Contact DailyFulfill today for a free shipping quote!
DailyFulfill is your Best Dropshipping Partner
- 24/7 customer support
- 100% quality guarantee
- 1400+ professional clients
- 8400 m² fulfillment center
- 59960+ Sku of products
- 12+ dropshipping experience
