China Dropshipping in 2026 for Europe: Delivery Times, Taxes, and When It’s Not Worth It

Caio Moreira · 2026-10-07

Ioss

IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop) is a system that simplifies VAT (Value Added Tax) collection for sales of low-value imported goods (up to €150) in the European Union. For dropshipping from China, it’s essential to know that since 2021, IOSS has been mandatory to make sales taxation easier. If you don’t register for IOSS, the end customer will have to pay VAT upon delivery, which may discourage them from buying. So, register for IOSS and include VAT in the final price to avoid surprises for the customer.

Delivery time

Delivery times for the China-to-Europe dropshipping model range from 10 to 20 days. This is considered acceptable, but it’s important to manage customer expectations. A longer delivery time may lead to cancellations, especially if your competitor offers faster delivery. Use reliable suppliers with a positive track record to make sure delivery times are met. This helps keep your conversion rate high.

COD is impossible

Cash on delivery (COD) is practically unworkable for dropshipping from China to Europe. This is due to logistical complications, additional costs, and the difficulty of making sure the customer is available to receive the order. On top of that, most Chinese suppliers don’t offer this option. So, focus on traditional payment methods like credit cards and PayPal, which are safer and more efficient.

Alternative: EU inventory

A viable alternative to get around dropshipping’s limitations is to keep inventory in Europe. With a warehouse located in the EU, you can significantly reduce delivery times, bringing them down to 2-5 days. This also makes managing returns easier and builds customer trust, since products arrive faster. While this requires a larger upfront investment, the shorter delivery time may justify the cost.

Products that can still work

There are still product niches that can be profitable with the China dropshipping model, such as:

• Electronics accessories: items like headphones, cables, and adapters are still popular.

• Fashion and apparel: clothing, especially seasonal trends and fast fashion.

• Beauty products: cosmetics and makeup tools.

• Home goods: kitchen gadgets and decor still attract consumers.

However, avoid saturated products or ones with high competition, since this can reduce your profit margin and increase your customer acquisition cost.

How are you adapting to these changes, and which products have been getting the best results for you? Share your numbers!