Are we even going to pretend that dropshipping AliExpress products to Amazon is a walk in the park? All the tasks involved—from product research and supplier communication to long shipping times, listing optimization, tracking, and fulfillment—add up quickly. And, as any seasoned seller will tell you, Amazon isn’t the most forgiving when it comes to making mistakes.
When I was first getting started with dropshipping, I made the rookie mistake of trying to do everything manually. Huge. Mistake. Step by step, I was copy-pasting tracking numbers, refreshing pages of suppliers’ stores, manually updating prices, and wishing I didn’t have to see a spreadsheet. My ‘ah-ha’ moment was the realization that, when it comes to scaling a business, the right tools make all the difference—if I wanted to stay sane, that is.
Allow me to outline my exact framework for automating the AliExpress to Amazon Dropshipping Business Model so you can see how to streamline the entire workflow without losing your mind.
1. AutoDS – My All-In-One Automation Hub
If I had to select a single tool that powers 80% of the operations, it would have to be AutoDS.
Near everything is automated by AutoDS, including:
Importing products from AliExpress Price and stock monitoring Order fulfillment Automated tracking updates Analytics tracking and profit calculations
Simply connect your seller account from Amazon, pick products from AliExpress, and you can list them in a matter of minutes. With AutoDS, you don’t have to worry about your suppliers’ price fluctuations or changes in stock, as it will automatically adjust everything for you to avoid selling products that are no longer available.
AutoDS also supports Auto-ordering with Tracking updates which means that the system takes care of the ordering on AliExpress for you, and later sends the tracking number to your customers on Amazon. Total lifesaver.
Pro Tip: While browsing with AliExpress, use their one-click product importer chrome extension to add items for ease of access.
Zik Analytics – Product Research on Steroids
When it comes to selling on Amazon, product selection is crucial, and Zik Analytics is certainly able to help with that.
To populate my items I do the following:
- Research emerging products.
- Monitor competitors’ item listings, and analyze their sales numbers.
- Discover unexploited markets with considerable need yet minimal availability.
Though my focus is primarily on eBay, I still use it to identify prospective bestselling products, which I later verify their actual demand on Amazon. The tool displays current product information in real-time, thus eliminating my guessing—I am listing items that are already selling.
Bonus recommendation: evaluate the presence of comparable listings and items on Amazon first before proceeding to purchase an item from AliExpress. If it’s oversold or mostly occupied by Prime members, drop it.
3. AliTools – Supplier & Product Analyzer
When dealing with AliExpress, the suppliers can be very inconsistent in terms of their expecting them to, which makes using AliTools Chrome Extension to check the posted product and seller details a necessity.
With AliTools, I have access to:
- Product price chronicles (to ensure there are no exaggerated fake discounts)
- Seller rating and reviews
- Genuine customer photos
- Comprehensive statistical data on product listing
This ensures I do not fall victim to poorly maintained suppliers, or listings with unreliable usernames, or listings that have fake reviews. It’s the first thing I check before importing products onto AutoDS.
4. Amazon Seller Central + Amazon Seller App – For Live Management
With most of the work being done by automation tools, I still use Amazon Seller Central and the mobile Amazon Seller app to manage my listings, check messages, and look after account health.
Even with automation, Amazon requires human-like, swift assistance. In that regard, I use the app to:
- Reply promptly to customer messages.
- Look for any pending order issues or delays.
- Address any performance notifications before they worsen.
✅ Tip: Always turn on mobile alerts for performance updates – remember, Amazon won’t wait.
5. Google Sheets + Notion – For Internal Tracking & SOPs
This is more of a “glue” system, but it matters. Google Sheets is where I keep track of my profit margins, supplier URLs, policies regarding returns, and product ASIN mapping.
In Notion, I have built out my complete dropshipping SOPs (standard operating procedures) that include:
- Checklists for vetting suppliers.
- Templates for returning and refunding.
- Scripts for customer service responses.
- Checklists for weekly tasks
That is how I remain consistent—and as I scale, it makes delegation easier.
6. DSers or CJ Dropshipping (For Backup)
There are times when a product goes out of stock on AliExpress and the shipping times may suddenly increase. This is why I have a backup supplier flow on other platforms such as DSers or CJ Dropshipping.
Similar to what Express does, they provide product sourcing and order fulfillment services, although with certain items, they tend to have quicker shipping or superior customer service. When I need something beyond the abilities of AliExpress, this is where I turn.
Caution: Never forget to check each supplier’s refund policies and shipping times before adding any items to your list. One late delivery can lead to an Amazon warning.
Concluding Ideas
This is definitely not the most intuitive option available, but dropshipping from AliExpress straight to Amazon can still be managed should you decide to approach it as a genuine venture. Working smart, not just hard, is key. Having the right tools has allowed me to go from burnout and confusion to an organized system—with heavy lifting almost fully automated—focused on growing the business instead of fire-fighting.
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