How to Start Dropshipping with Lazada: The Complete Guide

If you’re looking to break into eCommerce in Southeast Asia, dropshipping with Lazada can be one of the easiest ways to get started.

Lazada is one of the region’s largest online marketplaces, giving you access to millions of buyers across countries like Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia — all without needing to hold any inventory.

But unlike Shopify or Amazon, Lazada isn’t built for dropshipping out of the box.

There’s no official “dropshipping” program. Still, thousands of sellers do it successfully by leveraging Lazada’s tools, third-party integrations, and reliable suppliers.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know to start dropshipping on Lazada — from account setup to finding suppliers, listing products, managing orders, and scaling up.

1. Why Dropshipping with Lazada Makes Sense

If you’re just starting out or want to avoid the risks of holding inventory, Lazada is a practical option for reaching the Southeast Asian market. Here’s why it works:

• Built-in customer base: Lazada has over 130 million monthly users across SEA
• No need for a website: You’re selling within a marketplace that’s already trusted
• Localized logistics: Use Lazada Fulfillment or third-party services to ship quickly
• Low overhead: No need to rent a warehouse or buy stock upfront
• Supports international sellers: Even if you’re not based in SEA, you can apply as a Global Seller

2. Lazada Seller Types: Local vs Global

Before you start dropshipping, you need to choose the right seller account. Lazada offers two types of accounts:

Key differences:

• Local sellers can ship within the country using local suppliers or fulfillment centers
• Global sellers typically ship from China using logistics partners like Cainiao, 4PX, or J&T Express
• Global sellers can list in multiple SEA countries, while local sellers are restricted to one

If you’re dropshipping from within SEA (e.g., using local suppliers in Malaysia or the Philippines), go with a Local Seller account. If you’re sourcing from platforms like 1688 or AliExpress and shipping from China, choose the Global Seller account.

3. How to Set Up a Lazada Seller Account

Here’s how to get started:

For Local Sellers:

1. Go to https://sellercenter.lazada.com/
2. Select your country (e.g., Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand)
3. Choose “Local Seller”
4. Submit:
   • Government-issued ID
   • Local bank account
   • Business registration (varies by country)
5. Wait for verification (usually 1-3 business days)

For Global Sellers:

1. Go to https://www.lazada.com/en/global-seller/
2. Choose your main warehouse location
3. Submit:
   • Valid passport
   • Foreign business license
   • Alipay or Payoneer account
4. Approval takes 2-5 business days

Once you’re approved, you’ll get access to Lazada Seller Center where you can manage products, orders, logistics, and ads.

4. Finding Reliable Dropshipping Suppliers for Lazada

Finding the right supplier is one of the most important steps. Since Lazada doesn’t offer built-in dropshipping support like Oberlo or DSers, you’ll need to do this manually or through trusted tools.

Local dropshipping suppliers:

• Kumoten – Dropshipping in Malaysia with local products
• Dropee – B2B wholesale dropshipping across SEA
• EasyStore + EasyParcel – Sync with Lazada and automate shipping

Cross-border suppliers:

• 1688.com – Best pricing, but Chinese language only
• AliExpress – Easier interface but higher costs
• CJ Dropshipping – Offers integration with Lazada for Global Sellers

What to look for in a supplier:

• Ships within 48 hours
• Offers tracking numbers
• Good product packaging
• High product quality (minimize returns)
• Can integrate with your logistics provider

5. Listing Your Products on Lazada

Your product listings need to look local, trustworthy, and optimized for search within the Lazada platform. Here’s what to focus on:

Best practices:

• Use local language (or fluent English if allowed)
• Include SEO keywords in your product title (e.g., “wireless earbuds with mic”)
• Add at least 5 high-quality images
• Include product videos if possible
• Use bullet points in your description
• Offer clear shipping and return policies

Listing structure:

6. Order Fulfillment and Shipping

Lazada buyers expect fast and reliable delivery. Whether you’re shipping locally or cross-border, your fulfillment system needs to be tight.

For Local Sellers:

• Use EasyParcel or J&T Express to handle local shipping
• Use fulfillment centers like iStore iSend for better delivery times

For Global Sellers:

• Partner with Cainiao, 4PX, or Yanwen
• Consider using Lazada Fulfillment (LGS) for faster handling

Shipping costs:

• Local shipping: $1.50 – $3.00 per order (depending on size/weight)
• Cross-border: $4.00 – $8.00 per order
• Fulfillment centers charge monthly storage + per-order fees

Always monitor your Order Defect Rate (ODR) and Late Shipment Rate (LSR) — too many delays or issues can result in account suspension.

7. Handling Customer Support and Returns

Even if you’re not touching the product, you’re still responsible for the customer experience.

Best practices:

• Reply to messages within 24 hours
• Handle disputes professionally
• Accept returns if the item is defective or misrepresented
• Use Lazada’s return logistics (optional but recommended)

Return stats to note:

• Around 5% of all Lazada orders are returned or refunded
• Most returns are due to:
  • Wrong item sent
  • Late delivery
  • Poor product quality

Always keep your return policy clear and updated to avoid penalties.

8. Running Ads on Lazada

Once you’ve got some products listed, Lazada Sponsored Ads can give them a boost.

How it works:

• You bid for keywords within Lazada’s platform
• Ads show up on search results or product pages
• You only pay per click (PPC model)

Starter budget:

• Start with $5–$10/day per product
• Focus on high-converting keywords
• Monitor CPC and ROI weekly

Ad types:

Sellers who run ads consistently see up to 60% more visibility in the first few weeks.

9. Best Product Categories for Dropshipping on Lazada

Not all products perform well with dropshipping, especially with slower shipping from China. Focus on lightweight, low-return, high-demand products.

Top-performing categories:

• Mobile accessories
• Home & kitchen gadgets
• Fashion items
• Beauty tools
• Baby products

Avoid electronics with warranty issues, fragile items, or anything that’s easily returned due to size errors (like shoes or clothing without accurate sizing).

10. Scaling Your Dropshipping Business on Lazada

Once you’ve nailed the basics and you’re getting orders consistently, it’s time to grow.

Scale strategies:

• Increase your product catalog to 50–100 SKUs
• Use auto-pricing tools to stay competitive
• Hire a virtual assistant to help with customer messages
• Split-test product titles and images
• Build your own off-Lazada traffic (e.g., TikTok, FB Ads)

Advanced tools:

• Store analytics in Seller Center to monitor top sellers
• Repricing tools like Sellics or Shopline
• Bulk upload features to list faster

FAQs

Can I dropship from AliExpress to Lazada?

Yes, but only as a Global Seller. You’ll need to manage longer shipping times and make sure tracking is reliable.

Does Lazada allow dropshipping officially?

Not directly. Lazada doesn’t offer a built-in dropshipping feature, but it doesn’t ban it either — as long as your metrics stay healthy.

Final Thoughts

Dropshipping with Lazada is a great way to get into eCommerce in Southeast Asia. It gives you access to a massive user base, low startup costs, and room to scale without holding inventory.

While Lazada doesn’t make dropshipping plug-and-play, it’s definitely doable — especially if you’re willing to learn the platform and work with reliable suppliers.

Focus on listing quality products, partnering with good logistics, and delivering a solid customer experience. That’s how you win on Lazada long term.